Akron Barberton Vet Clinic

Are Counterfeit Flea and Tick Products Harming Pets?

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 01:41:00 GMT

Earlier this month, USA Today published in article in which it was stated that the Environmental Protection Agency issued a report about potential problems with one of the more popular flea and tick products, the Seresto collar by Elanco Animal Health. According to the USA Today article, Seresto collars have been associated with the death of close to 1700 animals. In addition, the article claimed that tens of thousand of pets were injured, along with several hundred human injuries.

Many veterinarians were skeptical about the initial report, as the Seresto Collar has gone through several trials prior to reaching the market. It has also been on the market for several years. This skepticism is also based in the fact that there are numerous factors at play in the life and health of an animal. The mere fact that a pet had a collars in place does not mean the the adverse effects were directly attributed to the collar itself. The saying goes that correlation does not equal causation.

While most veterinarian likely feel that the collar are safe, there is some cause for concern. The high numbers of complaints and issues is enough to draw concern. Additionally, and perhaps the greatest cause for concern is that counterfeit flea and tick products can show up through various sources. In May of 2020, the US Customs and Border control confiscated a large shipment of counterfeit Seresto collars from overseas. These collars show up mainly through non-veterinary channels.

As of now, the FDA and EPA have not been able to confirm whether or not the majority of problems are coming from the brand name product or from counterfeit collars that have entered the US. These products can easily be purchased without knowing if they are the real deal or the fake product. Elanco distributes directly through veterinary channels, which avoids the potential of receiving a counterfeit product when purchasing directly through your veterinarian.

Veterinary Wellness Partners offers many products through direct veterinary channels. The easiest way to purchase is at one of our clinic locations. In addition, we offer an online store , that still guarantees that the product is delivered through proper channels to avoid the risks associated with potentially counterfeit products.

How to Use our Online Store

Sportmix Pet Food Recall

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 18:35:00 GMT

2020 has one more surprise for pet owners: A FOOD RECALL

The FDA announced a recall of certain pet foods from Sportmix Brand. These foods contain high levels of aflatoxin, a mold that typically grows on corn. This is in response to 28 deaths and 8 sick patients as of 12/31/2020. Pet owners who have purchased Sportmix pet food products should be aware that this brand is linked to the fatalities. The pet food in question was manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods.

According to the FDA's release, aflatoxin is "a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus which can grow on corn and other grains used as ingredients in pet food." In high levels, it can cause harm to pets. Clinical signs and sympotms include: sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea. In some cases, it can cause liver damage and can even be fatal.

If you happen to have any Sportmix pet food in your possession, the FDA suggests not feeding it to your pets and consulting a veterinarian if they've ingested it recently. In the organization's recall, they wrote that their investigation is ongoing and that as more information is available, they will update their post.

Affected products iclude: (copied from the FDA website)

The list of recalled dry pet food products announced by Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. on December 30, 2020 is:

Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag

Exp 03/02/22/05/L2

Exp 03/02/22/05/L3

Exp 03/03/22/05/L2

Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. bag

Exp 03/02/22/05/L3

Sportmix Premium High Energy, 50 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Sportmix Premium High Energy, 44 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L2

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Lot code information may be found on the back of bag and will appear in a three-line code, with the top line in format “EXP 03/03/22/05/L#/B###/HH:MM”

Veterinary Wellness Partners recommends the following companies for pet foods, as these companies have higher certification levels and higher quality control measures than some of the smaller companies:

IAMS/ EUKANUBA

ROYAL CANIN

PURINA

Hill's/ SCIENCE DIET

Article written and published by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Veterinary Wellness Partners COVID-19 Plan May 18th, 2020

Mon, 18 May 2020 20:25:00 GMT

Curbside Care

With the continuing COVID-19 situation across the country, many veterinary clinics continue to provide curbside care to their clients and patients. Veterinary Wellness Partners, including our four clinics, are continuing with this same curbside care for the foreseeable short-term future.

What is Curbside Care?

Curbside care is the term used to describe the process that we use to accommodate the social distancing guidelines by having clients wait in the parking lot. We still perform a complete examination and discuss findings and recommendations with each client.

How does curbside care work?

Upon arrival at one of our clinics, clients are to call the front desk. We ask that all dogs are on leashes and all cats are in carriers, as they could easily get away if not properly placed in a carrier. We also request that clients wear a mask while interacting with our staff. Once the front offices checks your pet in, a medical team member will come out to the vehicle to bring your pet into the clinic. A valid cellphone number will be obtained, so as to allow for communication from the veterinary staff to the clients. A history will be taken either over the phone or discussed at the vehicle.

Once your pet has been escorted into the clinic, he/ she will be weighed and then will have a complete physical examination. Following the physical examination, you will be called by the attending veterinarian to discuss our findings, as well as to go over our suggested treatment plan.

At the end of the follow-up phone calls, clients will be placed on hold. This will allow the front office staff to discuss payment. A check can be written and given to the team member that returns your pet to the car, or a credit card number can be obtained over the phone.

How long will curbside care last?

We do not know the end date to this system at this time. We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and recommendations given by the federal government, as well as the government of the state of Ohio. In addition, we take the safety and concern of our staff into consideration. Our staff members are our greatest aspect of our clinics and we need them to be comfortable and relaxed as we proceed going forward. We have had some client feedback and requests for clients to be allowed into the clinics. We will continue to listen to feedback. Some of the challenges of the social distancing protocols centers around the limited spacing in the examination rooms. With many examination rooms being too small to allow the proper 6 feet of distancing with three to four people in the rooms (one client, the doctor, and a support staff are general required for each examination).

Veterinary Wellness Partners want to thank everybody for their understanding. We have had 100% compliance with clients. There have been very few client complaints and a lot of compliments as to how this process is going. We continue to be thankful to be able to provide the best care to our patients and their families!

Farm Animal Coronaviruses

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 01:27:00 GMT

Species-specific coronaviruses and the diseases they cause

Many pet and farm animals have their own version of coronavirus by which they can be infected. They usually cause mild gastrointestinal illness, but some can cause respiratory disease.

Cattle

Bovine coronaviruses (BCoV) have been associated with calf diarrhea, winter dysentery in adult cattle, and the bovine respiratory disease complex. None of these diseases can be transmitted to humans.

Winter dysentery is characterized by the presence of acute watery diarrhea and decreases in milk production in adult cows. Cows may also exhibit mild respiratory signs such as nasal and eye discharge or a cough.

Diarrhea caused by bovine coronavirus is usually self-limiting and lasts a few days to a week; however, milk production may take weeks to months to return to normal. Often, treatment is not necessary as long as cows continue to have access to fresh water, feed, and mineral. Some cattle affected by more severe dehydration may require additional intravenous fluid support.

Neonatal calf diarrhea caused by bovine coronavirus is most often present in calves 5-15 days old, but can also affect older calves. Infected calves will have soft to liquid manure with mucus, sometimes only lasting a few days. These calves will usually still drink milk but may be moderately depressed.

Treatment is supportive care; calves will likely be dehydrated and require fluid therapy. This may mean oral electrolyte solutions with or without additional IV support. It is important that calves still receive nutritional support, and milk should not be withheld for more than 24hrs.

A vaccine for pregnant cows against coronavirus is available, but has yielded variable results.

Swine

There are several coronaviruses that cause disease in swine. These include porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCoV), porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV), and porcine coronavirus (PorCoV). All of these, with the exception of porcine respiratory coronavirus cause gastrointestinal disease in pigs and will show signs of diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes sudden death, especially in younger pigs.

Horses

Equine coronavirus causes fever, decreased appetite, colic signs, and sometimes diarrhea and is most commonly diagnosed in the winter. Disease is usually mild, and supportive care is treatment of choice. Sometimes dehydrated horses will need IV fluid therapy. Maintaining excellent hygiene is the best method of prevention and transmission.

Poultry

Chickens can be infected with a coronavirus that causes infectious bronchitis (IBV) in poultry. This is a rapidly acting and highly contagious disease affecting the upper respiratory tract in chickens. Clinical signs include respiratory problems and a decrease in production for 10-14 days. This virus only causes disease in chickens.

Chickens with infectious bronchitis will have mucus and foamy liquid in the trachea, sinuses, and nasal passages. They will often experience secondary bacterial infection. Viral infection can also affect chickens' reproductive system and kidneys.

Bluecomb, or transmissible enteritis is a disease affecting turkeys that is caused by a coronavirus. The virus causes a decreased appetite and lethargy, plus diarrhea, weight loss, and a darkening of the head or comb. Treatment for this disease is largely supportive care, and strict hygiene, biosecurity, and good management are the most important factors for prevention.

Vaccinations

While there are vaccines for some animal coronavirus, they are NOT licensed for protection against respiratory infections or COVID-19, and there is no evidence that they can provide any cross-protection.

COVID-19 Update 3/23/2020

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 23:47:00 GMT

COVID-19 Update

March 23rd, 2020

As of yesterday, Governor DeWine has issue an order to shelter in place beginning at 11:59 P.M. tonight that is statewide for Ohio. As a result, Veterinary Wellness partners continues to adjust to the guidelines and restrictions.

Like many clinics in the State of Ohio, we are beginning a protocol of not permitting public personnel/ clients into any of our buildings. This is being done to further protect our staff and our own families. Please read below for the changes and how we are going to be implementing them. In addition, please click on any of the links below to see what we have already instituted along the way. These new changes build upon those that we have previously implemented. Thank you for your understanding during these turbulent times. Our clinic doors will be locked to prevent clients from entering. We will get signage up on each door explaining our procedures.

Strict Curbside Patient Protocol

We are going to a strict curb-side service protocol effective at 11:59 P.M. tonight in conjunction with the onset of Governor DeWine's orders to shelter in place. When you arrive at one of our clinics, please call in and let us know. A staff member will come out to your vehicle to get your pet for their visit. We will use a clinic leash to bring them into the clinic. Please try to hand dogs off at arm's length. Cats should be in a carrier and the carrier can be placed on the ground prior to transfer. Once your pet is safely in the room and the doctor comes in, we will call you from a restricted number to discuss the reason for your visit. A thorough history can be taken via the phone, then a verbal description of the examination and findings will be relayed. The pet will be taken back to the car and any medications dispensed. Payment will also be via the phone or Cash/ check taken at the car window

Pick up of Medication and Food

Please call ahead with your desire to pick up a medication or a food for your pet. When you arrive at the clinic, please call. A staff member will take a payment via the phone and then deliver the food or medication outside. We will place the item at a predetermined location and then you can come pick up the item. This will help to limit contact between our staff and the many clients that we come into contact with every day.

Pet Euthanasias

This policy will apply to euthanasias in the following manner. Please call upon arrival and we will bring paperwork out to your vehicle. A staff member will take you pet inside and we will place an IV catheter. Once the catheter is in place, we will return to your vehicle or an outside location. Our staff will be wearing personal protective gear for their safety. At that point, the euthanasia solution can be administered, causing your pet to gentle experience an anesthetic effect prior to the completion of the euthanasia.

Services

We are still performing most services, as they are each designed to either prevent disease or relieve pain and suffering. There are some services that are truly elective and will need to be delayed. These include very basic dental cleanings, castration procedures, minor lump and bump removals, and a few other things. If you are unsure, please call one of our clinics to discuss. We appreciate your understanding and respect of our doctors' decisions on these matters.

Farm Calls

For large animal, we are asking techs to hold horses and the owners to step back 6 feet. If necessary, horses can be tied temporarily, or the lead rope handed off at arm's length. For bovine farm calls, please respect the leading of our technicians and veterinarians. If we ask you to stand back, please understand our reasoning.

Personal Protective Equipment

There have been questions in various outlets regarding our usage of personal protective equipment (PPE). We do need to utilize PPE, in order to best protect ourselves. Most of the PPE that we use is slightly different from that of human hospitals. In addition, we are able to easily utilize reusable PPE (reuseable gowns, masks, etc.) without compromising any of our patients. We have had a staff member sew us cloth masks that we can wash and reuse to cut down on the masks that we typically use in the event that they would be needed by a local hospital or local first responders.

For Staff

We are still requiring you to take your temperature twice a day. Please call us if your temperature is above normal. In addition, if you are sick AT ALL, STAY Home. Call Missy (then Misty if Missy not available) to report your illness. We greatly appreciate each and every one of you working through these trying directives. There is a lot of time and effort that is begin spent upon every decision that is being made. You guys make us great!

To all, thank you for your understanding and patience during this time. We are blessed to continue to be able to provide exceptional service to our clients and their animals, our patients!

COVID-19 Policy 3/19/2020

COVID-19 Policy 3/16/2020

COVID-19 Policy 3/15/2020

March Bovine Health

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 21:03:00 GMT

March Bovine Health

Gabe Middleton DVM

How can activity monitoring systems improve profitability?

Activity monitoring systems are becoming more commonplace on dairy farms. Despite the large investment, many progressive producers see the potential payback for utilizing this technology. These systems are able to effectively monitor rumination time and activity of the cow to determine if she is sick or in heat.

The most common question during the decision making process is “How will the system pay for itself?” That question is not easily answered and is dependent on the current status of the herd as well as the goals.

From a reproductive perspective; if heat detection rate and conception rates are poor, the system may help improve both of those numbers, in turn improving profitability. Changing from a predominantly timed AI program to more of a heat detection type program with an activity monitoring system is probably not going to be the sole method of payback. Reproductive hormone savings will not be substantial enough. If reproductive efficiency is already good, moving an already excellent pregnancy rate up a few percentage points does not results in tremendous financial returns. In other words, reproductive improvement can certainly occur with the installation of activity monitoring systems, but there must be other areas of improvement for the system to be justified financially.

I recently met with Joe, a regular herd health client, who has had an activity monitoring system for the last 2 years. We reviewed his herd data to see how certain metrics compare before and after the implementation of this technology. We found a much quicker payback on the system than we expected. Reproductive efficiency showed improvement, as pregnancy rate went from 24% to 27%. Both conception rate and heat detection rate also improved. The interbreeding interval was reduced as the system found cows to be rebred prior to the cows being enrolled for pregnancy diagnosis. Prior to system installation, the herd used very little timed AI, so reduction of hormone use did not occur, but the return appreciated by seeing decreased days open for the herd.

We also examined culling and death rates. Joe and I were very pleased with the level of improvement in this area. Joe's culling rates went from 32% to 25%. Culling by 30 days in milk went from 6.5% to 3.5%. Death loss was also reduced, going from 6% to 4.4%. There were over 1500 calvings in the data set, so these findings were definitely significant and did not occur just by chance. By reducing culling and death, Joe was able to change the way they managed the farm's heifer inventory. With a reduced cull rate, fewer heifers were needed. A reduction in overall heifer inventory was another significant savings thanks indirectly to the activity monitoring system. In addition, selling of heifers resulted in some increased profits that were not factored into the overall cost savings of the system.

We attributed the reduction in culling and death to both early identification of disease and utilization of group rumination numbers to allow us to make nutritional changes prior to a significant disease outbreak. For example, monitoring group rumination level of pre-fresh and far off dry cows has been tremendously helpful. Without the ability to monitor group rumination, dairies typically wait until transition cow incidence increases before making changes. With rumination data, the ability to see changes before they result in disease is a remarkable benefit. For example, if group ruminations in the prefresh pen are reduced, that issue can be immediately investigated. Some potential reasons include urine pH changes on negative DCAD rations, dry matter changes in forages, energy changes in forages, or mixing errors.

Early identification of disease typically results in improvement of treatment effectiveness. We noticed this occurring in several different areas. Success of DA surgeries was dramatically increased because of rapid intervention. Joe also noticed increased success in treatment of other fresh cow diseases. One area that we needed to fine tune over time was treatment of cows with low rumination levels. Obviously, low rumination itself is not a disease, rather a symptom. Every cow that is sorted for low rumination still needs a thorough physical examination. To avoid overtreatment, we had to adjust protocols so that not every cow received treatment. Some cows appear stable and don’t show specific disease symptoms other than low rumination. We had to be prepared to just monitor those cows. Many recover uneventfully after a day or two.

Joe also noticed that his labor need changed when he installed the activity monitoring system. While every cow needs an exam if she is sorted for low rumination, the need to go out and find the cow is eliminated by an effective sort gate. There is tremendous benefit in allowing skilled labor to do their job and not waste time finding sick cows within the group. Joe was able to expand his dairy and maintain his current labor force thanks to the effectiveness of the system in finding and sorting sick cows.

All of these benefits resulted in reduced direct disease costs and improved treatment and breeding outcomes. There was an obvious payback for that. Ultimately improved peak milks and overall production are what made the system successful for Joe. While the investment was high, he recognized the potential for activity monitoring systems to improve profitability on his dairy. Like any automated dairy system, all of basics of successful dairying still need to be in place for the system to be optimized.

COVID-19 Update 3/19/2020

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 20:48:00 GMT

COVID 19 UPDATE

March 19th, 2020

As many of you know, things are changing by the day with the COVID-19 virus and government's directives and guidance. We will continue to update via Facebook and various articles on our website. If you haven't already done so, like us on Facebook and encourage your friends to follow us as well. We plan to continue to provide helpful articles and links as we can get them developed.

Shortage of Personal Protective Equipment

Across the nation, there are concerns about veterinarians utilizing resources that are desperately needed for the human health aspect of this disease. We want to make sure that everyone is aware that we are not compromising the human health capabilities to respond to this situation should the need arise. We adhere to some of the most strict guidelines for veterinary medicine, however our equipment is not the same grade as that needed i human hospitals. We reuse our masks for several surgeries and have recently begun saving them from day to day to conserve. Our surgical gowns and caps are reusable, being washed and sterilized in between reuse. We change gowns and gloves in between every procedure to maintain a sterile environment within the surgical suite. This is for the best care of our patients. The disposable gloves that we wear are not required to be as impermeable as that of human hospitals. We are doing the best we can to help support local hospitals and first responders by keeping an eye out for supplies that we may be able to order and donate.

Veterinarian Role During this Time

We are considered essential services as veterinarians are on the front lines of public health through the care of animals. Our large animal team is the first step outside of the producers to ensuring safe and healthy food production. They will continue to operate as normal until otherwise directed.

Policies for Staff and Clients

At yesterday's news conference, the governor announced some increased measures that are affecting the way that we do business. The first is that all employees are to take their own temperature prior to coming to work. We have asked our employees to do this twice a day and keep a log on their phones. We are asking all clients to take their temperature prior to entering our clinic. Please do this at home prior to coming in. We do not have staff waiting at the doors to do this for you (and we mainly have thermometers that have been used on animals in our hospitals....eeeewwww)

We are limiting appointments to one person per appointment due to the size of examination rooms and the need for appropriate social distancing (6 feet). We realize this may be an inconvenience and thank you for understanding the need for these precautions at this time.

Schedule Changes and Updates

As a result of the increasing need for social distancing, we have made the following changes to our office schedule:

1) Orrville Pet Spa and Resort has discontinued grooming and Daycare services at this time. For boarding, we are open for:

ARRIVALS ONLY Monday through 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.

DEPARTURES ONLY Monday through Friday 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. and Sunday 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Prepaid only on Sundays)

2) All veterinary clinics will be closed on Saturdays beginning March 22nd and moving forward. We are currently scheduling Saturday appointments on May 1st, realizing that things may open up earlier or be restricted for longer than we anticipate.

3) There is no change to our large animal department, as we are the frontlines for animal health.

4) We will be shortening the evening hours at our Orrville location, by closing at 5:00 P.M. every day until further notice.

5) Our Elm Ridge Animal Hospital is currently planning to remain open until 6:00 P.M. on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Ongoing Services

As far as services that we are providing, we are still allowed to operate as normal as far as caseload, however we have been asked to minimize elective surgeries. There is a vast gray area of what this means, so we are establishing what we feel is best for our patients and within the spirit of the state's announcements. So please check below for out best "black and white" guidelines as of today:

Spays and Neuters: Spays are a very important surgery in the battle against overpopulation of pets and overloading of the rescue groups and shelters. In addition, it prevents mammary gland adenocarcinoma (breast cancer) in dogs. The final consideration is the prevention of pyometra, a severe condition that is the result of a uterus infection. For puppy spays, we are suggesting waiting until closer to six months, rather than at 20-24 weeks. For castration procedures, these are slightly less pertinent and can most likely be delayed for the time being.

Vaccinations: We feel that it is important to stay up to date on vaccinations. This means staying on schedule. Puppies and kittens are the most vital, as their full immunity has not developed. We need to try to keep these pets on their schedules. Pets that have recently been in and need a booster of a new vaccine need to remain on schedule to gain immunity. Rabies vaccinations are to prevent the risk of human exposure to rabies and are also very important.

Dentals/ Oral Surgery: Prophylactic dentals will need to be delayed. Dental procedures that are scheduled due to pathology is vital to preventing pain and the progression of gingivitis and oral disease.

Orthopedic Procedures: These are necessary to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis and pain in our pets.

Client Actions

Steps we suggest that you take:

Look into your current inventory of medications. Be sure to call in to see about refills at this time. Some things may be in short supply due to other veterinary clinics stocking up around the country.

If we are out of something, or you are currently using a big outside pharmacy, we highly encourage people to order through our online store. This is the easiest way for us to approve any online orders and helps support our clinic over larger, distant corporations. It is essentially along the lines of SHOP LOCAL and you get products that are guaranteed through the manufacturers. You are also eligible for rebates. The outside online pharamacies are unable to offer the manufacturer support. In addition, the outside pharmacies require a lot of staff time dealing with their representatives. With us being short on staffing, we appreciate the streamlining of the process, as we can approve needed prescriptions with the click of a button. For information and instructions on how to use our online store, click HERE.

We advise purchasing ahead for pet foods, whether prescription or a regular maintenance diet.

Thank you for understanding and helping to make this as easy as possible on our staff at this time. We realize that some of these decisions may not be convenient, but we feel that they are necessary to keep our staff healthy and here to continue to serve our clients and their pets.

Covid-19 Policy 3/16/2020

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 03:14:00 GMT

Our offices are continuing to monitor the Coronavirus situation and listening to the leaders of our state and nation. Currently we are taking the following steps;

1) We are wiping down door handles and areas every hour

2) We are offering car side delivery of medications with a call ahead and credit card payment via phone

3) We are limiting the number of clients in each room to one per appointment. If you have multiple family members, they will be asked to remain in your car. We can take your pet in if there is a reason to remain in your car

4) We are requesting that anybody with respiratory signs cancel their appointments.

5) Our staff is washing hands regularly

6) We are abiding by the social distancing rules of no handshakes and trying to keep personal space of 6 feet whenever possible.

7) We recommend that you call to get 60 day supplies of any needed medications

8) We highly recommend using our online store if you order online. As things get more and more limited, we can continue to supply medications via this route. If offices need to limit staff, we will only be able to service online orders through our online store. IN addition, this supports us directly, sticking with the spirit of BUYING LOCAL.

9) We are limiting our usage of facemasks by reusing disposable face masks as often as we can. We are also ordering fabric, washable, reusable masks to replace the disposable ones.

Please call our office and ask if you have any questions or concerns.

Coronavirus statement

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 14:00:00 GMT

CORONAVIRUS vs COVID 19

Veterinarians and human health workers have dealt with coronavirus for many years. The old coronavirus was a fairly common infection that caused mild common cold symptoms. Veterinarians often diagnosed this virus in younger animals including puppies and calves and it also showed mild symptoms and illness. Vaccines and antibodies have been used off and on to control the old coronavirus. The canine coronavirus is so mild, that standard vaccination was discontinued by most veterinarians over 15 years ago.

The new virus, or Novel Coronavirus, has been named COVID-19. This virus is a completely new strain and acts differently than the previous coronavirus, so there are very few similarities other than the name. This new virus originated in China and has been rapidly spreading around the globe. It is highly contagious, much more so than the common flu. Transmission is most likely to occur when there is contact with a person’s bodily secretions, such as droplets from a cough or a sneeze. The best way to avoid the disease is to limit being around crowds, limit touching each other by handshake, wipe down commonly touched areas with sanitizers, and wash your hands often. For most people the risk of being infected is low but the virus is a very serious public health threat due to its ability to spread quickly.

Fortunately, multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree that there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19. There is also no evidence that animals spread the disease to other animals including humans. There are currently no documented cases of COVID-19 virus in animals. As with any virus, if you are sick, it is good to isolate yourself from other humans and pets as much as possible to eliminate the spread of the disease.

There are no drugs or vaccines licensed by the FDA available to treat COVID-19. If a person feels sick, please stay home and take care of yourself much the same as a cold or other flu virus.

Veterinary Wellness Partner veterinary clinics will remain open to take care of the needs of our patients. We are taking the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We are taking steps to limit the use of supplies and keeping our staff separated into smaller working groups. We continue to monitor the situation and will respond accordingly. We ask that you limit the number of people coming to each pet's appointment to one. Please call us if you have concerns about your pet or have any questions regarding the need for your pet to be seen.

Coronavirus in Dogs

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 01:42:00 GMT

Canine Coronavirus

There are two forms of coronavirus that infect our domesticated dogs: Intestinal and Respiratory

Intestinal Canine Coronavirus (CCV)

The first is an intestinal disease that can be found worldwide. It is specific to dogs, not transferring to any other animal or human. The virus infects the upper two thirds of the intestinal tract, as well as the local lymph nodes. It is limited to the upper two thirds of the GI tract and replicates here, where it can cause the clinical signs listed below. Most dogs experience very mild GI signs of diarrhea, with many not having any clinical signs or symptoms. When this virus occurs along with another GI disease, such as parvovirus or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, the signs and symptoms can be much worse, including death.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of a canine coronavirus vary from dog to dog. In the majority of adult dogs, the signs will be very negligible, to none at all. Occasionally a dog may have a vomiting episode followed by a few days of diarrhea. Fever is rare in older dogs. Most dogs will simply seem “off” for a bit, with decreased appetite and mild depression. Puppies may experience prolonged periods of vomiting and diarrhea, which can result in dehydration. These puppies need supportive care and will often fight the virus off.

Causes

As many know, this is a coronavirus. The term corona refers to the appearance of the virus when viewed under an electron microscope. This view gives the appearance of a crown, or corona, which is made up of protein particles on the shell of the virus. The most common source of infection is from contact with the feces of an infected dog. The virus can remain in the dog’s intestinal tract for a prolonged period of time, resulting in shedding of the virus to be picked up by other dogs. Stress and overcrowding can make some dogs more likely to come into contact with coronavirus.

Respiratory Canine Coronavirus

Differing slightly from the intestinal canine coronavirus (CCV), the respiratory virus is a type 2 coronavirus. It is called canine respiratory coronavirus, or CRCoV. It is genetically closely related to the bovine coronavirus, though the virus is not contagious to cattle. It is also closely related to the human coronavirus that causes the common cold (NOT COVID-19) and is also not share from dog to human.

Canine respiratory coronavirus first occurred in England in 2003. It has also occurred in Japan, Italy, Greece, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Clinical Signs

CCRoV can cause and acute respiratory infection. Most dogs have a mild disease consisting of cough, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Some dogs have a subclinical infection with no clinical signs, yet they shed virus that can infect other dogs. A small minority of dogs infected with CRCoV have progressed to pneumonia, especially is they are complicated by CIRD (see below). The clinical signs usually resolve after 1-2 weeks, depending on whether co-infection with other pathogens is involved.

Causes

Once again, this is caused by a coronavirus. It is most commonly associated with the complex known as canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD). CIRD is made up of several viruses and bacterial invaders. Some of these include canine parainfluenza, Canine influenza, and Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough). This complex can get very complicated if a bacterial pneumonia develops with mycoplasma being the primary concern.

The virus is spread through nasal secretions and particles. The most efficient transmission occurs by direct contact with infected dogs and by aerosols generated by coughing and sneezing. The risk for CRCoV infection is highest when large numbers of dogs are housed together in close confinement, such as boarding/training kennels, shelter facilities ,and dog shows. Dogs of all ages and breeds are susceptible to infection. The incubation time from CRCoV exposure to clinical disease is unknown, but may be a few days. The number of days that virus is shed is also unknown.

Treatment

There is no known treatment for CCV or CRCoV. Both of these are treated by supportive care, which is basically fluid therapy and treatment of secondary infections. Isolation of infected dogs is the best way to contain the virus. Quarantine time is unknown, but two weeks is suggested.

Prevention and Vaccination

Quarantining of affected dogs in the best preventive measure. The coronavirus does not last very long in the environment. General principles of cleaning and sterilizing of areas also helps to prevent the spread. Once thoroughly cleaned, areas should be completely dried. There is currently no vaccine for CRCoV.

There is a vaccination for the intestinal form, CCV. However, this vaccine is no longer commonly used or recommended due to the mild nature of the disease.

Animal Coronaviruses Overview

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 00:39:00 GMT

At the time of this writing, the World Health Organization has deemed the coronavirus outbreak an official pandemic. There have been approximately 121,000 cases worldwide, with just over 1,000 in the United States. Those numbers are likely to increase due to the fact that this is an emerging virus. This article is not meant to address the COVID-19 issue in people, but rather focus in on coronavirus in animals. At this time, COVID-19 has not been identified in animals, though it’s beginnings are not determined. If this were a zoonotic disease, which means transferring between people and domesticated animals, there would be reports of infected animals along with the daily updates on the number of people that are infected.

There are several viruses that affect animals that are within the coronavirus family. The term corona means crown and is given to this family of viruses due to the shape of the virus’s outer shell. The viral surface is surrounded by a ring of projecting proteins that cause it to appear "crownlike" when viewed under an electron microscope. Dogs , Cats, Horses, Turkeys, Bovine, and Pigs are several of the species that have had coronaviruses detected in them. Click on the hyperlinks embedded above to read more about coronavirus in each species.

In general, coronaviruses tend to cause very mild disease in most animals. Coronavirus in dogs used to be considered a core vaccine, but was removed from that status over 15 years ago. The vaccine was removed because it is mainly a virus of puppies that causes such mild clinical signs as to not warrant the risk of vaccination. Coronavirus in cattle is termed winter dysentery and is also generally mild. Perhaps the cat coronavirus, known as FIP, is the most aggressive form.

COVID-19 UPDATE 3/15/2020

Coronavirus in Dogs

COVID 19 Update 3/15/2020

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 00:12:00 GMT

Amid the rapidly-evolving news regarding Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), we wanted to take a moment to share some helpful information and answer some common questions regarding this virus, domestic animals and pets, and what you can do to continue to stay safe.

At this time, major world health organizations are emphasizing that the current primary concern is for human health. It is also important to know that, at this time, there is no concern regarding transmission to or from animals, and animals are not at risk for contracting COVID-19.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses named for their structure, which resembles a crown, or “corona”

There are many different types of coronavirus which can infect people and animals; historically, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV are types of coronavirus that have caused disease in humans

COVID-19 is the name for a new coronavirus that originated in China and causes respiratory disease, fever, and pneumonia in people

Can my pet get COVID-19?

COVID-19 appears to have emerged from an animal source. However, it is now spreading from among people.

At this time, there is no evidence that your pet can contract COVID-19 or that they may be a source of infection.

While there has been recent news about a dog testing “weak positive” for COVID-19 in Hong Kong, it does not mean this dog is truly positive, and no dogs in the US have been identified with the virus. It stands to reason that if pets were able to be infected, we would be hearing about it.

Are coronaviruses in other animals related to COVID-19? What about vaccines?

Many pet and farm animals have their own version of coronavirus by which they can be infected. They usually cause mild gastrointestinal illness, but some can cause respiratory disease.

Canine and bovine coronavirus cause diarrhea, and feline coronavirus can cause feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). These diseases are NOT associated with the current COVID-19 outbreak.

What can I do to keep myself and my pet safe?

Keep cats indoors, and keep pets with you if you are self-quarantined.

Excellent hand hygiene is the bottom line: always wash hands as much as possible, especially before and after handling any animals or pets.

Here are some practices we are enforcing to increase everyone’s safety during this time:

The lobby and all exam rooms are sanitized and wiped down thoroughly between appointments

All of our doctors and staff wash hands before and after each pet’s appointment

We are limiting the number of people accompanying a pet to the bare minimum. This keeps the number of people entering the clinic to a minimum. If you have kids with you due to the school closings, please call when you arrive and we can come out to your vehicle to get your pet.

Here are some practice you can implement to help everyone stay safe during this time:

For more from VWP on Coronavirus, check out the links below

/blog/coronavirus-statement

Animal Coronaviruses, an overview

BEG Diets and Heart Disease

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 22:00:00 GMT

Some of you have reached out to us regarding the FDA reports of diet related heart disease. We greatly appreciate your trust in us. We are keeping up with the investigation and can share some recommendations based on the findings as of now.

According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) , the FDA released information that it is investigating a possible connection between diets and a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The FDA began receiving reports as early as 2014 with the majority of cases reported between 2018 and 2019.

Veterinary cardiologists became suspicious of a diet related condition when an increased number of cases of DCM surfaced in breeds that were not previously genetically predisposed. DCM is a condition that results in an enlarged, weakened heart that cannot pump blood effectively. This leads to congestive heart failure. Signs of heart failure include coughing, breathing heavier, exercise intolerance, collapse and even sudden death. Breeds known to be genetically predisposed to DCM the Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Boxer, Irish Wolfhound and Cocker Spaniel. The investigation is on-going. Investigators are looking into potential deficiency of the amino acid taurine, but that has not explained all the cases. It is also unclear if the issue is a result of diet imbalance, quality control, interaction between ingredients, poor bioavailability or something else.

Here are some things we know:

A lot of pets were found eating a BEG diet. BEG diets are Boutique brands, foods with Exotic ingredients, or Grain-free foods . Other diets that may pose a risk for pets include those that are very low in protein, very high in fiber, vegan, vegetarian, or home-cooked diets.

We are recommending sticking with a diet from companies such as Purina, Hill’s, Iams/Eukanuba and Royal Canin. These pet food companies are well-established, have board-certified veterinary nutritionists on staff, and have robust research and development. Be wary of marketing ploys, opinion ratings, and myths. Grain sensitivity (especially to wheat) is rare in animals.

The good news is that, discontinuation of the BEG diet, combined with veterinary medical treatment, many affected dogs have shown improvement of their disease and clinical signs associated with DCM. The resolution of clinical signs may take some time.

Clicking on the hyperlinks in this post will take you to the full articles relating to this topic. Here is an excellent short summary video from Board Certified Veterinary Internist and Veterinary Nutritionist, Dr. Valerie Parker, from The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. As always, we would love to discuss this with you relating to your pets’ specific needs, so please reach out to your veterinarian with any questions or concerns you may have. In order to better help you and your pet, your veterinarian or veterinary technician may ask for a complete diet history during your pet’s appointment.

It is our privilege to partner with you in the care of your pets,

The doctors and staff of Veterinary Wellness Partners

Written by Dr. Marissa Hofstetter and Dr. Meghan Studds

These are two sites you can visit for more information:

Lisa Freeman’s blog: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/06/a-broken-heart-risk-of-heart-disease-in-boutique-or-grain-free-diets-and-exotic-ingredients/

UC Davis: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-investigates-link-between-dog-diets-and-deadly-heart-disease

For More nutrition related Articles, use our search engine or click on the links below:

The truth about "by Products"

Help for Aging pets

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 18:51:00 GMT

We’ve all been there – your dog or cat is aging, and you don’t know what to do, or where to start for help. You’ve noticed that she gets up a little slower these days, seems a little weaker in the back end, or he walks with a slight limp every once in a while. Did you know that there are MANY ways to help our pets with arthritis pain due to aching muscles and bones? Many people would think that it’s just a part of life; people get arthritis, too! It seems as though a lot of pet owners aren’t aware of all of the things we can do to help our pets have a better quality of life. Here are some things that you can do to give your pet the best, most comfortable life possible:

Click HERE for a link to our online store's joint supplement department. Many supplements are available without a prescription

There are many options for helping your pet live a long, healthy, comfortable life. Arthritis is not the end of the road! We are here to help you on that journey and continue to research new ways to increase quality of life in our pet friends. If you would like more information, feel free to call or email the office of your choice, and we will do everything we can to get your pet feeling better.

Robin

Veterinary Wellness Partners

Orrville Pet Spa and Resort 15th Anniversary

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 15:15:00 GMT

The Orrville Pet Spa and Resort is celebrating our 15th Anniversary of providing quality care to dogs and cats. We will be having an Open house Monday through Friday of the week of November 18-22nd. We will have refreshments and daily prizes! Stop in for tours between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. during that week. We hope to see you there!

Credelio

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Credelio

We recently added a new tool to the fight against fleas and ticks, called Credelio. Many of you may be familiar with Bravecto , a 12 week oral flea and tick preventative. Credelio is similar to Bravecto, yet only lasts for one month.

Credelio has the active ingredient: Lotilaner and is available by prescription. In order to get a prescription for your pet, a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship must be in place.

Credelio is a formulated into a palatable (tasty) treat that is soft and chewable. It is well liked by most dogs and easy to administer. It is highly recommended to give this product with a meal to prevent any risk of GI upset.

Credelio kills adult fleas, treats flea infestations, and treats and controls tick infestations. Ticks that are covered include: Lone Star Tick, American Dog Tick, Black-legged/ deer tick, and the Brown Dog Tick. Several of these ticks are of concern because they can transmit various diseases such as Lyme Disease , Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Anaplasmosis.

An advantage that Credelio has over several similar products is that it is approved for use in puppies over the age of 8 weeks old. Credilio comes in 5 sizes: 4.4-6.0 pound, 6.1-12.0 pounds, 12.1-25.0 pounds, 25.1- 50.0 pounds, and 50.1-100.0 pounds. Dogs over 100 pounds will need to use two tablets, one of each appropriate size.

Though Credelio has passed all safety tests and has very few side effects and risks, the following safety information is included: The safe use of Credelio in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are weight loss, elevated blood urea nitrogen, increased urination, and diarrhea. Please see full Credelio product information for complete safety information or contact your veterinarian.

Proheart 6 and Proheart 12

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 15:17:00 GMT

Proheart

Zoetis Animal Health has several convenient products that they offer in the injectable format. These medications make administration easier that oral and topical products. While there is yet to be an injection for fleas and ticks, there is a great one (actually 2) available for prevention of Heartworm Disease.

Proheart 6 is an injection for the prevention of heartworm disease, as well as hookworms. This injection can be administered at your dog's annual physical examination after a heartworm test has been performed to determine whether or not your dog has heartworm disease. This is called Proheart 6 because it lasts for 6 months. At that time an additional injection will need to be given, or your dog may be able to begin Proheart 12. Depeding on your dog's history, a second heartworm test will be performed at that time. The reason for the second test is that it takes 6 months for a heartworm to become detectable on a test. This means that the first test is testing for a period of time 6 months before the first injection. The second test is testing for the six months immediately before the first injection.

Proheart 12 is an injection for the prevention of heartworms and hookworms. It can be given to dogs after 2 negative heartworms, or to dogs that do not have a gap in the last 12 months of heartworm prevention.

Proheart 6 can be adminsitered to puppies over 6 months of age. Dogs must be greater than one year of age to receive Proheart12.

For more information regarding heartworm disease check out the following articles:

Heartworm FAQs

Protect Your Dog from Heartworm Disease

May is Heartworm Prevention Month

Reasons to Spay your Pet

Sat, 07 Sep 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Reasons To Spay Your Pet (Dog or Cat)

There are many reasons to spay your female pet. This surgery will help prevent medical and behavioral issues later in life. When spaying at a young age, 4-6 months, your pet will recover quicker and easier than if she is older.

Medical Reasons:

1) Pyometra - Pyometra is a bacterial infection in uterus. This usually happens shortly after a heat cycle because the cervix opens up during the heat cycle. As the heat cycle comes to an end, the cervix closes and traps bacteria in the uterus. The bacteria in the uterus then has a perfect environment to multiply. A pyometra is an emergency. As the uterus fills with bacteria, the uterus swells and can rupture. If the uterus ruptures, there is only a small chance that your pet will survive.

2) Mammary (Breast) Cancer – Mammary cancer is normally seen in intact female pets. Mammary cancer is normally malignant, meaning that it spreads rapidly to other areas of the body. Females that are spayed prior to their first heat cycle have a significantly less likely chance of getting mammary cancer. Every time your pet goes into heat, the risk of developing mammary cancer increases.

3) Perianal Fistulas – Perianal fistulas are more common in intact females. Perianal Fistulas are draining tracts around the anus. Perianal fistulas are characterized by chronic purulent discharge, foul smelling, and ulcerated tract. These are very painful and irritating to your pet.

4) Heat Cycle – Spaying your pet will also make it so your pet does not come have anymore heat cycles. In dogs, a heat cycle occurs about once every 6 months. This will also eliminate the mess of your pet bleeding during their heat cycle. In cats, about the first of the year, your cat will come in heat. They will go in and out of heat until they are bred. When cats go into heat they become very vocal. Cats go into heat about once a month until they are pregnant.

5) Frequent Urination – Your pet may start to urinate more frequently in an attempt to attract a male with her scent. This can also cause them to urinate in your house or inappropriate areas. You may also get some unwanted male visitors to your house in the attempts of mating with your female.

6) Roaming – Your pet may decide to leave your property in search of a mate. This could cause not only injuries to your pets due to being hit by a car, but also injuries to others in the attempts to miss your pet on the road.

7) Behavior – Female pets are more likely to become irritable and aggressive especially during their heat cycle. They can become aggressive towards other dogs or people. Pets can also become aggressive towards other animals or people when they don’t want you to touch their puppies. Females can have false pregnancies where they adopt an object as their puppy and could become aggressive over that object.

8) Unwanted Litters – There is already an overpopulation of animals in the world. Many animals are euthanized every year due to overpopulation. Shelters are having trouble keeping up with the number of unwanted pets in the world.

Cost – The cost of spaying your pet at a young age is considerably less than if you spay her at an older age. This cost is dramatically less than the cost of correcting the many conditions listed above, as well as being healthier for your cat or dog.

For these reasons alone, you can see the major benefit in spaying your pet. She will have a healthier life.

Written by Jenn Brown R.V.T.

Published and edited by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Disease Costs on Farms

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Disease Costs on Farms: Know the cost of disease on your farm

A dairy manager must evaluate and scrutinize all areas of management on the farm. Understanding diseases (transition and other) and the associated costs should be no different. The only way to truly understand the cost of disease is to enter your data into a program (fortunately there programs that can do that for a farm) or a spreadsheet that calculates costs. There are direct costs (drugs, death loss, treatment costs, milk withheld) and indirect costs (lost future production, reduced first service conception, culling) that need to be factored into the calculation. If you aren’t sure exactly how to calculate the disease costs for your farm, your farm’s disease cost is probably not much different than the industry average cost, so you could use the average costs for specific diseases. The dairy can justify management changes and improvements based on the financial cost of those diseases.

Clinical mastitis is all too common disease on some farms. A typical goal should be to have less than 2% of the milking herd with clinical mastitis per month. The best farms can get that number less than 1%. Keep in mind that even if you don’t treat clinical cases, that cow is still considered a mastitis case and most of the associated costs still apply. Research shows that the average cost of a case of mastitis is $400. I recently worked with a dairy with a high clinical mastitis rate. It turns out one of the issues was that their parlor towels were not being properly cleaned. They were able to easily justify the purchase of a new washer and dryer based on the potential savings by reducing clinical mastitis by even a small percentage of cases.

Metritis (Infected Uterus) is another transition cow disease that is very costly. Metritis typically occurs when a cow is 5-10 days in milk. Clinical signs include a fever and malodorous uterine discharge. First service conception rate and days to conception are usually increased and lactation production is decreased. A case of metritis can cost between $400-500. A different dairy farm had a 70% incidence of metritis in first lactation heifers. That is a significant financial drain. One of my producers decided to begin housing cows in a post-fresh group for the first 21-28 days in milk. This management change cost him a few thousand dollars to get started. With this change alone, he was able to reduce metritis incidence in first lactation heifers down to 10%. The decision was easily justified financially based on understanding his disease costs and incidence.

The example of a post-fresh group can also be applied to the diseases of ketosis and DA. Ketosis costs around $125 per case while DAs cost much more due to either surgery or culling. That cost is somewhat variable between farms depending on how the DAs are corrected, if at all.

Milk fever (hypocalcemia) is disease that can plague transition cows. Culling and death in early lactation can be a major financial drain on the farm. Milk fever costs approximately $125 per case. Keep in mind that hypocalcemia is considered a gateway disease, so while the actual cost of disease isn’t high, it creates an environment ripe for other costly diseases to occur. A different dairy farm had a high early lactation sold/dead rate. These involuntary and unwanted culls were a major drain on cow numbers and production of early days in milk cows. Bloodwork on fresh cows revealed an issue with fresh cow calcium status. The producer and nutritionist decided to feed a full DCAD (dietary cation-anion difference) diet to close up cows. The early lactation sold/dead rate drastically decreased. The feed additive and management change costs were easily justified based on the reduction in disease-associated costs.

There are other examples of cost benefit ratios when other diseases are examined. Respiratory vaccinations, ventilation systems in calf barns, salmonella vaccinations, mastitis vaccinations, and bedding costs are a few that come to mind. When you consider the decisions that are made on the farm on a daily basis, don’t just look at the cost of a product; but rather, what potential decreases in disease that may occur as a result. A few years ago I discovered a producer stopped using dry cow antibiotic therapy to save money. He had increases in dry period new infections and he also had a rise in bulk tank somatic cell count. He made a poor decision to try to save money but it ended up costing him more in the end due to increases in early lactation clinical mastitis and bulk tank somatic cell count.

Only the strong will survive in the industry moving forward. Farms that constantly lose money due to disease will have a hard time operating a profitable dairy. Know your cost of production, disease rates, and costs of disease so that you can make the soundest financial decision possible.

Written by Dr. Gabe Middleton

Reducing Calf and Heifer Respiratory Disease

Sat, 31 Aug 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Keys to reducing calf and heifer respiratory disease

Over the past decade, there has been an increase in housing pre-weaned dairy calves indoors. This has happened for many reasons. Humane comfort of housing calves indoors during winter months is one major factor. Another factor is the increase of group feeding of dairy calves. Whatever the reason may be, when dairy calves and heifers are housed together in a barn, they are at an increased risk of respiratory disease when compared to being housed individually in hutches. Even if calves are housed in hutches, when they are placed in groups in a barn post-weaning, respiratory disease can become an issue. Respiratory disease can be a problem in any housing situation if other management practices are not optimal.

Most producers think that colostrum management is critical to the prevention of neonatal scours, which is true. Passive transfer of immunity via colostrum is also necessary to prevent respiratory disease. Up to 1 out of 5 cases of respiratory disease in calves can be prevented by good colostrum management. Make sure your colostrum is concentrated, timely, clean, and fed at the appropriate volume.

Many vaccines do a good job at preventing respiratory disease in calves and heifers. Whether it is an intranasal or an injectable product, administering the right vaccines at the right time is very important to respiratory prevention. Giving injectable vaccines on the day of weaning and expecting those products to have maximum effect is an example of a poor use of vaccines. Vaccines do not work overnight. In addition, giving them to an already stressed animal will yield poor results. An example of a proper protocol is to administer injectable vaccines in the week or two prior to weaning, or even better, give an intranasal product around weaning. The key to vaccinations is to abide by a protocol and constantly revisit that protocol depending on the challenges of the farm.

Pen moves and pen sizes have a direct effect on respiratory disease. Pen sizes greater than 15-20 will increase the likelihood of pneumonia. Moving calves the day of weaning causes additional stress and a greater chance of respiratory disease. Management practices around the time of weaning should be critiqued and evaluated. Many changes can be instituted to help alleviate the stress ans strain on the calves.

Dairy producers should also consider the installation of a positive pressure tube ventilation system when calves or heifers are housed indoors. The idea behind these tube ventilation systems is to reduce the air bacterial counts and provide more fresh air in the microenvironment of the calf. It is critical to understand that the microenvironment is the area where the calf breathes air within the pen. A calf does not breathe the same air that a human does when they walk into the barn. The way a tube ventilation system achieves a reduction in air bacterial counts is to aim for exchanging the air in the barn at least 4 times per hour.

The tube needs to be custom designed for each calf facility. Purchasing a “cookie cutter” tube system for your facility will yield poor results. The University of Wisconsin Dairyland Initiative has created a spreadsheet that generates a custom-made tube ventilation system. The Dairyland Initiative staff has trained veterinarians and industry professionals throughout the world on proper design of these systems. If you decide to purchase a tube ventilation system, you should consider getting it designed by someone experienced with the Dairyland Initiative spreadsheet and who has taken the training course. There are also “certified consultants” within the Dairyland Initiative network that have demonstrated advanced proficiency with the design of tube ventilation systems.

Tube ventilation system designs can be modified so that the tube can be placed in many different locations throughout the barn. Typically one tube will properly distribute air up to 40 feet of barn width. The design can be modified so that the tube can be placed under or within the trusses. In the case of a barn with a low ceiling or a bank barn, the tube can be placed along the wall or out of the way of machinery that is utilized during barn cleanout. The hole size and location can be changed to accommodate basically any location within a barn.

There are some preconceived notions about tube ventilation systems that typically aren’t true. Even a well functioning tube ventilation system can be overwhelmed by disease pressure if any of these management factors become inadequate. Some producers believe that tube ventilation systems will make calf barns cold during winter. Unpublished research has shown that tubes have minimal effect on the temperature inside a calf barn relative to ambient temperature. Another misconception is that managing curtains is no longer important. Tube ventilation systems are just one aspect of preventing calf respiratory disease.

Current market prices for heifers are very depressed. So why is it still important to emphasize prevention of respiratory disease? The obvious answer is that respiratory disease directly causes increased treatment costs (labor, drugs) and death loss, as well as diminished growth. The long-term outcomes of poor growth are increased age at first calving and reduced first lactation (and likely subsequent lactations) milk yield. Don’t let the current market situation for heifer calf prices diminish the value of raising a quality heifer that will be a productive cow in the future.

Written By Gabe Middleton DVM of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic for Bovine Health

Edited for VWP by Jeff Fink DVM

Displaced Abomassum: Making the Right Decision

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Displaced Abomasum: Making the Right Decision

Transition cow programs have improved to increase cow health in early lactation, thus causing a reduction in transition cow diseases on many herds. There are several management reasons why cows in transition might experience disease, and all of those factors should be evaluated on the dairy to maximize welfare and profitability. One of the most expensive transition cow diseases from both a direct (cost of fixing the disease) and indirect (cost of lost milk) is a displaced abomasum (DA).

Despite better transition cow management, DAs still happen. A producer must make a decision on whether to fix the cow (surgery, rolling/medical therapy) or to cull the cow. Often times this decision is made based on a lack of objective criteria. A producer needs to be consistent in making culling decisions with DAs, rather than making flippant decisions.

The first thing to evaluate is whether the cow has ketosis. Surprisingly, ketosis actually predicts a more positive outcome after trying to fix the DA. The reasoning behind this is that typically a cow with a DA that is not ketotic may have a more serious or devastating reason that caused her abomasum to displace. Examples of these reasons are cancer, adhesions, peritonitis, abomasal ulcers, or liver disease. The presence of ketosis typically indicates that particular disease led to the DA, rather than another disease that is extremely difficult to fix.

First lactation heifers and cows with moderate body condition scores also respond better to DA therapy. These animals typically have a more functional liver (and a subsequent more functional immune system) and are more able to withstand DA correction and return to normal production. Heavier cows are more prone to fatty liver and immune suppression, thus causing potential treatment failure.

Other factors involved in DAs are concurrent diseases, such as metritis, retained placenta, lameness, and/or mastitis. Concurrent diseases can reduce the cow’s prognosis for productive recovery from DA therapy. There is a spectrum to the severity of each disease (for example common metritis vs. toxic metritis, lameness due to hairy heel wart vs. septic pedal arthritis) that will have an impact on the outcome. Consider concurrent diseases when determining whether or not to try to fix a DA, but also consider whether a cow with a severe concurrent disease is really a candidate for culling anyways.

Too often, a dairy takes a hard line one way or another in regards to DA treatment vs. culling. The most important factors involved that lead to culling DAs are an already overcrowded barn and plenty of replacement heifers. It may be worthwhile to consider fixing at least some percentage of DAs, rather than just culling all of them. It is also worthwhile to consider culling at least some percentage of DAs, rather than fixing all of them. As stated previously, first lactation heifers and mature cows with moderate body condition in the presence of ketosis without a severe concurrent disease are excellent candidates to try to treat as these animals often return to production. It may seem counterintuitive, but during difficult economic times, it may make more financial sense to try to fix some cows rather than sell them all. This is true because it costs much more money to grow a replacement than it does to fix a cow that is already in the herd. This situation may be complicated by an overabundance of replacements, which is a problem many dairies currently have.

How will the dairy go about fixing DAs? There are a few options: surgical correction, roll and tack/toggle, or roll and medical therapy. Surgical correction likely represents the most sure-fire approach to fixing DAs, as long as a trained veterinarian does the procedure. Roll and tack/toggle may represent a salvage procedure if the dairy doesn’t want to invest the money into surgical correction. Roll and medical therapy isn’t nearly as effective as the previous two options, but can work if the concurrent diseases are addressed. In either situation, the cow must receive follow up care to treat underlying diseases such as ketosis or metritis.

It makes financial sense no matter what the economic climate to make sound decisions on culling vs. fixing DAs. It also makes the most financial sense to pick the method of correction that yields the best results. If a method of correction is yielding poor results, it is often costing the dairy more in increased culling and dramatically reduced cull cow value than it would to pick the best method of correction in the first place.

Take time to make sound decisions on DAs, but also don’t forget to track DA incidence and make sure managements steps are taken to prevent them from occurring. An acceptable rate of DAs is less than 5% annually. Remember, a cow still should be recorded as a DA even if she is culled. If there is money being left on the table on your dairy due to transition cow disease, evaluate your situation and take some steps to improve transition cow health and productivity.

Article Written by VWP owner Dr. Gabe Middleton for Bovine Health

Edited and published by Dr. Jeff Fink

Palliative Care

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 17:21:00 GMT

Palliative Care in Veterinary Medicine

Pet parents are often faced with the issue when a beloved animal companion is faced with a terminal illness and is nearing the end of his or her life. With palliative care, we focus on the patient’s comfort, as well as allowing the family to be able to have as much time with their beloved friend. This is also a good chance for family and friends to gain a little closure at the end of life of their pet. In this article, we want to focus upon Palliative care, which is often referred to as hospice care. Palliative care provides those with a serious or chronic illness – from the time of diagnosis throughout the course of treatment – care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and managing suffering.

We often get asked the question: "How do you know when it is time?" There is not a clearly defined set of standards, but many things can help to evaluated quality of life. Roger Brambell’s Five Freedoms help with maintaining good quality of life and may be helpful when trying to decide on the appropriate time for the family to make the final decision for their beloved pet. The Five Freedoms outline five aspects of animal welfare under human control. They were developed in response to a 1965 UK Government report on livestock husbandry, and were formalized in 1979 press statement by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council. These timeless principles apply today, as well as when they were developed in 1965.

Brambell’s Five Freedoms

Freedom From Hunger/ Thirst:

Inappetence is often very distressing for owners. When body weight is not being maintained due to lack of appetite, there are things we can try. First is to make sure there is no underlying medical issue that could be causing the inappetence, such as a urinary tract infection. If no underlying medical issues are present, there are appetite stimulants and anti-nausea medications that can be administered.

Freedom From Stress & Fear:

One common stressor is the inability to breath regularly. Labored breathing is very stressful to our pets. There are sometimes medications or procedures that can be done to resolve labored breathing; such as bronchdilators, diuretics, or removing fluid from the lungs. Another source of stress and fear is hospitalization or hospital visits. Side effects from certain drugs or procedures can cause stress, such as nausea from chemotherapy. When in hospice, the owner and veterinarian should be in contact at least monthly. This may be in the form of a hospital visit or via phone. The veterinarian and staff make every effort to provide low stress visits to every pet that comes in, especially when coming in for euthanasia.

Freedom From Discomfort:

Discomfort can come in a variety of ways, such as having a suitable environment. This includes shelter and a comfortable resting place. Some of things to consider are:

1) Moving your pet in out of the weather, whether it be hot or cold.

2) Not letting your pet become dirty with urine and feces. Some pets become incontinent/ are unable to hold their urine or bowel movements anymore. Others may simply be unable to get up to either go to the bathroom outside or move so that they are not laying in the excrement.

3) Providing a soft place to lay for those aching joints.

4) Providing a ramp instead of stairs also helps with pets that have decreased mobility and joint pain.

Freedom From Pain, Injury & Disease:

Pain significantly decreases a pet’s quality of life. Pain management is very important in palliative care. There are a lot of medication choices to keep your pet from having chronic discomfort. Many of these medications can be given in combination to control the pain. At some point, there are times that a pet can get so much pain that we are unable to control it. At that point, quality of life diminishes greatly. We must also keep our pets safe. Depending on their mobility, falling down stairs or off beds & couches can cause issues, such as fractured bones. Heated beds can come in quite handy for comfort.

Freedom To Behave Normally:

The ultimate goal of palliative care is to allow our beloved pets to continue living a good quality life at home, doing the things they enjoy. One thing you can do to monitor the quality of life in this category is to make a list of 3-5 favorite activities your pet enjoys doing. With this list, monitor how often they are able to enjoy doing these activities. When your pet is unable to do the activities they enjoy, quality of life is diminished.

In addition to therapies mentioned above, there are alternative treatments that can have positive effects to help with quality of life. These treatments include laser therapy, massage, essential oils, acupuncture, stretching, chiropractic, and therapeutic swimming.

If your beloved pet is in need of palliative care, talk to your veterinarian with these concerns. Your veterinarian may be able to help if your pet improve quality of life in any of these categories. You veterinarian will also be able to help you notice when quality of life is diminishing.

Palliative care is a good way to keep your pet comfortable for as long as you can and give you a little extra quality time with them.

Article written and submitted by Jenn Brown R.V.T.

Edited and published by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Employment Opportunity

Thu, 02 May 2019 18:28:00 GMT

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. – Registered Veterinary Technician

With over 60 years in the community, we are a clinic everyone has come to know and trust. We pride ourselves on providing the best service to our clients and their pets and would like to add to our growing family! If you are a visionary who wants to use your technical skills; if you are dedicated to the highest standard of veterinary care; if you want to grow and be challenged beyond your current role, then Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. may be the place for you to shine!

Ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

• 1-2 years of clinical veterinary experience as a Registered Veterinary Technician (Strongly preferred, not required)

• Positive work attitude and commitment to a stress-free environment for our patients

• Schedule flexibility; Available to work weekends and holidays

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

• Provides excellent patient care and customer service

• Comfortable working with computer software to complete patient records and treatment

• Leadership skills, ability to train other staff

• Self-motivated, reliable, ability to multitask

• Competent in general knowledge and technician skills for specialty patients and ability to provide advanced patient care

• Team player with good interpersonal skills

• Planning, administering, and monitoring anesthesia, including for critical patients.

• Clear client communication and education

• Maintain professionalism in a fast-paced work environment.

Requirements and Qualifications:

We offer competitive benefits, including Group health insurance, 401k, Paid Time Off, personal pet discounts, uniforms, and other benefits.

If your skill set matches our ideal candidate, there is no need for you to look any further! Please feel free to stop in to fill out an application at 1665 North Main Street in Orrville, or email your resume to info@orrvillevetclinic.com . We look forward to hearing from you!

February Is Dental Health Month

Sat, 02 Feb 2019 12:30:00 GMT

February is Dental Health Month

Common Signs of Dental Disease

February has been designated as dental health month for animals. Dental health is often an easily neglected aspect of caring for our pets. It is not until we smell their bad breath that we realize that there may be a problem. This article will identify some of the common signs that dental disease may be occurring in an animal.

One of the first signs that you may notice in your pet is a change in eating pattern. This may show up as not eating as fast as before. It could also show up as picking up kibble and taking it to another room to eat. It could also manifest as not wanting to eat all together. If there is a sudden change in your pet's eating habits, it is probably time to check their teeth, or have them examined.

Another sign of dental problems in animals is weight loss. This is often due to the fact that your pet is either decreasing the amount of food that he/ she is eating or from loss of nutrient uptake. When animals develop dental problems, they tend to decrease the time that they spend masticating (chewing). The decreased amount of chewing keeps the food particles larger, which makes digestion harder. If a pet is unable to chew well and experiences less efficient digestion, fewer nutrients are absorbed.

A third common sign of dental disease is a preference for soft food over kibble and hard food. Most pets will prefer canned food at all times; but a sudden decrease in willingness to eat dry food, combined with a strong appetite for softened/ canned food is a strong indication that there could be trouble brewing in your pet's mouth. One way to test your pet's mouth pain is to take the normal dry food and soak it in warm water. If your pet eats this softened food a lot more readily than the same food in its dry form, there may be dental disease.

Perhaps the most common complaint from owners is a sudden increase in a soul odor to the breath. This has a very strong, distinct odor. Oftentimes, it is described as a rotten smell. This is probably due to the likelihood that there is some stage of gingivitis. The odor is also caused from the high levels of bacteria that have accumulated in the tartar and plaque build up.

An obvious sign of dental disease is bleeding from the mouth. If you notice blood from your pet's mouth, it is likely that there is some form of dental disease.

whining

Cold Weather Tips for Farm Animals

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 00:30:00 GMT

Cold Weather Tips for Farm Animals

The National Weather Service is predicting several days of extremely cold temperatures in our area. In a previous article, we discussed some tips to keep small animals warm during this time. Tips included: bringing animal inside, providing solid shelter, supplemental heating sources, keeping animals dry, limiting exposure, feeding tips, and keeping fresh water available. Many of these same concepts apply to farm animals; whether dairy herds, horses, or smaller farm animals.

We will look at: How do I best protect my animals? How can I provide extra heat? How cold is too cold?

How do I best protect my animals?

The first thing is to recognize that the majority of farm animals are outside throughout the year and grow thicker coats to acclimate to colder weather. This is God's design for protecting them. While this is true, it is still going to be brutally cold outside over the next few days. If it is bitterly cold to us, it is bitterly cold to them.

The best way to keep animals warm is to provide solid shelter. Most barns will remain 15 to 20 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. With herd animals, there is comfort in numbers. These animals can huddle together and provide warmth simply by sheer numbers. Smaller shelters and sheds are superior to nothing, as they provide a wind break.

It may be a little uncomfortable to shore up buildings at the last minute, but some simple things can be done. First, make certain that any windows are shut to decrease the gaps in buildings. This helps to keep warm air in. Second, provide some relief from drafts by placing board over gaps in older wooden buildings. Hay bales can be stacked around buildings to provide wind barriers. Common sense needs to prevail, as simply keeping doors closed can help quite a bit.

Overhead areas should also be secured. Many barns still have holes for pitching hay and straw down below. The holes should be closed or covered when not being used. Overhead holes and gaps allow for a lot of heat loss, creating an upward flow of warm air and an additional area for drafts. It is beneficial to walk around the area where animals will be housed. It doesn't take long to feel colder, drafty areas.

Chickens and other smaller farm animals can benefit from smaller enclosures within a large building. Nest boxes provide such an area. Again, you should make certain that the nest boxes are clean and dry, with plenty of bedding material.

What else can I do?

It is important to keep animals dry during extreme cold. An easily overlooked aspect of keeping animals dry is to provide fresh bedding. Similar to a blanket or towel on the ground for small animals, thicker straw gets animals up and away from the frozen ground. Extra straw around the bottom of stalls and edges of barns can also help to block breezes that may occur through gaps in the lower portions of walls. Deep, dry bedding is especially important for young dairy calves, whether housed in calf hutches or in group housing.

Horses and small ruminants can benefit from having their hooves cleaned out. Any older dirt and manure can build up between the toes and within the hooves then freeze. This is a quick, easy, and often overlooked aspect of cold weather care.

How can I Supplement Heat?

Heat lamps are an easy source of overhead heat. It is important to remember safety. Animals are very curious and can chew through electric cords. They can also easily knock down heat lamps, causing a fire risk when these lamps get too close to dry bedding.

Horses, Goats, Sheep, and smaller calves can use blankets that are made for them. These can be purchased at a local farm supply store. Smaller animals can even use dog coats.

Does feed matter?

Providing fresh, quality food is important all of the time; but it is vital when the temperatures reach extremes. A general rule is to provide and extra 25% of feed to animals during these extreme temperatures. For ruminant, providing hay is one of the more important factors. This is a good time to use some (not the only source of feed) poorer quality hay for animals that are not in heavy production. This type of feed is harder for the bacteria in the rumen to break down. This seems like it would be the opposite of what makes sense, but work equals energy, equals heat. The harder (to an extent) that the bacteria have to work to digest the roughage, the more heat is produced as a byproduct. This internal heat helps to keep the animal's body temperature warmer. This means less of a pull on the body's metabolism to simply keep an animal warm. An easy way to accomplish this is to increase the animal'f hay by 25%, but have the 25% be a poorer quality feed. This does not mean feed moldy and bad feed, but rather a chance to "burn" through some first cutting hay, which tend to be lower in protein and higher in roughage.

Water, Water, Water

An article on any cold weather tips is incomplete without mentioning water. Make sure that animals have access to fresh water. Most animals will have access to heated waterers. It is important to check the integrity of these waterers several times a day. A frozen waterer can end up taking weeks to thaw if the conditions are right for a deep freeze of the water lines.

A heat lamp can be placed near the water source as well. Of course, use common sense and safety. Another area to focus on is any other area where there are water lines. This includes wash racks, milk houses, parlors, and any other locations that may freeze. These areas should be heated as well.

Cold Weather Tips for Animals

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 17:12:00 GMT

Cold Weather Tips for Animals

It looks like the National Weather Service is calling for extreme cold in our ares over the next week. Termed the "Polar Vortex," the professionals are calling for "extreme" and "dangerously" cold temperatures. On January 30th, they are predicting a HIGH temperature of -2 degrees F. The last time we had a high temperature below zero was 1994: almost a quarter of a decade ago! The extreme lows are only a part of the issue, with windchill temperatures predicted to be between -40 and -20 degrees F.

This leads to many questions:

How cold is too cold for animals?

What can I do to keep my animals safe?

How can I supplement heat?

What about farm animals and larger animals?

This article will attempt to answer many aspects of the cold weather and provide practical information to keep our pets and livestock safe during this extreme weather.

How Cold is Too Cold for Animals?

There is no set answer to this question, as it varies from breed to breed and species to species. For example, a Siberian Husky can reportedly do well in temperatures like what we are expected to see, even as low as -40 degrees. A Chinese Crested dog, on the other hand; is not designed for such extremes due to the lack of hair coat, thinner skin, and typically lack of body fat. As a general rule, if it is too cold for us, it is too cold for them. This may be a blanket statement, but it is a practical way to think of things. Most animals come equipped with their own fur coat, so they are warmer than we tend to be, but it is still not pleasant for them.

What Can I do to keep my animals Safe?

When the temperatures are this low, there are many tips to keep our animals safe. The first is to limit exposure and limit the time spent outside. It is best if animals can be brought inside, but this is not always possible. If animals are outdoor animals, they will benefit by as much shelter as possible. An attached garage or solid barn is preferable to a lean to or a small shed. Garages tend to be warmer than sheds, as they typically benefit from being enclosed and attached to the heated house.

In addition, small boxes, crates, and animal houses help to further shield them from the elements. A small, enclosed box helps to trap body heat in, as well as limiting exposure to wind. Oftentimes, these smaller boxes will be 20 degrees warmer than the air outside. A animal house can be purchased at a local pet store or online. Even cardboard boxes can be placed inside a garage, barn, or shed to help out. These are not as good as more solid enclosures, but certainly better than nothing. A box within a box can provide extra layers of insulation, even if just a little bit.

Another tip is to prevent animals from direct contact with the ground when possible. Blankets and towels help to insulate a pet from the ground-the thicker, the better!. Dogs can be fitted with boots for their time outside. Boots can be purchased online or at local pet stores. This helps to prevent the direct contact of the paw pads with the ground, as well as preventing snow accumulation on the hair between the pads. Vaseline can be applied to the pads prior to sending a pet outside. This insulates the tender pads, as well as protects the paws from any salt or ice melt that may be on the ground.

Many owners groom their dogs often. A lot of breeds benefit from being "shaved down" during the heat. The opposite is true in the winter. The thicker the hair coat, the better. One area to consider grooming is between the toes and on the bottom of the paws. This limits that amount of hair on which snow and ice can accumulate.

Finally, clothing can be placed on animals while they are outside. There are many fashionable dog and cat sweaters and coats available. These coverings provide and additional layer of heat protection, just like they do for us. Many dogs can fit into various human sweaters as well.

How Can I Supplement Heat?

Heat can be supplemented with heat lamps. It is important to use safety, as these can be a fire hazard. Heat lamps should be elevated enough that an animal can not chew through the cord. In addition, they should be placed a safe distance from anything flammable. Heat lamps can work very well to provide supplemental heat, especially in a garage, which is mostly concrete. Other portable heating devices can be used, but each presented additional risk of fire or burns if an animal is too close for too long. Heating pads can be used too, but these are not recommended. An animal can cozy up for too long and end up with skin damage from burns.

Two more practical sources of supplemental heat are heated water bottles a rice-filled sock. It is very easy to take an old mismatched sock and fill it with plain white rice. Sew over the end of the sock and you have a nice, easy device to provide heat. This can be heated in a normal microwave until it fells nice and warm. Often times, these will hold some heat for 4 to 8 hours.

What Else Should I Consider?

The basics are still important. Water and Food are vital during periods of cold. Animals require additional calories to keep warm. This means feeding additional food. In this kind of extreme weather, free choice feeding is a great idea for animals that don't over eat. A general rule is to increase calories by 25-33%. Keep in mind, this is mainly for outdoor animals. Increasing calories for predominately indoor animals is just adding calories to their diet.

Water is vital. Keeping plenty of fresh water available is key. There are many heated water bowls available online and at pet stores. In our area, there are also farm supply stores that will carry many of the items that we recommend.

Keeping animals dry is vital. Any animal that is returning to inside should be dried off. It is also good to check paws for ice that may have clumped in between the toes. Limit bathing during this time if at all possible. It is also good to allow longer hair coats/ limit trimming during cold weather.

What about farm animals?

This will be addressed in part two of this series. many of the concepts listed above will work for farm animals as well.

In Summary, we recommend some simple common sense:

1) Bring animals inside

2) Limit time spent outside

3) Provide insulation (blankets on floors, coats, boots, etc)

4) Feed extra calories to outdoor pets

5) Keep water from freezing.

6) The more shelter, the better

7) Small boxes and enclosures help to insulate.

8) Keep animals Dry

Article Written by Dr. Jeff Fink

Christmas Donation

Fri, 07 Dec 2018 19:56:00 GMT

Veterinary Wellness Partners and our clinics are collecting donations for a local dog shelters. Please help to support these wonderful organizations, who each have a passion to help save animals that do not have homes.

Needed Items include:

Food

Cleaning Supplies

Bedding and Blankets

Newspapers

Paper Towels

Toys

Leashes

Litterboxes

Monetary donations

Water Bowls

Dish Detergent

Laundry Detergent

Leptosporosis

Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:34:00 GMT

Leptospirosis is a bacteria with the potential to cause devastating infections in multiple body systems. We are going to look at:

1) When do we vaccinate against this deadly disease?

2) Why do we vaccinate against this deadly disease?

3) What are the signs of infection?

4) When should you contact your veterinarian?

Leptospira is a type of bacterium that is found worldwide in soil and water. There are many different subtypes of leptospira, known as serovars, each of which can be shed in the urine of wild animals. Raccoons, rats, mice, moles, and deer are just a few of the wild animals that have the potential to shed the bacteria in their urine. Additionally; dogs, cows, sheep, pigs, and humans can become infected and spread the disease to others. Infection occurs when urine from an infected animal contacts the mucous membranes (mouth, eyes) or broken skin of a susceptible animal or human. The bacteria travel through the blood stream to the liver, kidneys, eyes, and reproductive tract; where it may settle to cause clinical signs. It may take anywhere from 7 days to several weeks after exposure for an infected animal to show signs of illness.

Signs of leptospirosis in dogs are most notably fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, increased drinking, increased urination, vomiting, diarrhea, or yellowing of the eyes or gums. More rarely, leptospirosis can lead to bleeding disorders, causing nose bleeds, pinpoint red spots on gums and skin, or even bloody fluid within the chest or abdomen. In pregnant animals and humans, leptospirosis can cause pregnancy loss. Because this disease can be transferred to humans, it is important to contact your veterinarian and your doctor right away to initiate testing and treatment. Wear gloves, skin, and face protection when handling an animal suspected of having leptospirosis.

Treatment of leptospirosis involves antibiotics and supportive care based on clinical presentation and signs. It may require hospitalization in an isolation ward for intravenous fluids, anti-inflammatory medication, anti-nausea therapy, liver protectant medications, and nutritional support. Antibiotics can usually be given orally at home. Some animals, that are vomiting, may need to be given by injection at the veterinary clinic. In mild cases, the prognosis for recovery from leptospirosis is good. In more severe or prolonged cases with irreversible damage to the liver, kidneys, or nervous system; treatment may not be successful.

Prevention of leptospirosis starts with vaccination of young dogs and appropriate re-vaccination (boosters) throughout life. At Veterinary Wellness Partners, we recommend adding the lepto component to the vaccination schedule at your puppy’s 12 week visit. We then recommend boostering this vaccine at the 16 week visit. The vaccine will then be boostered every year. While certain dogs may be at higher risk for leptospirosis infection, we recommend full vaccination of all dogs due to the widespread nature of the bacteria. Even indoor dogs go outside for walks and to use the bathroom and can easily come in contact with urine from wild animals. The lepto vaccine is safe and effective. Leaving your pet unprotected can potentially have lifelong consequences. If you have an adult dog that has never been vaccinated against leptospirosis, it is not too late to get them up-to-date on vaccines!

This article was written by Dr. Michele Awad-Morris

APPOINTMENTS!

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 18:27:00 GMT

APPOINTMENTS! APPOINTMENTS!

We have listened to feedback from our clients, many of whom have been requesting that we add the capability to schedule appointments for their pets. We have decided to begin the process of scheduling appointments and will begin on Monday, July 31st. Please call to schedule during regular business hours. We will see walk-in appointments during the transition from a walk-in only clinic to a clinic by appointment only. Please note that walk-in patients will be worked into the schedule, as time permits, to the best of our ability. Please bear with us during this time as we serve to adapt to meet our clients' needs.

Low Cost Cat Neuter Program

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 17:07:00 GMT

Low Cost Cat Neuter Program

Beginning in March 2017, we are offering a low cost neuter program for male cats. These surgeries will be performed on most Fridays, depending upon doctor availability. We will schedule the surgeries ahead of time. Drop off times will be between 9:00 and 9:30 A.M. and pick up will be the same day between 3:30 and 4:15 P.M. Your cat will need to be fasted the night prior to surgery, so food should be removed after 10:00 P.M. the Thursday night before surgery. You can leave the water bowl available until early morning on Friday, but it should be removed no later than 6:00 A.M. the day of surgery.

We are beginning this program to help limit the pet population and offer great care to our patients and their families. At this time, surgeries are being limited to cat neuters only. We will be evaluating this program, with the intent of expanding our services to routine dog neuters and then cat and dog spays.

If you have questions, please call our Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic at (330)753-4114

Lyme FAQs

Thu, 12 May 2016 20:28:00 GMT

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a complex that is caused by a bacteria, called Borrelia Burgdorfei. This bacteria is a type that is called a spirochete. Spirochetes are shaped like coil or spring and tend to embed their way into tissue. This makes the bacteria challenging to treat.

How does my dog get Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is transmitted by the black legged tick (A.K.A. the deer tick). This tick transmits the bacteria through a bite wound when it goes to take a meal of blood from your dog. The tick must be adhered to your dog for at least 24 hours to transmit the spirochete.

Is Lyme Disease in Ohio ?

Yes, the first case of Lyme disease in Ohio was documented in 2011 and has been on the increase ever since.

Is Lyme Disease Treatable?

The short answer is Yes. This can often be treated using one or more antibiotics. Often times, a combination of two antibiotics is used to clear the bacteria. It usually takes 4 weeks or more to treat the infection.

Can Lyme disease be fatal?

Unfortunately about 2% of dogs get a kidney disorder from the disease. This kidney disease, nephritis, can damage the kidneys very quickly and permanently. This leads to either death or the option of humane euthanasia.

Can Lyme Disease be prevented?

Yes. There are two ways to prevent Lyme disease, neither of which is 100%.

The first way is to prevent the bite in the first place. We recommend year round tick prevention, using a newer generation of flea and tick control. At the time of this article, we recommend Bravecto , which is a three month chewable pill for fleas and ticks. We also recommend Credelio , a one month chewable. There are a number of other good preventatives out there, including Vectra 3d. The Fipronil based products, which include Frontline Plus, have lost the majority of their efficacy in Ohio against fleas. For this reason, we have stopped recommending these products.

The second method used to prevent Lyme disease is through vaccination. We highly recommend protecting your dog with this vaccine.

If there are two ways to prevent it, can I just use one method?

Unfortunately the answer is No. The best vaccines on the market have around a 97% efficacy in controlled studies. This is a good protection level, but not high enough. The regulations for an external parasite prevention is that it must prevent at a level of 94% to get a label claim. This is also not high enough, so we recommend both modes of prevention to best protect your pet.

If you have more questions or concerns regarding Lyme disease, please call our office to set up an appointment or to discuss this issue further.

Article composed and edited by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Expanded Hours

Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:08:00 GMT

Expanded Hours

August 1st, 2015

We are excited to announce that we are now able to offer walk in appointments all day on Fridays beginning August 6th. We have heard your need and feel that these additional hours will allow us to better care for you and your furry family. Friday Hours will be 9:00-4:30, which is in line with every other day of the week; except for Tuesdays. Tuesday hours are still 1:30 to 4:30. We hope to be able to further expand hours to allow for a full day on Tuesday beginning in October.

New Hours

M: 9:00-4:30

T: 1:30-4:30

W: 9:00-4:30

Th: 9:00-4:30

Fr: 9:00-4:30

Please note that these hours will beginning on the first Friday in August, which is August 6th!

New Cat Vaccination Guidelines and Protocols

Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:31:00 GMT

American Association of Feline Practitioners

Everyday, ongoing research discovers new things that lead to changes in the way that we do things. One of the newest developments in veterinary medicine is the new American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) cat vaccination guidelines. The AAFP conducting research looking at the duration of immunity of the most common cat vaccines. This is intended to answer the question: how long does that vaccine actually last? They are also looking at the most important vaccinations and risk factors for cats. It is through these efforts that the AAFP has recently announced new vaccine guidelines. These new guidelines are designed to best protect your cat against various diseases. At the same time, it is our goal to give your feline friend the fewest number of vaccinations as possible.

To begin with, the AAFP has identified three groups of cats and designed vaccine protocols for each group. These groups are low risk, medium risk and high risk. There are not exact black and white lines to identify these groups, which makes a thorough history during the annual physical examination all the more important.

Below is an explanation of each group:

HIGH RISK: These are cats that spend a lot of time outside. These cats are often exposed to other cats in the area, making them prone to various diseases. They also tend to fight more often, which makes them vulnerable to additional diseases, such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). FIV requires a bite wound for transmission, while Feline Leukemia Virus ( FeLV) requires just contact with saliva.

MEDIUM RISK: This is probably the grayest area to categorize cats. They that have a medium or moderate risk of exposure. They include multiple cat households, cats that are outside for short periods of time, and cats that have access to screen doors and screened in porches/ windows. These cats are not likely to get into fights, but can come into contact with stray cats through the screens. These cats are at risk of the "core" cat viruses, as well as FeLV.

LOW RISK: These cats are the ones that have no access to other cats. They are at a very low risk for contracting diseases. The easiest example is a spayed or neutered cat that has been declawed on all four paws and lives in a single cat household within an apartment building.

The AAFP still feels that the most important aspect of feline care and preventive care is the comprehensive medical examination. This is in agreement with our practice philosophy of emphasizing the physical examination above all other aspects of care. The Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic prides ourselves as being the trendsetter for animal care in the Akron, Barberton, Norton, and surrounding areas of Summit and Stark counties. We are constantly remaining on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine and are looked to with respect by other veterinarians in the area. Please check out our additional articles that further explain the new guidelines.

Written by Dr. Jeff Fink on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. for use on the website of Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic.

A Letter to Cat Owners

Tue, 03 Mar 2015 18:06:00 GMT

March 3rd, 2015

Dear Cat Owners,

I've had several cats these last few weeks come in with the history of only being sick a few days yet, these cats were in serious trouble. Unfortunately, they were so sick that we could not save them.

Felines are an incredible species. God created them to be very resilient. Sometimes they do seem to have nine lives. A cat, when sick, will turn down it's energy output and separate itself from outside influences. Since they may go hide for weeks until they recover, you may not pick up that they are sick till it's too late.

As we age, the likelihood of problems increase. In order to catch potential problems early, yearly physicals are encouraged. For aging humans, it is recommended that at the age of fifty they start having regular examinations by their doctor. For a cat, who ages faster that a human; we always recommend yearly examinations. The age we at which recommend twice yearly physical exams and yearly blood work begins at 7 years of age.

Many owners believe their indoor only cats don't necessarily need vaccinated . This is not the case, as it depends on their risk of exposure to the preventable diseases. In addition to disease that may be prevented by vaccination; heart disease, diabetes, renal failure, and liver disease can be caught early and extend a cat's life many years.

I was very saddened to see several cats lose their lives, especially cats that I feel may have been saved if their condition was picked up on a routine senior health screening. At Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, we are looking into providing some low cost screening tests for our feline friends.

Dr. Gregory A. Roadruck

For more articles, check out our NEWS AND ARTICLES section.

We will also have more articles to follow.

Click HERE for Reasons to take your cat to the veterinarian.

AAFP Guideline to Cat Vaccinations

This letter written by Dr. Greg Roadruck for use on the Websites that are owned and operated by Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Article edited and posted by Dr. Jeff Fink

Canine Behavior: Separation Anxiety (What is it?)

Thu, 05 Feb 2015 20:43:00 GMT

Definition : Abnormal, often destructive behavior, that is present when your dog does not like to be apart from you. The actual separation distance can vary, ranging from you leaving the house to just being left in another room. It is sad when a dog lacks so much self confidence that they can't just enjoy themselves when you walk in another room.

Many pet owners get so frustrated with the behaviors that it strains a once positive relationship. Separation anxiety and inappropriate urinations are two of the top reasons that owners end up relinquishing their pets to places like the Summit County Dog Warden and other local shelters in and around Akron, Norton and Barberton. If your dog exhibits signs of Separation Anxiety, we encourage you to seek help. This will help to deter and modify the behavior before it becomes more difficult to treat.

This is truly an understatement: Separation Anxiety is a major problem. Pet parents complain that their dog is disruptive or destructive when left alone. Separation anxiety can be triggered when a dog becomes upset because of separation from the people that they consider their family unit. Dogs are natural pack animals, running in a social setting that is natural to them. When a dog is left alone, he or she may begin to get anxious. This can occur whether he or she is completely alone in the house or simply alone in an adjacent room. This often is demonstrated by drooling, licking of the lips and anxiety when his/ her parents are getting ready to leave the house. Once left alone, attempts by dogs with separation anxiety to escape are often extreme. These escape behaviors may result in self-injury and household destruction, especially around exit points like windows and doors.

Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety may become agitated when their parents get ready to leave. There are many cues and clues that we give off that tell our dog that we are getting ready to leave. Examples include putting your coat on, getting your shoes on, rattling your keys, opening a specific door and even that morning cup of coffee. Some dogs may go as far as to try to block your attempts to leave by barking or getting under your feet or in the way as you prepare to leave. Most of the time, separation anxiety behavior will begin right after the owner leaves. Your dog may begin barking and showing other distress signs within minutes.

Treating separation anxiety is a complicated issue. There are many layers that are involved and will be covered in a future article. Most of these techniques incorporate behavior modification with medical management. We strive to use the medication as a starting point, but our goal is to discontinue the medication eventually. Regardless the specific treatment methods, the goal is to resolve the dog’s underlying anxiety by teaching him to tolerate, even enjoy, being left alone. Many desensitization methods are available and can be tried as a trial and error to see which ones are most effective for each case.

Published for use on the Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic website along with our others partner clinics: Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic and Orrville Veterinary Clinic.

Article written by Gregory A. Roadruck D.V.M. and Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

Canine Communication: 7 Types of Barks

Thu, 05 Feb 2015 17:55:00 GMT

The Seven types of Dog Barks: Meaning and Management

There are seven basic types of barks that our dogs exhibit, with each having a different meaning and manner is which to manage or correct the behavior.

1) Alarm/ Alert Barking - An example is the dog who saves his family from a fire, tells us that Timmy’s in the well (Think Lassie), scares off the intruder, barks at the dogs on Animal Planet, and goes bonkers every time someone walks past on the sidewalk outside the picture window. Alarm barkers can save lives - but sometimes their judgment about what constitutes an alarm-appropriate situation can be misplaced. The best form of management is to reduce the dog’s exposure to the stimulus.

2) Demand Barking - Unfortunately, this is one of the most common barking behaviors. The good news is that it is often the easiest to correct early. Essentially this is your dog barking a request to get what they want, be it a treat, praise or something else. The longer a dog successfully demands stuff, the more persistent he’ll be if you try to ignore him. Simply ignoring him is the best answer to this behavior. This means tough love: no treats, no attention - not even eye contact. The instant the demand behavior starts, utter a cheerful “Oops!” and turn your back on your dog. When he’s quiet, say, “Quiet, yes!” and return your attention - and treat - to him. There are two complicating factors to be aware of:

3) Frustration/Arousal Barking - Often confused with anxiety barkers, dogs who have a low tolerance for frustration will bark hysterically when they can’t get what they want. Unlike the separation anxiety panic attack, this is simply a temper tantrum similar to demand barking, but with more emotion, and directed at the thing he wants, such as a cat strolling by, rather than at you. Your dog is basically screaming: I WANT IT!

4) Boredom Barking - This is the dog who’s left out in the backyard all day, and maybe all night. Dogs are social creatures, and the backyard dog is lonely and bored. Boredom barking is often continuous, with a monotonous quality: He is likely thinking: "I have nothing else to do, I may as well just bark.”

5) Stress Barking - Stress barkers are fearful, anxious, or even panicked about something that is real or that they anticipated in the environment. This may include the actual approach of a threat, or isolation distress/separation anxiety. Separation anxiety (SA) can be manifested in a number of behaviors, including nonstop hysterical barking and sometimes howling. Separation anxiety is such a broad topic that it will not be covered here.

6) Play Barking - This is a common behavior for herding dogs, who are the cheerleaders and “fun police” of the canine world. As other dogs (or humans) romp and play, these play-barkers run around the edges. They will likely be barking and sometimes nipping at heels. If you’re in a location where neighbors won’t complain and the other dogs tolerate the behavior, you might just leave this one alone. With children, however, the behavior’s not appropriate, and the dog should be managed by removing him from the play area, rather than risk bites to children.

7) Greeting Barking - “Yay, Mom’s home! Mom’s home! Mom’s home!” If your dog hails you with hellos when you return after an absence, it’s time to shift into ignore mode. Stand outside your door and wait for the cacophony to subside, then enter calmly; no rousing hug-fests or “I love you! I missed you!” sessions. When your dog is quiet, then calmly greet him. If he starts to bark again, mark the barking with an “Oops!” and ignore him again.

Dr. Greg Roadruck has a high interest in Canine behavior. He has written this article on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, for use on various materials and websites.

Edited for use on this website and the websites of Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic and Orrville Veterinary Clinic by Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

Companion Laser Therapy

Fri, 26 Dec 2014 17:15:00 GMT

Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic is excited to announce the purchase of a Companion Animal class IV laser therapy unit. We purchased this new treatment unit, which will be incorporated into many of the treatment plans that we currently utilize. As one of the newest therapy modalities in the veterinary profession, laser therapy gives us the chance to help pets in different ways than we were previously able. It uses infrared laser light to stimulate healing and blood flow to injured areas. The possibilities for use seem endless. This technology is non-invasive, so your pet can experience the treatment with no discomfort. Many veterinarians report that their patients actually relax a lot during the treatment. Though our sample size in small, we have seen our current patients respond very favorably, with great outcomes to this point in time.

Class IV (previously called cold laser therapy) Laser therapy works to decrease pain and inflammation. The infrared light affects the nerve endings and the surrounding tissue to decrease the sensation of pain. Our unit is the most powerful unit available on the market, which allows us to treat animals most effectively. Using a higher power (to an extent) helps reduce the treatment time by delivering a higher amount of energy in a shorter time period. This is accomplished, while remaining safe.

Using a specific wavelength of light, laser therapy stimulates increased blood flow to the region of the body that is being treated. This allows for a greater supply of oxygen, as well as the removal of various waste products (toxins, inflammatory mediators, etc).

Laser therapy also encourages the red blood cells to release more hemoglobin in the treatment area. This increased release of hemoglobin results in increased oxygen to the tissue. Since oxygen is the "nutrition" for cells, these cells are healthier and repair themselves at a faster pace.

Laser therapy also works at the level of the cell. The oxygen from the hemoglobin is picked up by the cells at an increased rate. In addition, the mitochondria (the portion of the cell that turns oxygen into energy) speed up their rate of function. This causes faster and more efficient creation of energy (ATP) for the cell. This is done by speeding up the Krebs' cycle, which is a very intricate system that the body uses to create energy in the form of ATP. More energy means improved healing.

Laser therapy causes dilation (making the tubes bigger) of the lymphatic system. It is easiest to think of the lymphatic system as the sewer system of the body. Lymphatics help to drain fluid and other materials from body tissue. The increased size of the lymphatics makes this removal process faster and more efficient.

Laser therapy results in better collagen formation and faster healing. This limits the amount of scar tissue that forms.

Treatable Conditions:

At this time, we have purchased and used the laser at our Orrville location only. We hope to purchase a unit for each of our three locations to better serve our clients. Unfortunately the cost of the unit is prohibitive at this time, so we have elected to purchase one unit and evaluate the results as time goes by. If you would like to have your pet treated, or want to know if your pet is a candidate, give us a call and we would love to discuss this option with you.

We can be reached via phone at (330)336-5823

Article written and published by Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

Annual Christmas Donation Drive

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 19:25:00 GMT

2104 Annual Christmas Donation Drive

Benefiting Shelter Animals

Items of need include:

**Laundry Detergent
**Dry and Canned Kitten and Puppy Food (Friskies, Fancy Feast, Science Diet)
**Dry and Canned Adult Cat and Dog Food (Pro Plan, Pedigree, Science Diet)
**Puppy and Kitten Formula and Bottles
**Cat Litter unscented or Pelleted
**Leashes
**Bleach and Hand Sanitizer
** Paper Towels
**Small Paper Boats Available at GFS
**Monetary

Dog and Cat Treats

Clean Blankets and Towels

Pet Carriers

Litter Boxes

Cat and Dog Toys

Dog and Cat Food/Water Bowls

Dish Detergent

Disposable Non-sterile Latex Gloves

Mops, Brooms and Dustpan

Large Garbage Bags

Items that are labeled as ** indicate a higher priority as far as level of need

Questions can be directed to one of our friendly staff at (330)753-4114

Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic

1111 Wooster Rd. N.

Barberton, Ohio 44203

Our other locations are also serving as drop off points. These are www.orrvillevetclinic.com , www.sevillevetclinic.com and www.orrvillepetspa.com

Bravecto: Oral Flea and Tick Control

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 16:45:00 GMT

Bravecto: Oral Flea and Tick Control

Introducing Bravecto!

We are excited to announce the arrival of a new product for prevention and control of fleas and ticks: Bravecto ! Developed by the Merck Co. this novel unique for flea and tick control was released for dogs at the end of June 2014. This is a product that is unlike any other and provides long-lasting protection against both fleas and (most) ticks for 12 weeks!

Bravecto is a pork-flavored, chewable tablet and is readily eaten by most dogs. It is similar in taste to previous chewable heartworm pills that are availalble on the market. Providing 3 months of protection for fleas, as well as 3 months of protection for most tick species that we encounter in our area; Bravecto is the only pill that can claim such results. The American Brown Dog Tick and the Black legged Tick (Ixodes/ Deer tick) are both controlled under this 12 week duration. The Lone Star Tick, which is present in low numbers in Ohio, is only controlled at effective levels for 8 weeks. That being said, 8 weeks is a long duration of protection for ticks. At this time, the Lone Star tick is not a major species in Ohio.

There has yet to be a flea and tick product that eliminates the biting of the flea or tick. All products that are currently on the market do not offer a rapid enough kill to prevent these parasites from biting. The good news is that a tick need to be attached for 24 hours or longer in order to transmit disease. Bravecto kills fleas within 2 hours and ticks within 4 hours. As you can see, this is fast enough to prevent disease transmission.

Bravecto fills a much needed niche within the flea and tick control market of products. There has never been an oral tick control product, nor has there been a product that lasts for 3 months for flea control. That has changed with the release of Bravecto! There are a certain population of dogs that react negatively to topical medications. Bravecto helps to alleviate this concern.

As with everything, there are side effects that have been reported. These include vomiting and diarrhea. One advantage to Bravecto is the product support that is offered by Merck. If you give your dog this treat and he vomits within 3 hours, Merck will replace the tablet free of charge. If the vomiting occurs after three hours, the product has already been absorbed and is guaranteed to be effective.

Written for Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, by Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

Bravecto: Product Spotlight

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 16:33:00 GMT

Bravecto: Oral Flea and Tick Control

In 2014, the Merck Co. released this novel product for flea and tick control in dogs and cats. This is a product that is unlike any other and provides long-lasting protection against these annoying parasites.

Bravecto for dogs is a pork-flavored, chewable tablet. Providing 3 months of protection for fleas, as well as 3 months of protection for most tick species that we encounter in our area; Bravecto is the only pill that can claim such results. The American Brown Dog Tick and the Black legged Tick (Ixodes/ Deer tick) are both controlled under this 12 week duration. The Lone Star Tick, which is present in low numbers in Ohio, is only controlled at effective levels for 8 weeks. That being said, 8 weeks is a long duration of protection for ticks. At this time, the Lone Star tick is not a major species in Ohio.

Bravecto for Cats is a topical product, similar to Frontline Plus or Revolution . It is applied to the skin and will also last for 12 weeks, just like the product for dogs.

There has yet to be a flea and tick product that eliminates the biting of the flea or tick. All products that are currently on the market do not offer a rapid enough kill to prevent these parasites from biting. The good news is that a tick needs to be attached for 24 hours or longer in order to transmit disease. Bravecto kills fleas within 2 hours and ticks within 4 hours. As you can see, this is fast enough to prevent disease transmission.

This product truly fills a much needed niche within the flea and tick control market of products. There has never been an oral tick control product, nor has there been a product that lasts for 3 months for flea control. That has changed with the release of Bravecto!

Written by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Canine Behavior, How I got started.

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 15:48:00 GMT

How I became Intersted in Canine Behavior Training

A Story by Dr. Greg Roadruck

When I first started at Orrville Veterinary Clinic, there were five Veterinarians. At that time, only one veterinarian split their time evenly between small and large animal. The other four veterinarians primarily spent their time with large animals out on the farms of Wayne and Holmes counties. We would do around 15-20 calls per day, often treating one animal per call. This made for a lot of driving. At the veterinary clinic, there was no technician to help hold animals, so we would ask an owner to restrain their dog. Too many would say, "No he'll bite me." That's when I decided that somebody is probably going to get hurt. I decided it was better for me to stay out in the country.

Along comes Dr. Gabe Middleton who loved large animal work, especially dairy and equine medicine. I was afraid he'd leave if not given more large animal work, so I volunteered to move to more small animal medicine. Due to my past experiences, I had visions of hooks in the walls to tie aggressive dogs for restraint. Luckily, some Caesar Milan DVDS were lent to me and my thought processes changed. Some of my associates may admit they thought this behavior training was, "kooky talk."

Canine behavior has become my passion, so I can talk 24/7 about it. A lot of this you may already do by instinct, so hopefully I will just reinforce what you already do. Be aware I am certainly not an expert and am learning very single day. Below are 5 quick tips that I find helpful as I continue to focus more and more on canine behavior:

To learn more, Dr. Roadruck can be contacted at o2becalm@gmail.com . He is very interested in helping people and their dogs in Norton, Baberton, Akron, Wadsworth and surrounding areas Summit and Green counties.

He can schedule appointements at our other two locations as well: Seville Wadsworth Veterianry Clinic and The Orrville Veterinary Clinic.

Article was written by Dr. Greg Roadruck for use in the Orrville Veterinary Clinic's internal newsletter.

The content was modified from the original article for our websites by Dr. Jeff Fink.

2014 Wadsworth Blue Tip Parade

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 15:34:00 GMT

2014 Blue Tip Parade

Tuesday June 17th, 2014

Wadsworth Ohio

Beginning at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, June 17th; Wadsworth, Ohio will commence the 39th Annual Blue Tip Festival with its Blue Tip Festival Parade. Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic is once again excited to participate along with our sister clinics: The Orrville Veterinary Clinic and Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic. This will be our 5th year in a row participating. Though there have been a few clinics to follow in our footsteps, we were the first vet clinic to participate. This is yet another example of how we are trend setters for the veterinary industry in our area.

Look for our red and white vet trucks as we meander along the parade route. We will have many staff members, their families and their dogs. We hope to see you there!

Using Our Online Store

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 17:57:00 GMT

Using our Online Store

By Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

June 3rd, 2014

Why should you use our online store:

1) Buy buying from our online store, you are supporting your local veterinary clinic, not a distant group of investors.

2) You will receive Trusted, Manufacturer guaranteed products (Not always that case with other online retailers)

3) You can take advantage of Easy Dose It, which allows you to purchase single doses of various preventative medications.

4) Sign up for AUTOMATIC delivery of medications

5) Free Shipping on orders over $38

6) Eligibility for manufacturer rebates on many products (These are not offered through other online pharmacies)

Today is the day that we launch our new online store . We are excited that we can expand the number of products that we offer to you and your pets.

Here are the details on How to use the online store:

Please keep in mind a few things:

New Online Store

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 17:38:00 GMT

New Online Store

June 3rd, 2014

We are so excited to announce the launch of our new online store. We are making a switch to a different supplier and format in order to make it easier for our clients to order products. We offer items for dogs, cats and horses on the new store. Please take the time to check out the store and shop around. We are excited to be able to provide you with an expanded range of products and items for your pet care needs. This includes toys, supplement and prescription items. Please keep in mind that prescription items will need to go through and approval process, as there are many guidelines that we have to follow in order to be able to provide prescriptions to you pets. Please check out our "How To" article for directions on how to use the online store. Click HERE to enter the store

By Jeff Fink D.V.M.

06.03.2014

Intestinal Parasite Testing

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 17:43:00 GMT

Intestinal Parasite Test

At Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, we recognize the tremendous value in preventive medicine and preventive care. This is the basis of all medicine, in that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This is a famous quote from Benjamin Franklin that rings ever so true today. In this article, we discuss the importance of fecal testing, what we call the Intestinal Parasite Test.

An Intestinal Parasite Test (IPT) is a very important part of the routine care of a dog, cat, or any other animal. In some animals, it is highly recommended to perform serial testing (testing several times over the course of time) of fecal samples. This is often called this paired testing a fecal egg reduction test.

Why is it important?

An IPT is vital to the well-being of animals, as parasites often cause clinical diseases. These range from general ill-thrift to more debilitating diseases. Ill-thrift may simply show up as an animal that is growing slowly, is lethargic, or simply one that fails to perform well. Some animals, particularly the younger ones, can carry a large enough parasite load to cause death. Some parasites are even transmittable to humans, something that we call Zoonosis .

Can I just Deworm My Pet?

While deworming products are readily available, they are limited in their abilities to treat parasites. There are really only three classes of dewormers available and worms can get resistant to each class over time. For this reason, it is important to identify the specific worms that are present in order to treat them effectively.

What is an Intestinal Parasite Test?

The IPT is a test that we perform on a fecal/ stool sample using a microscope to look for the eggs of each different type of worm. This test involves several steps in order to be performed appropriately. The first step is placing the fecal sample into a special solution. This is often a specialized sugar solution that makes the worm eggs easy to detect once the test is completed. The solution is strained to eliminate larger particles and pieces of debris. Once strained, the solution is placed into a centrifuge and spun at a high speed for about 10 minutes. This helps to separate the eggs from the actual fecal matter (poop). Once the spinning is complete, a cover slip, which is a small piece of glass, is placed on the solution. The parasite eggs float to the top and “stick” to the cover slip. The cover slip is placed onto a slide and then looked at under the microscope.

What Worms are detected?

An IPT is a great test to detect several parasites, or worms. For dogs and cats these include Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms, Tapeworms (though it is not as reliable for tapeworms), and coccidia.

Perhaps one last reason to consider an Internal Parasite Test is to limit the burden of worms within the Akron and Barberton areas. These worms can build up in common areas, such as dog parks and along local paths and walking routes. By yearly testing of a stool sample, we can detect and treat these parasites to make them less likely to be around in the environment, making your pet less likely to pick them up in their day to day lives. This keeps your pet healthy and living longer. Please contact us if you have any questions about yearly/ routine fecal testing (the Intestinal Parasite Test).

Contagious Diseases

Wed, 05 Feb 2014 19:01:00 GMT

Contagious Diseases: From Pets to People

At Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, we to advise you of one potential concern about being in such close contact with our pets: Zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases are those that are contagious from animals to humans.

Many people know that Rabies is transmittable from animals to humans, but not everyone is aware there are many other diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted from pets to people and can penetrate the skin.

Different types of these diseases include roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, ringworm, whipworm, Toxoplasmosis, Giardia, and mange. It is important to take preventative measures to prevent this from happening. Regular veterinary checkups and intestinal parasite tests are important in detecting intestinal parasites affecting your pet. Not all over the counter dewormers are effective so it is suggested to only use dewormers from your veterinarian. In our areas of Akron, Norton, Barberton, Lodi and Fairlawn; we recommend year round heartworm prevention, as these products often prevent and treat many different parasites in addition to the potentially deadly heartworms.

We also recommend that you be cautious with your cat’s litter box. It is important to prevent children from touching the boxes. When changing the litter box, you should wear a protective mask and gloves. Pregnant women should avoid changing the litter box altogether. Cats are the only species that can carry toxoplasmosis and transmits it through their bowel movements. Cats often do not show clinical signs. Toxoplasmosis can also be contracted from eating undercooked, or raw meat.

Another area of risk is your yard, parks, and other areas where animals are present. Parasites can live in sandboxes where your kids may play. If you have a sandbox at home, remember to cover the box when not in use. You should scoop feces from your yard daily and thoroughly clean up any accidents in your home to avoid exposure.

Other preventative measures include not letting your pet drink from puddles, wearing socks and shoes outdoors, and not feeding pets raw or uncooked meat.

As stated above, most heartworm preventatives treat and control intestinal parasites, although there are some that are not included in this protection. For this reason, it is important to regularly check a stool sample. Please contact us if you have any questions about potentially zoonotic diseases that may be carried by your pet.

Written by: Shelby Weeman

Written for Akron Barbeton Veterinary Clinic

(330)753-4114

info@abvetclinic.com

Puppy Socialization

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 19:53:00 GMT

What Age Is Best for Puppy Socialization?

3 to 12 weeks: Puppies are the most accepting of new experiences during this time period.

12 to 18 Weeks: As Puppies enter this new stage, they become much more cautious of anything that they have yet to encounter. During the time period from 12 to 18 weeks of age, the opportunity to socialize your puppy ends. It becomes more difficult to get the pup to accept and enjoy something that he’s initially wary of with each passing week.

After 18 weeks old: It may be difficult to teach a dog to like something new, or help him become comfortable with something he finds frightening.

Within the entire socialization period, your dog will have periods where they appear fearless, yet others times he or she may be very cautious at other times.

If you look closely at the time period above, it is interesting to note that puppies are geared to easily accept all new experiences when they are around their mother and littermates. As puppies age, get bigger and go out on their own; they then tend to be more cautious.

This represents just a brief example of Dog behavior. Dr Roadruck is very interested in behavior and training. He can be contacted via the following email address: O2Bcalm@gmail.com .

Written for the Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic.

Cat Food Recall

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 17:21:00 GMT

Cat Food Recall of Lots Sold in Ohio

Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic is passionate about you and your pets. As a result, we try to update you as much as possible about potential problems that may exist. There have been multiple food recalls in the past several years. The most recent is in regard to Red Flannel Cat Formula, made by PMI Nutrition.

Pet food maker PMI Nutrition on Saturday voluntarily recalled selected 20-pound bags of Red Flannel Cat Formula cat food because of possible salmonella contamination.

The recall involves food manufactured for PMI by another company and distributed in 23 states. The affected states are Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

The recalled food has a best-buy date and lot number of 05 06 14 096 13 SM L2 1A. The code is printed on the lower back side of the bag in a white box on the right-hand side. The product’s UPC code is 7 42869 00058 5.

No pet illnesses have been linked to the Red Flannel food, which the company reported was recalled "out of an abundance of caution” after routine testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed possible salmonella contamination.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning in pets include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. People who handle contaminated pet products may exhibit similar symptoms.

PMI Nutrition, which is based in Arden Hills, Minnesota, urged customers to stop using the recalled food and to return it to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement.

The company is answering customers’ questions at 800-332-4738 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.

Click Here for the company's website: http://www.pminutrition.com/rf_cat.html

Released on January 30th, 2014

Canine Probiotics

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 17:53:00 GMT

Canine Probiotics Veterinary Wellness Partners Fri, 01/17/2014 - 12:53pm

Caring for Pets in Cold Weather

Thu, 02 Jan 2014 18:38:00 GMT

Caring for Pets During Cold Weather

In Akron, Barberton, Norton and the surrounding regions of Ohio, the weather can turn brutally cold. This extreme cold presents additional risks to our pets, especially those that are outdoor pets. Below are some key areas to keep your pet safe during this cold weather in Ohio.

Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic is here for you: We strive to provide relevant and helpful pet care tips to our clients and their beloved pets.

Click HERE for Thanksgiving tips for your pets.

We are always available for animal emergencies through our Orrville Veterinary Clinic. You can reach us after hours by calling (330)682-2971.

This article is written for Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic by Dr. Jeff Fink

Preventing Pet Overpopulation

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:26:00 GMT

Preventing Pet Overpopulation

By Tara Monahan

For Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic

Do you plan to add a furry friend to your family? Did you just bring a new pet into your life? Did you know that one of the most important health decisions you will make is whether or not to spay or neuter your cat or dog. At Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, we are animal lovers ourselves and we see the negative effects of unaltered pets far too often. These negative effects include overpopulation, uterine infections, enlarge prostates and various reproductive cancers.

In Ohio, there are homeless animals in nearly every community. This includes our local communities of Akron, Barberton, Norton and all portions of Stark and Summit Counties. For comparison, there are 10,000 humans born in the United States versus the approximately 70,000 puppies and kittens that are born on a daily basis. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all of the animals. As a result, millions of healthy, loving cats, dogs, kittens and puppies face early deaths as a form of animal control. Others are left to fend for themselves against automobiles, the elements, other animals and cruel humans. How can you help to stop the suffering? Spay and neuter your pets!

What is spaying and neutering? Spaying is a surgical procedure where the ovaries and uterus are removed from a female pet. Neutering is a surgical procedure where the testicles and spermatic cord are removed from a male pet. When done by a licensed veterinarian, routine spay/neuter surgery is actually less dangerous than the stress and complications possible in pregnancy.

Not convinced yet? Here are some more benefits of spaying/neutering your pet. The number one benefit is that your pet will live a happier, longer life. Spaying your female helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer. Spaying your pet before the first heat cycle offers the best protection from these diseases. Neutering your male pet eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer, prostatitis and perianal tumors. Altered pets have less desire to roam, therefore making her/him less likely to be injured in fights or auto accidents. It also eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in males neutered before six months of age or before the onset of these behaviors.

Contrary to popular belief, spaying or neutering does NOT lead to Obesity. The factors of increased age and neutering/ spaying your pet does decrease the baseline metabolic rate. This can be dealt with by giving the right amount of food and exercise. Due to the decrease metabolic rate, he/she will require fewer calories to maintain a proper weight and should be fed less. This means that he/she will be less expensive to feed! Altered pets are still good watch dogs. If anything, they are more content with home and family and are more devoted. An altered pet does not feel deprived by being spayed or neutered but an unaltered pet when in heat or when they sense a female nearby will feel extreme frustration. This frustration often leads to behavior problems and aggression.

Think it is too expensive? The cost of spaying or neutering is minor compared to the cost of feeding and raising litters. In addition, problems during labor and delivery could lead to a costly Caesarian section. An altered pet often requires fewer veterinary bills. The capture, care and eventual destruction of unwanted animals costs taxpayers and private humanitarian agencies over a billion dollars a year.

At our facility on Wooster Road, we are unable to perform surgery. We prefer to refer to one of our two sister clinics that are located in Seville or in Orrville. These locations are approximately 20 minutes from our front door. By using one of our own clinics, you continue to receive the top level of care that you have come to expect. In addition, we are able to provide follow up care at our office, since it was one of our doctors who performed the procedure.

At Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic our staff members can answer your questions about spaying or neutering your pet or any other procedure your pet may require. Please don’t hesitate to ask. Contact us at (330)753-4114 or info@abvetclinic.com .

For more information, visit our website at www.sevillevetclinic.com .

Heartworm Disease: Answers to Common Questions

Fri, 06 Dec 2013 20:19:00 GMT

Article submitted by Tara Monahan

Written for Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic

In our area of Ohio (Akron, Barberton, Norton, Wadsworth, and the surrounding areas of Summit and Stark counties), insects can be both a nuisance and a problem. Though these insects have a purpose, they can be very annoying and harmful to people and animals?

When we think of common insects in our ares, it does not take long to focus on that annoying little bug, the mosquito. Mosquitoes are carriers of heartworm larvae. When transmitted to your pet, heartworm can cause serious complications and eventually results in death of your dog or cat.

When a mosquito that is infected with the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, bites your dog, the infective larvae enter your dog’s bloodstream and grow into adult heartworms. More than 20 species of mosquitoes are known to spread heartworm. These mosquitoes carry the infected larvae for miles, even transmitting the disease from wild animals (such as coyotes) to dogs and cats. It takes a little over six months for the infective larvae to mature into adult worms that may live for five to seven years. Heartworms live in the right side of the heart and the arteries of the lungs, causing inflammation and interfering with blood flow. This leads to blood clots in the lung and congestive heart failure.

Here are the answers to questions that we commonly hear about heartworm disease:

Is heartworm contagious from dog to dog?

No, heartworm can be transmitted from dog to dog only by the bite of a mosquito carrying the infective stage of the larvae.

Can my cat get heartworm disease?

Yes, but for once it is a benefit to be imperfect. Cats are susceptible but are imperfect hosts to heartworm. This makes cats more resistant to infection than dogs.

My dog only goes outside to go to the bathroom, is he/she still at risk?

Yes, your dog can even be infected indoors. Mosquitoes frequently follow us indoors or squeeze in through cracks in doors or windows.

Do I need to worry about heartworm disease during the fall and winter months?

Yes, mosquitoes infected with heartworm can still be found when the weather becomes colder. In addition, Ohio is prone to mild winters, which allows mosquitoes to be more prevalent.

How do I know if my dog has heartworm disease?

A simple blood test can be done at your veterinarian’s office with results in about 15 minutes. The test that we use also tests for some tick-bourne diseases, such as Lyme disease.

When should heartworm testing be done?

Annual testing is the best way to have peace of mind that your dog is heartworm free. Testing should start when your dog goes to the veterinarian for their one year wellness exam. Any adopted adult dog should be tested right away. Even if your dog is on heartworm prevention every month, it still needs to be tested at least every other year. Testing is also important because giving heartworm preventives to dogs having heartworms can lead to severe reactions that could be harmful or even fatal to the dog.

Can heartworm disease be treated?

Yes, heartworm disease can be treated. The outcome of the treatment depends on the overall health of the dog and the stage of the heartworm disease. The treatment involves a series of injections which kill the heartworms. Cage rest or limited exercise is vital during treatment to prevent injury to the heart and lungs. Repeat heartworm testing and blood work are required to monitor the dog’s progress and health. This treatment is painful for the dog and very costly for the owner.

How can I prevent my dog from being infected with heartworm disease?

Giving your dog monthly heartworm prevention all year round and testing for heartworm disease are the best ways to keep your dog heartworm free. Heartworm prevention is a prescription medication that comes in oral tablets (Heartgard Plus, Iverhart Max, Trifexis, Interceptor and various others) that are given monthly or an injection (Proheart 6) that is given every 6 months. Giving the heartworm prevention on the same day every month is best, so make sure to mark it on your calendar. A single missed dose could put your dog at risk. Injectable heartworm prevention must be administered by a veterinarian. Prevention is a fraction of the cost of treatment and is much easier on your pet. Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic carries several of the more commonly recommended heartworm preventatives, including the 6 month injection (Proheart 6).

Why do I need a prescription for heartworm medication?

Heartworm preventives are “legend” drugs, which by federal law require a prescription. A veterinary-client-patient relationship must be established before a prescription can be written.
For more information, check out our links page or click on the hyperlinks that we have embedded above. You may also search "Heartworm disease" in the search tab.

Only a veterinarian can truly ensure that your pet is getting optimal protection from heartworm disease. Call our office if you have further questions or concerns about your dog’s heartworm testing and prevention needs. The Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic is here to help prevent illness in your pets. We are always available and happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have about your pet. Please call us at (330)753-4114 if you have any questions or concerns.

This article was modified and adapted for the website www.abvetclinic.com by Jeff Fink DVM Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Protect Your Pet from Heartworm Disease

Fri, 06 Dec 2013 19:13:00 GMT

Protect Your Pet from Heartworm Disease

Insects have a purpose, but can be very annoying and harmful to people and animals. One insect that causes us concern in regards to our pets is the mosquito. Mosquitoes can be carriers of heartworm larvae. When transmitted to your pet, heartworm can cause serious complications and eventually results in death of your dog or cat.

When a female mosquito that is infected with the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, bites your dog, the infective larvae enter your dog’s bloodstream and grow into adult heartworms. More than 20 species of mosquitoes are known to spread heartworm. These mosquitoes carry the infected larvae for miles, even transmitting the disease from wild animals (such as coyotes) to dogs and cats. It takes a little over six months for the infective larvae to mature into adult worms that may live for five to seven years. Heartworms live in the right side of the heart and the arteries of the lungs, causing inflammation and interfering with blood flow. This leads to blood clots in the lung and congestive heart failure.

Here are the answers to questions that we commonly hear about heartworm disease:

Is heartworm contagious from dog to dog?

No, heartworm can be transmitted from dog to dog only by the bite of a mosquito carrying the infective stage of the larvae.

Can my cat get heartworm disease?

Yes, but for once it is a benefit to be imperfect. Cats are susceptible but are imperfect hosts to heartworm. This makes cats more resistant to infection than dogs.

My dog only goes outside to go to the bathroom, is he/she still at risk?

Yes, your dog can even be infected indoors. Mosquitoes frequently follow us indoors or squeeze in through cracks in doors or windows.

Do I need to worry about heartworm disease during the fall and winter months?

Yes, mosquitoes infected with heartworm can still be found when the weather becomes colder. In addition, Ohio is prone to mild winters, which allows mosquitoes to be more prevalent.

How do I know if my dog has heartworm disease?

A simple blood test can be done at your veterinarian’s office with results in about 15 minutes. The test that we use also tests for some tick-bourne diseases, such as Lyme disease.

When should heartworm testing be done?

Can heartworm disease be treated?

How can I prevent my dog from being infected with heartworm disease?

Giving your dog monthly heartworm prevention all year round and testing for heartworm disease are the best ways to keep your dog heartworm free. Heartworm prevention is a prescription medication that comes in oral tablets (Heartgard Plus, Iverhart Max, Trifexis , Interceptor and various others) that are given monthly or an injection ( Proheart 6 and Proheart 12 ) that is given every 6 months or 12 months depending on which product is utilized. Giving the heartworm prevention on the same day every month is best, so make sure to mark it on your calendar. A single missed dose could put your dog at risk. Injectable heartworm prevention must be administered by a veterinarian. Prevention is a fraction of the cost of treatment and is much easier on your pet.

Why do I need a prescription for heartworm medication?

Only a veterinarian can ensure your pet is getting optimal protection from heartworm disease. Ask your veterinarian about your dog’s heartworm testing and prevention needs today.

May 2014 has been designated as Heartworm Prevention Month . Please get your pets protected.

Animal Shleter Drive

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 16:29:00 GMT

Christmas Animal Shelter Donation

It is that time of year again. We encourage all pet owners to take a little bit of time to remember the pets in shelters and those without homes during this holiday season of giving. We are taking donations of supplies at each of our locations in Seville, Barberton, and Orrville for local animal shelters. There is a substantial need for these supplies including food, office and cleaning supplies, litter, trash bags, and detergents. We are also accepting monetary donations to support these shelters. We have had a great response in the past. Please join us in providing area shelters with a Christmas donation this year. You may drop off any donated supplies leading up to Christmas day and they will be taken the week after Christmas. Thank you for your support!

Our offices are located at the following addresses:

(For areas near Barberton, including Norton, Wadsworth, Barberton, Akron, and areas of Summit and Stark County)

Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic

1111 Wooster Rd. N.

Barberton, Ohio 44203

www.abvetclinic.com

(For areas near Seville, which include: Lodi, Norton, Wadsworth, Creston, Rittman, Medina, and many other areas surrounding southern Medina County and northern Wayne County)

Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic

3893 Greenwich Rd.

Seville, Ohio 44273

www.sevillevetclinic.com

(For areas Near Orrville, which include: Rittman, Doylestown, Marshalville, Smithville, Apple Creek, Kidron, Dalton, Wooster, Mt Eaton and many other areas surrounding Orrville in Wayne County)

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc

1665 N. Main St

Orrville, Ohio 44667

www.orrvillevetclinc.com

Lyme Disease on the rise in Ohio

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 17:48:00 GMT

Lyme Disease on the Rise in Ohio

According to a release from the Associated Press, the State of Ohio is seeing a shocking increase in the number of deer ticks that can carry Lyme disease. It is unclear what has caused this increase, though researchers suspect one factor is favorable weather conditions that helped more of the tick population survive. Another, more likely reason, is the overpopulation of the white footed mouse in the state, which is also a result of the unusually warm winters of 2011 and 2013. More than 1,800 black-legged ticks were found on deer heads collected from hunters last year, and 183 more submitted to the state for identification were confirmed, compared with 29 found on deer heads the year before and 45 that were submitted and confirmed, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The ticks, some carrying Lyme disease, have especially shown up in eastern and southern Ohio.

Ticks are small, eight-legged parasites that must drink blood in order to survive and reproduce. Ticks don’t fly and they can’t jump (unlike fleas). In fact, ticks are more closely related to spiders and mites than to “insects” like fleas. Ticks can feed on a variety of hosts including birds, dogs, cats and people. Despite a very popular myth, ticks do not fall or jump out of trees onto a host. However, ticks can climb, and they tend to attach themselves to shrubs and blades of tall grass. When a host walks by and brushes against the grass or shrub where the tick is waiting, the tick climbs onto the host. Once on a new host, the tick eventually finds a location to attach and feed.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread through the bite of a black-legged tick. The black-legged tick picks up the bacteria when they bite mice or deer that are infected with Lyme disease. In most cases, a tick must be attached for 24-36 hours to spread the bacteria to the blood of the host. This means that if you check your pets and yourself daily, you have a chance of finding and removing any ticks before they can transmit Lyme disease. However, the black-legged tick is so small that detection within this time period is highly unlikely.

Do’s and Don’ts of tick removal:

What do I do if my pet or I have been bitten by a tick?

Call your healthcare provider if you have: a large, red, expanding rash that may look like a bull’s eye or develop weakness, numbness, or tingling, or heart problems. Call your veterinarian if your dog exhibits the following symptoms: lameness, a stiff walk with an arched back, sensitivity to touch, difficulty breathing, fever, lack of appetite and depression.

How can you keep yourself and your pet(s) safe from ticks?

Keeping your pet out of wooded or bushy areas, tall grass and leaf litter is a good way to reduce the exposure. Spraying all exposed skin and your clothing with insect repellant and walking in the center of trails can reduce the risk. However, this can be difficult for many pet owners, especially if they share an active outdoor lifestyle with their pet. Effective flea and tick control products can be used on pets to help protect them from ticks. Your veterinarian can recommend a safe and effective product for your furry friend. Some of our favorite products are Bravect, Credelio , Simparica, and Vectra 3d. If you feel that your dog is at significant risk talk to your veterinarian about including a vaccination for Lyme disease to your dog’s annual preventative vaccinations. If you are not sure if your dog is at risk, talk it over with your veterinarian who can do a risk assessment and recommend the best preventive care for your dog.

What about cats?

Cats are less likely to be diagnosed with Lyme disease. However, there are still reasons to be concerned about your cat coming in contact with ticks. If a cat is heavily infested with ticks, the parasites can drink enough blood to cause anemia (severe blood loss). Keeping your cat indoors reduces the risk of your cat bringing ticks inside to you and your family.

Be cautious but do not be alarmed, most people who are bitten by a tick do not get Lyme disease. If diagnosed in the early stages, Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics. Without treatment, complications involving the joints, heart, and nervous system can occur. However, these symptoms are still treatable.

Article by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Flea Treatment and Prevention

Tue, 05 Nov 2013 20:28:00 GMT

The cat flea is a leading cause of itching and scratching in dogs and cats that we evaluate at Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic. All fleas survive by jumping onto an animal, biting their skin, and feeding on the blood. As a result you, will observe the animal scratching and chewing. This causes irritability, hair loss, and skin infections. In addition, some pets are not only irritated by the flea bite, but they are allergic (hypersensitive) to the bite itself. Pets with flea allergy dermatitis have a much more dramatic skin reaction than pets that are simply irritated by the flea's saliva. Often there can be large amounts of hair loss, severe skin infection, and the pet may be itchy and irritable from only a few fleas. We recommend checking your pet for fleas by buying a fine tooth comb and running it though your pet's coat. It is important to focus around the ears, neck, and tail head. If there are any black specks present, test them by applying hydrogen peroxide. The black flecks that turn red when sprayed are flea dirt, which is the digested blood of your pet defecated onto the skin. The scary part is that live adult fleas are only 5 % of the problem, with the rest of the stages including eggs, larvae, and pupae. One adult flea can lay 500 eggs in its lifetime. The pupated stage is essentially a cocoon and can live in the environment up to a year. It is stimulated to hatch if it is interrupted by movement, heat, and carbon dioxide indicating the animal is in the vicinity causing it to hatch into an adult flea.

Animals get fleas from other flea-infested animals. These include stray dogs or stray cats, some other neighbors’ dog or cat, urban wildlife (mainly opossums and raccoons). At some point, a contaminated went through your neighborhood, your yard, and the female flea is laying eggs and the eggs fall off into the environment your pet walks through. The best way to manage fleas and ticks is go to your veterinarian and find out what products they recommend for your area. The issue with many of the over-the-counter products is that many are what we call pyrethroids, or synthetic pyrethrins. Fleas are commonly resistant to this class of insecticides, so one of the reasons over-the-counter formulations don’t work very well. Be sure to use the correct size made specifically for your pet, as your pet can have a serious reaction to an overdose. Never use dog flea prevention on a cat, as a cat's nervous system can only handle feline flea preventative.

In order to prevent fleas we recommend that you keep your pet on a monthly preventative that is recommended by your veterinarian and using the product according to their recommendations. It is important to use a recommended preventive every month during flea season. Flea season is typically when the temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit with 50% relative humidity. This allows them to breed and for the adult fleas have a blood meal. Because of climate-controlled homes, fleas easily breed inside all year long if homeowners don't eliminate fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae.

The best way to treat a flea infestation is by starting with a monthly preventative recommended by your veterinarian. Of course, the product should be used product according to the recommendations. In the face of an outbreak or infestation, an effective flea prevention is recommended once monthly for a minimum of 3 months. This method and duration is required for full kill of the flea life cycle. This also includes vacuuming your home, washing all bedding in hot water, and using an approved flea insecticide spray or bomb in the home. This environmental treatment should be repeated in two weeks. It is important to remove all animals, including fish and birds, from the home while using any insecticides. Spray your carpets, rugs, furniture, baseboards, along walls and on your pet's bedding. Make sure to follow the directions on the can. It is important to make sure that you don't forget door edges, corners, floors with cracks and underneath furniture and furniture cushions. Flea larvae love to hide in dark places even if your pet is too large to crawl under your furniture. If you use a fogger, you still need to spray the areas that the fogger can't reach. Be sure to throw away the vacuum bag or all contents of the container if the vacuum is bag less. This should be disposed of immediately after vacuuming. If your pet goes outside it is recommended to continue to use the flea preventative monthly during flea season. If your pet spends more than 5 percent of its time outdoors, it may be necessary to treat the yard as well. You should remove debris like fallen leaves, grass clippings or other organic items before treating your yard. Also, mow your lawn before you spray. Make sure to spray all shaded or partially shaded areas; such as inside dog houses, beneath trees, shrubbery and bushes or beneath your deck or porch.

There are many myths about the use of natural or organic flea preventatives and their efficacy. There really aren’t any that are very effective from a natural standpoint. Many people resort to using garlic and/or brewer’s yeast, yet the research shows none of that stuff works. We feel that if these home remedies have worked for you, then there are likely no fleas in the environment your pet has been in.. But remember, the way animals get fleas is by some other flea-infested animal - a stray dog or stray cat, or some other neighbors’ dog or cat, or urban wildlife coming into the environment and leaving flea eggs, larvae, pupae, or adult fleas behind. It’s better to protect your pet the correct way and safe way the first time, as this will save you and your pet a lot of headache and save you a lot of money in the long run. At our animal hospital, we carry a full line or recommended and effective preventives. We are located at 1111 Wooster Rd. N in Barberton, Ohio. Our location is conveniently accessible from Akron, Barberton, Norton and the surrounding areas of Summit and Stark counties.

Submitted by Amanda Bell, R.V.T. Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic

The Flea Life Cycle

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 16:24:00 GMT

The Flea Life Cycle

In Akron, Barberton, Norton, Medina, Rittman and the areas surrounding the Akron Bareberton Veterinary Clinic; the most common flea problem is Cetenocephalides Felis (A.K.A. the cat flea). Theis cat flea is responsible for approximately 80% of the flea outbreaks in the state of Ohio. Adult fleas prefer to spend their mature lives on the host, although they can survive for several days in the environment. Survival in the environment is dependent upon the relative humidity and temperature. The adults hatch from the pupated stage once they are stimulated by the presence of vibrations on the ground and carbon dioxide. After emerging from the pupated (think cocoon) stage, adult fleas migrate toward light and locate hosts through visual cues.

Adult fleas begin to feed on the host very rapidly, taking a bite within seconds to minutes. Within 1-3 days of the first blood meal, the adult flea begins to lay eggs. Female fleas can lay 50 eggs per day. She may continue to lay eggs for up to 100 days. Flea eggs fall into the environment, mostly being found where the dog or cat spends a lot of time. These areas include bedding and play areas, but may also involve rooms wuch as the family room or living room.

The flea eggs will hatch starting at 24 hours and continuing over a period 10 days. Once the eggs hatch, they enter their larval stage. These emerging larvae feed on flea feces and organic debris (things like dust particles). The larvae tend to prefer dark areas, so they migrate away from light into carpets, bedding and soil. Flea larvae will go through 2 molts over the next 5-11 days before entering the pupae stage. While the flea larvae are quite susceptible to heat and desiccation, flea pupae are relatively resistant. Likewise, there are many available products to target the larval stage, but not the pupated stage.

The adult fleas begin to emerge from pupae in 5-9 days, contributing to the cycle. If they fail to hatch, these pupae can remain dormant for several weeks to months until a host is found. Once again, these pupae emerge when they sense vibrations and carbon dioxide (two of the cues that a blood meal is in the area). A main reason that flea infestation can be difficult to control is due to the persistence of these dormant pupae in the environment.

The entire life cycle, from egg to adult flea, is completed in 3 to 8 weeks in most cases. In certain instances, the life cycle may extend to nearly 6 months if the temperature and ambient humidity are ideal. In our area, we do benefit from the cold season. These extreme temperatures help to control the flea life cycle because none of the flea life stages can survive prolonged (greater than 10 days) exposure to freezing temperatures. Unfortunately, this only extends to the environment, as it is thought that fleas can "over-winter" on urban wildlife (opossums, foxes, skunks, raccoons) and feral cats in northern climates. These pets then serve as sources of re-infestation for pets.

Chew on this: the adult fleas that you can see only represent 5% of the entire problem. The breakdown of the life cycle is as follows:
Adult fleas: 5%
Pupated Stage: 10%
Larval Stage: 35%
Eggs: 50%

We often see a lot of flea related issues. We were one of the first areas to identify resistance to some of the most popular flea control products on the market, including many that are now available over the counter at various chain stores. We carry the most recent and effective flea control produts that work to combat the resistant "Barbeton flea." Please call and ask us for recommendations for your pet.

This article was adapted from our recent facebook posts that described the flea life cycle in detail. Original Facebook posting by Greg Roadruck D.V.M.

Article composed and modified by Dr. Jeff R. Fink

2013 Wayne County Farm Tour

Thu, 24 Oct 2013 19:34:00 GMT

We are very excited to be a featured boothe during the 2013 Wayne County Farm Tour held at our Orrville Veterinary Clinic, located at 1665 N. Main St. in Orrville, Ohio. The Wayne County Farm Tour is sponsored by the farm bureau and features our Orrville Veterinary Clinic, the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort, along with 8 other agriculturally related stops. The farm tour typically encompasses a two day weekend, with over 10,000 people participating in the tour itself. Stop by to visit us on Saturday October, 12th and Sunday October 13th.

Litter Box Management

Thu, 24 Oct 2013 16:36:00 GMT

Litter Box Management

The litter box is essentially the bathroom or toilet for your cat. That phrase may sound basic, but if you really think about it, do you manage your cat's litter box like you manage your own bathroom? Below, we have listed many guidelines for managing your cat's litter box. Going along with the bathroom/ toilet analogy, it may be helpful to think of scooping the litter box just like flushing the toilet. It may also help to think about cleaning the litter box just like cleaning , and scrubbing, the toilet. How often do you do these two things? It should be similar with you cat's litter box.

Keeping it clean

We recommend scooping the litter box at least once a day. The urine and feces smells will invade the rest of your house the longer it sits in the box. If you are able to smell any odors, your cat has been smelling them for a longer period of time and at higher levels. Scoop your litter box early and often to cut down the odor. It is recommended to scoop the litter box a minimum of once a day.

A general guideline for replacing clay litter is once a week. You should scrub the litter box every time that you change the litter. Use mild dish detergent to clean it, as products with ammonia or citrus oils can make the litter box undesirable to the cat. In addition, some cleaning products are toxic.

Replace the litter box once a year. Over time, your cat’s claws and your scooper can make small scratches in the bottom and sides of your litter box. These grooves are harder to sterilize and can hold onto odor. Avoid this by donating your used litter box to a shelter or rescue group yearly and treating your cat to a new box. Avoid covered litter boxes, not only are they more expensive, but they serve as another method to trap odors.

Scented Litter vs. Unscented Litter

Scented is not as it seems. Many people used scented litter to mask litter box odors, but those scents can put off many cats. For the same reason, it's not a good idea to place a room deodorizer or air freshener near the litter box. Placing a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the box will help absorb odors without repelling your cat. In addition, if you scoop the box daily, and replace the litter once a week, the litter box should not smell.

If you find the litter box odor offensive, your cat, with his keen sense of smell, probably finds it even more offensive and won't want to use the litter box. Try to find a brand of litter that smells best to you (and your cat). To do this, try using a different litter in each litter box in your home and seeing: (a) which litter your cat prefers and (b) which litter controls the odor the best. You might just find that you and your cat have a litter preference in common.

Where to Place Litter Boxes

Keep the litter box in a well-ventilated area. One of the biggest mistakes cat owners make is putting the litter box in a tiny, dark and hidden space. This allows the odor to build up. Plus, if it’s unpleasant for your cat to use, he’All be more likely to find somewhere else to go — perhaps on your clothes. Keep your litter box in a well-ventilated spot where the scent can easily disperse. There should also be enough room for your cat to get in, move around and come out comfortably.

For kittens or senior cats. Avoid locations requiring stair access or litter boxes with higher sides. Arthritis is very common in older cats and owners may not be aware of the arthritis in their cats. Arthritis pain can show up as unwanted urinations next to the litter box or around the house.

Avoid noisy areas. Avoid placing litter boxes next to noisy or heat-radiating appliances, like the furnace or the washing machine. The noise can make a cat nervous, while the warmth of a dryer or furnace can magnify the litter box smell, which could make him stay away from it. Cats may also not want to travel through certain areas in order to use their litter box. These areas may be louder areas or high traffic areas within your home, such as the living room or family room.

Avoid food sources: Put the box far away from his food and water bowls. Cats don't like that smell too close to their food and may not use the box.

Avoid Dog areas: Many cats can be scared away from the litter box by the presence of a dog. Dogs sometimes will get into the litter box to eat the cat feces, which is a problem in and of itself. At that time, the dog may scare your cat, making her less likely to want to return to the litter box.

How many?

The rule of thumb: It is recommended to have one box for each cat plus one more. This avoids a situation with a pre-occupied litter box and a cat with nowhere to go.
It's not possible to designate a personal litter box for each cat in your household, as cats may use any litter box that's available. That means a cat may occasionally refuse to use a litter box after another cat has been in it. In this case, you'll need to keep all of the litter boxes extremely clean, and you might even need to add additional boxes. It is not recommended to place all of the boxes next to each other or in one single room because your cats will think of them as a single litter box.

Covered vs. Uncovered

Covered: Covered boxes can decrease the amount of litter that flies from the box when your cat scratches the litter. A covered litter box may also provide some privacy. For these reasons, people prefer to provide their cats with a covered litter box, but doing so may introduce some potential problems. These issues are listed below and can lead to medical problems that result from urine retention.

Uncovered: With the cover removed you are able to see if the litter is dirty and needs changed. If the cover is present the dirty litter is "out of sight, out of mind." A covered litter box traps odors inside, so you'll need to clean it more often than an open one. A dirty, covered litter box is to your cat what dirty a port-a-potty is to you! A cover may not allow a large cat sufficient room to turn around, scratch, dig, or position himself in the way he wants. Lastly the cover may make it easier for another cat to lay in wait and "ambush" the user as he exits the box.

Solving problems

If your cat begins to go to the bathroom outside the litter box, your first call should always be to your veterinarian. Many medical conditions can cause a change in a cat's litter box habits. If your veterinarian examines your cat and gives him a clean bill of health, your veterinarian can discuss a behavior problem that needs to be solved.

Article Submitted by Amanda Bell, R.V.T.

Spaying and Neutering: Myths Debunked

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 19:03:00 GMT

Myth Busters: Spaying and Neutering Your Pet

Myths Answered About Spaying and Neutering Your Pet

Myth #1: It is better for my female dog to have a litter before I spay her

This is an absolutely not true. All the medical evidence states that a dog should be spayed before her first heat (see Myth #2 for more on this). It is much easier for a young female to undergo this procedure rather than undergoing the same procedure at an older age. Due to the size of the pet and the decreased amount bloodflow to the uterus and ovaries, it is an easier surgery in a younger animal. Another reason to spay or neuter your pet is due to the #1 problem in nationwide pet shelters and humane societies: overpopulation. By spaying or castrating your animal, you have chosen the responsible thing to do, given the magnitude of the problem in this country. An additional reason to spay your pet is to limit the incidence of mammary gland cancer. Research shows that spaying prior to the first heat cycle virtually eliminates the risk of you dog developing mammary cancer at an older age.

Myth #2: I should I let my dog have a heat before I spay her

Medically, it’s better to spay your dog prior to her first heat cycle. It greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors. With every heat cycle, the chances of developing mammary tumors increases. In older, intact females; this risk is as high as one out of four. Another health risk is a pyometra, which can happen at any age, whether she has been bred or not. Pyomtera is an infection of the uterus, which can lead to an extremely serious condition, even resulting in death. With a pyometra, the cervix closes after the heat cycle. At this point, any bacteria that has migrated into the vagina begins to overgrow, filling the uterus with infection. Pyometra is an important disease to be aware of for any dog owner due of the sudden nature of the disease and the severe consequences if left untreated. It is truly a medical emergency.

Myth #3: Dogs and cats get lazy or gain weight once you spay or neuter them.

The real reason that pets gain weight is that their owners feed them too much or don't give them enough exercise, not because they are altered. The weight gain that people may witness after a spay/neuter surgery is likely caused by continuing to feed a diet that is formulated for a growing animal to a pet that is reaching its adult size, which decreases the need for fat and energy. Just like in people, exercise is vital to the well-being of animals. Exercise, in the form of play, can help encourage activity to keep the weight off and the muscles strong. Exercise also increases the quality time spent with your pet along with socialization. This socialization helps your puppy to develop into a calmer, more assertive dog. There is some medical evidence to show that a dog's metabolism will also slow down once he or she is altered. To account for this, we recommend feeding your pets at a level equal to 80% of the recommended amount on the packaging. (Like all rules, this is not an across the board rule, simply a generality)

Myth #4: My pet needs to be at least 6 months old to be spayed or neutered

Once they are fully vaccinated, we recommend spaying or neutering your pet. At about 4 1/2 months of age, your pet has a very high level of immunity due to the vaccinations. It is also true that puppies and kittens recover a lot faster than adults dogs and cats. The surgical procedure is also easier to perform and carries slightly less risk when performed in younger animals. There is no medical evidence to support waiting until the animal is 6 months or older to alter. The six month age was an arbitrary number that was followed as a guideline many years ago and is no longer the recommended standard.

Myth #5: My pet will have a behavioral change once spay or neutered

Spaying or neutering will not affect your dog’s desire or ability to protect your home or your family. In order to be a guard dog, your pet needs to be trained as a guard dog. Their behavior is a function of genetics, instinct, environment, and training. Male pets do not have any concept of sexual identity or ego, so neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.The decreased hormone levels do cause neutered pets to have less desire to roam, mark territory, or exert dominance over other pets. Sterilized pets are proven to have some negative behaviors minimized such as: roaming, irritability, aggression, frequent urinations, and bleeding.

The facts are simple—spaying and neutering saves lives.

There are simply too many pets and not enough homes. It is one of the most important decisions you can make for your pet. Not only does it help him or her live a happier, healthier life; it will save the lives of many others.

This article was submitted by Amanda Bell, R.V.T.

Pet Safety During Hunting Season

Thu, 03 Oct 2013 16:49:00 GMT

Pet Safety during Hunting Season

As that calendar turns to October, we enter into a time of year that can be a very dangerous time for pets: Ohio hunting season. There are many hunters and hunting areas in an around Akron, Barberton, Norton, Rittman, Wadsworth and the surrounding areas of Summit and Stark counties. Even though one of the most basic fundamentals of hunting is to identify and know the target before actually shooting, mistakes and accidents happen.

Though there are many hunters in the area, there are also many non-hunters. Non-hunters are often not aware of the timing of hunting seasons. Below is a chart of common Ohio hunting seasons. Most Ohio hunting seasons run during the fall and winter (IE: Bow, Muzzle loader, Rifle or Shot gun). It is not simply safe to assume all hunters follow the rules and guidelines.

There are many areas that are open to hunting, as well as numerous areas where hunting is excluded. Unfortunately, some hunters have been known to proceed into non-hunting areas despite the posted warning signs.. If you live in a developed areas on the outskirts of Akron, Medina, Rittman, Norton, Copley and Kenmore; check on your pet often if they are outdoors for any length of time. In the more rural areas, it is safest to use a leash or run to prevent your pet from running loose or escaping during a walk. Some dogs are frightened by loud noises and may get easily frightened by a loud gunshot nearby. This may be enough to scare them into running away if not contained.

Like Hunters, pets can wear protective gear, such as colorful bandanas, fun sweaters, a bell or a fluorescent collar. Many collars come in bright colors, such as the well-known “hunter Orange.” This helps to identify your pet as a non-game species very readily, hopefully preventing the chance of an accidental injury. If you should happen to see or hear a hunter while out and about with your pet, try to make it known you are in the area. It is simple to speak up or blow a whistle periodically to alert the hunters to your presence.

For our hunting dogs, extra precautions need to be made. First and foremost, each hunting animal should have a thorough, healthy pet examination prior to the hunting season. It is imperative that you have the dog examined by your veterinarian to insure that they are healthy enough to take on the activity involved in hunting. Just like the human hunter, hunting dogs should also wear protective gear. “Hunter orange” vest, and reflective collars.

At Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, we are always striving to provide information to keep pets safe. While this article is not intended to be a discussion in favor or against hunting activities, we recognize the fact that hunting is a popular past-time in out area. We are here to help should an injury occur. After hour emergency veterinary services are available through our Orrville Veterinary Clinic location by calling (330)682-2971.

Article Submitted by: Becki Steele

Mystery Dog Illness Update

Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:33:00 GMT

Mystery Dog Illness in Ohio

Many people have called with concerns about the "mystery dog illness" that has been reported in the state of Ohio. Please read the following information to better understand the state of the investigation at this present time. We have placed some key points in bold lettering to highlight some important areas. Please note that there have been no new cases within the past four weeks as of the publishing of this article. We are hoping that the scare is in the past.

Here is the latest information on the recently reported "Mystery Illness" that was seen in 8 dogs in Ohio. This information comes directly from the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association and the Ohio Department of Agriculture:

The point to emphasize is that routine, common sense should prevail in this case. Perhaps the media, in an attempt to inform people, has created a panic that is premature and unnecessary. We are of course concerned about any and all animals that become sick. Preventive measures include keeping your pet in sanitary conditions and away from the excrement (feces) of other animals. There are many other infections that can be contracted from direct contact with the fecal matter of other animals. This includes canine parvovirus and intestinal parasites, some of which can also be spread to humans.

We recommend that any animal that is experiencing signs of illness be evaluated by one of our veterinarians as soon as possible. Early detection and early treatment always provide your pet with the best chance of recovery.

Intestinal Parasite Test

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:12:00 GMT

WHAT IS AN INTESTINAL PARASITE (FECAL) TEST?

A fecal examination is the microscopic evaluation of feces. The test is indicated for pets with diarrhea, straining, lack of appetite or vomiting. Annual fecal examinations are recommended on all animals as part of a yearly health exam. Fecal examinations are also recommended on all puppies and kittens.

There is no contraindication to performing this test. Negative results help determine health or may exclude the presence of disease and gastrointestinal parasites.

WHAT DOES A FECAL EXAMINATION REVEAL OR DEMONSTRATE?

Fecal examinations are primarily performed to detect microscopic gastrointestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Giardia, coccidia and tapeworms. Some abnormal parasites known as spirochetes or flagellates can also be detected.

A positive test result indicates gastrointestinal parasitic disease. Negative results from one fecal sample may be misleading. Some parasites do not shed eggs consistently so some samples may be negative even though the animal actually has a parasitic infection. Repeated fecal examinations may be necessary to detect some elusive parasites.

How Is a Fecal Examination Done?

In order to perform a fecal examination, a fecal sample needs to be obtained. The easiest way to do this would be to pick up a sample of feces after the pet has eliminated. Fresh samples will give the most information.

Fecal samples can also be obtained by other means. There are special fecal loops commercially available. This long narrow wand with a loop at the end is inserted into the rectum. If feces is present, a sample will be obtained in the loop. Another method of obtaining a fecal sample is for the veterinarian to use an exam glove and place a finger in the rectum. Fecal material will adhere to the glove and can be evaluated under a microscope.

After obtaining a fecal sample, the feces is placed in a tube or commercially manufactured fecal container. Special fecal flotation fluid is then added to the tube with the feces and the combination is stirred. This is then allowed to sit for about 20 minutes. The hope is that any parasitic eggs present in the feces will float to the top of the fluid.

After 20 minutes, the top layer of fluid is placed on a microscope slide and examined under a microscope. Each parasite has a characteristic appearance that can be detected by an experienced technician or veterinarian.

The fecal examination generally takes about 30 to 40 minutes and is often performed in your veterinarian's office. Some veterinarian’s choose to submit the fecal sample to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. In these situations, tests results may take 1 to 2 days to obtain.

IS A FECAL EXAMINATION PAINFUL?

A fecal examination is not painful. If a fecal loop or digital exam is used to obtain the sample, discomfort may be involved.

IS SEDATION OR ANESTHESIA NEEDED FOR A FECAL EXAMINATION?

Sedation or anesthesia is not needed for a fecal examination.

Veterinarians support Issue 2

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:11:00 GMT

On Nov. 3, 2009, voters in Ohio will have the opportunity to pass an amendment to Ohio's Constitution (State Issue 2) that will create a 13-member Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board made up of people from Ohio who are experts in animal care and will include at least two veterinarians.

This board will be charged with overseeing Ohio's livestock industry to help assure that food animal products are safe, nutritious and produced in facilities and in a manner that promote animal well-being.

State Issue 2 is important for Ohioans because outside interest groups (among them the Humane Society of the United States) have strongly indicated that it is their intent to bring an initiative to Ohio voters that would set very rigid, costly and impractical guidelines for raising livestock that would drive many producers out of business, greatly increase the cost of food to consumers and endanger Ohio's leading economic contributor, namely Ohio agriculture.

Similar restrictive laws are already in place in California, Colorado, Arizona and Florida and these laws have severely hampered animal agriculture in these states. Any parallel legislation in Ohio would be devastating to the economy of Wayne County, Ohio's third largest agricultural county.

We, the undersigned members of the Killbuck Valley Veterinary Medical Association, strongly support State Issue 2. The members of this Association, made up largely of food-animal veterinarians from Wayne County, have given the efforts of our professional lives to support not only animal well-being, but also the financial well-being of those who primarily care for those animals and the health of those who consume those products.

We believe State Issue 2 will help assure Ohio will continue to be a leader in animal agriculture, animals will be treated humanely and consumers will continue to have products that are safe, nutritious and affordable.
We urge you to support State Issue 2 on Nov. 3.

William M. Yost, DVM; Melvin D. Wenger, DVM; Gabe Middleton, DVM; Richard E, Wiley, DVM; Brad Garrison, DVM; David White, DVM; Mike Finney, DVM; Carlton Schlatter, DVM; Cody Stoller, DVM; Grace Kemp, DVM; Ken Blanchard, DVM; Mark Armfelt, DVM; Terrence R. Kline, DVM; Jeff LeJeune, DVM, PhD.

Pregnancy in Cats

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:10:00 GMT

OVERVIEW

Pregnancy is the period of gestation when the young are developing in the mother’s uterus. Normal gestation in cats is 58 to 68 days (the average is 63 days).

The litter size in cats varies from one kitten to more than 10. Litter sizes are often smaller in young and old animals and largest when the mother is around three to four years of age.

Conditions that may be confused with pregnancy include mastitis (inflammation of the mammary glands), mammary gland neoplasia (cancer), abdominal enlargement due to fluid accumulation or organ enlargement, or pyometra (infection of the uterus).

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

DIAGNOSIS

Your veterinarian may perform some diagnostic tests to confirm your cat’s health and to determine if she is pregnant. These include:

Your veterinarian may recommend other tests (not typically done with a normal pregnancy) based on a case-by-case basis. Tests may include:

TREATMENT

HOME CARE

Good nutrition is essential for healthy kittens and mothers so feed your pet a high-quality diet formulated for pregnant or nursing cats.

QUEENING

The more that you can learn about queening (birth of the kittens), the better prepared you will be for any difficulties that might occur. Once you know that your cat is pregnant, you should begin preparing for the birth.

Provide a queening box for the mother to begin sleeping in to ensure that she gives birth to the kittens in an area that you have chosen (but this does not always happen). Allow her access to the box so she can become accustomed to it before delivery. The box can be covered and placed in a quiet (secluded) area where she will feel comfortable and protected. Newspapers or a soft blanket or towel can also be used.

Gastrointestinal Parasites in Dogs

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:09:00 GMT

WORMS

Most people are aware that their pets have worms, but just what are these worms, where do they get them and how do you get rid of them? When pet owners talk about worms, they are really talking about all gastrointestinal parasites. And there are several gastrointestinal parasites that commonly affect our dogs and cats.

ROUNDWORMS

Roundworms are visible in your puppy’s stool or vomit. They are long and thin, similar to thin spaghetti. This parasite can pass through the placenta (only in puppies), through the milk (puppies and kittens) or be ingested (puppies and kittens). Some animals become infected after ingesting another animal with roundworm eggs. It is thought that nearly all puppies are born with roundworms since they pass through the placenta. In kittens, most become infected after nursing.

The roundworm that affects dogs is Toxocara canis. The roundworm that affects cats is Toxocara cati. The roundworm Toxascaris leonina is shared between dogs and cats. The roundworm eggs are very resistant to chemicals and weather and remain infective in the soil for years, which can result in repeated reinfection.

Typically, the eggs are found on the soil or grass. As the dog or cat walks by, the eggs are picked up on the animal’s fur. During normal grooming, the animal then ingests the eggs. After reaching the stomach, the eggs hatch. The developing larvae continue to mature in the small intestines and become adults in about three to four weeks. At this point, the mature worms are able to reproduce and shed more eggs. These eggs pass out the intestines in the feces. Once in the soil, the eggs will become infective in about one week.

WHIPWORMS

Whipworms are another type of gastrointestinal parasite that affects dogs. The most common whipworm is Trichuris vulpis and it is a significant cause of large bowel diarrhea. The whipworm eggs are quite resistant and can live in the environment for up to five years.

Typically, a dog becomes infected after ingesting eggs from the environment. The eggs then hatch once they reach the stomach. It takes about three months for the eggs to mature to adults and being shedding eggs. The adults then burrow into the small intestine and feed on blood and tissue. The eggs are intermittently passed in the feces and become infective in about one month. Since the eggs are not shed all the time, repeated fecal examinations may be necessary to diagnose whipworm infection.

HOOKWORMS

Ancylostoma caninum is the most common hookworm in the dog. Ancylostoma tubaeforme is the most common hookworm in the cat. The eggs are relatively susceptible to cold weather and the eggs are usually destroyed after a hard freeze. Hookworm infection can occur as the worms pass through the placenta, are spread during nursing, penetrate through the skin or are ingested.

After ingestion, the eggs hatch in the stomach and develop into adults into about two weeks. If the larvae penetrate the skin, it takes about four weeks for the larvae to mature. Once mature, the worms begin reproducing and shed eggs in the feces. It then takes two to eight days until the eggs are infective. The adult worms attach to the lining of the small intestine and feed on blood. In a severe infection, profound anemia can occur.

GIARDIA

Giardia are pear-shaped, one-celled organisms that infect the small intestine of dogs and cats. Most cases of Giardia in young animals cause explosive, watery diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss and an unkempt appearance. Adult animals are capable of harboring the infection without showing clinical signs.

The eggs are susceptible to chemical disinfection. Once ingested, the infective cysts develop in the small intestine. Diarrhea can begin as early as five days after exposure and cysts can appear in the feces one to two weeks after exposure. Most domestic animals contract Giardia from drinking contaminated pond or stream water.

TAPEWORMS

Tapeworms are very common in dogs and cats and, despite what you may think, rarely cause illness. Most people see the tapeworm egg packets as they pass out the rectum and crawl on the animal’s fur. These egg packets, referred to as proglottids, contain multiple eggs and appear about six to eight weeks after ingestion of an infective tapeworm egg. In order to become infective, the tapeworm egg is either ingested by a rodent, rabbit or flea. The egg then matures and becomes infective. Eggs or egg packets eaten after they pass out in the stool are not infective and do not result in more tapeworms.

There are two types of tapeworms, Taenia and Dipylidium. Taenia tapeworms are acquired when an animal ingests an infected rabbit or rodent. Dipylidium tapeworms are acquired when an animal ingests an infected flea. Once the tapeworm egg is ingested, it hatches in the stomach and begins to invade the walls of the intestines. The worm then matures to a larva and then to an adult. About 35 to 80 days later, the adults begin to shed egg packets, which pass in the stool. The adult tapeworm can survive in the intestine for about seven to 34 months.

Animals infected with tapeworms may scoot on the floor since the egg packets tend to crawl on the skin, causing itchiness.

COCCIDIA

Coccidia are intestinal protozoa that invade and infect the lining cells of the small intestine. There are many species of coccidia and almost all domestic animals can become infected. Of the numerous types that infect dogs and cats, Isospora is the most common. Coccidia spread when an animal eats infected fecal material or an infected host, such as a small rodent. Many researchers maintain that virtually all dogs and cats have been infected with the organism at one time or another during their life.

Most coccidial infections are harmless, cause minimal symptoms and are eliminated by normal body defense mechanisms. More serious coccidial infections cause severe watery or bloody diarrhea and are often seen in high-density confinement situations such as kennels, catteries and pet shops.

Obesity in Dogs

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:08:00 GMT

OVERVIEW

Obesity is defined as the excessive accumulation of body fat. Between 25 and 40 percent of dogs are considered obese or are likely to become obese. It is the most common nutrition-related health condition in dogs in our society.

The primary causes of obesity are overeating and lack of exercise. When regular caloric intake exceeds the energy burned, the excess is stored as fat. As little as an extra 1 percent caloric intake can result in a 25 percent increase over ideal body weight by middle age.

Most owners don’t recognize that their dogs are overweight until they take them to the veterinarian for another reason. Most pets begin slowly gaining weight and only a historical review of body weight reveals the insidious nature of this condition.

Dogs that are overweight may experience difficulty breathing or walking or they may be unable to tolerate heat or exercise. Carrying too much weight will also serve to increase the burden on joints, which can further aggravate dogs that have underlying osteoarthritis.

DIAGNOSIS

Veterinary care should include diagnostic tests to determine overall health and to provide recommendations for weight loss.

Diagnostic tests may include:

TREATMENT

Treatment of any concurrent or underlying disease that affects obesity is recommended.

HOME CARE

Weight loss should be a family effort. All members of the family must admit the animal is overweight and commit to a weight loss program. It may be helpful to maintain a log of intake (food and treats) and weight to monitor progress. It might be most effective if one person takes charge of feeding your dog, but all members can help exercise him.

To achieve significant weight loss, the diet must be changed to a therapeutic veterinary diet specifically designed for weight loss. Simply feeding less of your dog’s regular food is rarely, if ever, successful. Owners must be willing to measure exactly the amount of food offered and minimize treats. If treats are necessary, offer low calorie snacks such as air popped popcorn or a piece of vegetable (such as a carrot).

Re-check visits are essential every 4 to 6 weeks to monitor the weight loss since adjustments to the feeding plan are often needed. As your dog approaches ideal body weight, caloric intake must be reduced further to maintain weight loss.

Most dogs require an 8 to 12 month weight loss plan to reach their ideal weight. Most dogs do achieve ideal or near ideal body weight when the owner and family members are committed to improving the pet’s health. Most owners continue feeding the weight loss diet, only at a higher food dose, to maintain their pet’s ideal weight.

Specific recommendations depend upon the underlying disease. For obesity due to:

DIET RECOMMENDATIONS

PREVENTION

There are several veterinary diets that are developed to aide in weight loss in pets. One of these diets is Purina OM. We have several certified weight coaches on staff that would be happy to discuss weight loss in your pet. We can evaluate and then make dietary recommendations that are tailored specifically to your pet.

INFORMATION IN-DEPTH

There are several causes of canine obesity, but whether your dog is overweight because of overfeeding or because of a disease process, he is still taking in more calories than he is using.

Obesity in pets is more commonly due to over-eating (excessive caloric consumption) than disease. The most common cause of obesity is a chronic consumption of calories greater than actual daily energy requirement. Excessive dietary calories are stored as body fat.

Other causes of obesity are due to an altered energy metabolism. Some diseases and conditions can contribute to obesity. These include:

DIAGNOSIS:

Your veterinarian will want to determine the cause of your dog’s obesity before deciding upon treatment. Diagnostic tests that your veterinarian may wish to perform include:

Additional diagnostic tests may include:

TREATMENT IN-DEPTH

Therapy recommendations are dependent upon the underlying cause of the obesity. Take your dog to your veterinarian for a complete work-up before beginning a weight loss program to rule out major diseases.

Recommendations for obesity due to excessive caloric consumption:

- less than 340 kcal per 100 grams of food on a dry matter basis

- between 5 to 10 percent fat

- between 10 to 30 percent crude fiber

- greater than 25 percent crude protein

Recommendations for obesity due to diabetes mellitus:

Recommendations for obesity due to hyperadenocorticism:

Normal Labor and Delivery in the Dog

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:07:00 GMT

BE PREPARED

Giving birth can be a frightening, confusing and painful experience for both the dog and the owner. Knowing and understanding normal labor and delivery, as well as proper pregnancy care, can help make the process go more smoothly and help you know what is normal and when it is time to get the veterinarian involved.

GESTATION

In the bitch, a female dog, gestation lasts 63 days. Knowing the exact time of conception, however, is difficult since a bitch can be receptive to the male before and after ovulation. For this reason, the time from breeding to delivery is usually somewhere between 58 to 70 days. Your veterinarian can help narrow this time frame by examining the cells of the vaginal wall.

Be aware that just because your bitch bred does not mean she is pregnant. Some dogs will even show signs of pregnancy and not really be pregnant. There is a phenomenon in dogs known as false pregnancy or pseudocyesis. For confirmation of pregnancy, an examination, with ultrasound and possibly X-rays by your veterinarian, is suggested.

NUTRITION

Once pregnancy is confirmed, proper care of the mother-to-be is very important. Before breeding, make sure she is up to date on all her vaccinations. It is not recommended to vaccinate your dog during pregnancy. Also, make sure she is dewormed and tests negative for a bacteria known as Brucella. This bacteria can cause abortion in dogs and is also contagious to people.

After breeding and conception, most bitches do well during the first 4 to 5 weeks of pregnancy and do not need any special treatments. Things start to change during the last trimester (week 5 to 6). The babies start to rapidly develop and this results in a significant nutritional drain on the mother. At this time, you may want to consider gradually changing her diet to a growth type diet or a food specifically made for pregnant or lactating bitches. Continue this diet throughout the remainder of pregnancy and until the puppies are weaned. Vitamins or other supplements are not recommended nor needed. With a proper diet, your dog will receive the proper amount of nutrients. Excessive amounts can actually result in birth defects.

Do not begin feeding your dog a higher calorie food before the last trimester. This can lead to weight gain and fat deposits. This has the potential to cause difficulty in maintaining the pregnancy and can result in problems delivering the puppies.

PREPARING FOR DELIVERY

As the time of delivery approaches, you may want to make a whelping box to provide a safe and clean area for your dog to deliver. Whelping boxes are intended to be easily accessed by the mother but escape proof for the new arrivals. You can use wood, Formica or any building material that is easy to clean. Make the box large enough for the bitch to comfortably stretch out. Make sure the sides are just low enough for the mother to step over and place the box in a warm, dry, draft-free area. If possible, try to choose a quiet and secluded area. Initially, place newspapers on the bottom of the box for easy clean up. Once all the puppies are born, place blankets or towels to provide some footing for the puppies. Be aware that you must get the bitch used to the whelping box before the birth. If not, she may make her own decision on where to have the puppies – and this may be a closet, a pile of fresh clean laundry or even in the middle of your bed!

An additional suggestion is to have your dog examined by a veterinarian toward the end of pregnancy. A thorough physical exam, along with ultrasound or X-rays can help determine how many puppies you can expect. This way, you will know when she is done delivering and not just in another resting phase between pups.

LABOR AND DELIVERY

As the time of delivery approaches, twice daily monitoring of the bitch’s body temperature will help alert you to the impending birth. About 24 hours before the beginning of labor, there will be a temporary drop in the body temperature. Normal temperature is 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Twenty-four hours prior to labor, the temperature can drop to 98 to 99 F.

LABOR STAGE I

After the temperature drop, stage I labor begins, characterized by restlessness and anxiety. You may notice panting, pacing, refusal of food and maybe vomiting. Nesting behavior begins. This is the time to place her in the whelping box (hopefully she is already accustomed to the box). After getting settled in the whelping box, you may notice her dragging clothing or fabric to the area to form a comfortable bed. You may want to remove any clothing as whelping begins or these pieces of clothing may be permanently stained.

This stage of labor typically lasts 6 to 12 hours. At the end of stage I, the cervix is completely dilated. If your dog has not started whelping within 24 hours after beginning stage I labor, veterinary assistance is recommended.

LABOR STAGE II

Stage II labor is defined as the part of labor when the puppy is delivered. Visible contractions begin. The abdomen tenses and the bitch begins straining. This action will appear similar to the bitch trying to have a bowel movement.

The first puppy should be delivered within 1 to 2 hours of the onset of contractions and straining. Veterinary assistance is strongly encouraged if the first puppy is not delivered within 2 hours after the onset of contractions.

After delivery of the puppy, the bitch may enter a resting phase that can last up to 4 hours. Active straining will begin again and more puppies will be delivered. If you know there are additional puppies yet to be born and the resting period is longer than 4 hours, veterinary assistance is necessary. This resting phase may not occur after each delivery. Sometimes, several puppies may be born rapidly.

LABOR STAGE III

After delivery of a puppy, the bitch may enter stage III labor. This is the time when the placenta, after birth, is delivered and usually occurs 5 to 15 minutes after delivery of the puppy. If multiple puppies are born rapidly, several placentas may be expelled together. After the passage of the placenta, the bitch will return to stage II labor. She may continue the resting phase or begin contracting. Throughout whelping, the bitch will fluctuate between stage II and stage III labor until all the puppies are born. It is very important to keep track of the number of placentas. There should be the same number of placentas as puppies. If a placenta is retained in the uterus, the bitch will eventually become quite ill.

WHELPING

As soon as the puppy is born (whelped), the mother should immediately start cleaning the puppy. She should begin vigorously licking the puppy, remove him from the amniotic sac if still present and chew the umbilical cord. The bitch may even ingest the placenta. This is not necessary and, sometimes, can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Prompt removal of the placentas can help you keep track of how many placentas she has passed.

Those puppies that are born still in the sack need immediate help. If the mother does not open the sack and begin cleaning the puppy, it is up to you to help. Tear the membrane of the sack and begin cleaning and rubbing the puppy with a clean dry towel. Cleaning other puppies may be necessary if the mother is not showing much interest in her newborns. Tie off the umbilical cord about 1 inch from the belly wall using string, thread or dental floss. Cut the cord off on the other side of the tie. Clean and rub the puppy vigorously until you hear crying. Place the puppy back with the new mom and make sure she allows the puppies to nurse.

Being prepared to assist and understanding newborn puppy care is essential to help the mother and her babies through these first steps of life.

Grooming Your Dog

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:05:00 GMT

A GUIDE TO GROOMING

Although it's often overlooked, grooming is an important part of your dog’s health program. Routine brushing and combing removes dead hair and dirt and prevents matting. Because it stimulates the blood supply to the skin, grooming also gives your pet a healthier and shinier coat.

WHEN TO START

Start regular grooming when you first bring your dog home and make it a part of his routine. Purchase a good-quality brush and comb and get your dog used to being handled. Praise your dog when he holds still and soon he will come to enjoy the extra attention. Some breeds have special grooming needs, so ask your vet or a professional groomer for advice on particular equipment necessary for your pet.

BRUSHING

Your dog’s skin and hair coat reflect his overall health and nutritional status. Many dogs maintain a healthy skin and hair coat with minimal assistance; others – especially some long-haired or curly-haired breeds – require regular brushing. For most dogs, a good brushing once or twice a week will do the trick.

BATHING

The need for bathing depends on the breed of dog, his skin type and hair coat, owner preference and just how dirty your pet gets. Bathing your dog every month or two isn’t unreasonable, but some dogs will need more frequent cleanings. A good rule of thumb is to bathe your pet only when his coat gets dirty or begins to smell “doggy.”

When bathing your dog, make sure to rinse all the soap out of his coat. If he has persistent problems with scratching or flaky skin, he may need a special medicated shampoo or have a skin problem that your veterinarian should examine.

SKIN PROBLEMS

Skin problems – including fleas, ticks and mites or allergies and infections – are common among dogs. Most conditions are manageable with early detection and treatment. If you notice excessive scratching, hair loss or flaky skin, contact your veterinarian. If your pet is continuously exposed to fleas and ticks, speak to your veterinarian about products to minimize the impact of these parasites on the skin. Remember that a consistently poor hair coat with lots of skin flaking may indicate a deeper medical problem.

EARS

Ears may also require cleaning, especially in dogs with oily skin or allergies. This is a delicate task and is probably best left to your vet. However, if your dog is easy to handle (and there is no chance that you will be bitten), you can learn to do this chore yourself. To remove excessive wax and debris from the ears, consider an ear cleaning every two to four weeks. Ask your veterinarian about products you can use at home, and be sure to ask for a demonstration of proper ear cleaning techniques.

NAIL TRIMMING

While clipping nails is a painless and simple process, it takes practice and patience to master the skill. Ask your vet to show you the correct technique, then get started by getting your pet used to having his paws handled. Once you start using the clippers, go slowly: Try clipping just a few nails in one sitting. Maintain a regular schedule and be persistent. Your pet will eventually develop patience and learn to cooperate.

Feeding Your Adult Dog

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:02:00 GMT

WHAT SHOULD YOU FEED?

Your dog knows that what’s on your plate is infinitely better than what he’s eating at the moment – and you may be tempted to prove it by giving him some. Before you do, remember that good nutrition and a balanced diet are essential elements for good health in a dog. And that means watching your canine’s caloric intake carefully.

Your dog needs plenty of fresh water and should be fed good quality food in amounts just right to meet his energy requirements. Inadequate or excess intake of nutrients can be equally harmful.

Most dry dog foods are soybean, corn or rice based. Some of the better brands have meat or fish meal as the first listed ingredient. Although higher priced, they are worth looking into. Dogs eat less of the higher quality products, thus reducing the cost. Dry dog foods also have greater "caloric density" which means simply, there is less water in a cup of food as compared to a canned food diet. This is not a big issue for our smaller canine friends, but large dogs may have difficulty eating enough volume of canned food to fulfill their caloric needs (because they also get a lot of water in that food). Overall, the choice of "dry" vs. "canned" vs. "semi-moist" is an individual one, but larger dogs (such as those greater than 30 pounds) should be fed a dry or semi-moist food in most circumstances

Proteins, fats and carbohydrates are necessary for energy. Dietary requirements for dogs can vary according to activity and stress levels and medical history. Dogs expend energy in many different ways. For example, outdoor dogs are likely to experience increased levels of exercise and thus require a higher percentage of protein and fat for energy production than a dog who stays indoors most of the time. Dogs in various life stages [including puppy ("growth"), adult and senior ("geriatric")] require different amounts of nutrients. Special situations such as pregnancy and nursing puppies can dramatically affect nutritional needs. Working dogs need more calories, while the "couch potato" needs less (just like us!).

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is an organization that publishes regulations for nutritional adequacy of "complete and balanced" dog and cat foods. Your pet’s food should conform to minimal AAFCO standards. Diets that fulfill the AAFCO regulations will state on the label: "formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for…(a given life stage).

RECOMMENDATIONS

CONSIDER YOUR DOG'S AGE

CONSIDER YOUR DOG'S BODY WEIGHT

MEDICAL PROBLEMS

Always consult your veterinarian first regarding any specific foods or dietary adjustments required for a dog with heart, kidney, intestinal or liver disease, or for a dog with cancer. Special dietary measures may also be important for dogs with allergies, certain metabolic diseases, or other medical conditions.

PREFERRED FOOD

There are a number of prominent manufacturers of high quality dog foods, including Iams® (Eukanuba®), Hill’s® (Science Diets®), Nature’s Recipe® products, Nutra Max®, Purina® and Waltham®, among others. Follow the label recommendations, but use your own judgment in determining how much to feed.

Exercising Your Dog

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:00:00 GMT

DAILY EXERCISE RECOMMENDED

Exercise is as important for your dog as it is for you. Young dogs and healthy adults alike need lots of it, and even senior pets need a regular daily workout to maintain their health. The type of exercise you choose depends on the age and fitness of your dog and your own lifestyle. Dogs are adaptable and are happy to play Frisbee in the park or take long walks in the neighborhood.

Exercise is one of the best ways to spend time with your pet. It's especially important for large breed, working, and active breed types. Dogs are wonderful athletes and most adapt to even strenuous exercise, provided they have had adequate opportunity to "train" and the environmental conditions are not too extreme.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Daily exercise is recommended unless the weather is especially dangerous or a medical problem limits your dog's activity. If there is a medical problem, consult your veterinarian about exercise limitations. Keep in mind that obese dogs and those with heart and lung diseases may have a problem, and be sure to consult your vet before starting a new regime.

Be certain your dog has plenty of water available at all times, and provide a place to cool down out of the sun. When the temperature drops below freezing, exercise should be limited, unless your dog is really used to this weather. This will often vary with the breed and hair coat. If the wind picks up to more than 10 mph, be careful to prevent hypothermia or frostbite. If your dog is shivering, get him back indoors or in some form of warm shelter. If you live in an area that gets cold and icy, remember that road salt can burn your dog's feet. Don't forget: even in cold weather, an exercising dog needs plenty of water.

Almost all dogs, especially those with heart and lung problems and those with thick hair coats, are likely to have trouble with hot and humid conditions. It's better to exercise in the early morning or evening when the heat is less than 80 degrees and the humidity is less then 30 percent (avoid hot and humid conditions).