Fleas Persist, But Reason Isn’t ResistanceMarch 2, 2010 Veterinarians are in a tough spot when a client challenges the efficacy of spot-on insecticides. They can’t force the client to follow product directions, nor can they administer the flea control every month. Asking a client about product application, the home environment and untreated pets can reveal a potentially resolvable situation. However, more often than not, the owner projects a sterling report of by-the-book compliance and a bewilderment of continued flea propagation. Attempting to resolve the infestation, veterinarians often switch to a different product and the resistance tale grows. “What clients are likely seeing are new fleas from the environment as opposed to fleas surviving after a proper spot-on application,” says Michael Dryden, DVM, Ph.D., a professor of veterinary parasitology in Kansas State University’s Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology. “I have investigated homes that by owner description sound like there could be a resistance problem but found, when I looked closer, there was always a reason for the failure. None was ever resistance.” Without an investigation, experts say, it’s difficult to know why fleas persist on a client’s pet after treatment. One thing researchers agree on is it’s not a resistance issue. “Resistance …
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Arthritis Rehabilitation: A Team EffortFebruary 7, 2010 Persuading a client to dedicate time and money to a pet’s potentially lifelong arthritis rehabilitation isn’t easy, experts say. But educating owners to be proactive can delay the onset and severity of the disease and lead to a more therapy-receptive client. A dog receives electrical muscle stimulation after arthroscopy for arthritis. More modalities than ever are available for patients suffering from arthritis pain, certified veterinary rehabilitators say. The key to maximizing the benefits, they say, lies in veterinary and client education along with an appropriate diagnosis. “Arthritis rehabilitation is a multimodal process,” says Janet B. Van Dyke, DVM, CCRT, CEO of the Canine Rehabilitation Institute in Wellington, Fla. “Veterinarians interested in expanding this area of their practice should consider becoming certified in rehabilitation. A lot can be learned in the three to four months it takes to complete the certification process.” Veterinarians looking to provide rehabilitation services need a general understanding of the available therapies, Dr. Van Dyke says. Back to School Deep-water swimming strengthens muscles and improves aerobic fitness without taxing the joints. More veterinarians are educating themselves on the best practices in animal rehabilitation through the Canine …
Raw Diets Linked To SalmonellaJune 9, 2009 Veterinarians have a responsibility to provide pet owners with information about zoonotic disease that gives a realistic appraisal of any risks pets could present to the household’s human inhabitants and how to minimize this risk. This is especially true if the household contains small children or immuno-compromised individuals. While there are myriad potential patho-gens, this article will focus on one major concern: Salmonellosis. Why It’s Important Salmonellosis was in the headlines continuously last summer (2008) during a large outbreak associated with contaminated food. In this outbreak, at least 1,438 people were proved to be infected and 282 were hospitalized.1 Food-associated outbreaks are not unusual because contaminated food is the primary way that humans become infected with Salmonella. The infection can be acquired from meats and eggs, but many outbreaks have been linked to other sources such as sprouts, peanut butter, tomatoes or, recently, chili peppers. The majority of humans who become ill are young. The rate of diagnosed illness in children under 5 years old is five times higher than any other age group. This probably relates to the disease’s affecting children more severely than otherwise healthy adults. It is estimated that Salmonellosis causes 1.4 …
Treating Congestive Heart FailureJune 2, 2009 Karsten Schober, DVM, Ph.D., recently concluded a clinical study at Ohio State University that sought to utilize cardiac ultrasound to identify and stage congestive heart failure (CHF) in dogs. Twenty-one dogs with asymptomatic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 23 dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD) and 10 dogs with CHF caused by MVD or DCM were enrolled, for a total of 63 canine patients. Any dog with dilated cardiomyopathy or MVD was welcome to the study unless it was treated with high doses of diuretics. The study began in 2006 and concluded in April. “The patients were given a clinical exam, chest radiography, cardiac ultrasound, blood chemistry, NTproANP and NTproBNP,” Dr. Schober says. “The dogs’ owners were asked to monitor respiration at home three times a day. Patients were re-evaluated in five to 14 days, and the effects of treatment based on the initial diagnosis and home monitoring were assessed.” The results of the study may help to diagnose CHF earlier, better stratify cardiovascular risk, tailor therapy to specific dog needs, and reduce the exposure of radiation required for repeated thoracic radiography, which is current protocol. “A lot of thinking has to go behind the final …
Successful Allergy Management Hinges On Awareness, Proper ProtocolsApril 17, 2009 For veterinarians and pet owners alike, few conditions in pets are as frustrating as allergies. But as awareness of the challenges associated with allergies continues to increase—as do the number of treatment options available—veterinarians are finding greater success in diagnosing and managing allergic pets. The list of allergies most commonly seen in dogs and cats has remained relatively constant over the years. “These allergies are to things they come in direct contact with, such as pollens, mites, fleas and molds,” says Dena Ware, a marketing manager for Heska Corp. “Additionally, they can have adverse reactions to foods they eat, which causes them to exhibit the same signs as contact allergens. “Until fairly recently, it was commonly believed that atopic disease is caused by allergens inhaled by the animal, but now it is understood that the allergens are absorbed into the animal’s skin,” Ware says. Some emerging allergic trends are evident. For example, Ware notes that the incidence of adverse reactions to foods has increased as the number of pet food choices has grown. Lowell Ackerman, DVM, Dipl. ACVD, a clinical professor in the dermatology and allergy service at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary …
Thyroid Diagnosis, Treatment Options EvolveApril 17, 2009 Options for diagnosing and treating the most common thyroid conditions in dogs and cats are far from stagnant. “I always tell our students that if we proportioned the hours of our teaching of endocrinology to be consistent with the likelihood of seeing a problem in practice, I estimate that we’d spend 70 to 80 percent of our time teaching about thyroid disease,” says Duncan Ferguson, VMD. Dr. Ferguson, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVIM and ACVCP, is a professor of pharmacology and head of the department of veterinary biosciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In dogs and cats, two thyroid conditions are by far the most prevalent. “In dogs, the most common thyroid condition is hypothyroidism, with 50 percent lymphocytic thyroiditis and 50 percent idiopathic atrophy,” says Julie Flood, DVM, who works in the internal medicine department at Advanced Critical Care & Internal Medicine in Tustin and Culver City, Calif. “It is currently unknown if the idiopathic atrophy is the end result of lymphocytic thyroiditis. “In cats, the most common thyroid condition is hyperthyroidism—with more than 95 percent secondary to functional thyroid adenomas,” she adds. “Thyroid carcinomas are rare.” Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism …
Diagnosis For Chesapeake Bay RetrieverApril 17, 2009 Signalment: Tango is a 7-year-old male castrated Chesapeake Bay retriever. History: Tango recently has become lethargic and has been coughing. This became noticeable in the last three days. The owner has also noticed some weight loss. Physical Examination: T: 98.9 P: 240 R: 48 Tango has lost some muscle mass giving him a body condition score of four out of nine. A gallop rhythm is heard as well as a 2/6 systolic murmur with point of maximal intensity over the mitral valve. The rhythm sounds very irregular. Some fluid is appreciated in the abdomen. Pulses are rapid and irregular. An ECG is obtained. 1. What is the rate and rhythm on this ECG tracing? 2. What are some proposed causes of this ECG change and what effects does it have on the patient’s cardiovascular status? 3. What treatment is recommended for this rhythm? 4. What other diagnostics are appropriate for Tango? 5. What is the prognostic significance of this rhythm? Answers: 1. The rate on this tracing is around 260 BPM, given the marked variation in the R-to-R interval it would be important to determine the heart rate …
Surgical Advances Provide Options In Treating Common Eye ConditionsApril 17, 2009 Small animal ophthalmology has seen both incremental and significant advances in awareness and treatment in recent years. But multiple areas remain in which enhanced treatment options would be welcomed by specialists, general practitioners and pet owners alike. “If you look at diseases that affect the eye, I don’t think they’ve changed much over the years,” says David Wilkie, DVM, Dipl. ACVO, head of the comparative ophthalmology department at Ohio State University. “Many of the conditions are seen in purebred dogs because they are inherited or breed-associated. So what drives trends in ophthalmology are the breeds that are popular at the time.” Disease Trends One such breed-related condition is eyelid imperfections. “As the trend in breeding brachycephalic pets becomes more popular, we see a huge trend in poor eyelid conformation,” says Teresa Tucci, DVM, Dipl. ACVO, of Veterinary Specialists Inc. in Homestead, Fla. “Corneal neovascularization, pigmentation, ulceration and perforation can be incited by eyelid imperfections.” Dr. Tucci notes that many conditions related to poor eyelid conformation can be corrected or prevented, particularly if detected and treated early. Although occurrence of eye-related conditions in small animals remains fairly constant, the rate at which …
Pain Control In Cancer ManagementApril 17, 2009 As cancer progresses, tissue destruction occurs, causing the release of cell membranes, cytosolic proteins and nuclei acid. The inflammation created is painful and can stimulate additional angiogenesis, cell cycle initiation and cancer progression. In this Oncology Outlook, I want to propose a “pain ladder” that provides guidance in the management of cancer pain and reviews measures used in our clinical facility. Pain Levels The goal of a pain management strategy is to relieve pain and prevent or delay additional complications. In human medicine, the World Health Organization recommends the use of a one through 10 scale to characterize the severity of pain and provide guidance in selecting appropriate pain relief measures. While many others use scales, algorithms or charts to track an animal’s pain, I propose the following three categories of cancer pain and suggest some measures for additional relief. Mild to Moderate Pain: This occurs as a tumor compresses surrounding tissues and is possibly warm to the touch, but the general aches or stiffness do not limit a pet’s duration of normal activity. Cautious but regular use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug would be the first choice. Following some reconstructive surgical procedures …
Vets Promote Summer Safety To Pet OwnersApril 17, 2009 With summer around the corner, veterinarians and animal organizations are preparing pet owners for the hot days to come. A lot of summer safety warnings concern how to beat the heat and prevent heat stroke. But other health concerns also loom, says Louise Murray, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, director of medicine for the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York. High-rise syndrome is a big concern, especially in Manhattan, she says. When the weather warms up, people open their windows, many of which don’t have screens. Cats (and even some dogs) looking out the window may slip or try to catch a leaf or butterfly floating by. “It is incredibly common,” Dr. Murray says, adding that they see about a case or more every day. If the fall doesn’t kill them, it usually causes severe injuries like ruptured lungs, multiple fractured limbs and fractured jaw, or even all of the above, she says. Veterinarians need to spread the word about window screens, Murray says. “You wouldn’t leave a window open for your kids., Why would you for your cats?” she adds. Veterinarians should be proactive and communicate with clients about summer safety, …
