Cat/Dog

Rocky Mountain spotted fever epidemic at US border, study says

August 21, 2018

A study published by the School of Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Autonoma de Baja California and the University of California, Davis says ticks are causing a deadly Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) epidemic in Mexico, and health officials are concerned it could spread to the U.S. Dr. Luis Tinoco-Gracia, a research professor in the School of Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Autonoma de Baja California and director of the Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health Sciences, in Mexicali, Mexico, and colleagues from the University of California, Davis published the report in the September 2018 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's public health journal. The RMSF epidemic began in 2008 in Mexicali, adjacent to the U.S. border in Baja California. In 2014, a fatal human case was reported in Imperial County, Calif. In 2015, the Mexican Ministry of Health declared an epidemiologic emergency, which as of 2018 has affected approximately 4,000 people. Since that time, four people who have been carrying the disease and crossed the border to the U.S. have died. Overall, since 2000, the incidence of RMSF in the U.S. has increased markedly, the study authors said. "Overall, since 2000, in …

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Meeting the CKD nutrition challenge

August 20, 2018

Chronic kidney disease is seen in 28 to 31 percent of geriatric cats and 7 percent of dogs. While there’s no cure, many studies show dietary management with a therapeutic renal diet containing high-quality protein and reduced phosphorus can help to slow progression and give pets with CKD better quality of life by decreasing the body’s production of waste products and maintaining normal blood pressure.

Nonsurgical treatment of CCL tears

August 17, 2018

The message was from a colleague, a veterinary surgeon who was referring a Tosa Inu to Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation Fitness and Pain Management, my rehabilitation-only practice outside Atlanta, for bilateral CCL tears. The owners had declined surgery for Mei Mei, a very lean 8-year-old 160-pound intact male who lumbered into my office with a significant limp in his left hind leg and short striding in the right hind. After confirming what my colleague had found—bilateral cranial drawers, medial buttressing, effusion, and a significant click on the left side—I discussed how to treat a torn CCL with the owners. As a board-certified rehabilitation specialist, I am the first person to recommend nonsurgical treatment for cases in which it is indicated, and in my opinion, this was not one of them. I have had great success treating torn CCLs conservatively in dogs less than 30 pounds or less active, older, and generally smaller dogs. Although not an active dog, Mei Mei certainly wasn’t small. However, Mei Mei’s owners were moving out of state in 11 days to an area with dozens of acres. He had not healed well from a mass removal on his hip the month prior and had chronic skin infections. Surgery was out of the question.

Diabetes and dental disease

August 16, 2018

As veterinary practitioners, we see our fair share of diabetic patients who require extensive dental work. The goal with these patients is to improve their quality of life and, in some cases, improve glycemic control by removing a source of chronic infection in the form of periodontal disease. The challenge is to “do no harm” in the process. Invariably, oral surgery will set back the appetite of any patient. Lack of appetite becomes a bigger issue when a patient has diabetes and is supplemented with injectable insulin.

Survey: Feline MCS assessments a missed opportunity for veterinarians?

August 16, 2018

A recent survey of 111 veterinarians conducted by Kindred Biosciences Inc. found that the majority were not performing feline muscle condition score (MCS) evaluations during physical exams. Body condition scores (BCS) and MCS evaluations are a key part of a complete nutritional assessment for cats, said Christina Fernandez, DVM, MRCVS, DACVECC, professional services veterinarian with Kindred Biosciences. In the survey, 59 percent of veterinarians said they captured BCS during physical exams, but only 14 percent said they perform MCS assessments. "MCS evaluations are a relatively new practice but are increasingly recognized as a best practice in feline care," Dr. Fernandez said. "BCS has been a standard practice for many practitioners, and there are multiple validated scoring systems. Most veterinarians perform a BCS during regular visits, but BCS only evaluates the animal's body fat. MCS evaluations are easy to incorporate into the physical exam and provide extremely valuable information for trending patient body composition status over time. It helps veterinarians watch for any muscle loss over time to ensure our feline patients maintain a healthy body composition — and maybe even offer early warning signs of disease." Muscle loss can be a result of age, illness, and/or injury; no matter …

Client checklist: Controlling canine influenza virus

August 10, 2018

With summer underway, plenty of dogs are enjoying fun in the sun with their canine companions, play-fighting and sharing water bowls. Of course, accompanying summer vacation is the increased risk of infectious diseases and other illness. Canine influenza virus (CIV) is at an all-time high this year, with reported cases in at least 46 states. As such, it is more important than ever for veterinarians to warn their clients of some of the tell-tale signs of the illness. Here are some suggestions for helping clients protect their pets from illness year-round, courtesy of Zoetis. Identifying clinical signs Symptoms of CIV are similar to those of other bacterial and viral causes associated with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD). Much like humans, signs of the virus often vary from dog to dog and can last for several weeks. Some symptoms to look out for include: Reduced appetite High fever Cough Runny nose Lethargy Additionally, CIV has no seasonality, so owners should keep an eye out for these symptoms throughout the year; however, it is especially important to keep watch during the summer when dogs tend to spend more time outdoors, socializing with other dogs. Considering treatment options If an owner suspects …

Take Your Cat to the Vet Day gains celebrity support

August 8, 2018

Veterinarians across the U.S. might see more cats in their clinics in coming weeks, thanks in part to a campaign launched by Royal Canin that is being promoted by actor Ian Somerhalder. Take Your Cat to the Vet Day aims to improve the healthcare of cats across the country by encouraging owners to schedule regular veterinary checkups for their feline companions. The initiative, supported by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the International Cat Association, CATalyst Council, and the Cat Fanciers' Association, hopes to increase visibility of cats in veterinary clinic by dispelling widespread assumptions about feline health. Research from Royal Canin found 53 percent of owners whose cats have not seen their veterinarian in the past 12 months said they did not take their pet to the clinic because they "did not think it was necessary." However, annual veterinary checkups are vital for early identification and treatment of illness and disease. "Regular feline veterinary care is crucial for the health and happiness of your cat," said Catherine Lenox, DVM, DACVN, Royal Canin scientific affairs manager. "Just like dogs, cats need to see the veterinarian on a regular basis for wellness exams, not only when there's a serious medical need." …

FDA approves sale of Baytril soft chew formulation

August 6, 2018

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved for sale Bayer Animal Health's Baytril Soft Chewable Tablets, based on a soft-chew formulation by Piedmont Animal Health, as a new option for administering enrofloxacin to cats and dogs. The antibiotic has been used for 30 years in tablet form to treat bacteria that cause skin, urinary, respiratory, and other infections. Piedmont's soft chew uses meat-free cubes made without water, heat, or an extrusion process so they can be stably infused with active pharmaceutical ingredients. Bayer also uses Piedmont's soft chew for Advantus canine oral flea medicine and Quellin canine pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. Claro, a single-application treatment for canine otitis externa, gives Bayer four FDA-approved products in the last five years. Piedmont said it will gain FDA approval for 10 or more products in the next five years. "I fully expect that Piedmont's current portfolio of proprietary drugs will significantly grow and disrupt the indication areas we are targeting," said Roland Johnson, the company's founder and CEO. "This (Baytril) approval is yet another stepping stone toward that objective."

WSAVA-endorsed paper encourages healthier breeding