How to Keep Pets Safe During a Tornado

Here is a Cyber Christmas Card Video via Drs. Ryan and Molly, enjoy everyone

********Click here to watch it***********

While we get into the spirit of the season with decorations and food, remember that these things can cause serious disease and even death in our four-legged family members. Cats love to eat ribbons and bows which can get stuck in their mouth or stomach and may even have to be removed surgically. Many dogs love the food we do but remember that too many rich foods, such as cookies and meat, can lead to an upset stomach that may require hospitalization for treatment. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can lead to an increased heart rate and death in our canine friends so please keep those candies out of reach.

Graphic courtesy of Fine Line Web Design (Cat in the graphic courtesy of Can Stock Photo)

While it may not feel like spring is here to us, the bothersome insects have not been slowed down.  Ticks, fleas and mosquitoes are coming out and bring their diseases with them.  Mosquitoes carry Heartworm disease which infects and kills many dogs and cats every year.  Mosquitoes also carry West Nile Virus which rarely affects our dogs and cats but has significant health implications in people and our equine friends.  Ticks carry Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis, two bacterial infections of dogs and people.  While we write about these same diseases every year, they need to be mentioned again since more and more people are also getting infected, especially with Anaplasmosis.  According to the Minnesota Department of Health, record numbers of people in Minnesota became infected with Anaplasmosis making it as common as Lyme disease in people.  Since both Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis are carried by the “deer tick” (now renamed the “black legged tick”), tick control needs to be a high priority for all of us.  Here are a few ways to help keep us and our pets protected from disease carrying ticks:

• - Apply a topical flea and tick killer such as Frontline Plus to your cat or dog every month.  This ensures that the fleas and ticks that your pet may pick up will not survive to come and bite you as the owner or any other people in contact with your pet.  At Skyline we have competitive pricing on Frontline Plus and if you buy 6 doses you get the 7^th one free!
• - Have your dog tested for Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis yearly.  This will let you know if your pet has been exposed and may need treatment.  At Skyline we offer the 4Dx test which will test your dog for Heartworm disease, Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis and Canine erhlichiosis, all for only $39!
• - Check yourself and your pets for ticks after a day outside.
• - Wear light colored clothing so you can spot ticks on yourself easier.

As for protecting your dog or cat from Heartworm disease, all it takes is a once monthly chewable tablet such as Iverhart Plus and your pet will be safe from Heartworm disease and some common intestinal parasites.  At Skyline we have great pricing on Iverhart Plus and then you get a rebate on top of that!

Please contact us at 763-574-9892 for more information on these insect borne diseases and the awesome deals we have on products to protect your pets from them.

If you would like more information on human Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis, please check out the following link: http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2011/ticks050611.html.

Please everyone be careful, but also note our loved ones in furry coats are getting this too.  We have found this disease in 60 dogs since 2010 spring and the number is growing.  We advise a yearly 4DX heartworm test for $39 to prevent and detect this disease for it is included in the test.  Call us today to have a tech do this simple test for your dog.

http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2011/ticks050611.html

Thanks, for all the thoughts and prayers for Dr Ken Speltz the past week as he continues to do well with healing. He will remain out of the office until at least April 11th as he recoverys. We will continue to forward all cards and gifts to his house for you all if sent to the clinic.

Due to the importance of this information and continued inquiries by clients, we are reposting the following fact sheets we previously sent out about leptospirosis and xylitol toxicity.

Leptospirosis

Here are a few facts about the disease:

• Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria which are carried by small rodents and excreted in their urine.  The bacteria can live for many months in water.
• Dogs that are exposed to water sources that may be contaminated by rodents are at risk of catching Leptospirosis.  Most cases are diagnosed in the summer and early fall.
• Signs that can be seen in dogs with leptospirosis include fever, bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, unwillingness to eat, lethargy, depression, and yellow tinting to the gums.
• Leptospirosis infection causes damage to the liver and kidneys.
• This disease is seen in Minnesota but is not common.  Leptospirosis is treatable with antibiotics if caught early.
• There is a vaccine available for dogs.  Ask us about it today.

Xylitol Toxicity

You may not have heard of xylitol but it is likely you have a product with it around your house or have had in the past.  Xylitol is a low calorie sugar substitute that can be found in everything from sugar-free gum and candy to tooth paste.  It is also sold in powder form to be used in baking and cooking.  While there have been studies to show the benefits of xylitol to humans, it can be highly toxic in dogs.  Here are a few important facts about xylitol toxicity:

• It only takes 2-3 pieces of xylitol gum that contains 1g per piece to be toxic to a 50lb dog.
• Signs of xylitol toxicity include vomiting, ataxia (uncoordinated movements), collapse and seizures.
• Xylitol causes low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and liver failure in dogs.
• If any ingestion of xylitol is suspected or known about in your dog, contact us immediately and bring your dog in for exam.
• Low blood sugar and liver damage can be treated if caught early enough.  If treatment for these problems is not done quickly enough, the dog can suffer permanent brain and/or liver damage and possibly die.
• Xylitol had not been proven to cause toxicity in cats or other pets but we recommend not giving any products containing xylitol to any animal.

Xylitol toxicity is serious so please keep your sugar-free products in a safe location away from your four-legged family members.

It may not be that time of year but cranberries are good for the bladder all year long.  You may have heard that cranberry juice can help with urinary tract infections and it is true.  Well now your dog can get all the benefits of cranberry juice in a chewable tablet.  Crananidin is a new product that contains the bioactive compound, PAC, found in cranberries.  PACs help to stop infection-causing E. coli bacteria from sticking to the bladder thus helping prevent a bladder infection.  We are excited to be able to offer this new product, Crananidin, to your help your pet.  For more information and to see if Crananidin is right for your dog, please talk to our doctors.