On January 31, an owner of a feedlot noticed one of his cows appeared to be showing signs of labor two months before her expected calving date.  The following day, the cow was walking strangely and eventually appeared paralyzed and unable to walk.  The cow tested positive for rabies on February 2.  This is the fourth positive rabies case in Minnesota this year.  This case follows three rabid skunks that were found in Benton, Stearns, and Wright Counties in January.

Rabies is still, unfortunately, prelalent in our state, sticking around in our skunks and bats and wild animals.  Please protect your pet from this deadly disease and keep your pet’s rabies vaccine current.  If you have any questions or concerns about your pet or would like to check on your pet’s vaccine status, please call us at 763-574-9892.

Novartis is suspending production at a facility that makes many pet products, such as Interceptor, Sentinal, Clomicalm and Program.  This may make these products difficult to get if it is possible at all.  We will do our best to get these products as they become available again and will also provide as many comparable products as we can.  Please feel free to call (763-574-9892) or email us (wecare@skylineveterinary.com) if you have any questions or concerns about the availability of these products.

Crystal is a veterinary technician intern from Minnesota School of Business that will be with us for three months. Please help us make her feel welcome at Skyline next time you are in!

On December 22, the latest positive rabies case was identified in Fillmore County in southeastern Minnesota.  A stray kitten with an injured leg was found on a property in Fillmore County. One of the homeowners approached the kitten and upon picking it up, the kitten bit the individual on the finger. The family attempted to clean up the kitten’s leg and offer it food. The kitten did not eat anything offered, and the kitten’s mouth ‘looked funny’. The following day the kitten was brought to a local veterinary clinic where it was submitted for rabies testing.  The major risk to the people in this situation is too important not to mention again.  These people must now get the post-exposure prophylaxis shots because they have been exposed to the rabies virus.  And we cannot stress enough how important it is for you to keep your pets’ rabies vaccine up-to-date.  The dogs in this household had current vaccines so will have to be monitored for exposure but not euthanized immediately like they would if they had not been vaccinated.  Remember rabies is a deadly disease that is present in Minnesota so please keep your pets’ vaccines current.

Rabies Alert

Another confirmed case of rabies was announced on December 1^st.  A stray cat in Olmstead County, in the southeastern portion of the state, was taken in by a family at the end of October.  The cat was spayed and vaccinated, after which the cat started developing neurologic signs such as aggression, vocalization, wobbly in the rear end and scooting.  The cat was euthanized and tested for rabies then.  The unvaccinated cats in the home also euthanized while the vaccinated cats in the home have to be quarantined.   The owner, three relatives and four veterinary staff members all need to be treated with post-exposure prophylaxis shots.  This is just another serious and sad reminder of how important it is to keep our pets up-to-date on their vaccines, especially their rabies vaccine.

Canine Influenza Update

In a national survey of pet care facilities, over a quarter of all surveyed are now requiring that dogs be vaccinated for canine influenza virus (dog flu) before being allowed to board or stay at the facility.  Even if a facility is not requiring the vaccine, please consider getting the canine influenza virus vaccine that we offer to help protect your dog wherever you go – boarding, grooming, dog parks, doggie daycare.

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)

Dog flu, first identified in September 2005, is a contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by a specific Type A influenza virus referred to as a “canine influenza virus.” This is a disease of dogs, not of humans.

The symptoms of this illness in dogs are cough, runny nose and fever. However, a small portion of dogs can develop severe disease.

The number of dogs infected with this disease that die is very small. Some dogs have asymptomatic infections (no symptoms) while some have severe infections. Severe illness is characterized by the onset of pneumonia. Although this is a relatively new cause of disease in dogs and nearly all dogs are susceptible to infection, about 80 percent of dogs will have a mild form of the disease.

Canine influenza virus can be spread by direct contact with infected dogs, by contact with contaminated objects and by people moving between infected and uninfected dogs. Dog owners whose dogs are coughing or showing other signs of respiratory disease should not participate in activities or bring their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to the virus.

Clothing, equipment, surfaces and hands should be cleaned and disinfected after exposure to dogs showing signs of respiratory disease.

Treatment for milder cases of dog flu may include medication to make your dog more comfortable and fluids to ensure that your dog remains well-hydrated. Broad spectrum antibiotics may be prescribed if a secondary bacterial infection is suspected.

What you can do to help protect your pet…

There is now a canine influenza vaccine available at Skyline for $20.99 and is effective for this flu season. It is especially recommended if your dog boards, gets groomed or visits any off-leash park with other dogs.  Ask Dr. Speltz about it today at 763-574-9892!

Here is a picture walk-through following the new furnaces and air conditioners as we had them replaced this October.  They were replacing the original  fixtures put in when Skyline was built in 1970.  They served us well for 41 years and deserve their retirement!

The first rabies positive dog of the year in Minnesotay was found on Tuesday October 18th in Lincoln County in the southwestern part of the state. The dog was not vaccinated for rabies. Approximately three weeks ago the dog was seen with a wound on its neck and subsequently started developing incoordination and exaggerated movements which progressed to paralysis of the back legs. Since the family had all been exposed to the dog while the dog was shedding virus, all members must get the series of shots to help protect them from developing rabies too. The other unvaccinated dog in that family will also have to be euthanized to test for rabies. Here in Minnesota the rabies virus is always present in the wildlife, primarily skunks and of course bats. Keeping your dog’s rabies vaccine current is not just a way to protect your pet from this deadly virus but also to protect your family. Rabies is nearly always fatal once contracted. The virus is spread through saliva mainly from bite wounds of a rabid animal but you can also get it if you get the drool from an infected animal in any cut or wound you already have in your skin. Here are a few important rules to follow to help keep you and your family (four-legged members and all) protected from rabies:
• Keep your dog, cat and horse’s rabies vaccine up-to-date.
• Stay away from all skunks, especially ones acting oddly or coming close to your house. Call the animal control to deal with them.
• Please call us immediately if you suspect your pet may have had any contact with a skunk or bat.  Remember, bats carry and spread the virus but do not show any signs of illness so just being in contact with a bat is considered possible exposure to rabies.

I’m armed and dangerous!

An important canine virus that is becoming more prevalent in our wildlife is canine distemper virus.  Many raccoons in Minnesota and even the Twin Cities area are infected with the virus. These raccoons may show similar signs to rabies, such as incoordination and muscle spasms.  Unfortunately this disease also is highly fatal in both dogs and raccoons.  Thankfully the distemper vaccine is highly effective at protecting our canine friends from the disease.  The other good news (if there can be good news with a deadly virus) is that canine distemper virus does not affect people or cats.  Basically the same general principles for protection of you and your family apply to canine distemper virus as to rabies virus.