Dogs

Tularemia Case in Minnesota

Tularemia was confirmed in a cat from Dakota County (Apple Valley area) on October 19, 2015. Tularemia is a zoonotic disease (can affect a wide range of animals and humans) that is caused by a bacteria called Francisella tularensis. Tularemia can be transmitted by horseflies, ticks and through contact with infected animals (though it is not transmitted person- to- person).  Dogs are relatively resistant to the infection, however, cases have been reported. Cats that are outdoor or outdoor/indoor cats are at higher risk and can get infected with tularemia after hunting an infected rodent or rabbit, however, tularemia has been reported in indoor cats that have no obvious exposure. Clinical signs in animals are usually high fever, lethargy, lymphadenopathy and ulcerations of the tongue and palate. This cat is only the seventh cat to be reported in Minnesota since 2008 but the third case of tularemia in Minnesota this year.  Humans can also acquire tularemia, though it is not transmitted person-to-person.  The incubation period for tularemia in humans is generally 2-5 days (range, 2-14 days). Acute symptoms include sudden onset of fever, chills, joint and muscle pain, headache and nausea. Please consult your healthcare provider and notify MDH if you have symptoms consistent with tularemia and have recently cared for a suspect tularemia patient.

Canine Flu Update

Reports of the Canine Flu Virus being in Minnesota have now been confirmed. Friday, June 19th, the Animal Humane Society in St. Paul has confirmed that one of their dogs has come up positive for the virus. Currently they are working on testing and treating all dogs that may have been exposed to the infected dog. To read more about the case at the St. Paul Animal Humane Society please click here.

Here at Skyline Veterinary Hospital we are recommending that if your pet(s) are showing any signs of coughing, fever, sneezing, or upper respiratory infection that you call (763-574-9892) and make and appointment and possibly have your pet tested for the Canine Flu. We are also recommending that you keep your dog up-to-date on Distemper (DHPP) and Rabies vaccines, as well as considering getting the Bordetella vaccine (for Kennel Cough) if your pet leaves your house and is around other pets. The Canine Flu is very contagious and we recommend that you keep your dogs out of dog parks and away from large groups of dogs where you do not know the health and/ or vaccine status of the other dogs.

For more information of the Canine Flu Virus please click here.

If you have any questions please call our staff at 763-574-9892

Blue- Green Algae Warning

Algae is common in our lakes and rivers, but at high levels a type called Blue-Green Algae can form and make people and our pets sick. If you see algae in the water and it looks “pea soupy” and has a smell keep out of the water. Blue- Green Algae can cause a fever, vomiting, irritation to skin, eyes, and nasal passages. If you or your pet have come in contact with Blue- Green Algae contact your doctor or veterinarian. For more information on Blue- Green Algae click here.

Vomiting Dog Info

Dogs vomit occasionally for a variety of relatively benign reasons – to expel something unwanted from their stomach, as a result of gastric irritation or in response to colonic stimulus, for example. Prolonged, unrelenting vomiting or regurgitation, however, can be the sign of a serious condition, anything from head trauma or toxin exposure to pancreatic cancer or gastrointestinal obstruction.

January POTM, Rawhides=)

January Product of the Month

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Does your dog love rawhides? We have a rawhide available that they will love AND it will help their teeth! Our Dentahex Oral Care Chews are easy to digest, processed without formaldehyde, and are coated with Chlorhexidine that helps protect the teeth from plaque build up. Together the natural abrading action of the rawhide and Chlorhexidine help remove plaque and prevent buildup of tartar forming bacteria. Talk to you staff today about getting a bag of Dentahex Oral Care Chews for your dog today!

IAMS and Eukanuba Pet Food Recall

Proctor and Gamble has voluntarily recalled certain lots of both IAMS and Eukanuba dry dog and cat food due to a potential for contamination with Salmonella.  No reports of illness associated with these lots of pet food have been reported yet.  Please check out this link to get the full list of lot numbers of pet food affected by the recall and what to do if you have affected pet food: Pet Food Recall Announcement.  If you have any concerns or questions about this recall or if your pet may have eaten any of the affected food, please feel free to call us at 763-574-9892.

Natura Pet dog and cat food recall

Natura Pet announced it is expanding its recall of certain lots of some of its most popular dry dog and cat foods due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria.

Please click on the following link to see the full list of recalled food: Natura Pet Food Recall List.

If you have any concerns about this food or your pet’s health, please feel free to call us at 763-574-9892.

Great deals to protect your pet this spring!

While there is still plenty of snow out there, the groundhog did not see his shadow this year predicting spring to come early.  So in preparation for spring we are offering awesome deals currently on Frontline Plus for cats or dogs! We are price matching Petmeds, Menards and others stores. We are also giving out a free dose when you buy three doses or two free with six doses.  Fleas and ticks won’t bother your pet with Frontline Plus on-board.

 

We also have rebates on Certifect, Iverhart and Heartgard which is also price-matchable.  You must provide a printed ad price to price match the same identical product and quantity to qualify.

 

Follow the links to get more information on these wonderful products to keep our pets safe from flea, tick and mosquito-borne diseases.

 

How to keep Our Pets Safe During a SevereWeather Storm / Tornado

How to Keep Pets Safe During a Tornado

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • Kennel or Crate
  • Cages
  • Bottled water
  • Safe place
  • “Pet Inside” stickers

Make an Emergency Plan to Keep Pets Safe During a Tornado

  • Step 1:

    Find a kennel, crate or cage for every animal you have. Buckets work well for fish and turtles. Keep all of the animal carriers together in an easy to get to place inside the house.

  • Step 2:

    Choose the safest room in the house for surviving a tornado. A basement is best or the most interior room of the home, preferably a closet or bathroom. Tell everyone living in the house that this is the safe room for tornadoes.

  • Step 3:

    Make an emergency food supply for the pets in case it is in short supply or hard to get to after the storm. Get pull tab cans or pouches for easy opening, and you can toss in a cheap bowl or paper plates. Pack a collar and leash for each dog or cat as well.

  • Step 4:

    Add an extra gallon or two of water to the family emergency supply. This way there will be plenty to go around.

What To Do When a Tornado Siren Sounds or a Tornado Warning is Issued

  • Step 1:

    Put all pets in cages or carriers and in the safe room when the tornado watch is issued. Animals sense bad weather and will look for a place to hide if they sense it is near. There will probably not be much of an argument from the pets in the safe room where it is quiet.

  • Step 2:

    Get all people to the safe room as soon as a tornado warning is issued or a siren is sounded.

  • Step 3:

    Stay in the safe room for several minutes after the storm, large tornadoes have an eye so more destruction could be coming. After several minutes of silence, carefully open the safe room door.

  • Step 4:

    Leash all pets when outside after a tornado. Power lines could be down and dangerous objects will be littered about everywhere. Do not let pets outside unsupervised.

Tips & Warnings

  • Practice the emergency weather plan before bad weather strikes. Get pets used to kenneling or being caged during storms.
  • There are only seconds to act before a tornado strikes, so don’t wait to put pets in carriers and get them in the safe room.

Halloween Contest Winners

Congratulations to our Halloween Contest Winners!

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