Blue Buffalo Company Recall
Blue Buffalo Company has recalled Blue Kitty Yums Tasty Chicken Recipe. For more information on the recalled product and what to do if you have a bag please click here.
Skyline Veterinary Hospital
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.
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.
Tularemia Found in a Cat
Tularemia was confirmed in a cat from Dakota County (Apple Valley area) on July 1st, 2014. 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 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 fifth cat to be reported in Minnesota since 2008. 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.
Our New Storage Closet
Well, when we went out with the old x-ray equipment and in with the new digital system, we were able to clean out our dark room for developing x-rays. Not only is it great to be rid of all the chemicals that are needed to process x-rays, the staff doesn’t mind not going into the near pitch black to work on them either! Left with an empty room, we decided to turn it into closet for those products we always need to save us time from going into the storage in back for them. Overall, we couldn’t be happier with how things turned out.
We’ve Upgraded to Digital X-Rays!
We have now switched over to completely digital x-rays in the whole building. This wonderful upgrade in equipment will allow us to take better pictures of your animals and also to send the images to other offices quickly and easily. For our staff this also means no more dark room working to develop the x-rays and hope they come out – we know immediately how they look which means less waiting for you and your pet for results. Please feel free to ask us about our new system next time you are in, we are happy to show it off!
To see more pictures follow the link: Skyline’s New Digital X-Ray Equipment
Rabies now found in a calf in central Minnesota
A calf in Sterns County (the Saint Cloud area) was diagnosed positive for rabies on October 10th, 2013 after showing signs of bellowing, being off feed and aggression. The good news in this situation was that no people involved in the case were recommended to receive post exposure prophylaxis and the dog on the premises was vaccinated for rabies already. A great example of how vaccinating your pets and taking precautions when working with animals showing unusual behavior such as aggression is very important for everyone’s safety.
Rabies found in a Horse in Southwestern MN
Recently a horse in Nobles County in southwestern Minnesota was noticed to be lethargic, disoriented and circling. The animal’s health continued to decline and was euthanized on Oct. 1st and tested positive for rabies. Bats and skunks continue to be the common wildlife that carry and spread the rabies virus in Minnesota. To date, all domestic animals that have tested positive have been large animals. But this doesn’t mean our smaller furry friends are not at risk so please make sure your cats’ and dogs’ rabies vaccines are up to date since this is a disease we don’t get a second chance with. To see the full report on this case as provided by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, please follow this link: MN BAH Rabies Alert. If you have any questions about your pet’s rabies vaccine status, please call us at 763-574-9892.
Hot Car Dangers
Check out this article for more information about the dangers of leaving your pet in a car.
Visit: http://veterinaryha.org/blog/item/396-hot-car-dangers