Newsletter

Canine Distemper? Parvovirus? Lyme Disease? Which vaccines are truly needed by our pets and which ones can they do without? As pet owners increasingly use the Internet and other resources to learn more about the health of their pets, it is easy to get lost and confused by myths and misconceptions about vaccinating our pet friends. Veterinary scientists are helping to clear the confusion with new technology that can protect our pets without exposing them to potential adverse side effects. Watch this video to learn more.

Dental care is vital to your pet's health! If you've already established a dental care program for your pet, you're off to a great start. But if your pet hasn't received a dental exam from your veterinarian, it's time to get started. February is National Pet Dental Health Month, the perfect time to schedule a dental exam for your pet and develop a home care regimen for your best friend.

Why is dental care so important for your pet? Periodontal disease is the number one diagnosed problem in pets - by the age of two, more than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have periodontal disease in one form or another. The buildup of plaque and tartar on your pet's teeth leads to bacterial infections that can enter the bloodstream and infect other parts of your pet's body. Periodontal disease has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, osteoporosis and other problems.

The good news is that periodontal disease is easily prevented. Routine dental cleanings and a home dental care regimen can eliminate the plaque and tartar that lead to gum disease and oral infections. During a dental cleaning, your veterinarian also performs a complete oral examination of your pet. This includes screening for oral cancer, broken teeth and cavities. Spotting these problems early on makes them easier to treat and improves your pet's overall oral health.

Your pet's dental cleaning is more involved than the same process you go through at the dentist's office. Anesthesia is required to keep your pet still and comfortable during the procedure. Because of this, your pet undergoes a thorough physical examination before each dental cleaning. Laboratory blood tests, as well as other diagnostic procedures are also used to screen for potential problems and risks before anesthesia is administered. Using these results, we develop a safe anesthetic protocol specifically for your pet.

During a dental cleaning, tartar is removed from your pet's teeth with a hand scaler. Next, a periodontal probe is used to check for pockets under the gumline - where periodontal disease and bad breath start. An ultrasonic scaler is used to clean above the gumline and a curette is used to clean and smooth the teeth under the gumline and in the crevices. Finally, the teeth are polished and an anti-bacterial solution is used to help delay future tartar build-up.

Dental care doesn't end in your veterinarian's office. Brushing your pet's teeth at home is an added level of protection against gum disease. In order to be most effective, brushing must be done at least three times a week; however, daily brushing is ideal. Brushing your pet's teeth can be supplemented with antiseptic rinses. Some pet foods and treats are also effective in preventing plaque and tartar buildup. However, there is no substitute for regular brushing and professional dental cleanings.

Schedule a dental examination and cleaning for your pet today. Your best friend will thank you!

Drawing upon an international database of some 16,000 dogs, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have pinpointed what's believed to be the first solid predictor of future arthritis. The scientists have found that laxity in the hip joint—several millimeters' worth of excessive play between the ball of the femur and the hip socket—correlates strongly with the advent of hip arthritis later in a dog's life.

"The relationship between hip laxity and arthritis in dogs is akin to the relationship between high cholesterol and heart disease in humans," said lead author Gail K. Smith, professor of orthopedic surgery and chair of the Philadelphia Department of Clinical Studies at Penn's School of Veterinary Medicine. "Hip laxity is no guarantee of arthritis later in life, but it is a very solid risk factor."

The finding, reported in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, could lead to new ways of averting or minimizing the occurrence of canine arthritis, which afflicts an estimated 70 to 80 percent of dogs in certain breeds. Since a canine generation is just 30 to 36 months, Smith said selective breeding to avoid high-laxity individuals could slash the incidence of canine arthritis within 10 years.

Smith, who began collecting data on arthritis in dogs in 1983, says the physiological similarities between dogs and humans make it very likely that joint laxity could similarly signal the likelihood of arthritis in people, whose laxity could be remedied in humans with medications. There is currently no such risk factor used to predict the onset of arthritis among humans.

In dogs, several larger breeds are most prone to arthritis: golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, Newfoundlands and St. Bernards. Conversely, certain breeds that have long been bred for speed or athletic prowess, such as performance borzois and racing greyhounds, almost never develop arthritis.

"This research gives dog breeders an additional tool they may use in their efforts to decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia," said Mary B. Mahaffey of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, who was not involved in the work. "The authors give good recommendations for breeders striving to decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia in their kennels, and should allow breeders to make reasonably good progress in reducing the incidence of hip dysplasia."

As in humans, canine arthritis becomes more symptomatic with age. More than half of 2-year-old golden retrievers show radiographic signs of degenerative joint disease, and more than 90 percent of susceptible dogs show signs by old age.

The current study grew out of Smith's development of a now-licensed system called the Penn Hip Improvement Program, or PennHIP. Some 1,400 veterinarians worldwide have been trained to use PennHIP to measure hip laxity among dogs; it's from these clinicians that Smith gathered data on the 15,742 dogs included in the JAVMA paper.

PennHIP positions dogs differently than traditional radiography of the hip, which images dogs with rear legs extended. With PennHIP, the veterinarian takes one image of a sedated dog's hip in the conventional position. Then, with the hips in a more neutral position, this image is supplemented with two others: one with the femoral head pushed in toward the hip socket and one with it pulled away from the socket. Comparing the latter images lets clinicians determine how many millimeters of play exist between femur and socket.

Source for this article: University of Pennsylvania, Office of University Communications

Abscesses in cats are serious conditions. Unlike abscesses in humans and dogs, for example, they function deep below the skin and like the legendary iceberg, this unseen portion does most of the damage. An abscess in a cat is not "just an abscess" as so many people offhandedly observe. It is a condition which requires medical attention and antibiotic therapy.

Despite the great natural resistance of cats to infection, abscesses are common and are caused by a break in the skin through which bacteria enter. All cats carry lethal bacteria in their mouths and these bacteria cause the vast majority of cat abscesses when they are left behind in a bite wound.

Bite wounds from fighting are the most common causes of cat abscesses. Young male cats often suffer from abscesses at the base of the tail. This location usually denotes a bite wound inflicted by a mature tomcat who has been defending his "territory" by attempting to bite off the testicles of inexperienced competitors. Mouth abscesses, especially in older cats, often come from lack of dental care.

The most common symptoms of an abscess are heat and swelling of the skin, at the site of the infection. The owner can usually feel a soft lump at this location and it is obvious (from the cat's reaction) that the area is painful. The cat's temperature rises, and he (or she) may refuse to eat. Often, the original bite wound can be seen.

Neglected abscesses may extend into the deeper body tissues, unnoticed by the cat's owner. The infection can enter the bloodstream causing a septicemia (blood poisoning) with subsequent damage to the heart, kidneys and other vital organs. Sometimes this damage can be detected clinically; however, it is usually not detected until later in the cat's life. It can also shorten the animal's lifespan by several years. Sometimes, such septicemias become overwhelming and actually cause the cat's death at the time of the abscess. Bite wounds in the tail or the limbs may set up a bone infection necessitating amputation unless early treatment is initiated. Bone infections are extremely difficult to treat. Ear abscesses often spread to the brain causing convulsions and a slow, painful death.

Abscess wounds on the flanks, or other areas where the skin is loose, may lead to what is called cellulitis. Instead of localizing in one lump, the infection spreads under the skin throughout the loose tissues. Very often, the cat is extremely toxic (suffering the effects of blood poisoning) and requires extensive medical treatment. If this infection is near the spinal column, it may even enter the spinal cord and lead to complex nerve damage. Advanced cellulitis can even kill a cat.

Treatment

Many cat abscesses break down, discharge a considerable volume of pus, then appear to heal spontaneously, only to flare up again. This recurrence is due to the unique tendency of a cat's skin to heal more rapidly than the tissues it covers. Since the skin has healed and the deep-seated infection has not drained adequately the infection returns.

Proper medical care of a cat's abscess involves local surgery (wide excision, debridement and drainage) in order to remove the deep infection, allow drainage, and promote complete healing. This must also be accompanied by supportive antibiotic therapy. Abscesses that are draining satisfactorily may only require antibiotic therapy.

Following surgery, three to ten days of continued treatment and observation are usually required. The period may be longer if complications are involved. Following veterinary hospital discharge of the cat, the owner should notice an improvement in the cat's health. If there are any signs of an abscess re-forming, the cat should be brought back immediately for further treatment.

There is no doubt that when times are tough, families bond together to make the best of the situation. And, sometimes a new cute and fuzzy four legged family member can help make rough times more bearable! Whether you choose a purebred kitten from a breeder or an adorable mixed breed puppy from a rescue group, there are a few things you will want to know to keep your new friend happy and healthy. Watch this video to learn how our furry companions actually relieve stress and bring joy to their homes!

EXCITEMENT URINATION

During times of high excitement, dogs may dribble or squirt small amounts of urine. This behavior often occurs when the owner returns from a trip or even a day at work. Some dogs are so excitable that each time they see someone familiar, they dribble a small amount of urine.

Generally, this behavior occurs more often in puppies and younger dogs (1 to 7 months of age). Most dogs outgrow this behavior without specific intervention

FAILURE OF HOUSETRAINING

Description: A dog that is not housetrained or has lost it's housetraining abilities will urinate or defecate in the home whether the owner is present or not. Some dogs learn to avoid eliminating directly in front of the owner if they have been previously punished for this behavior. Dogs may find indoor locations more readily available or attractive. They often have a preferred substrate or location for the indoor elimination. Inclement weather can contribute to the development of the problem.

This problem usually occurs in young puppies (2 to 6 months of age) and elderly dogs (>7 years of age) but can occur at any age.This problem must be dealt with immediately.

SUBMISSIVE URINATION

Description: In an attempt to communicate a submissive status to a person, usually associated with a greeting or a reprimand, the dog may urinate. The dog will exhibit other body postures that convey submission (e.g., ears back, avoidance of eye contact, cowering, or rolling over). Submissive urination is more common in young female dogs. Most dogs outgrow this behavior by 1 year of age.

The age at onset for this behavior is early in life (1 to 7 months of age) but can occur at any age.

URINE MARKING

Description: Urine marking involves small quantities of urine usually deposited vertically on targets. Urine marking occurs despite adequate access to the outdoors. Triggers for marking behaviors may include the addition of another pet, female dog in estrus (heat), or a new item or person in the household. Sexually mature, intact male dogs are most likely to engage in urine marking behavior.The age at onset for this behavior is between 6 - 24 months of age.

How Well Do You Know Our Presidents' Dogs?

Question 1:

What president had a dog who pulled off the French Ambassador's pants at a White House event?
Ulysses S. Grant
Teddy Roosevelt
Woodrow Wilson

Question 2:

What assassinated president had a dog who was murdered?
Abraham Lincoln
William McKinley
John F. Kennedy

Question 3:

What Cold War-era president housed four "pupniks" after his dog had a Soviet romance?
John F. Kennedy
Gerald Ford
Jimmy Carter

Question 4:

What president ordered a destroyer to retrace its route when he learned his dog had been left behind?
Harry S. Truman
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Question 5:

What president caused an outcry when he picked up his beagle pups by the ears?
Theodore Roosevelt
Herbert Hoover
Lyndon B. Johnson

Question 6:

What president had a spaniel whose dog house was decorated with framed political photographs?
John F. Kennedy
Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush

Question 7:

What president said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog"?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry Truman
Bill Clinton

Question 8:

What president claimed his dog Checkers was the only campaign gift he accepted?
Calvin Coolidge
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Richard Nixon

Question 9:

What president had 36 dogs, but would not let his slaves keep dogs?
George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson

Question 10:

What president had a dog who sat in his own hand-carved chair during cabinet meetings?
James Buchanan
Rutherford B. Hayes
Warren Harding

How Well Do You Know Our Presidents' Dogs?

Answers To Questions

Question 1:

What president had a dog who pulled off the French Ambassador's pants at a White House event?
Ulysses S. Grant
Teddy Roosevelt
Woodrow Wilson

Correct answer: Teddy Roosevelt. Roosevelt's pit bull, Pete, horrified White House guests by tearing off the ambassador's pants with his teeth.

Question 2:

What assassinated president had a dog who was murdered?
Abraham Lincoln
William McKinley
John F. Kennedy

Correct answer: Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's mutt, Fido, was stabbed to death by a drunk in the street a year after Lincoln was assassinated.

Question 3:

What Cold War-era president housed four "pupniks" after his dog had a Soviet romance?
John F. Kennedy
Gerald Ford
Jimmy Carter

Correct answer: John F. Kennedy. Kennedy's terrier, Charlie, mated with Pushinka, daughter of Sputnik dog-in-space Laika.

Question 4:

What president ordered a destroyer to retrace its route when he learned his dog had been left behind?
Harry S. Truman
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Dwight D. Eisenhower

Correct answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt. Roosevelt had a destroyer turned around to fetch his Scottie, Fala, from the Aleutian Islands. The rescue cost taxpayers an estimated $15,000.

Question 5:

What president caused public outcry when he picked up his beagle puppies by the ears?
Theodore Roosevelt
Herbert Hoover
Lyndon B. Johnson

Correct answer: Lyndon B. Johnson. A picture of Johnson lifting his beagles, Him and Her, by the ears was afront-page item in newspapers around the world. Johnson thought this was the correct way to pick up puppies.

Question 6:

What president had a spaniel whose dog house was decorated with framed political photographs?
John F. Kennedy
Ronald Reagan
George H. W. Bush

Correct answer: Ronald Reagan. Reagan's King Charles spaniel, Rex, had his own luxurious home.

Question 7:

What president said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog"?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry Truman
Bill Clinton

Correct answer: Harry Truman

Question 8:

What president claimed his dog Checkers was the only campaign gift he accepted?
Calvin Coolidge
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Richard Nixon

Correct answer: Richard Nixon. "The kids love the dog, and we're going to keep it," Nixon said of the black-and-white cocker spaniel.

Question 9:

What president had 36 dogs, but would not let his slaves keep dogs?
George Washington
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson

Correct answer: George Washington. Washington had 36 foxhounds, but feared that if his slaves had dogs, the slaves' dogs might harass his sheep.

Question 10:

What president had a dog who sat in his own hand-carved chair during cabinet meetings?
James Buchanan
Rutherford B. Hayes
Warren Harding

Correct answer: Warren Harding. Harding's Airedale Laddie Boy had not only his own chair, but his own valet.