Welcome to Capitaland Animal Hospital's Newsletter

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!

Most of us understand the need for preventative dental care in our pets, but sometimes, a trip to the veterinary dentist can be a lifesaver too! Whether the pet has severe dental disease showering bacteria into the bloodstream or has trauma to the oral cavity, pet dentists have an arsenal of tools ready for action! Watch this video to see why one lucky dog likely owes her life to the work of her Veterinary Dentist.

Dogs are not only our friends, but also our protectors. And in this case, they even keep our beds insect-free! Today, dogs are increasingly being used to help sniff out bed bug infestations around the nation. Companies like "Sniff K9" even offer bed bug certification programs – where dogs run the show. Sniff K9 works with people at their own homes, or those in the hospitality and retail business to ensure that rooms and products are bed-bug free. You can also buy these bed-bug sniffing companions.

The recent surge in these services is due to an increase in bed bug infestations experienced around the country. "Bed bugs are no longer common simply in cheap motels," stated the co-founder of Sniff K9, "but are now frequent at even 5-star facilities and luxury boutiques."

Dogs are used because of their incredibly keen sense of smell. What dog is best for the task, however, may be up for debate. Sniff K9 uses Labradors because they are characteristically fearless, especially when it comes to searching small spaces, relatively low maintenance, and are particularly good at detecting scents. Although seemingly odd or unconventional, the method appears to be a rather effective and quick way to keep these unwanted guests out of your bed.

General Information

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most common and destructive of all cat viruses. It is highly contagious and is spread primarily by saliva during cat fights, grooming or mating. The virus is also spread by blood, urine and feces. Kittens may become infected while still in the womb, when the mother bites off the umbilical cord or during nursing.

Not all cats exposed to FeLV become infected. About 40 percent of exposed cats have immune systems that destroy the invading virus. The remainder of exposed cats become persistently infected (30 percent) or develop a latent infection (30 percent). The latter group has inactive virus in their bone marrow, and these virus particles may later become active when the cat becomes ill from another disease, stress or certain drugs.

Of the cats persistently infected, about 25 percent will die within one year and 75 percent will die within three years. Some may live a normal life but tend to have various chronic illnesses.

Illness

There are no signs specific for FeLV infection. The main effect of the virus is to disrupt the cat's immune system. While anemia is the most common disorder caused by the virus, cancer and various other diseases are common. Disorders commonly associated with FeLV infection include: chronic respiratory disease; chronic infection of the mouth, gums and tongue; chronic eye disease; frequent or chronic skin disease; reproductive disease (abortion, stillbirths and kitten deaths); frequent or chronic urinary tract infections; chronic digestive tract disease; and other systemic diseases (infectious peritonitis, hemobartonellosis, toxoplasmosis, polyarthritis).

Prevention

Vaccination before exposure to the virus is the best means of preventing FeLV infection. Without vaccination, isolation from other cats is the only means of prevention.

Important Facts

• Infected cats are at high risk for developing cancer or other life-threatening diseases.
• Indoor cats are at low risk for developing FeLV infection.
• Outdoor cats are at high risk for developing FeLV infection.
• Currently, there is no uniformly effective treatment for cats infected with FeLV.

What is canine influenza?

Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection of dogs caused by a virus. The canine influenza virus is closely related to the virus that causes equine influenza and it is thought that the equine influenza virus mutated to produce the canine influenza virus.

Two clinical syndromes have been seen in dogs infected with the canine influenza virus - a mild form of the disease and a more severe form that is accompanied by pneumonia.

Mild form - Dogs suffering with the mild form of canine influenza develop a soft, moist cough that persists for 10 to 30 days. Some dogs have a dry cough similar to "kennel cough." For this reason, canine influenza virus infections are frequently mistaken for "kennel cough." Dogs with the mild form of influenza may also have a thick nasal discharge, which is usually caused by a secondary bacterial infection.

Severe form - Dogs with the severe form of canine influenza develop high fevers (104 degrees F to 106 degrees F) and have clinical signs of pneumonia, such as increased respiratory rates and effort. Pneumonia may be due to a secondary bacterial infection.

Because this is a newly emerging disease, almost all dogs, regardless of breed or age, lack immunity and are susceptible to infection. Virtually all dogs that are exposed to the virus become infected, and nearly 80 percent show clinical signs of disease. Fortunately, most affected dogs have the mild form.

Do dogs die from canine influenza

Fatal cases of pneumonia resulting from infection with canine influenza virus have been reported in dogs, but the fatality rate (5 percent to 8 percent) has been low.

How widespread is the disease?

The first recognized outbreak of canine influenza in the world is believed to have occurred in racing greyhounds in January 2004 at a track in Florida. From June to August of 2004, outbreaks of respiratory disease were reported at 14 tracks in 6 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Texas, and West Virginia). Between January and May of 2005, outbreaks occurred at 20 tracks in 11 states (Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin). Infection has also been confirmed in pet dogs in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington State, and Washington, DC.

How is a dog with canine influenza treated?

As with any disease caused by a virus, treatment is largely supportive. Good animal care practices and nutrition assist dogs in mounting an effective immune response. In the milder form of the disease, a thick green nasal discharge, which most likely represents a secondary bacterial infection, usually resolves after treatment with antibiotics. In the more severe form of the disease, medication and hospitalization are often required.

Is canine influenza virus transmissible from dogs to humans?

To date, there is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza virus from dogs to people.

Do I need to be concerned about putting my dog in day care or boarding it at a kennel?

Dog owners should be aware that any situation that brings dogs together increases the risk of spread of communicable illnesses. Good infection control practices can reduce the risk of infection; however, the risk still exists.

My dog has a cough. What should I do?

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian so that he or she can examine and evaluate your dog and recommend an appropriate course of treatment.

Canine influenza virus can be spread via direct contact with respiratory secretions from infected dogs, and by contact with contaminated inanimate objects. Therefore, dog owners whose dogs are coughing or exhibiting other signs of respiratory disease should not participate in activities or bring their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to them. Clothing, equipment, surfaces, and hands should be cleaned and disinfected after exposure to dogs showing signs of respiratory disease to prevent transmission of infection to susceptible dogs. Clothing can be adequately cleaned by using a detergent at normal laundry temperatures.

Is canine influenza transmissible to from dogs to horses or other animal species?

At this time, there is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza from dogs to horses, cats, ferrets, or other animal species.

Hairballs, also known as furballs, are very common problems in cats, particularly the longhaired breeds. They are an inevitable consequence of a cat's cleanliness. About 80 percent of cat owners report that their cats vomit furballs on a monthly basis.

Fur is very hard to digest. Usually it passes into the intestine if it doesn't first mat in the stomach. When fur mats in the stomach, it can fill this organ, causing food to be displaced. Because furballs are too large to pass into the small intestine, they are generally vomited up.

Have you ever looked at your cat's tongue? The top of a cat's tongue contains numerous hard barbs or spikes that point backward into the throat. These spikes are great for cleaning and grooming themselves; however, due to the direction of these spikes, the only way to get the fur off the tongue is to swallow it. Normally the non-digestible hair passes through the stomach into the intestines and is expelled in the cat's feces. Problems occur when the swallowed hair combines with fat (and sometimes food) forming a dense "hair ball" that usually stays in the stomach because of its size.

Hairballs are actually one of the most common reasons why cats vomit. The hacking or retching that you hear is the cat trying to vomit up the furballs. While it is normal for a cat to have them occasionally, large hairballs can be dangerous. Fortunately, most hairballs are eventually "coughed up" before they pass into the intestines and cause a serious digestive tract obstruction.

To reduce the frequency of hairballs, you should regularly comb or brush your cat. Long-haired cats and cats with thick coats particularly benefit from regular combing. In order for hairballs to pass more easily into the stool, an occasional dose of an oral lubricating agent is recommended.

For cats that are particularly prone to furballs, special high fiber diets are available. The extra fiber in these diets help move the excess fur through the cat's digestive system. The most up-to-date dietary technology uses a natural soy lecithin emulsifier in combination with fiber. The combined action of the emulsifier and fiber helps break down existing hairballs and allows them to pass more easily through the cat's digestive tract.

Rabbit Spay: If not spayed, 90 percent of female rabbits will develop uterine cancer. We highly recommend spaying your rabbit.

Lead/Zinc Testing: Lead and zinc toxicity is very common in birds. Symptoms may include weakness, bloody droppings, regurgitation, seizures or other strange behavior.

Avian Blood Sexing: A blood test can answer the simple question, "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Dentistry: If your pet has bad breath, drools a lot, paws at his face, or is showing a preference for soft food, he may be experiencing tooth problems.

Endoscopy: Some foreign bodies, if detected in a timely fashion, may be removed via endoscopy, avoiding possible abdominal surgery.

Psittacosis Testing: Birds can harbor a disease called Psittacosis, which is contagious to humans, especially if the person is immunosuppressed.

Deworming: All kittens and puppies should be routinely dewormed. A negative fecal sample does not necessarily indicate absence of parasites; eggs are shed intermittently.

Urinary Obstructions: Male cats that appear unable to urinate should be seen immediately. They may have a urinary blockage, which if left untreated can be fatal.