Welcome to Pet Health!

Core Vaccines:

The rabies vaccine is required by law for all pets and can be given at 13 weeks of age. Unlike the canine rabies vaccine, feline rabies should be administered annually after the first vaccine. FVRCP is another core vaccine that covers two respiratory infections, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus, as well as Panleukopenia or Feline distemper. A kitten series of 3-4 boosters are administered. The final booster lasts 1 year and the vaccine should be administered 3 years thereafter.

Elective Vaccines:

FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) is an elective but highly recommended vaccine that should be given to any cats that go outside, interact with cats that go outside, or may potentially run away. Two boosters are administered 3-4 weeks apart and annually thereafter.

What is Lyme Disease?

First discovered in 1976, Lyme disease is now the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. Reports of the illness are most common in the northeastern states, specifically near wooded areas. Ultimately, however, ALL pets are susceptible, regardless of geographical location as we are seeing tick populations expand into suburban and urban communities. Contrary to frequent misconceptions, the disease itself is caused by a spirochete bacterium called B. burgdorferi, not ticks. These insects are merely vessels through which the disease can be transmitted.

How is Lyme Disease diagnosed?
When B. burgdorferi enters a dog, the immune system responds by producing spirochete-specific antibodies. IDEXX tests, such as the Flex4 or Snap test, can detect the presence of those antibodies in the blood to determine whether a dog has been exposed to B. burgdorferi. However, these antibodies develop three to four weeks after exposure, and testing before that time period may result in false negative results. Likewise, a positive result does not guarantee that your dog has contracted Lyme disease; the test merely confirms exposure to the bacterium. Both tests require just a few drops of blood and produce results within eight minutes. The Flex4 test also evaluates the presence of ehrlichia, anaplasmosis, and heartworm disease. Lyme disease tests should be administered annually.

How is Lyme Disease transmitted?

Ixodes scapularis, the deer tick, is the most common carrier of Lyme disease. However, these insects are not born with the bacterium. Rather, they acquire the disease from infected hosts, such as deer and mice. When taking a blood meal from dogs, ticks transmit the spirochete bacterium into the bloodstream of the new host, effectively exposing pets to B. burgdorferi. Once inside, the bacterium can spread to muscles, joints, lymph nodes, and kidneys.

Is Lyme Disease transmissible between animals and humans?

Lyme disease can not be exchanged directly between pets and owners. However, infected ticks can take blood meals from both animals and humans. Thus, exposure prevention is integral for both you and your pet.

What are the symptoms of Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease can present in many different ways. Classically, it is characterized by swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, fever, arthritis, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Persistent joint inflammation and chronic lameness can also occur. Chronic infections may result in kidney damage which can be difficult to treat successfully and manifests as vomiting, inappetance, and increased thirst/urination.

How do I prevent Lyme Disease?

First and foremost, the best protection is being proactive. Frequently check your dog for ticks by running your fingers through their fur, especially after exposure to woody areas. Focus on the ears, face, and feet. If you discover a tick, remove the insect immediately to minimize YEAR ROUND (ticks are hardy and survive winter easily) and vaccinate with the Lyme vaccine. Ask your veterinarian to determine the best way to prevent lyme disease in your pet.

How can I treat Lyme Disease?

If your pet has been infected with Lyme disease, antibiotics are the most standard pharmaceutical path. Doxycycline is usually the drug of choice, but amoxicillin, minocycline, and Convenia are also common choices. Lyme disease symptoms often disappear within a few days of treatment. However, it is important to continue administering antibiotics for the full duration of time, often four to six weeks. This ensures that the spirochete has been completely killed and the infection is cleared. For dogs with chronic Lyme disease, additional urinary tests should be administered every there to six months and appropriate antibiotics should be given according to the presence or absence of certain conditions, such as proteinuria or microalbuminuria. If your dog has Lyme nephritis, various lifestyle modifications and care treatments may be recommended, such as fluid therapy, a dietary change, and gastrointestinal medications.

What is Bordetella?

Bordetella, also known as kennel cough or tracheobronchitis, encompasses any contagious condition that includes coughing as a primary symptom. These viruses usually result from infection of the trachea and bronchial tubes, causing inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Bordetella can stem from multiple sources, such as Parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, coronavirus, or any bordetella bacterium

How is Bordetella diagnosed?

There is no formal test to 100% diagnose Bordetella as the cause of your pet’s symptoms, as most dogs will test positive for this bacteria normally. Rather, Bordetella diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion by your veterinarian. If you notice that your dog is exhibiting symptoms of kennel cough, bring them to your veterinary hospital and the doctor will discuss with you whether a Bordetella diagnosis is appropriate.

How is Bordetella transmitted?

Kennel cough is highly contagious. Most commonly, Bordetella is transmitted between dogs through sniffing, sharing water dishes, or any interaction of close proximity. Dogs can also inhale the airborne bacteria. Certain conditions can increase a dog’s chance of contracting bordetella, such as cold temperatures and stress, or any condition that weakens the immune system.

Is Bordetella transmissible between animals and humans?

Many of the viruses that fall under the category of “kennel cough” cannot infect humans. However, the primary bacteria, Bordetella Bronchiseptica, can be transferred to humans, though this occurs very rarely.

What are the symptoms of Bordetella?

Kennel Cough is somewhat analogous to a common cold. Bordetella is characterized by a loud cough, wheezing, runny eyes or nose, little to no appetite, and lethargy. These symptoms may last for several weeks, even after the bacteria have left the body.

How can I prevent Bordetella?

The best way to prevent Kennel Cough is the Bordetella vaccine, which is administered annually and can be given intranasally, orally, or through a subcutaneous injection. Though an elective vaccine, the Bordetella vaccine is highly recommended for any dogs that attend grooming, dog parks, training, or any area of interactions with other dogs.

How can I treat Bordetella?

There is currently no specific treatment for bordetella. However, antibiotics are often used against the bacterium. Additionally, veterinarians may administer anti-inflammatory medications and/or cough suppressants to relieve symptoms.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a common but painful form of arthritis characterized by bone sclerosis, cartilage deterioration, and chronic inflammation of the synovial membranes surrounding the joints. Although this disease affects a large percentage of pets in the United States, osteoarthritis frequently remains undiagnosed because the associated clinical symptoms are not always prevalent, especially in cats. As such, semi-annual veterinary exams are imperative for diagnosis and subsequent lifestyle changes, pertaining particularly to weight loss and diet.

What are the causes of Osteoarthritis?

Generally, overweight pets have a much higher risk of developing osteoarthritis, because the stress of excess body weight on the joints can exacerbate inflammation and cartilage degradation. In fact, over half of all companion animals in America weigh 10% - 20% more than their optimal weight, indisputably contributing to the predominance of osteoarthritis in pets. Additionally, the disease has been associated with aging in both cats and dogs, affecting approximately 90% of animals over 5 years of age. However, a smaller percentage of young pets still experience early onset osteoarthritis and thus, the disease is not necessarily restricted to older companion animals. Larger breed dogs were found to develop osteoarthritis earlier than smaller breed dogs, suggesting genetically inherited defects in large pure breeds. Furthermore, male dogs were found to be more at risk for hip joint osteoarthritis than female dogs as a result of male sex hormones and their role in joint tissue development. Conclusively, these determinants, among many other lifestyle factors, are strongly associated with the onset of osteoarthritis and should be monitored throughout a pet’s life.

What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

The clinical signs of osteoarthritis include joint pain, stiffness or swelling, decreased range of motion, and muscle degeneration. However, many animals may not display these associated symptoms, especially cats. Instead, pets commonly express subtle changes in their behavior such as aggression, decreased activity, limping, difficulty climbing stairs and rising from a lying position, or preference for carpeted surfaces rather than slippery, hardwood flooring. Evidently, these minute changes reflect ongoing internal pain but frequently occur unnoticed by owners. As such, annual veterinary exams remain imperative for pets of all ages.

How can I prevent Osteoarthritis?

The most effective approach for delaying the onset of osteoarthritis is to monitor diet and weight. Providing sufficient exercise for pets and feeding the recommended amount of food per day can indefinitely minimize any atypical forces exerted on joints and alleviate disease symptoms. Owners should support mobility by providing supportive bedding, non-slip mats, or throw rugs. Most importantly, seeking veterinary care early on can help companion animals cope with long-term symptoms via preventative or pain medications as well as lifestyle suggestions from veterinary doctors.

How do I treat Osteoarthritis?

Weight Loss

Even minor weight loss has been shown to improve the clinical signs and development of osteoarthritis, decreasing oxidative stress, cellular tissue damage, and articular cartilage degradation. A loss of 1% - 2% of body weight per week is the typical goal for overweight pets. Here are a few lifestyle tips to encourage weight loss:

• Buy food with a high nutrient-to-calorie ratio (usually high protein food) for increased satiety

• Use a smaller food bowl and smaller scoop

• Weigh food in grams rather than administering by volume (i.e. cups)

• Limit treats or provide healthier alternatives, such as carrots, green beans, air-popped popcorn, berries, tuna, and miniature marshmallows

• Allocate the daily food allotment into smaller, more frequent meals to minimize begging

• Increase consistent exercise and moderate activity, such as walking or swimming

• Use non-slip mats, rugs, ramps, and bedding to support joints and encourage mobility

How do I treat Osteoarthritis?

Medication: NSAIDS

NSAIDS are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often prescribed as daily pain medications for patients with osteoarthritis. Although these drugs may temporarily alleviate osteoarthritis related pain, long term use of NSAIDS can accelerate cartilage degradation and ultimately promote the onset of osteoarthritis. Thus, NSAIDS are most effective when used as secondary therapy at the lowest dosage. As such, these medications can address pain management while allowing additional treatments and lifestyle changes to slow the long-term and underlying causes of osteoarthritis.

How do I treat Osteoarthritis?

Therapeutic Diets

Omega-3 fatty acids, GLM, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate are just a few examples of common ingredients found in therapeutic diets. These compounds are particularly favorable because they have anti-inflammatory properties that are similar to those of NSAIDS, but do not share the potential for accelerated cartilage degeneration. Additionally, therapeutic diets eliminate the difficulties of administering pills or medications by incorporating naturally healing ingredients into pet food.

How do I treat Osteoarthritis?

Nontraditional Therapies

Many veterinarians use nontraditional therapies, such as laser therapy, physical therapy, or acupuncture, to eliminate or delay the need for medications. Laser therapy is a noninvasive technique that uses light to stimulate tissue regeneration and increase circulation. This procedure can be used to treat osteoarthritis among other conditions, such as chronic injuries, sprains, or muscular abnormalities. Sessions typically last between 20 - 30 minutes depending on the severity of an animal’s condition. Likewise, physical therapy utilizes a variety of low impact exercises, massages, and equipment to promote mobility and loosen joints. Some activities used in physical therapy include stretching, obstacle courses, ramps, wobble/balance boards, and even underwater treadmill exercises. Furthermore, acupuncture can be used to improve joint movement and minimize pain by promoting natural self-healing through the stimulus of acupoints throughout the body. Like laser therapy, each session lasts 20 - 30 minutes; patients will be treated consistently for several weeks until symptoms improve.