Canine Influenza Update

Over the last few months, canine influenza (canine flu) has been an emerging disease that contributes to Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRD Complex).  Here at Kaibab Animal Hospital we promised you that we would keep you updated and we have been monitoring this disease and the spread of it across the country.  Unfortunately, canine flu has found its way into Arizona and the indication is that the number of cases will only continue to increase in the coming months.  Cases have now been reported in Pima County and over a dozen cases here in Maricopa County too.  Because of this, Kaibab Animal Hospital has decided that it is now time to begin recommending the flu vaccine to all of our at-risk patients.  The two vaccines available, H3N8 and the newer H3N2, are given as an initial dose that needs to be boostered 2-4 weeks afterwards and then boostered annually thereafter.

Canine flu is not a seasonal disease like it is in people, so your dog is constantly at risk for contracting it.  Some breeds are more susceptible to the virus and the seriousness of the disease than others but on average, there is approximately an 8% mortality risk with this disease.  This means that up to 8% of dogs that contract canine flu may die from complications.  This number increases to near 30% in hound-breeds.  Though most dogs will survive the infection, the damage done to the lungs during the course of the disease is severe and permanent.  The two predominant strains of canine flu (H3N8 and H3N2) both have very effective vaccines that can prevent the disease from ever starting in your dog.

Does your dog:

• Visit doggie Daycare?
  
• Board at a boarding facility?
• Attend training classes?
• Play at dog parks?
• Participate in dog-friendly events?
• Attend dog shows or sporting events?
• Visit a groomer or the local pet store?
• Often greet other dogs during walks?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your dog is at a higher risk for contracting canine influenza and vaccination is recommended.  Now that we are into the holiday season and boarding of dogs increases dramatically, your dog needs to be protected if they will be staying at a boarding facility.  Please call us to schedule an appointment and get your canine family member started with the initial vaccination in the series.

Why Take The Risk? Get Your Pet Microchipped

The thought of losing a pet is every owner’s worst nightmare. According to Maricopa Animal Care and Control’s 2014 Annual Report, only 11% of the 38,235 animals that entered the shelter were able to be returned to their owners. Luckily, there are steps we can take to increase the probability that a lost furry friend will be celebrating a joyful reunion.

Although a collar and tags are important, they can easily fall off or be removed. By electing to microchip your pet, you will have the most permanent form of identification working to protect your beloved dog or cat. Microchips insure a higher probability that your pet will be returned to you. 

Microchip compared to grain of rice.

Although a collar and tags are important, they can easily fall off or be removed. By electing to microchip your pet, you will have the most permanent form of identification working to protect your beloved dog or cat. Microchips insure a higher probability that your pet will be returned to you.

What is a microchip?

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. Each microchip is encased in bio-compatible glass and contains an actual chip that holds information and components that emit a radio frequency. A microchip is not a GPS device, nor does it actively transmit signals. A microchip is considered passive and only transmits a radio frequency when a scanner is waved within close proximity of the chip. 

How is the microchip inserted?

Microchipping may sound like an invasive procedure; however, it is very easy and routine. Microchipping a pet works just like a vaccination and does not require surgery or anesthesia.  A microchip is contained within a sterile needle on the end of a syringe device. Typically for a dog or cat, a chip is inserted just under the skin in between the shoulder blades.  The procedure is completed quickly and your pet will experience little to no pain very similar to vaccinations.

What do I do after my pet is microchipped? 

You have taken an important, proactive step to protect your pet but your job is not done just yet! A microchip is nearly useless if you do not complete the registration process. Each microchip comes with a unique ID code that is entered into the microchip manufacturer’s database. In order for a microchip to be effective, you must register the chip so that the ID code corresponds with your contact information.  It is also important that if you move or change your phone number that you update your records with the microchip registration company as well.

Many microchip companies charge a registration fee, so plan for the possibility of this cost which averages around $20.  Depending on where your pet is micro chipped, the registration fee may be covered in the implantation cost. Ask if there is an additional registration or annual fee you need to pay in order to ensure the chip will be a beneficial tool. It is important to research the various microchip companies, the fees involved, and the services they provide in order to find which brand is best for you and your pet.

It is a good idea to register with the manufacturer, but you can also register the chip with a universal database or elect this option instead. Two examples of universal databases are HomeAgain and PetLink.  Universal databases may offer additional services, including but not limited to, a 24/7 emergency hotline, lost pet guidance, lost pet alerts,  travel assistance for pets found far from home,  microchip tags for the collar, online search, and direct connection to the finder of your pet.

If you cannot afford the fees that often come with some of these databases, consider utilizing Free Pet Chip Registry.  This company is working to become a universal and free database for microchip registration.  

How is a microchip read?

Microchip scanner.

A microchip is read using a scanner. Vets, shelters, clinics, and many police and fire stations have scanners which they wave over the pet’s body. If a chip is present, the scanner will initiate and read the radio frequency of the chip and the assigned ID code will appear on the screen. Codes are categorized by microchip companies. The corresponding company is then contacted to look up owner information within their database. General databases can also be used to search for owner information and  may cover multiple brands.

If your chip is registered and up to date, the company will be able to contact you and inform you where your pet is and who to contact to retrieve your pet. Micro chipping greatly increases the chances of pet recovery, especially when a collar and tags can fall off or be removed. 

How can I be a proactive owner?

·         

        If registration is offered through your veterinarian, clinic, or shelter: call the database company to verify your information is entered correctly and verify their terms of service.

·         Keep a record of your pet’s microchip number, the contact information for the manufacturer and the database the chip is registered in. Provide a record for your regular veterinarian if the pet was not chipped at their office. Always leave this information with a family member, boarding facility, or pet sitter if you are traveling away from your pet.

·         Update your information anytime you move or change your phone number. If you register an emergency contact, ensure this information is up to date as well.

·         Have your vet or clinic scan your pet’s chip once a year to ensure effectiveness.

Where can I get my pet micro chipped and how much will it cost?

If you have a veterinarian, call and ask about their microchips to find out the manufacturer and cost. Always ask if registration is included and if the company they use charges annual fees as prices can vary.

Call Kaibab Animal Hospital at (480) 947-8113 today for an appointment to get your pet microchipped. We use HomeAgain microchips and include a tag for your pet’s collar as well as registration.  If you have additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to give us a call and one of our staff members will be happy to assist you. 

We are open Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Sundays 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Kaibab Animal Hospital is located at 3010 North 68th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251. 

Arthritis and Therapies to Help Manage It

Fall is finally here!  For many people fall means holidays, family, football, the changing of the leaves, and cooling temperatures. Unfortunately, the rain and cooler weather can mean an increase in discomfort for pets suffering from arthritis.  Here at Kaibab Animal Hospital, we take a special interest in geriatric pets and their comfort and well-being.

Arthritis affects millions of dogs and cats in the United States.   The most common type of arthritis for both humans and animals is called osteoarthritis.  This is the type that is related to age and general wear and tear beginning with the cartilage and most commonly affects the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees. Cartilage is the firm but flexible connective tissue that is found within the joints.  If the damage of the cartilage progresses over time, the bones can eventually come into direct contact causing damage to the bone itself.  What may begin as mild discomfort for the dog over time becomes increasingly painful.  This is especially true for animals who are overweight, as the weight places excess pressure on the bones in the joints and fat cells increase inflammation.

Pets can’t tell us when they are uncomfortable so it is important for us to watch them for certain telltale signs of pain or discomfort. Symptoms of arthritis include, but are not limited to, a general “slowing down,” pain, limping, loss of interest in playing or going on walks, sleeping more, difficulty rising, difficulty going up stairs, and a reluctance to be picked up or touched.

 

If you are noticing any of these symptoms in your pet, there are some things can be done to help them feel more comfortable.

·        Diet changes – There are prescription diets available that are specifically created to help stop the progression of arthritis and to help keep pets more comfortable.  Some of these diets can help with weight loss also.

·        Supplements – There are supplements available such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids that will help lubricate joints to keep them moving more easily.

·        Medications – There are many pain and anti-inflammatory medications available that can decrease your pet’s pain level making it easier for them to get around.

·        Short frequent exercise – Too much exercise can overwork the joints and make them more painful but too little exercise can leave your pets stiff and uncomfortable.

·        Physical therapy – Several types of physical therapy are available to help keep your pet moving and get them controlled exercise.

·        Warm cushy beds – Keeping them off the cold ground and having some padding under them can help.

·        Make food and water more accessible – Elevate food and water bowls to shoulder level, and keep them on lower levels of two story houses.

·        Place rugs and runners on hard floors – This allows pets to get traction and helps them navigate through the house more easily.

·        Weight loss – This should be done through diet and exercise.  There are prescription diets and medications available when normal diet and exercise are not enough.

·        Laser therapy – Laser therapy helps increase circulation in the treated areas to help decrease pain and increase mobility.

·        Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma – These procedures use cells from your pet’s own body to help stimulate healing and decrease inflammation.  This can significantly lessen signs of joint pain and discomfort.

·        Acupuncture – This therapy is done by a few vets around town and is believed to decrease inflammation in the the body and help improve circulation.

Dogs and cats are not 'small people,' so you must be careful with over the counter pain medications.  Remember, some human medications can be toxic to your pet and can cause harm and/or death.  It is important to not give any human medication or supplements without getting your veterinarian’s approval first!

Schedule an appointment today if you think your pet might be showing signs of arthritis so that we can formulate a treatment plan of the best options to help them get back to feeling great!

Dog Parks Around Kaibab Animal Hospital

Now that the weather has started to cool down, it’s the perfect time to take your dogs out and let them get some exercise.  While walking your dogs around the neighborhood is a great way to get them (and you) moving, sometimes a change of scenery is fun.  Municipal dog parks make that change very easy and convenient.  If you have a friendly, well-socialized dog that is also healthy and current on vaccinations, then a dog park may be a great option for you.

There are many dog parks scattered around the Phoenix metropolitan area but today we will explore some that are just a few miles away from Kaibab Animal Hospital.

                              1.  Chaparral Park

                             5401 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Chaparral Park is a beautiful recreational area that has long walking trails, ramadas for picnics, and lakes where you can enjoy watching ducks.  Dogs love exploring the entire park but there is also an off-leash section where your dog can run, play, and burn off energy with friends.  The off-leash area is separated into ‘active dog’ and ‘passive dog’ areas so that all personalities have a chance to play and explore with similar dogs.

2.  Vista del Camino Park

                             7700 E Roosevelt St, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Vista del Camino Park is another beautiful place along the Scottsdale Greenbelt.  Similar to Chaparral, there are long walking trails, ramada’s, and a lake.  The off-leash area is higher on a hill in the corner of the park, overlooking the children’s playground.  The park is on the smaller side and is generally less active so it may be a better option for some pets who are overwhelmed in the larger parks.

3.   Creamery Park

     1520 E 8^th St, Tempe, AZ 85281

Creamery Park is named for a dairy business that originally opened in 1892 and was one of the largest employers in Tempe for many years.  It’s close to ASU and it is perfect for a relaxing time for students wanting to get away from their studies for a bit.  The off-leash area is on the smaller side but has trees and an area for you to sit while you watch your dog enjoy running and playing in the sun.

4.  Mitchell Dog Park

           900 S Mitchell Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281

Mitchell Dog Park is another smaller park in the area of ASU and is surrounded by a cute little neighborhood.  For the humans, the park has large grassy areas, soccer fields, and basketball courts.  The off-leash area is not usually over-crowded but there are enough dogs to allow for play and socialization time.  While your dog is running around making new friends, there are trees for shade and benches for you to relax on and enjoy the surrounding area.

5.  Jaycee Park

           817 W 5^th St, Tempe, AZ 85281

Located just a few blocks away from Mitchell Dog Park, Jaycee offers very similar amenities for entertainment but also boasts a splash pad for the kids (or kids at heart) and a  community center.  The off-leash area is smaller and more intimate than some of the other parks but the seating areas with shade make it a great place to let your dog run free while you enjoy a nice lunch in the fresh air.

Off-leash parks can be a great way for an active, friendly, and well-socialized dog to burn some energy and make great friends.  Many of our clients love going to the parks and tend to go at the same times each week so that their dogs can build friendships with the other dogs.  Watching your beloved pet get excited as they run up to their ‘pack’ and jump and play endlessly is an easy way to bring a smile to your face!

Fleas and Ticks: Preventing Disease in You Pets

We all love the Arizona weather (most of the year), but now that we have hit the monsoon season, there are other residents who love living here too; fleas and ticks.  None of us like to find these tiny little tagalongs on our beloved pets and you can bet that they enjoy it even less!  Not only do the parasites cause direct irritation and intense itching, they can cause a whole host of diseases.

Ticks are known carriers of Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme Disease, among other nasty diseases.  Fleas can carry tapeworms and many bacterial diseases like the Plague.  Yes, we still have plague in the mountains of Arizona and one to two people per year are infected.  They can also cause a severe allergic reaction from their bite.  Not only are pets at risk for these diseases, but humans can also contract many diseases transmitted by these pests.  There are many different species of fleas and ticks and not all species carry the same diseases but any of these parasites can be a concern.  Much more so if you travel with your pet.

How do we prevent these disgusting pests from infecting our pets and ourselves?  Short of finding a large hamster-ball for your dog to live in, which could be pretty entertaining in and of itself, our best defense is to use a preventative.  However, if you have ever been to the pet store you can quickly become overwhelmed by the many different products that are available.  Which one do you pick?  Which are safest for my pet?  Which dog products can be toxic for any cats in the house?  There are just so many questions!

Unfortunately, many of the over-the-counter preventatives have the potential to cause a lot of side effects in our pets and others are just not that effective in prevention of fleas and ticks.  At Kaibab Animal Hospital, we have looked at all these medications and have weighed the risks and benefits of their use in your loved family member.  All of this research and careful consideration has led us to recommend Bravecto as a flea and tick preventative.  Bravecto is a pork-flavored, chewable medication which ensures that it won’t be washed off of the skin.  One dose also protects against fleas and ticks for a whole 12 weeks!  That makes dosing so much easier than before.

Make sure to schedule an appointment to talk to us about Bravecto and how it can help prevent some of these nasty diseases and help keep your pet safe and healthy.

Monsoon and Your Pets: Surviving the Storm

The monsoon season in Arizona has begun.  Supposedly, it started in June, but I just don’t believe that.  However, we finally have gotten some big storms here in the Valley of the Sun and another large one is blowing in now here at Kaibab Animal Hospital.  Though many of us enjoy the Arizona monsoon season, our pets can be very scared of the lightning and thunder that comes along with the rain.  It is not uncommon for a client to call us to say their dog or cat is cowering underneath the bed, fearful that the world is ending when the storms approach.  To us a little bit of thunder and lightning can be an exciting and fun thing.  To our pets, that same experience is interpreted in a whole different way.  We can’t explain to them that the sounds are just in the distance.  They hear much better than we do.  They sense the changes in the temperature or air pressure different that we do.  And sometimes they become very afraid when these things happen.  When the fear becomes too much, we just want to help but what can we do?

Thankfully, there are many options to help our little friends through the scary storm.  Initially, we tend to try the non-medical therapies.  One of the most effective non-medical calming therapies for our pets is called a ThunderShirt.  The ThunderShirt is a vest-like piece of clothing that fits snugly around the body of your dog or cat.  This tight, ‘hugging’ action helps to calm our pets down and make them feel more secure.  For many pets, this is enough to get through the thunderstorm that is raging outside.  A bonus of this product is that it can help calm them in a number of stressful situations such as fireworks or if your pet is afraid of visitors coming to the house.

Another non-medical therapy that we have is pheromone support.  In dogs, a product called Adaptil is used as a calming agent for a variety of stressful and behavioral issues.  The pheromone in Adaptil is the same one released from glands on a mother dog’s abdomen while she is nursing her puppies.  The puppies react to this pheromone by calming down and relaxing, which allows them to put more energy towards growth rather than movement.  The same response happens in adult dogs that are exposed to this pheromone; they calm down and relax.  Because it is a pheromone, it is species-specific.  This means that the pheromone will not be detectable by you or any other non-dog animal in the house but to dogs it can be a wonder therapy.  Cats have a similar therapy available called Feliway.  Most of us have experienced a cat coming up to rub their face all over us and ‘love on us.’  What they are actually doing though is marking their territory; claiming you (or whatever object) as their own by spreading pheromones.  Though they are marking territory with pheromones that are mostly specific to themselves, there is one called the F3 Fraction that is common to all cats.  This pheromone helps to calm cats and make them feel more comfortable in their environment, as if they have already ‘marked’ it as their own.  Both of these therapies are available in a spray form or for use in a diffuser, allowing the pheromone to be constantly released into the environment, similar to an air freshener.

A newer way that we have been approaching stress-control is through diet.  Both Hill’s and Royal Canin brand pet foods have a diet formulated to help calm our anxious pets.  The ingredients in these diets work to calm pets and make them feel similar to how you would after eating a Thanksgiving dinner (well, minus the uncomfortable bloating).  Since our pets need to eat a well-balanced meal daily, these diets are a great way to help our chronically stressed friends and keep them healthy at the same time.

Whether using these therapies alone or in combination with each other, we can help calm our pets without prescription medication.  However, sometimes we need to intervene with stronger options.  In some dogs and cats, prescription sedatives are needed to help calm them down.  There are many different types of sedatives that can be used in our pets and though rare, they all have the potential for side effects.  If your pet needs additional help with calming down during thunderstorms, we can determine which medications will be best to use.  These sedatives can also be compounded into a tasty liquid so that you don’t have to fight to give them a pill.  If you think your pet would benefit from a prescription sedative during these stressful situations, be sure to schedule a consultation with one of our vets to discuss your concerns.

Scratching the Surface of Your Itchy Pet: Part 2

In Part 1 of this series, we discussed environmental allergies and how they can affect your pet.  Other than environmental allergies though, we can have many parasites and other infections that can affect pets and cause them to be very itchy.  Many parasites are preventable and steps can be taken to ensure that your dog or cat doesn’t get and bring them into your house since they can infect you too!  Some parasites can only be treated after we have diagnosed your pet, which is why an early examination is so important if you suspect a problem.

When you hear ‘skin parasites,’ most people immediately think of fleas and ticks.  These two types of parasites are the most common and recognizable on our pets. While playing with and petting our dogs, many of us have brushed up against a bump on the skin.  After spreading the fur apart to see what is there, you notice a gross, swollen, brown bug sucking blood from your little darling!  After you finish doing the ‘icky-icky’ dance, you need to deal with this unwelcomed traveler.  Removing a tick is a delicate matter, as you do not want to traumatize the tick while it is still attached.  There are many different suggestions out there for removing a tick such as using a burnt matchstick, picking it off with your fingers, or any number of other bad ideas.  Let me repeat, these are BAD ideas!  Not only do ticks feed on blood from your dog or cat, they can transmit various infections to your pet while they are feeding.  In Arizona, the most common infection is called Ehrlichiosis, or Tick Fever.  Tick Fever is a bacterial infection that will cause a decrease in the platelets circulating in your dog’s blood.  Sometimes this decrease will be so severe that your dog can spontaneously bleed from the skin, eyes, ears, or even have internal bleeding.  This can be a life threatening condition that requires hospitalization, antibiotic therapy, and blood transfusions if the infection is severe.  Usually a tick needs to be attached between 8-36 hours before this infection is transmitted to your dog, but if a tick is removed incorrectly or traumatized during removal, it will ‘spit’ blood back into your dog and cause the infection to transmit earlier.  If you find a tick on your pet, the best way to remove it is to grasp the head with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and pull straight back, ensuring there is no piece of the head or mouth left in the skin.  If you are concerned about ticks and Ehrlichiosis in your pet, be sure to contact us.  The good news is that we test for this disease annually when we test for Heartworm Disease.  Additional diseases that can be transmitted by ticks include Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Bartonellosis, and others.  The good news is that, instead of worrying about and testing for all these diseases when your dog is sick, we have many ways of actually preventing an infestation of ticks beforehand.  A simple pill or topical medication will help to prevent the ticks from causing itching and from having the chance to infect your dog or cat with these diseases.

Along with ticks, fleas are a nasty cause of itching and disease transmission in your pet.  These tiny black bugs can be seen crawling all over your itchy pet.  They are usually easiest to see on the abdomen where the fur is the thinnest.  The bite of a flea can easily set off a very severe form of itching in dogs called Flea Allergy Dermatitis.  In fact, a single fleabite can cause such an allergic reaction that a dog will scratch and itch to the point of fur loss and bleeding!  This reaction is classically found over a dog’s rump, around the base of the tail, and up the back.  Not only can the flea cause severe itching, it can transmit diseases like the tick can.  When a dog or cat scratches and bites its skin, it can sometimes swallow a flea.  This is the most common way for a pet to be infected with tapeworms.  Yes, that nasty worm we have all heard about, growing to multiple feet long, living in our intestines and off the food we eat, is most commonly transmitted by fleas (but sometimes other insects too).  Fleas can also transmit other severe diseases to our pets such as Cat Scratch Fever, Hemobartonellosis, and the Plague.  Again, you heard right.  The Plague is still alive and well, especially in the mountains of Arizona.  So, if you are planning on a summer trip to the cooler regions of the state this summer, flea and tick preventatives should be on your packing list.  The staff at Kaibab Animal Hospital can help you pick which products are best for your pet.

Now that the gross, visible-to-the-naked-eye parasites have been discussed, what other infections can cause itching in your pet?  Another common cause of itching, especially in young or older dogs and cats, is demodectic mange.  Demodex is a microscopic parasite, or mite, that is actually a normal resident of the skin of the dog or cat (We also have a species of demodex that lives on our skin).  In a healthy pet, the immune system is able to keep this parasite in check and keep it from overgrowing but sometimes they get out of control.  What we will typically see with this infection is an itchy, hairless, slightly flakey looking lesion on the skin.  A simple test can be done in the hospital to determine if the parasite is present and in what quantities.  If it is seen, there are medications that can be prescribed to help reduce the number of mites present and allow the immune system to gain control over them again.

Another type of mange that we see is sarcoptic mange.  Unlike demodex, this parasite is NOT a normal inhabitant of the skin and typically causes very severe itching, hair loss, thickened skin, and an overall miserable pet.  The name scabies comes from the fact that itching is so severe that there are usually many scabs present from scratching to the point of bleeding.  This is another parasite that people can be infected with, so prompt diagnosis and treatment is important; not just for your pet but for you as well.  While this is a serious disease of the skin, the pet tends to quickly respond when treatment is started.

Ringworm is also a common reason for itching in your pets, especially in cats.  Though this infection has ‘worm’ in its name, it is not actually a worm or parasite but is a fungus.  It has been suggested that almost all cats carry this fungus on their fur.  This may be why we see more infections in cats than in dogs.  However, like demodex, it should be kept in check by the immune system.  When the fungus gains a hold in the skin though, we will typically see an itchy, hairless, and reddened lesion.  This condition can be a little more difficult to diagnose, as the test requires growing the fungus in the lab.  Ringworm is a very slow growing fungus, so it can take up to three weeks get a diagnosis.  While waiting for the test results, we will sometimes start therapy with oral pills, topical medication, or a combination of the two.

These are the most common causes of parasitic and infectious itching of the skin in Arizona.  This is by no means an exhaustive list of conditions though.  If you are concerned about any of these issues or if you want to get your pet started on a flea and tick preventative to help keep those nasty parasites away, be sure to schedule an appointment at Kaibab Animal Hospital today