Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is transmitted from dog to dog by mosquitos. When a mosquito bites a dog already infected with heartworm disease, it picks up a non-infected larval stage of the heartworm. The heartworm larvae are called microfilaria. The microfilaria complete a portion of their life cycle in the mosquito. This part of their life cycle makes them infective, or capable of causing heartworm disease. When the mosquito bites a non-infected dog, it will pass along some of the microfilaria, leading to a heartworm infection. The microfilaria will circulate throughout the dog's bloodstream for approximately six months, and then they will travel to the heart where they will mature into adult heartworms. They multiply and live in the heart, leading to congestive heart failure and eventually death if left untreated. Fortunately, heartworm disease can be treated. Treatment safety and success is much higher if heartworm disease is detected early and before any clinical signs are noted. Clinical signs of advanced heartworm disease can include weight loss, coughing, becoming tired easily, listlessness and difficulty breathing. Yearly testing for heartworm disease is recommended in order to detect heartworm disease before clinical signs appear, thereby increasing the chances of treatment success.

Heartworm disease can also infect cats, but presents itself very differently than in dogs. Cats with heartworm disease may be asymptomatic (showing no signs), or they may exhibit the following signs: intermittent vomiting, intermittent coughing or sudden death. Unlike dogs, cats with heartworm disease usually do not show signs of congestive heart failure. There is no treatment for heartworm disease in cats. Cats may be infected with one single worm, whereas dogs are usually infected with many heartworms.

Year-round, monthly heartworm preventative is recommended for all dogs and cats. Even if your cat stays indoors, or if your dog is mostly indoors, heartworm infection is still possible. It only takes one infected mosquito to find its way into your home and your pet could be at risk for this deadly infection.

Yearly heartworm testing is recommended for dogs, even if your pet receives year round monthly heartworm preventative. Yearly testing is recommended because even though the preventatives are extremely effective, nothing is 100%.

Ticks and Tick Diseases

Ticks can transmit some potentially fatal diseases. Among the most common are Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). Lyme disease can cause intermittent lameness that may move from leg to leg. Severe forms of lyme disease can lead to heart and kidney failure. Ehrlichia and RMSF can also cause lameness and stiffness, but these diseases can also lead to a severe drop in platelets and red blood cells, which can lead to bleeding problems and death. If detected early, all of these diseases can be treated, but prevention is key. There is a vaccine available to help prevent lyme disease. Frontline Plus is available to help keep ticks off of your pet, to aid in the prevention of these deadly diseases. Monthly application of Frontline Plus is recommended by Chaska Valley Veterinary Clinic to help control both fleas and ticks. For more information on tick diseases, please visit www.dogsandticks.com, or view this Brochure. Here you will find tick photos, tick disease maps, special tips for dog owners and much more.

At Chaska Valley Veterinary Clinic, we use the 4DX heartworm test. Along with heartworm disease, this test detects the presence of lyme disease, as well as Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis. If any of these diseases are positive on your dog’s yearly 4DX test, the veterinarians at Chaska Valley Veterinary Clinic will discuss your treatment options with you.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that infects many mammals including cows, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, raccoons, opossums, dogs, humans and rarely cats. Infection occurs via contact with contaminated soil, food, bedding or water, or from direct contact with urine from infected animals. The leptospira bacteria penetrate intact or cut skin, or penetrate gum tissue when an animal is drinking infected water, and travel to the bloodstream within 4-7 days, followed by infection of all parts of the body 2-4 days later. Clinical signs include fever, stiffness, muscle aches, weakness, shivering, depression, loss of appetite, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing and death. Most infections are subclinical or chronic, and even though these individuals are showing no clinical signs, they can transmit the infection. Leptospirosis can be treated if detected early, but the prognosis is poor in animals that are severely ill. Chaska Valley Veterinary Clinic offers a vaccination for Leptospirosis. This vaccine is recommended for all hunting dogs, or any dog that lives in or visits an area where there may be infected wildlife (raccoons, for example) that could be spreading the disease. If you are interested in the Leptospirosis vaccine for your dog, call Chaska Valley Veterinary Clinic for more information.

Fleas

Flea bites can be very uncomfortable for dogs, cats and humans. Although fleas prefer to feed off of your pet, they will occasionally bite humans. Fleas can transmit tapeworms to our dogs and cats. Some pets are so sensitive to flea saliva that they will develop severe allergic skin reactions to flea bites. Fleas are small, but are fairly easy to see, especially on light colored animals. They are small black bugs that can often jump fairly high. You can also check for fleas by parting your pet's hair and checking for "flea dirt", which is actually flea feces. Since fleas feed off of blood, the feces contain digested or dried blood. If you place the suspected flea dirt on a paper towel or sheet of paper and add water or rubbing alcohol, it should smear red. If it does not turn red, it is just dirt. If you detect fleas on your pet, talk with your veterinarian about treatment options. Chaska Valley Veterinary Clinic recommends using the combination of Sentinel and Frontline Plus together to achieve the ideal flea protection.

Blue-Green Algae

Blue-Green Algae is a toxic type of algae that can be found in warm, shallow, nutrient-rich lakes. Under certain temperature and water conditions, algae can “bloom” and make lake water slimy, green and smelly. Animals and people who come into contact with Blue-Green Algae can become very sick. Signs of toxicity can include skin irritation, vomiting, convulsions and death.

It is best to try to avoid allowing your pet to swim in any water that is green, slimy and smelly. If you believe that your pet has come into contact with Blue-Green Algae, immediately wash off the algae as thoroughly as possible and contact your veterinarian.

For more information about Blue-Green Algae, visit www.pca.state.mn.us/water/clmp-toxicalgae.html.

Heatstroke

Like humans, pets can suffer from heatstroke. To ensure that your pet is safe while enjoying the outdoors, be sure to follow these safety tips.

1. Make sure there is plenty of shade available at all times. It is never a good idea to leave your pet outdoors for long periods of time during hot and humid weather. While your pet is outdoors, (s)he must have shade available at all times to keep as cool as possible. Remember that as the sun moves throughout the day, so does the shade. An area that is shady when you leave for work in the morning may not be shady later in the afternoon.
2. Always have plenty of fresh water available at all times. Like humans, our pets can become dehydrated very quickly during hot and humid weather.
3. Never leave your pet in your car, even for just a few moments. The temperature inside of a car can quickly climb to levels greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, even with the windows open. If you need to run errands, it is best to leave your pet at home.
4. Do not overexert your pet. Although exercise is very important for your pet, try to limit the amount of activity (s)he does on hot, humid days.
5. Be on the lookout for signs of heatstroke and seek treatment immediately if any signs are noted. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Signs of heatstroke include: panting, warm skin, anxious expression or staring, rapid heartbeat, high fever, refusal to obey your commands, vomiting and collapse.