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. 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.

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, but if you believe that your pet has come into contact with Blue-Green Algae, immediately wash off the algae as thoroughly as possible.

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

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is transmitted from dog to dog by mosquitos. Heartworm disease can lead 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.

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%.

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.

A. 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.

B. Always have plenty of fresh water available at all times. Like humans, our pets can become dehydrated very quickly during hot and humid weather.

C. 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.

D. 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.

E. 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.

Thunderstorm Phobias

If your dog is terrified every time it thunders, try placing your dog in an interior room of your house, away from windows. Turn on a fan, radio or TV to try to drown out the sound of the thunder. If your dog has serious storm phobia, discuss other treatment options with your veterinarian.

Allergies

Seasonal allergies are more common during the warmer months. Our pets can develop allergies to pollens, molds, trees, weeds grasses and other outdoor and indoor allergens. Unlike humans, our pets do not develop sneezing, runny noses or other respiratory symptoms. Clinical signs of allergies in pets usually include itchy skin, licking paws, ear infections, skin infections and eye infections. Dogs are more commonly affected by seasonal allergies than are cats. Dogs with allergies are usually very uncomfortable and itchy. The more the dog itches, the more prone (s)he is to develop secondary skin, ear and eye infections. If your pet becomes itchy as the warmer months approach, please schedule an appointment to discuss options for treating his/her allergies. We will first want to determine if a true seasonal allergy is the culprit, or if your pet is allergic to his/her food, or to an indoor allergen (dust, houseplants, cats, etc.). Allergies cannot be cured, but there are a number of treatment options available to help keep your pet more comfortable, and to prevent secondary infections.

Indoor cat websites

Most of us know that keeping cats indoors helps to keep them safe. While it is still recommended that cats do remain indoors, there are a variety of challenges to keeping your feline friend happy and healthy while inside. Ohio State University offers a fun and informative website that provides helpful advice on ways to keep your indoor cat healthy. This site also discusses the unique needs of indoor cats, provides information on feline “life stressors” and offers fun surveys to help you provide the perfect environment for your feline friend. Visit www.vet.osu.edu/indoorcat to learn more.

Another website, www.healthycatsforlife.org, offers helpful information such as how to recognize signs of illness in your cat, how to make traveling with your cat easier, and how to keep your cat happy and healthy.