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- OCTOBER NEWSLETTERAs we move back into winter weather there are a couple of things that come to mind regarding pet safety. The first is, “How cold outside is too cold for my animal.” That is a question that you may get a different answer from every veterinarian you ask. However, since you are reading my forum then you at least get mine.
How cold is too cold is based on many things, most of them common sense. For instance: hair coat length, body fat, acclimation to cold, physical health, access to shelter, elevation from frozen ground, food and water supply, and many more. I think that one of the biggest is acclimation. For instance, if your pet has been outside every day since the weather has started changing, their bodies are likely adapting to weather changes appropriately. If your pet spends most of its day inside, especially nights, they may be adapting but not nearly adequately. Even dogs with shorter hair coats can become fully adapted to low temperatures if they are allowed to do it slowly. Determining whether your individual pet is acclimated should be honestly considered even in temperatures less then 32 degrees.
As a guideline, any pet fully acclimated to outside and spending more then 90% of its time outdoors can handle temperatures down to 20 degrees fairly easily. Now that is assuming that they have a way to get out of the elements (i.e. dog house, garage, etc.) to protect themselves. Anything below 20 degrees begins to make me nervous but can be handled if they have some artificial warming source, lots of blankets, or complete relief from elements (i.e. enclosed area). Many people use warming lights as a source of heat, which works great, but obviously has it shortcomings as far as safety. Remember pets get bored and like to chew on things like cords!
As with any situation if is very important to have fresh food and unfrozen water in order for any pet to handle freezing temperatures. We all know that it doesn’t take long for even hot water to freeze solid in temps below 32F. Food will also give them plenty of energy for things like shivering to help maintain body temperatures.
Overall, it is always better to be safe than sorry and watch the weather reports to plan ahead before sleeping through the night with a pet outside.
One last comment on cold weather that most wouldn’t concern themselves with on a daily basis is, if you park your vehicle outside, take the time to ensure that the neighbors or local stray cat hasn’t climbed into your engine. When you come home cats know that cars equal warmth from engine heat. They will climb right up inside the engine and find reprieve. If you come back outside and start that engine there isn’t time to escape all the turning belts and fans. Some the worst injuries we see this time of year are related to just that scenario. Make some noise, pound on the hood, honk the horn, or whatever to at least try to give some warning before starting your engine.
Dr. Brian Luce DMV
River City Animal Hospital, Post Falls Idaho - SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTERThis month’s topic related to your pets health is a disease called leptospirosis. Leptospirosis, or lepto as it is more commonly called, is a bacterial infection that our pets can contract that affects their kidneys and liver. It has recently been mentioned in the veterinary community as the number one emerging disease in some areas. As with any bacterial infection exposure to lepto bacteria doesn’t guarantee that your pet will become infected with it. In fact it is possible for pets to be infected with it and have no outward sign of disease. These pets are considered carriers and they can transmit the infection to other animals but don’t act ill themselves.
This is generally how your pet gets infected as well. Actually, most the animals that are carriers of lepto are wildlife and they are often the source of infection for your pets. The infected animal passes contagious lepto bacteria in its urine, and that in turn is the transmitted to your pet when they contact areas frequented by wildlife. It is technically possible for any mammal to be a carrier or become infected with lepto, but some (including cats) are less susceptible to infection. If your pet has contact with urine (usually in standing water) that is infected with lepto, then whether their body can fight the infection off determines whether they become infected. This is where we as veterinarians come in.
There are approved vaccines developed to help boost your dog’s defenses against lepto, in hopes of fighting off infection and avoiding illness. There are many vaccine types available including combinations with other common diseases as well as lepto only vaccines. Whether or not your dog needs to be vaccinated for lepto is dependant mostly on their risk of being exposed. For instance, Buffy the mostly yard confined and house bound poodle has much less exposure risk than Brutus the hunting Labrador. This is not to say that Buffy shouldn’t get vaccinated but that need should be discussed with your veterinarian on an individual basis.
If left untreated, lepto is a potentially deadly disease. It is actually easily treated, once properly identified, which generally takes basic bloodwork and further testing to prove your dog has been exposed. Signs to watch for are variable but include lethargy, fever, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, kidney pain, and nasal discharge. Many of these signs fit many disease processes so it if often a misdiagnosed problem as well. If you think your dog has been exposed or infected with lepto you should see you veterinarian right away. Most of the time tests performed by your veterinarian will lead to suspicions of lepto infection, but proving lepto can be more expensive and advanced.
Due to the fact that lepto shares very common clinical signs with many much less severe problems it can be hard to identify, and vaccination is never 100% for any disease. However if you feel your dog is at an increased risk for infection then vaccination on a yearly basis should be considered. Contact your veterinarian and discuss these concerns, however, they may disagree about your individual dog’s risk and recommend not vaccinating.
Dr. Brian Luce DMV
River City Animal Hospital, Post Falls Idaho - AUGUST NEWSLETTERWith the recent run of abnormally hot weather in this area I think that it is only appropriate to make some short reminders about our pet’s safety. Without question the most important thing is to have cool, fresh water available at all times. I know this is obvious to most but simply having water down isn’t enough. Do you want to go drink murky 85 degree water when you are hot and looking for some relief? The other thing to remember about water is that it evaporates and we may not realize how quickly a bowl can go from half full to empty. So keep an open eye and a full bowl.
The next important reminder that we all know is riding in the car. This is the time of year that my Labradors hate because they stay at home instead the numerous car rides that they are accustomed to. However, it just isn’t worth the risk. Even short rides to the store are too much for them to handle, and cooling down in the evening hasn’t been a reality. The other concept is other people’s opinions and impressions. To see dog or cat in a car presumed to be too hot will set off alarms (as it should) and you will be contacted by animal control or police officers. Just be responsible enough to let your pet stay at home during these times.
Another important point, directed more toward our outdoor feline friends, is safety when outside. I find that my cat are sleeping during the heat of the day (like Lions!) and very active at night. This doesn’t seem all that dangerous in itself. However, activity at night and crossing dangerous streets becomes more risky as drivers cannot see your pet as clearly. For many reasons, including this one, I recommend that all outdoor cats have a reflective collar that has a bell and is quick releasing. This will help save some birds, save your cat if the collar gets caught, and potentially save its life from a vehicle assault!
Finally, and possibly most important, is that as much as we want to show our animals that we love them with play and exercise we have to make the choice about whether it is appropriate. Running at high noon yourself is not a good idea, but making the most loyal of loyals do it with you is ridiculous. Your dog will likely do anything you ask them to because that is their nature. Don’t take your dog jogging in this heat, don’t throw its tennis ball for hours in this heat, and don’t go for a 4 mile hike in this heat. Wait until it cools down, and if it doesn’t then you shouldn’t.
Dr. Brian Luce DMV
River City Animal Hospital, Post Falls Idaho - JULY NEWSLETTEREvery year with spring and summer approaching we start to notice the annoyance of mosquitoes buzzing our heads. Our pets are no different.
Aside from the annoyance and occasional itchy bite mosquitoes also carry the potential to cause disease. One of the most recognized mosquito borne diseases is heartworm infestation. In this first edition we will discuss
the importance (or lack thereof ) of heartworm infestation to our pets in the inland northwest, and why we are lucky to be able to avoid the preventatives that the rest of our countrymen give year round.
To better understand why most veterinarians in this area are not currently recommending heartworm reventatives to every pet it is important to understand the life cycle of the heartworm. It starts when a mosquito feeds off of a heartworm infested animal. The mosquito gets
infested with a young stage of heartworm (microfilaria) that will develop in the mosquito to a point where it can be transferred to your pet. If your pet gets bitten by an infested mosquito, it transmits the infective larval heartworm to your pet, where it develops into an adult worm that moves the vessels of heart. Once in the heart, these adult worms reproduce to make the next generation of infective microfilaria for mosquitoes to transmit to another pet.
There are multiple reasons why heartworm doesn’t appear to be an issue in this area at this time. But the two most consistent and definitive are:
1. There are very few infested dogs here to infest our mosquitoes.
If a mosquito can't get infested then it cannot transmit the infection.
Now certainly an infested dog traveling to our area could infest any mosquito that bites it while it is here. But now that worm has to be able to develop in the mosquito to be transmitted to your pet.
2. As a generalization the daily temperature needs to stay above 57F for the development of the heartworm in the mosquito to continue. Rarely, in this area, does the temperature stay above 57F at night so
therefore the heartworm development is slowed or stopped before full development can occur. If they can't develop in the mosquito, they cannot be transmitted to your pet.
With this in mind, there is very small likelihood that an animal in this area could become infested. One way they could become infested is by traveling an area where heartworms are endemic and getting bitten by an infested mosquito. If you routinely travel outside of the inland northwest contact your veterinarian to determine whether your pet needs to be on heartworm preventatives.
It cannot be guaranteed that heartworm won’t become more of an issue in this area in the future, especially as our summers get warmer and warmer. However it is guaranteed that year round preventatives will
not be something that we will encounter. There are treatments for heartworm infestations as well, but this should be discussed with your veterinarian as it can be dangerous. The signs that your pet may have
heartworm related problems are exercise intolerance, cough, increased breathing effort, weight loss, and heart murmurs. It is also possible for your pet to show no signs and be infested. There are relatively reliable tests that can be run if you suspect your pet has been infested
with heartworms, see your veterinarian.
Dr. Brian Luce DMV
River City Animal Hospital, Post Falls Idaho
