Download Kennel Cough - Hudson Road Animal Hospital

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A publication made especially for the clients of Hudson Road Animal Hospital.
Hudson Road Animal Hospital
8154 Hudson Road
Woodbury, Minnesota, 55125
www.hrah-pa.com
651-739-0117
HOSPITAL HOURS:
Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm
Friday 8am-6pm
Saturday 8am-2pm
Early drop-off available
every morning at 7:30am
Dr. Ronald Clappier Dr. Michael Westfall
Dr. Jodene Beck
Dr. Carolyn Fletcher
Dr. John Clappier
Hudson Road Animal Hospital is
committed to providing compassionate
veterinary care, emphasizing exceptional
client service and the finest in patient care,
while providing opportunities to team
members for desirable and fulfilling careers.
Hudson Road
Animal Hospital
Receives AAHA
Accreditation
Hudson Road Animal
Hospital has again received
accreditation following a
comprehensive evaluation
by the American Animal
Hospital Association. The evaluation
includes a quality assessment review of
Hudson Road Animal Hospital, its
facilities, medical equipment, practice
methods and pet health care
management.
Only 15 percent of all small animal
veterinary practices in the U.S. have
achieved accreditation by the
continued on pg. 4
Kennel
Cough
Dog parks, obedience classes and
trips to your local dog-friendly pet
food store all provide opportunities
to socialize your dog, but they might
also expose him to kennel cough.
Infectious tracheobronchitis,
commonly known as “kennel
cough,” is the general name for an
inflammation of the upper
respiratory system in dogs that results in a dry, hacking cough that may be followed
by retching. Most dogs with kennel cough have no other symptoms, although their
appetite may be diminished, and will recover with no treatment. In puppies, kennel
cough can progress to fatal bronchopneumonia, and in older or immunecompromised dogs, it can lead to chronic bronchitis.
Kennel cough is highly contagious, and is easily spread when dogs are in close
confinement, such as in kennels, at a groomer’s or playing in dog parks. It becomes
airborne when dogs sneeze or cough, and will infect other dogs when they inhale
the virus. It can also be spread via direct contact or contact with contaminated
surfaces, such as toys or water bowls. There are a number of viral pathogens that may
lead to kennel cough, including distemper, canine adenovirus 2 and canine
parainfluenza virus. The bacterium Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common
bacterial agent. In most cases, multiple infectious agents are involved.
Signs of kennel cough typically appear three to ten days after exposure. Your dog
may appear better after a week or so, but the disease persists for 10 to 20 days and the
Bordetella bacterium can be shed for up to three months after infection. Dogs with
kennel cough should be quarantined; you should not allow your infected dog to
come in contact with others. If you think your dog may have kennel cough, be sure
to call your veterinarian prior to your visit, as infected dogs should not sit in the
waiting room where they may spread the disease to other susceptible dogs.
Treatment in an otherwise healthy dog consists of supportive care such as good
nutrition, hygiene and rest. Antibiotics and cough suppressants may not be required
unless symptoms become severe—but your veterinarian will determine the best
course of action for your pet’s condition and circumstances.
The Bordetella vaccine is sometimes called the “kennel-cough” vaccine, even
though as noted above, other agents are often involved in this illness. The vaccine
should be administered at least a week prior to potential exposure. Vaccinations are
not effective in a dog that already has kennel cough.
Coughing is a symptom associated with a number of conditions, including canine
influenza, so be sure to contact your veterinarian if your dog starts coughing.
BOAS
Presidential
Pets
“If you want a
friend in
Washington,”
said President
Harry S. Truman,
“get a dog.”
George Washington started the long
tradition of presidents keeping pets in
the White House. His wife had a
parrot named Polly, and he kept many
hounds and horses. In fact, most of the
presidents had pets, and some were
rather unusual. James Buchanan kept
a herd of elephants and a pair of bald
eagles, and John Quincy Adams had
an alligator that was given to him by
the Marquis de Lafayette. Other pets
have ranged from silk worms and mice
to lions, tigers and bears!
Many of the presidents and first
ladies are said to have been extremely
fond of their pets. First Lady Grace
Coolidge included her beloved white
collie “Rob Roy” in her official portrait,
which now hangs in the China Room
at the White House. President Warren
Harding’s dog “Laddie Boy” sat in his
own hand-carved chair at Cabinet
meetings. Millard Fillmore was one of
the few presidents not known to have
any pets at the White House, yet he is
credited with being the founding
member and president of the Buffalo
chapter of the Society for Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals.
Bulldogs, Boxers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Pekingese are all very popular
breeds of dogs, as are Himalayan and Persian cats. What do they have in common?
They are all “brachycephalic” breeds, meaning they
have shorter noses and
broader, “pushed in” faces.
The facial structure in
these breeds doesn’t
always give the soft
tissue (such as tendons
and muscles)
adequate space to
develop, and can lead
to deformities and
breathing problems.
These
abnormalities are
known as brachycephalic
obstructive airway syndrome
(BOAS).
Signs of BOAS include noisy or labored breathing, snoring (sometimes even while
awake), gagging, choking, and difficulty breathing during exercise, which can cause
the animal to overheat very easily. These breathing problems can impact the quality
of animals’ lives. Left untreated, the signs usually get worse over time.
It is important to note that BOAS is not “normal,” even for these breeds. A study
published by the Royal Veterinary College in London in May 2012 found that 58% of
owners of dogs with classic clinical symptoms of BOAS nonetheless reported that the
dogs did not have breathing problems. This suggests that owners of these animals
consider the signs to be “normal” for their breed, and therefore do not seek out the
advice of their veterinarian about the symptoms.
The lead researcher, Dr. Charlotte Burn, said, “Just because a problem is common,
that doesn't make it less of a problem for the individuals who suffer it.”
There are medical options available for dogs and cats with BOAS. If you notice the
signs, it’s important to discuss them with your veterinarian. Obesity exacerbates the
symptoms of BOAS, so brachycephalic pets should be kept at an ideal weight. Shortterm treatment includes medications and oxygen therapy, but surgical correction of
the abnormality is the long-term treatment of choice.
• Autumn is the peak activity period for some tick and flea
species. Be sure to remain diligent about keeping your pets
parasite-free!
Season
al
T IP
• Many people change their engine coolant in the fall.
Antifreeze is deadly to pets, and unfortunately has an
appealing taste and smell. Consider using products that contain propylene glycol
rather than ethylene glycol, or look for products that contain a bittering agent.
• The holidays are rapidly approaching. Remember that many human foods pose a
serious health threat to pets, including chocolate, raisins, grapes, alcohol, xylitol
(an artificial sweetener), and rich, fatty foods, which can cause pancreatitis.
Feline Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, or OA, is a degenerative condition in which the cartilage that
normally cushions joints breaks down and wears away. This causes the bones to rub
together, leading to pain and swelling in the joints. OA is the most common joint
disorder in humans, but was once thought to be far less common in cats. A recent
study published in The Veterinary Journal, however, concluded that “the prevalence of
OA in cats is strikingly high and increases with age.”
The study involved 100 cats over the age of six that were referred to a university
clinic for a variety of reasons, the majority of whom did not have suspected
orthopedic issues. Radiography (x-ray) was used to objectively diagnose and grade the
extent of the disease in the joints. Client questionnaires regarding the cats’ lifestyles
and behaviors were obtained. The study found that 61% of cats had OA in at least
one joint and 48% in more than one joint.
In humans and dogs, we associate OA with
lameness and gait changes. In cats, the signs of
osteoarthritis are likely to be more subtle; owners are
likely to observe behavior changes rather than overt
lameness. These changes might include:
Decreased mobility—jumping on furniture or
favorite perches less frequently, not going up or
down stairs as frequently
Decreased grooming
Inappropriate elimination,
especially if the litter box has high sides
Remember, cats age far more quickly than
humans, so don’t skip those annual wellness exams. Observe your cat’s behavior, and
be sure to inform your veterinarian of any changes. If OA is present, your veterinarian
can prescribe medicine and suggest nutritional supplements that can help reduce
pain and increase mobility. At home, consider adding a ramp to your cat’s favorite
perch, and provide a litter box with low sides that is easy to enter and exit. Working
with your veterinarian, you can help keep your cat happier and healthier well into
her golden years.
“I love
a dog.
He does
nothing
for
political
reasons.”
– Will
Rogers
Please recycle or share with a friend.
Influenza
Swine flu, avian flu, equine flu,
bat flu, seal flu…what’s next, dog
flu? Yes.
Canine influenza virus (CIV) is a
highly contagious respiratory
disease, often called the “dog flu.”
The virus is easily spread among
dogs by direct contact, airborne
particles or by touching
contaminated surfaces, such as toys
or bowls. Dogs that have frequent
contact with others at places such as
boarding kennels, dog parks and dog
shows are at higher risk of
contracting the virus.
According to the CDC, there is
no evidence that this virus can be
spread to humans.
CIV is not a seasonal flu—dogs
are at risk for this infection year
round. CIV was first identified in
dogs in 2004, and has now been
documented in 39 states. Because it
is a fairly new virus, very few dogs
have a natural immunity and
almost all dogs are susceptible to
infection if they are exposed to the
virus.
Signs of infection include fever,
lethargy, nasal discharge, coughing
and loss of appetite. Most dogs
experience only mild infections;
however, some dogs may develop
pneumonia or other serious
complications. The disease is
sometimes fatal. Call your
veterinarian if you notice symptoms
of respiratory infection, and be
careful to isolate your dog to prevent
exposure to others.
There is a vaccine available for
CIV which has been shown to either
prevent infection or decrease the
severity and duration of illness. Talk
to your veterinarian about your
dog’s risk level to determine whether
this vaccine is recommended as part
of your preventive care regimen.
AAHA ACCREDITATION...
continued from pg. 1
American Animal Hospital
Association (AAHA). In order to
maintain accredited status, Hudson
Road Animal Hospital must be
evaluated every three years by AAHA
consultants.
AAHA hospitals pass a stringent
evaluation of almost 1,000 standards
covering patient care, client service
and medical protocols. By attaining
accreditation, Hudson Road Animal
Hospital has demonstrated its
dedication to offering the best care to
its patients and clients.
Established in 1933, AAHA is the
only organization that accredits
veterinary hospitals
throughout the U.S. and
Canada for dedication
to high standards of
veterinary care.
Hudson Road
Animal Hospital has
been an accredited
practice member of
AAHA since 1995.
Our 6th Annual
Halloween
Costume
Contest
On Saturday, October 27th from
1 - 4pm HRAH will be hosting our
annual Pet Costume Contest. This
will be the event’s sixth year and
we would like to invite all of our
clients and the community to
I want to suck your
blood! Nah, just kid
join us. There will be refreshments
ding, I prefer milk.
– Jack Jack
and photos with your costumed pets.
Human kids are also welcome.
We look forward to seeing all of
you in your Halloween best!
– Frankie
e wagon train!
Giddy up on th
I'd really like to
make like a ba
nana
and split! – No
odles
We are proud to be an accredited
member of the American Animal
Hospital Association.
Hudson Road Animal Hospital
8154 Hudson Road
Woodbury, Minnesota, 55125
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #375
NASHUA, NH