Pet Quarterly Winter 2013

Pet Care News From Your Veterinarian ®

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WINTER 2014 | Volum e 11, No. 1

HEARTWORM

DISEASE Important Dos and Don’ts

BEST DENTAL CARE

Risks of anesthesia-free dentistry

Safeguard Your Pet’s Future Breed Diseases: What You Need to Know

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Winter 2014 | VOL. 11, No 1

Picture-Perfect Pets Pet Care News From Your Veterinarian

IN THIS ISSUE of Anesthesia-Free 2 Risks Dentistry Why it can do your pet more harm than good.

Jimmy

Sebring Animal Hospital Sebring, Fla.

Bandit

Red Barn Veterinary Hospital Dahlonega, Ga.

4

Safeguard Your Pet’s Future Plan for your pet in case something happens to you.

8

Heartworm Disease Important dos and don’ts to keep your pets safe.

Mickie

Tavares Animal Hospital Tavares, Fla.

Murphy

West Kendall Animal Clinic Miami, Fla.

Know Your Breeds 12 Diseases that commonly affect America’s 10 most popular dog breeds.

14

Pet Tales Tips for senior cats and more.

Snickers

Tavares Animal Hospital Tavares, Fla.

Jackson and Tyson

Piedmont Animal Hospital Apopka, Fla.

Pet Quarterly® is an educational resource provided by your veterinary hospital.

Comments are welcome at info@petquarterly.com ©Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Pet Quarterly® magazine does not make any representations as to opinions or facts as presented. Reproduction of contents in any form is prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Pet Quarterly, 2951 34th Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33711

Honey

Animal Health Center of East Palatka Palatka, Fla.

Reese

Veterinary Healthcare Associates Winter Haven, Fla.

Pet Quarterly | Winter 2014 1

Dental Health

I

If you’re given an option of anesthesia-free dentistry for your pets, it’s best to take a pass.

While the idea of skipping anesthesia might be tempting, anesthesia-free dentistry may do your pet more harm than good. Here’s why.

Anesthesia should be used for pet dental procedures.

Pets are carefully monitored throughout procedures.

Q: How should a pet’s teeth and gums be evaluated and cleaned?

A: As in humans, plaque builds up daily on

our pets’ teeth and underneath the gumline.

Within days the plaque mineralizes into rough tartar, which causes more plaque to stick to the teeth, especially the parts touching the gum line.

Unless removed, the plaque eventually inflames the gum line, leading to gingivitis progressing to painful periodontal disease.

Dogs and cats age rapidly. That’s why your veterinarian should examine your pets’ teeth and gums at least twice yearly. If tartar is found touching the gum line, it’s time for your veterinarian to remove the plaque and tartar and to help you prevent more from accumulating.

Q: Why is anesthesia necessary?

A: The American Animal Hospital Association,

Risks of Anesthesia-Free Dentistry Pet dental care without anesthesia just skims the surface. So it may do your pet more harm than good.

By Jan Bellows, DVM, Diplomate, American Veterinary Dental College and Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners

2 Winter 2014 | Pet Quarterly

working with the American Veterinary Dental College, created guidelines for how your pet’s teeth should be evaluated and treated.

The guidelines call for the use of anesthesia for dental procedures. Anesthesia will allow your veterinarian to thoroughly examine each tooth one by one with a dental probe and X-rays to see under the gum line. Then, based on the exam findings, your veterinarian will recommend additional care if needed, which can be provided at that time while your pet is still anesthetized or in the near future.

After the procedure, your veterinarian will tailor a prevention program and recommend follow-up progress visits based on your ability to actively provide daily plaque control (tooth brushing, wipes, Q-tips, water additives, dental chews) and your pet’s willingness to accept it.

Q: What is non-professional dental scaling?

A: An industry has sprouted around pet

owners’ fear of anesthesia as part of pet dental care. Groomers offer weekly to monthly teeth brushings, including chipping tartar off the teeth.

Independent dental hygienists travel to veterinary offices to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth of dogs and cats while the animals are awake.

There are even national corporations dedicated

Did You Know? n Anesthesia is considered very safe. In a study conducted by Banfield Animal Hospital, only one in 10,000 patients experienced an adverse event. n By

three years old, 85 percent of dogs already have gum infections that need immediate care. n Small breeds (including Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers) often lose many of their permanent teeth by five years old from preventable periodontal disease.

to non-anesthetic teeth cleaning. These procedures can be very stressful and painful for the animal and are not the same as having the work done by a trained veterinarian.

The American Veterinary Dental College has termed the procedure “non-professional dental scaling,” or NPDS.

Q: Where do veterinary groups stand on non-professional dental scaling?

A: Some of the non-anesthetic dental cleaning

companies have websites that include information about solid dental concepts and procedures. But no professional veterinary groups—including the American Veterinary Dental Society, Academy of Veterinary Dentistry, the American Veterinary Dental College, the American Veterinary Medical Association or the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)—endorse nonprofessional dental scaling.

In fact, the AAHA is so convinced that nonanesthetic dentistry is not in the best interest of dogs and cats that it has mandated that all of its member hospitals anesthetize pets for all dental procedures or lose their certification.

Q: Why is non-professional dental scaling never good for a dog or cat?

A: Most dogs and cats that have their teeth cleaned

have bad breath related to periodontal disease, which needs to be treated. Removing the plaque and tartar from the exposed teeth is mostly cosmetic, and is stressful and painful for pets when performed without anesthesia. The teeth may look better after the procedure, but no studies have shown long-term or short-term health benefits.

Thorough cleaning of all teeth and especially of the odor-producing deep periodontal pockets cannot be performed without anesthesia, nor can important

but uncomfortable periodontal probing around every tooth surface.

X-rays, which are critical to a thorough dental assessment before treatment, require anesthesia.

The biggest risk is that many pet owners are lulled into believing they are doing something good for their dog or cat. Meanwhile, periodontal pockets still accumulate debris, the bad breath soon returns and the dog or cat suffers.

Fortunately, anesthesia is considered to be safe and effective in allowing your veterinarian to clean, polish, X-ray, probe and treat any abnormalities uncovered.

Board-certified veterinary dentists (www.avdc.org) are specially trained in advanced dentistry. It’s always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about when your pet needs a teeth cleaning and evaluation. n

Key Points Pets age rapidly, so a veterinarian should examine their teeth twice a year.

Proper teeth cleaning requires anesthesia and X-rays.

Non-professional teeth cleanings are primarily cosmetic and do not address moderate to advanced periodontal disease and other health issues.

Dental care without anesthesia can be stressful and painful for pets.

Pet Quarterly | Winter 2014 3

General Wellness

Safeguard Your Pet’s Future Pet trusts aren’t just for the ultra-rich. They’re for anyone who wants to make sure their companion animals will have someone to care for them if they can’t.

By Mary Scoviak

W

What happens to your furry family members if something happens to you? An estimated 500,000 cats and dogs each year face an uncertain future after their owners die or become incapacitated, according to the American Society for

4 Winter 2014 | Pet Quarterly

the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). And not all of those owners are in their golden years. “People of any age who acquire a pet should think about who will take care of their animal companion if they are unable to,” says Kim Bressant-

Kibwe, trusts and estates counsel with the ASPCA. You don’t have be Leona Helmsley, with $12 million to bequeath to your dog. These agreements can be customized to fit your needs and your four-legged friend’s. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Key Points What Is a Pet Trust?

“It’s a legal technique you can use to make sure your pet receives proper care in the event that you die or become disabled,” says Gerry Beyer, Texas Tech University School of Law professor and coauthor of Fat Cats & Lucky Dogs, a book about pet trusts.

How a Trust Works Beyer explains, “You (the ‘settlor’) give enough money or other property to a trusted person or bank (the ‘trustee’) who is under a duty to make arrangements for the proper care of your pet according to your instructions.

The trustee will deliver the pet to your designated caregiver (the ‘beneficiary’) and then use the property you transferred to the trust to pay for your pet’s expenses.”

Why Use a Trust?

Oral or informal written agreements are not legally enforceable. If the designated caregiver changes his/her mind,

Have a legally enforceable, written plan stating who will care for your pets if you cannot.

A pet trust should be “intervivos,” which means it’s a living trust that can spring into action the instant you become disabled.

Funds put into a pet trust average $15,000 to $25,000.

Fees to establish trusts typically range from $1,500 to $2,000.

Another option—a Pet Protection Agreement— typically runs under $100.

the pet faces an uncertain future.

Though you can make a directive for your pet’s care in your will, you cannot give money directly to your pets, because they’re legally deemed as property.

Also, as Bressant-Kibwe points out, if the will goes to probate, your pet “may be in limbo until an executor or personal representative has been appointed for your estate.”

Choosing a Trustee The trustee manages the financial aspects of the trust, including getting funds to the caregiver and approving emergency expenses if they arise.

The trustee also makes sure that the caregiver is looking after your pet as stipulated by the trust. While you don’t have to hire a professional trust manager (to whom you will have to pay a management fee), Beyer suggests doing so if there >>

Pet Quarterly | Winter 2014 5

General Wellness

is no friend or family member who is able or willing to take on those responsibilities. The trustee and caregiver should not be the same person, because of the accountability requirement.

Choosing a Caregiver Some key questions to consider: ould the caregiver take care of n W your pet with or without funds from you? n I f you have multiple pets and want them to stay together, will the caregiver care for them all? n I f your pet is older or has special needs, would the caregiver have the time/energy necessary to care for the animal? ill the caregiver follow the n W lifestyle parameters you’ve outlined? oes the caregiver have similar n D views on discipline, crating, cosleeping and acceptable behaviors such as sitting on furniture?

Pet Protection Agreements Not everyone can fund a trust.

Fortunately there are other options, says the ASPCA’s Kim Bressant-Kibwe. LegalZoom offers a “Pet Protection Agreement®” (PPA), created by pet trust lawyer Rachel Hirschfeld, which allows a pet parent to make well-thought-out arrangements for the care of one or more pets.

The PPA is affordable ($39 to $79) and most importantly portable, meaning it is valid in all states, says Bressant-Kibwe. A PPA gives a pet parent the option of providing funds for the care of the pet or simply detailing instructions for the prospective pet parent without funds. “The best part of the PPA is that it asks the prospective pet parent to sign on as the future caregiver. Written commitments tend to be taken more seriously,” she says. Visit www.aspca.org/legalzoom for more information.

6 Winter 2014 | Pet Quarterly

Name a succession of caregivers as well as trustees in case your first choice is no longer willing or able to carry out your wishes.

If you don’t have a good choice for a caregiver, reach out to breed rescue or humane groups as a back-up plan.

Trust Provisions Beyer and Bressant-Kibwe say the trust should include a dossier that covers your pet’s diet (type of food, brand of food, amount and how often to feed), medical history (a copy of veterinary records and notes about special needs or allergies), social habits (especially regarding the pet’s attitudes toward children or living with other animals), and any items that you would like your pet to have, such as toys, bedding, crates or cages. State your wishes regarding care of the animal (including euthanization)

if your pet is critically ill or injured.

Funding the Trust Both Beyer and Bressant-Kibwe stress the importance of being realistic. Calculate how much you spend annually on your pet, adjust for inflation, take into account that expenses will increase as the pet ages and add in an allowance to cover burial expenses (if you want that).

Don’t overfund the trust, because that could make it more likely that someone might contest it.

Finally, give your veterinarian a list outlining your wishes for how the animal will be cared for— including diet, exercise and medical checkups/treatments—to keep on file at the practice. n Mary Scoviak is a Cincinnati-based writer and editor.

Insurance Considerations If you’re planning to set up a pet trust for a pet with a health insurance policy, Andrew Bren, vice president of actuarial services for Trupanion, offers these suggestions. ake n M

sure the caregiver knows about the policy. Put a copy of insurance records in the pet dossier for the trust.

ost n M

500,000 Estimated number of pet owners who die or become incapacitated each year without arranging for care for their pets.

Many end up in shelters.

insurers don’t offer policies that are set up for a pet in trust, so ask your pet health insurer what you need to do so that the caregiver can ensure continuous coverage.

oes n D

the policy cover boarding?

Some policies offer a rider that covers boarding costs (for example, $25 a day up to $500) if the owner is hospitalized.

Source: ASPCA

Pet Quarterly | Winter 2014 7

Parasite Control/Dermatology

The Low-Down on Heartworm The spread of heartworm disease is becoming more complicated, so it’s more important than ever to protect your pets. Here are 10 ways to keep your pets healthy.

By Susan E. Little, DVM, Phd, and Dwight D. Bowman, PhD

P

Pet owners and veterinarians share the same goal—helping pets live long and healthy lives. But heartworms—parasitic worms that live in the lungs, right heart, and major arteries of dogs and cats—can keep us from achieving that goal.

Veterinarians have long recommended testing dogs and cats for heartworms and protecting them from infection by using preventives all year long. Many of these preventives also protect pets from other parasites, including fleas and intestinal worms.

Unfortunately, some heartworms have been recently identified that are resistant to the preventives used by pet owners across the United States. Scientists don’t fully understand the extent of the problem yet. Initial research

8 Winter 2014 | Pet Quarterly

suggests that the active ingredients used in existing heartworm preventives can fail to completely prevent infection, although treated dogs usually have fewer worms than dogs not given preventives, and the vast majority of dogs consistently given preventive will still be protected. Also, dogs receiving prevention that meet one of these resistant heartworms would be likely to have fewer worms than dogs not given preventives.

First step: Learn more about heartworm disease— including how it is transmitted, how it affects dogs and cats, and difficulties associated with treatment—as well as current recommendations for protecting pets in the face of preventive resistance.

1.

Continue to administer heartworm preventive as recommended by your veterinarian. Even though scientists have identified some “superworms” that are resistant to preventives, preventives are still very effective if they are given consistently without fail throughout the year. Don’t skip doses. If you miss a dose, contact your veterinarian. Mark your calendar, set up an automatic reminder on your phone, or register with a text notification service. It’s more important now than ever before that all the pets you love receive their heartworm preventive on time.

2.

Realize that most heartworm preventives are comprehensive parasite preventives. Many of the monthly heartworm preventives also prevent other important parasites of pets, including hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. Some preventives also include flea preventives. Intestinal parasites and fleas can transmit infection and disease to people, so keeping your pets parasite-free is a critical part of safe, responsible pet ownership. Don’t leave your pets unprotected.

3.

Talk to your veterinarian about your concerns.

Your veterinarian is the local expert on heartworm activity in your area. Ask about which heartworm preventives your veterinarian recommends, how common heartworm infection is in dogs in your area, and if veterinarians are finding cases of heartworm-preventive failures in your area. For current information on local prevalence of heartworm infection, check out the maps at the website of the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), www.capcvet.org, also available at www.petsandparasites.org, an educational site hosted by the CAPC. >>

Key Points Protect your pets from heartworm disease:

Administer heartworm preventive year-round by the calendar and without fail.

Routinely test for heartworm infection through your veterinarian.

Protect pets from mosquito bites by reducing mosquito populations, keeping pets indoors as much as possible and using dog-safe repellents.

Monitor the prevalence of heartworm in your area by talking to your veterinarian and checking online resources such as www.petsandparasites.org.

Did You Know?

Heartworm is transmitted to dogs and cats by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Parasite Control/Dermatology

4.

Make sure your pets are tested every year, or more often if your veterinarian is seeing problems with heartworm preventives in your area.

Annual heartworm testing has been recommended for dogs for many years. But since the preventives were widely thought to be 100 percent effective, many veterinarians became comfortable testing well-caredfor pets less frequently. The situation has changed, and we now know that all preventives don’t protect from all heartworm infections. Regular testing is key to early identification of infection and earlier treatment.

5.

If your dog does test positive, work with your veterinarian to treat your pet with an approved product to remove the adult worms. Infected dogs should be treated with an approved product to eliminate the adult heartworms under the close supervision and care of a veterinarian. Treatment can be difficult depending on the health of the dog and other factors, but resistance to heartworm treatment has not been reported, only to the preventives. Treating infected dogs is better for their health and better for the dog population, in that it prevents more mosquitoes from becoming infected and threatening the health of other dogs.

6.

Minimize exposure of your pets to mosquitoes.

Heartworm is transmitted to dogs and cats by the bite of an infected mosquito. Although they still

Cats Need Protection Too There is no approved treatment for heartworm disease in cats. Even if you consider your cats indoor-only, mosquitoes can get indoors and infect cats. Be sure to protect your cats with heartworm preventives as directed by your veterinarian.

need parasite protection, keeping cats entirely indoors will help protect them from mosquito bites, limiting the number of larvae that are introduced and against which the preventive has to be effective. In addition, adding mosquito screening to kennels, using safe, dog-approved mosquito repellents on dogs, and limiting the amount of time that dogs spend outdoors, particularly when mosquito activity is intense, will limit the number of bites they receive and thus the number of larvae introduced.

7.

Modify the environment around your home to limit mosquito populations. Many mosquito species have a surprisingly short flight range, so small adjustments to the environment around your home can really help reduce the number of mosquitoes feeding on pets in your yard. The larvae of most mosquito species that live near humans develop in standing water.

Common recommendations for controlling mosquito populations include: liminate standing water by removing containers n E and other debris that may catch and hold water. n Drain stagnant ponds and pools. n Make sure gutters drain well. hen mosquito populations are intense, n W periodic insecticide use may also be helpful in reducing their numbers and thus the transmission of heartworm.

8.

Learn how common heartworm infection is in your area. Heartworm infection is identified in dogs throughout the United States, but how commonly infection occurs varies regionally. Current information about the percent of dogs testing positive in your state and in your county is available at www.petsandparasites.org, an educational site hosted by the CAPC. These maps are updated monthly as new data are received, so be 10 Winter 2014 | Pet Quarterly

sure to check frequently to learn the risk of infection in your area. Infections are also common in cats, although the true prevalence in cats is less well understood.

9.

Encourage your neighbors and friends to keep their pets on preventives. Every pet deserves to be protected from heartworm and other parasites, but some pet owners just don’t know how important parasite protection is to the health of the furry ones they love.

Tell pet owners how important parasite control is and encourage them to talk with their veterinarians about the best way to protect the health of their pets.

10.

Stay informed about new developments with heartworm preventives. We are learning more about resistance to current heartworm preventives all the time, and research is underway to identify new ways to protect pets from this devastating parasitic infection.

For now, consistently give your pets heartworm preventives and make sure your pet are regularly tested for heartworms. n

Dr. Susan E. Little and Dr. Dwight D. Bowman are veterinary parasitologists with the Companion Animal Parasite Council.

New Methods for Treating Heartworm Disease In years past, many veterinarians would choose to prescribe a heartworm preventive along with an antibiotic to pets infected with heartworm. The idea was to try to slowly allow the worms to die on their own over time.

We now know that this “slow kill� practice may have contributed to resistance to the preventives. Because of that concern and because it takes years for the worms to finally die, during which time they continue to scar the blood vessels and lungs of the dog, slow kill is no longer recommended. Both the Companion Animal Parasite Council (www.capcvet.org) and the American Heartworm Society (www.heartwormsociety.org) explicitly recommend against maintaining infected dogs long-term on preventives. Infected dogs deserve to be cleared of their infections as quickly as is medically safe.

Pet Quarterly | Winter 2014 11

Preventive Care

Know Your Breeds Your dog may be prone to certain breed-specific diseases. Do you know what to watch for?

B

By Laci Schaible, DVM

Boxers are prone to a unique type of cardiac disease, while Bulldogs are notoriously known for loud, recognizable snorts and heavy breathing. Hot spots and allergies often afflict Labrador Retrievers, the most popular dog in America, and the list goes on.

Many purebred dogs come with inherited diseases that can affect their quality of life and cut into their life spans. Educating yourself about breed-specific diseases is important—both when you are deciding what type of dog to adopt or buy, and also once you are the pet’s caretaker.

Here’s a look at diseases that commonly plague America’s 10 most popular dog breeds. Watch for signs to help your veterinarian keep your pet healthy.

1. Labrador Retrievers (average life span 10-14 years) Developmental bone and joint diseases, such as canine hip dysplasia (see sidebar on pg. 14). n Skin conditions such as acute moist dermatitis (also known as “hot spots”) and acral lick granuloma, a self-inflicted skin lesion on a dog’s foot that is similar to a hot spot. n A llergies in many forms. n Eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy, an inherited condition that causes progressive loss of vision leading to blindness. n

2. German Shepherds (10-14 years) n Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a chronic disease affecting the part of the pancreas that secretes enzymes

K ey P oints Many breeds of dogs are predisposed to certain diseases.

Genetics are only part of the formula determining your dog’s health. You play a critical role in watching for signs and alerting your veterinarian to symptoms.

Good nutrition, proper exercise, preventing obesity and regular veterinary visits (for both preventive care and illness) all help our dogs live long and healthy lives.

12 Winter 2014 | Pet Quarterly

German Shepherd

essential for digesting protein. Symptoms include weight loss and watery feces. n Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), often referred to as “bloat,” a serious medical emergency caused by abnormal dilatation and twisting of the stomach.

Signs may include vomiting or attempted vomiting, restlessness, acute malaise, collapse and even death. n Panosteitis, inflammation involving various layers of the bones, often causing “shifting leg” lameness. n Pannus, also referred to as chronic superficial keratitis.

This is a chronic immune-mediated inflammation of the cornea and sometimes the third eyelid of the eyes.

3. Golden Retrievers (10-12 years) n Bone and joint diseases, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Elbow dysplasia is similar to hip dysplasia in that it is a condition involving developmental abnormalities of the cartilage around the elbow joint. n Aortic stenosis, a type of heart disease. A heart murmur may be detected during a physical examination when your veterinarian listens to your pet’s heart with a stethoscope. n Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, which presents with a variety of vague symptoms. n Hemangiosarcoma, a cancer that affects mainly the spleen, liver, heart and skin. Symptoms include pale gums, masses, weakness, a distended abdomen and acute collapse.

4. Beagles (12-14 years) n Hypothyroidism, a disease caused by insufficient thyroid hormone production. Symptoms include hair loss, obesity, lethargy, cold intolerance and skin infections.

Yorkshire Terriers n Nictitans gland prolapse, also known as “cherry eye,” where the gland of the third eyelid emerges out of its normal hidden position and appears red and swollen. n Epilepsy, a disorder that results in seizure activities. n Glaucoma, an increase in pressure of the eye, often detected when pets are sluggish, reluctant to eat, or paw at their eye. Glaucoma is often detected late in its disease course, which is why annual eye exams are so important.

5. Bulldogs

Bulldog

(8-12 years) n Ophthalmic disorders such as but not limited to cherry eye. n Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome, which results in respiratory difficulties caused by the breed’s shortened head.

Symptoms range from loud “snorty” breathing to

exercise intolerance. This syndrome puts dogs at an increased risk for heat stroke and adverse anesthesia risks. n Degenerative bone diseases, such as those caused by elbow and hip dysplasia. n Skin conditions ranging from skin-fold infections to ongoing struggles with allergies.

6. Yorkshire Terriers (12-15 years) n A portosystemic shunt, also know as a liver shunt, is a disease caused by abnormal blood flow to the liver.

It results in the build-up of toxins in the blood. Signs include changes in behavior after eating, blindness, >>

A Golden Opportunity Current research offers hope in preventing canine cancer and understanding genetic diseases of dogs.

Scientists are launching an extensive research study to try to find out why more than one-half of Golden Retrievers, one of America’s most beloved breeds, die from cancer. The study, being conducted by the Morris

Animal Foundation, aims to help prevent cancer and other diseases across canine breeds to improve the general health of dogs. A particular focus of the study is identifying how genetics, environment and diet interact to affect an individual dog’s risk for cancer.

The study will enroll up to 3,000 Golden Retrievers (under age 2) and

will last 10 to 14 years. To find out if your Golden Retriever is eligible for the study, visit www.caninelifetimehealth.org.

Preventive Care deafness, seizures, failure to thrive, excessive drinking and urinating, drooling, vomiting and diarrhea. n Patellar luxation, or “floating kneecap,” when the kneecap slips out of place occasionally or frequently.

This condition can lead to pain and lameness. n Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, in which the tip of the thigh bone in young dogs breaks down, causing lameness. n Tracheal collapse, a progressive weakening of the walls of the trachea.

Signs may include coughing (especially during excitement or exercise) and difficulty breathing.

Boxer

7. Boxers (11-14 years)

Boxer cardiomyopathy, an inherited type of cardiac disease. Collapse or sudden death is often the only clinical sign. n Corneal dystrophy, an inherited abnormality that affects one or more layers of the cornea, resulting in chronic or recurring shallow ulcers. n C ancers of many types and locations. n

8. Poodles (10-17 years, depending upon size) n Hypoadrenocorticism, a disease caused by a lack of cortisol production of the adrenal glands. Symptoms include lethargy, weakness, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, collapse and pale mucus membranes. n E ar infections. n Toy and miniature sizes often suffer from patellar luxation (see Yorkshire Terriers section) and heart conditions such as mitral valve disease. n Standard Poodles may suffer from sebaceous adenitis, a skin condition that is primarily of cosmetic concern. It can cause greasy, scaly skin or a “mothy” appearance to the coat. n G DV (bloat) in Standard Poodles. (See German Shepherds section on Poodle pg. 12.)

14 Winter 2014 | Pet Quarterly

Hip Dysplasia: A Key Concern Hip dysplasia is a major cause of hind-limb lameness in dogs. Many pet owners mistakenly dismiss this condition as a normal part of the pet’s aging.

Hip dysplasia is initially caused by looseness in the joint itself. Over time, joint instability causes abnormal wear and tear on the cartilage lining the joint, leading to arthritis as the dog ages.

Genetics are thought to play a role in hip dysplasia.

Other factors such as nutrition, rapid growth and pet weight may also contribute. Sadly, many senior dogs are euthanized for this crippling problem each year.

9. Rottweilers (10-12 years) Elbow and hip dysplasia.

GDV (bloat). (See German Shepherds section.) n Osteosarcoma, an incredibly painful form of bone cancer that affects many large breed dogs. n Von Willebrand’s disease, an inherited bleeding disorder caused by a lack of a blood factor that plays an essential role in the blood-clotting process. It is not too common but can present as bruising, spontaneous hemorrhage, or prolonged bleeding. n n

10. Dachshunds (12-14 years) n Intervertebral disc disease, a painful condition that can develop when the disc material between the vertebrae of the spine moves out of place. Signs include back or neck pain with or without weakness and wobbliness, and sometimes paralysis of the back legs or both the front and back legs. n Primary acanthosis nigricans, a chronic pigmentation disorder of the skin that leads to thickening and intense itching. n D ental disease. n H ypothyroidism.

(See Beagles section.) n

Dr. Laci Schaible is a small animal veterinarian and writer.

Dachshund

Pet Tales

Osteoarthritis: Know the Signs Pet Tales by Laci Schaible, DVM

With winter upon us, it’s a good time to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of osteoarthritis, one of the most common afflictions of senior dogs and cats. If you suffer from arthritis yourself, you likely know firsthand that cold damp weather can cause a great deal of discomfort to arthritic joints.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis are often subtle. The change in weather may cause your pet to slow down when rising or lying down, experience difficulty climbing stairs, or show reluctance to jump on beds or furniture.

If your pet is showing any of these symptoms or if you aren’t sure if your pet suffers from osteoarthritis, talk to your veterinarian to find out for sure. Many options are available to help your pets, ranging from medications to ease pain to stairs to help them hop up on their favorite spot on the couch.

Holiday Gifts for Your Pets This holiday season, instead of spending money on new pet toys, consider setting money aside for a proper and thorough dental cleaning for your dog or cat. Unlike pet toys that will soon collect dust and wind up underneath couches, a dental cleaning under anesthesia is one of the best things you can do for your pet’s overall health and comfort.

With National Pet Dental Month approaching in February, many veterinary hospitals run specials on dental cleanings this month, making it the perfect time to squeeze that dental cleaning into your schedule and budget.

Who Is Healthiest?

Mutts Versus Purebreds

The idea that mixed breeds are actually healthier than purebred dogs may have some scientific basis. A study conducted at the University of California, Davis found that purebred dogs were more likely to have 10 common genetic disorders.

If you decide to purchase a purebred dog from a breeder, always choose a breeder who screens for the breed’s most commonly inherited genetic disorders.

Pet Quarterly | Winter 2014 15

Pet Tales

Be Ready for Boarding Are you traveling this holiday season and boarding your dogs? Plan ahead.

Many boarding and daycare facilities require fecal exams to check for parasites and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccinations every six months.

Kennel cough and parasites are easily transmitted in kennels and similar environments, and the stress that boarding can place on pets may lower their immune systems slightly. Make sure your pet is up to date with the kennel cough vaccine and a current fecal examination.

5 Health Tips for Your Senior Cat 1. Don’t skip preventive care visits. Set up an appointment every six months with your veterinarian when your cat hits the senior milestone (typically around age 10 to 12). Early detection is vital to your senior cat’s health.

2. Don't dismiss subtle behavioral or physical changes. These signals go beyond lethargy and weight loss. If your cat is urinating or defecating outside the box, this can be a sign that your senior cat isn’t feeling well and is alerting you.

3. Do ask about regular lab work. If you aren’t routinely doing lab work on your preventive care visits, ask your veterinarian if this would benefit your cat. Basic blood work and urine screenings are essential to early detection of diseases that plague older cats.

4. Do ask your veterinarian about a dental cleaning.

Healthy teeth and gums are essential to a healthy life. Moderate and advanced stages of dental disease are detrimental to your cat’s health and quality of life.

5. Do know and monitor your cat’s weight. An ideal weight is very important to maintain your kitty’s health.

Call ahead to schedule a convenient time to stop by for a quick and simple weigh-in, which should be free of charge.

chewables CAUTION: Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

INDICATIONS: For use in dogs to prevent canine heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Dirofilaria immitis) for a month (30 days) after infection and for the treatment and control of ascarids (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) and hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense).

DOSAGE: HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) should be administered orally at monthly intervals at the recommended minimum dose level of 6 mcg of ivermectin per kilogram (2.72 mcg/lb) and 5 mg of pyrantel (as pamoate salt) per kg (2.27 mg/lb) of body weight. The recommended dosing schedule for prevention of canine heartworm disease and for the treatment and control of ascarids and hookworms is as follows: Dog Weight

Chewables Ivermectin Pyrantel Per Month Content Content

Up to 25 lb 26 to 50 lb 51 to 100 lb

1 1 1

68 mcg 136 mcg 272 mcg

57 mg 114 mg 227 mg

Color Coding 0n Foil Backing and Carton Blue Green Brown

HEARTGARD Plus is recommended for dogs 6 weeks of age and older. For dogs over 100 lb use the appropriate combination of these chewables.

ADMINISTRATION: Remove only one chewable at a time from the foil-backed blister card. Return the card with the remaining chewables to its box to protect the product from light. Because most dogs find HEARTGARD Plus palatable, the product can be offered to the dog by hand.

Alternatively, it may be added intact to a small amount of dog food. The chewable should be administered in a manner that encourages the dog to chew, rather than to swallow without chewing. Chewables may be broken into pieces and fed to dogs that normally swallow treats whole.

Care should be taken that the dog consumes the complete dose, and treated animals should be observed for a few minutes after administration to ensure that part of the dose is not lost or rejected. If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost, redosing is recommended.

HEARTGARD Plus should be given at monthly intervals during the period of the year when mosquitoes (vectors), potentially carrying infective heartworm larvae, are active. The initial dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog’s first exposure to mosquitoes. The final dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog’s last exposure to mosquitoes.

When replacing another heartworm preventive product in a heartworm disease preventive program, the first dose of HEARTGARD Plus must be given within a month (30 days) of the last dose of the former medication.

If the interval between doses exceeds a month (30 days), the efficacy of ivermectin can be reduced. Therefore, for optimal performance, the chewable must be given once a month on or about the same day of the month. If treatment is delayed, whether by a few days or many, immediate treatment with HEARTGARD Plus and resumption of the recommended dosing regimen will minimize the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms.

Monthly treatment with HEARTGARD Plus also provides effective treatment and control of ascarids (T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense). Clients should be advised of measures to be taken to prevent reinfection with intestinal parasites.

EFFICACY: HEARTGARD Plus Chewables, given orally using the recommended dose and regimen, are effective against the tissue larval stage of D. immitis for a month (30 days) after infection and, as a result, prevent the development of the adult stage. HEARTGARD Plus Chewables are also effective against canine ascarids (T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense).

ACCEPTABILITY: In acceptability and field trials, HEARTGARD Plus was shown to be an acceptable oral dosage form that was consumed at first offering by the majority of dogs.

PRECAUTIONS: All dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before starting treatment with HEARTGARD Plus which is not effective against adult D. immitis. Infected dogs must be treated to remove adult heartworms and microfilariae before initiating a program with HEARTGARD Plus.

While some microfilariae may be killed by the ivermectin in HEARTGARD Plus at the recommended dose level, HEARTGARD Plus is not effective for microfilariae clearance. A mild hypersensitivity-type reaction, presumably due to dead or dying microfilariae and particularly involving a transient diarrhea, has been observed in clinical trials with ivermectin alone after treatment of some dogs that have circulating microfilariae.

Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children.

In case of ingestion by humans, clients should be advised to contact a physician immediately. Physicians may contact a Poison Control Center for advice concerning cases of ingestion by humans.

Store between 68°F - 77°F (20°C - 25°C). Excursions between 59°F - 86°F (15°C - 30°C) are permitted. Protect product from light.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: In clinical field trials with HEARTGARD Plus, vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours of dosing was rarely observed (1.1% of administered doses). The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of HEARTGARD: Depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia, staggering, convulsions and hypersalivation.

SAFETY: HEARTGARD Plus has been shown to be bioequivalent to HEARTGARD, with respect to the bioavailability of ivermectin. The dose regimens of HEARTGARD Plus and HEARTGARD are the same with regard to ivermectin (6 mcg/kg). Studies with ivermectin indicate that certain dogs of the Collie breed are more sensitive to the effects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels (more than 16 times the target use level) than dogs of other breeds. At elevated doses, sensitive dogs showed adverse reactions which included mydriasis, depression, ataxia, tremors, drooling, paresis, recumbency, excitability, stupor, coma and death. HEARTGARD demonstrated no signs of toxicity at 10 times the recommended dose (60 mcg/kg) in sensitive Collies. Results of these trials and bioequivalency studies, support the safety of HEARTGARD products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended.

HEARTGARD Plus has shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs, including pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs and puppies aged 6 or more weeks. In clinical trials, many commonly used flea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines and steroid preparations have been administered with HEARTGARD Plus in a heartworm disease prevention program.

In one trial, where some pups had parvovirus, there was a marginal reduction in efficacy against intestinal nematodes, possibly due to a change in intestinal transit time.

HOW SUPPLIED: HEARTGARD Plus is available in three dosage strengths (See DOSAGE section) for dogs of different weights. Each strength comes in convenient cartons of 6 and 12 chewables.

For customer service, please contact Merial at 1-888-637-4251.

®HEARTGARD and the Dog & Hand logo are registered trademarks of Merial. ©2013 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved.

16 Winter 2014 | Pet Quarterly MERHRT130002 Rv2 Brief Summary 1

11/27/13 12:03 PM

ONE BITE C A N TRA NSM I T HE AR TWO R M DIS E AS E

ONE DOSE E VE RY MON TH WILL HELP PROTECT HIM

MOSQUITOES CAN TRANSMIT POTENTIALLY DEADLY HEARTWORM DISEASE TO YOUR DOG. Just one dose of HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) a month helps prevent heartworm disease, and treats and controls the most common intestinal parasites. All in a real beef chew dogs love.

Ask your vet about HEARTGARD Plus.

heartgard.com

Important Safety Information All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventative program. HEARTGARD Plus is well tolerated. In rare cases digestive and neurological side effects have been reported. For more information, contact your veterinarian or visit www.heartgard.com. ® HEARTGARD and the Dog & Hand logo are registered trademarks of Merial. ©2013 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. HGD13PRAD (05/2013)

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FRONTLINE Plus not only kills adult fleas and ticks, it also kills flea eggs and larvae that lead to an infestation.

Plus, it continues killing for 30 days on dogs and cats.

No wonder it’s the #1 choice of vets for their pets*—and yours.† Ask your vet about FRONTLINE Plus today.

ACCEPT NOTHING LESS. Like us to get 2 free doses.

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*Data on file at Merial. † Vet-dispensed; MDI Data. ®FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of Merial. ©2013 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. FLE12CNADV2 (05/2013)

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