Lyme Disease: Tick Protection and Your Pet

Tick season is still here! We hope you read our previous blog, where we talked a bit about ticks and the transmission of Lyme disease. There are a lot of good tips to protect yourself and your pets from tick bites. But let’s talk a little bit more about Lyme disease, and what that means for you and your pet.  

In Ontario, Lyme disease is transmitted by the deer tick, Ixodes scapularis. It is estimated that 18% of the overall tick population in Ontario is infected with Lyme disease. The tick needs to be attached for greater than 24 hours for the disease to be transmitted, and it can take 2-5 months for a dog to start showing clinical signs. These clinical signs can include fever, anorexia, lameness and joint swelling. However, 95% of dogs that have become infected with Lyme disease never become clinical. Humans cannot get Lyme disease directly from an infected dog; they too need to be bitten by a tick infected with the disease.

Your vet can screen your dog for the presence of antibodies to Lyme disease through a screening test called 4Dx. This test screens for Lyme disease, as well as other tick-borne diseases (including Ehrlichia and Anaplasma) and heartworm. Typically a veterinarian will recommend this screening test after your dog has been bitten by a tick – but not immediately after the tick is found; it can take 3-5 weeks for the antibodies to become present in your dog’s system. It is also recommended as an annual screening test, since we don’t always find every tick on our dogs – especially the really hairy ones!

If your dog tests positive for Lyme disease on the 4Dx screen test, it indicates that your dog has previously been exposed to the disease and has developed antibodies against it. It doesn’t indicate an active infection – in fact, some dogs that have been diagnosed with Lyme disease can remain positive on their 4Dx screen for many years. Your vet will probably recommend a further test to quantify the number of antibodies present to determine the level of infection. If your dog is showing clinical signs of the disease, treatment will be initiated.

So now we know what to do if your dog has been bitten by a tick. But how about we prevent those ticks from ever latching on?

There are a variety of tick products available for dogs. They range from topical products to oral products, with some collar options as well. These products do not all protect against every type of tick, so be careful when picking your tick product. Just because it says tick, doesn’t mean it covers all the ticks common in your area (or the Lyme-disease-transmitting Deer tick)!

A few of our favorite products for tick prevention include:

Bravecto - this oral product can be given once every 12 weeks to dogs and treats against fleas, Deer ticks, American Dog ticks and Brown Dog ticks. It cannot be given to dogs less than 6 months of age or less than 2 kg.

NexGard - this oral product is given monthly to dogs to protect against fleas, Deer ticks, American Dog ticks and Lone Star ticks. It is approved for puppies greater than 8 weeks of age.

Preventic Collars - this collared product for dogs protects against American Dog ticks and Brown Dog ticks. It can last for up to 90 days, but is not recommended for use in dogs with cats in the same household.

K9 Advantix II - this topical product is for dogs only. It repels fleas and all species of tick (American Dog tick, Brown Dog tick, Lone Star tick and Deer tick). It is to be reapplied monthly, but is not recommended for use on dogs with cats in the same household. It is safe for dogs greater than 8 weeks of age.

Revolution - this topical product is a great choice for cats (and also can be used in dogs). It is used to treat against fleas, Brown Dog ticks and American Dog ticks and should be reapplied monthly. It is safe for dogs and cats greater than 6 weeks of age.  
  

Lyme Disease: Tick Prevention, You and Your Pet

It’s high time for ticks to strike in Canada, and incidents of Lyme disease are on the rise. Staying informed about ticks, knowing the risks and focusing on prevention can help keep your pet – and your family – safe from Lyme disease this season. 

First, get to know their habitat; ticks love to dwell in wooded, grassy areas, especially thick underbrush. Some outdoor jobs and recreational activities, like landscaping, farming, hiking, hunting and fishing, can put you or your pet at a higher risk. When it comes to the transmission of Lyme disease, Ixodes scapularis, or “deer ticks”, are the usual suspects. Adult deer ticks are especially active in mid-to-late fall. These pests cannot jump or fly, but are skilled at latching onto a host at ground level and crawling upward to find exposed skin. And despite what many people think, dogs do not give Lyme disease to people; humans are at risk only if bitten by an infected tick.

While all Canadians are at risk for Lyme disease, eastern Canada has reported the highest rate of infection across the country. Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed, during the stage when it’s easiest to treat. Infection risk is present year-round, but be aware that you and your pet are most prone to Lyme disease from May through September. In addition, keep in mind that ticks are more than just a springtime hazard. If fall temperatures remain mild, ticks can peak again in October or November.

In fact, certain species of ticks may display increased activity at different times throughout the spring, then again in the fall.  In particular, a study from Ontario shows primarily I. scapularis ticks peaking first in the spring months, then a second time in November.

Climate change is also projected to be a factor in the overall tick prevalence. It is speculated that in the next 80 years, the total area of land suitable for ticks and their hosts will increase by 68.9% in North America. In Canada, that number is estimated at a 212.9% increase. This means that warmer temperatures will invite an influx of ticks well into the fall months over a greater geographic area, creating an even more urgent need for vigilance and yearly pet vaccination.

To protect yourself from ticks, wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and tuck your pants into your socks. Wearing light coloured clothing makes ticks easier to see. It may also be helpful to walk with a partner who can watch for ticks on your or your pet. Try to stay on clear, unobstructed trails, and away from the fringe area between the woods and open land. Spraying an insect repellant on your body and clothing can also deter ticks however consult product caution statements before using, especially on young children. Immediately after being outside in tick-infested areas, check your clothes and body, as well as your pet's body, for ticks. If you discover one or more ticks attached, proper removal is essential.

 

How Do You Remove a Tick?

For a full list, consult the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation at http://canlyme.com/lyme-basics/tick-removal/.

Most commonly, ticks can be removed using fine-pointed tweezers or a tick removal device, grasping the tick as close as possible to the skin surface, and pulling straight outward. Once the tick is out, it’s important to wash the bite with soap and water and treat it with an antiseptic.

If the tick that bit you or your pet is a Lyme-carrying species or if you are unsure, consult your doctor or veterinarian immediately. Symptoms of Lyme disease may not present right away, but early detection can aid in a successful treatment. If you experience headaches, body aches, fever or congestion, or notice your dog behaving differently, seek medical or veterinary care immediately. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause irrevocable damage to the joints, nervous system and more.

Remember, Lyme disease cannot be easily cured - but it can be prevented. Stay informed, follow these simple steps for prevention and as your veterinarian about protecting your dog(s) from Lyme disease with yearly vaccination and a monthly tick control product today!

 

Printed with permission from Merial Canada.

Spring Time Toxins

Tips from Pet Poison Helpline to Help Keep Your Pet Safe!

By Erica Carghill, CVT and Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC

Spring is just around the corner!  Plant bulbs are just as excited to break through the ground to add some color to our yards, as we are to see some greenery!  That said, we need to be aware of the potential dangers spring plants can be for our pets.  Here is a list of some of the most common spring plants and their toxicities… so you know how to pet-proof your garden and keep your pet safe!

Tulips and Hyacinth

Tulips contain allergenic lactones while hyacinths contain similar alkaloids.  The toxic principle of these plants is very concentrated in the bulbs (versus the leaf or flower), so make sure your dog is not digging up the bulbs in the garden.  When the plant parts or bulbs are chewed or ingested, it can result in tissue irritation to the mouth and esophagus.  Typical signs include profuse drooling, vomiting, or even diarrhea, depending on the amount consumed.  There is no specific antidote, but with supportive care from the veterinarian (including rinsing the mouth, anti-vomiting medication, and possibly subcutaneous fluids), animals do quite well.  With large ingestion of the bulb, more severe symptoms such as an increase in heart rate and changes in respiration can be seen, and should be treated by a veterinarian.  These more sever signs are seen in cattle or our overzealous, chowhound Labradors.

Daffodils

These flowers contain lycorine, an alkaloid with strong emetic properties (something that triggers vomiting).  Ingestion of the bulb, plant or flower can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even possible cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory depression.  Crystals are found in the outer layer of the bulbs, similar to hyacinths, which cause severe tissue irritation and secondary drooling.  Daffodil ingestion can result in more severe symptoms so if an exposure is witnessed or symptoms are seen, we recommend seeking veterinary care for further supportive care.

Lilies

There are dangerous and benign lilies out there, and it is important to know the difference.  Peace, Peruvian, and Calla lilies contain oxalate crystals that cause minor signs, such as tissue irritation to the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and esophagus – these result in minor drooling.  The more dangerous, potentially fatal lilies are true lilies, and these include Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter and Japanese Show lilies – all of which are highly toxic to cats!  Even small ingestion (such as the pollen or 2-3 petals or leaves) can result in severe kidney failure.  If your cat is seen consuming any part of the lily, bring your cat (and the plant) immediately to a veterinarian for medical care.  The sooner you bring in your cat, the better and more effectively we can treat the poisoning.  Decontamination (like inducing vomiting and giving binders like activated charcoal) are imperative in the early toxic stage, while aggressive intravenous fluid therapy, kidney monitoring tests, and supportive care can greatly improve the prognosis.

Crocus

There are two Crocus plants:  one that blooms in the spring (Crocus species) and the other in the autumn (Colchicum autumnale).  The spring plants are more common and are part of the Iridaceae family.  These ingestion can cause general gastrointestinal upset including vomiting and diarrhea.  These should not be mistaken for Autumn Crocus, part of the Liliacease family, which contain colchicine.  The Autumn Crocus, also known as Meadow Saffron, is highly toxic and can cause severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and respiratory failure.  If you are not sure what plant it is, bring your pet to their veterinarian immediately for care.  Signs may be seen immediately but can be delayed for days.

Lily of the Valley

The Convallaria majalis plant contains cardiac glycosides, which will cause symptoms similar to digitalis (foxglove) ingestion.  These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, a drop in heart rate, severe cardiac arrhythmias, and possibly seizures.  Pets with any known exposure to this plant should be examined and evaluated by a veterinarian and treated symptomatically.

In addition…. Fertilizers

As we gardeners work on our rose garden, be aware of those fertilizers.  While most are not very toxic (resulting in minor gastrointestinal irritation when consumed), some fertilizers can be fatal without treatment.  Here are a few ingredients to be aware of so you know what toxins and symptoms to watch out for:

·         Blood meal – This is a dried, ground, and flash-frozen blood and contains 12% nitrogen.  While it’s a great organic fertilizer, if ingested, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea.  More importantly, it can result in sever pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.  Some types of blood meal are also fortified with iron, resulting in iron toxicity, so make sure to know what is in your bag of blood!

·         Bone meal – This is made up of defatted, dried, and flash-frozen animal bones that are ground to a powder.  This “bone” is also what makes it so palatable to your dog so make sure to keep your pet from digging in it and ingesting the soil.  While this also makes a great organic fertilizer, it can become a problem when consumed in large amounts as the bone meal forms a large cement-like bowling ball foreign body in the stomach – which can cause an obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract – resulting in possible surgery to remove it!

·         Rose and plant fertilizers – Some of these fertilizers contain disulfoton or other types of organophospates (OP).  As little as one teaspoon of 1% disulfoton can kill a 55 lb dog, so be careful!  Organophosphates, while less commonly used, can result in severe symptoms [including SLUD signs (which abbreviate for salivation, lacrimation, urination and defecation), seizures, difficulty breathing, hyperthermia, etc.  In some cases, it can be fatal!

·         Pesticides / Insecticides  - Most pesticides or insecticides (typically those that come in a spray can) are basic irritants to the pet and are usually not a huge concern unless a pet’s symptoms become persistent.  Some may contain an organophosphate which can be life threatening when consumed in large quantities.  It is always best to speak to a trained medical professional if there are any questions.

·         Iron – This is commonly added to fertilizers, and can result in iron toxicity (from ingestion of elemental iron).  This is different from “total” iron ingestion, and can be confusing to differentiate.  When in doubt, have a medical professional at Pet Poison Helpline assist you with finding out if the amount ingested was toxic or not.  Large ingestion can result in vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and potential cardiac and liver effects.

The best thing any pet owner can do is to be educated on the household toxins (both inside the house and out in the garden!), that way you make sure how to pet-proof your house appropriately.  Make sure to keep all gardening and lawn products in labeled, tightly sealed containers out of your pet’s reach.  If you think your pet has been poisoned, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 with any questions or concerns.

 Resources:  Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) is an Animal Poison Control that provides treatment advice and recommendations relating to exposures to potential dangerous plants, products, medications, and substances, to veterinarians, veterinary staff and pet owners 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Please be aware there is a $35.00/per case consultation fee.  Pet Poison Helpline is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The Helpline number is 800-213-6680.

For further information regarding services, visit the PPH website at www.petpoisonhelpline.com

Human Food... To Feed or Not to Feed

Let's face it. We all know that ideally dogs and cats should stick to their nutritionally-balanced diets. However, when your little (or not-so-little) furry friend starts batting its eyes at you, its tempting to sneak them a treat from time to time. But do you know what human foods are safe and not-so-safe for your pet?

There are many reasons that human foods can be dangerous to your pet. Some can cause intestinal blockages. Some are toxic to cats or dogs. Certain others can cause extreme gastro-intestinal upset. Its important to know what foods to avoid when picking out a snack for your furry family member.

UNSAFE FOODS FOR DOGS AND CATS:

• Grapes or raisins
• Garlic, chinese chive or anything from the garlic family
• Macadamia nuts
• Chewing gum with Xylitol
• Onions
• Bones of any type
• Raw bread dough of any type
• Peaches with the pit or any stone fruit
• Chocolate
• Avocados
• Moldy cheese or nuts
• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Tea
• Corn cobs

But there are several types of human foods that can be a fun addition to your pet's diet, if kept in moderation. Remember, treats should not make up more than 10% of your pet's daily intake. The treats listed below are safe, low-calorie treat options for your pet.

SAFE FOODS:

• Carrots
• Rice cake
• Apple slices
• Dry toast
• Cucumber slices
• Peanut butter (small amount)

Heat stroke in Pets

Now that the warm weather is finally up on us after a long hard winter, we here at the Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic are seeing many people enjoying the outdoors with their dogs.  Outdoor cats, and even some rabbits and pocket pets are also enjoying the sunshine and spending increased time outside.  However with this warmer weather there are hazards that we as pet owners and veterinarians need to be aware of. 

 One of the dangers that comes with this hot weather is heat stroke.  Heat stroke is the elevation in body temperature due to environmental conditions.  A dog’s normal body temperature ranges from 37.5-39.0 C.  Temperatures greater than 41 C eventually lead to organ failure and ultimately death. The most common cause of heat stroke is being left in a car in warm weather, but it can also result from being left outside in the heat with no access to shade and water, or when exercised in hot and humid conditions. It can take less than 5 minutes in a car in the heat of summer to result in heat stroke.  Even on a cooler day the inside of the car can heat up considerably compared to outside temperatures and no animal should be left in the car.

If you have birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas or other small mammals and you place them outside in their enclosure please ensure they have access to shade and water at all time.  It does not take long for these animals to get overheated.

There are some factors that can predispose an animal to heat stroke.  Some of these include age and respiratory conditions.  Brachycephalic breeds (short nosed dogs) such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston terriers are more susceptible to heat stroke due to their anatomy . 

Heat stroke also called hyperthermia requires immediate treatment otherwise it will lead to death. It is important to recognize the signs.  Initially your pet will pant, become restless and then appear distressed.  Often animals are wobbly or disoriented and start to drool excessively.  Eventually the animal’s gum color will change to dark red or purple due to lack of oxygen.

A pet suffering from hyperthermia needs to be removed from the environment immediately and veterinary care needs to be sought.  Move your pet to a cool area and if a fan is available direct this at the animal.  Try to get a rectal temperature and record it.  Place cool wet towels on the animal for evaporative cooling.  Areas that will lead to maximum cooling include the groin, armpits, and the back of the neck.  This can be done while moving the animal to a veterinary facility.

It is extremely important NOT to use ice or cold water to cool the animal.  Cool tap water is recommended.   Do not try to force your pet to take any water, however if your pet is

alert enough to have drink on his/her own that is fine

Severe hyperthermia can lead to multi organ failure and it is important to get your pet to a veterinary facility to be assessed.  Often animals will need intravenous fluids for shock, oxygen therapy and more intensive care depending on the severity of the heat stroke.

Heat stroke is preventable.  Please do not leave your animals in the car even for a few minutes, ensure they have access to shade when outside and on those really hot/humid days plan your walks very early in the morning or late in the evening.  Enjoy the warm weather with your pet, especially after this cold winter we have had, but please be safe.

Brigitte Rudolf, DVM

Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic

Chocolate Toxicity

I think everyone here at the Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic looks forward to Valentine's Day. Our winter has been pretty relentless, and we can all do with adding a little extra chocolate and love to our lives! Most dog and cat owners are aware of chocolate toxicity as a problem for our pets. Chocolate contains theobromide, which is a caffeine like compound that can cause tremors, hyperactivity, seizures and even death if enough is ingested. People do not have the same sensitivity to this as our pets do. Luckily cats do not tend to be big chocolate eaters, but dogs certainly do enjoy chocolate in all its forms. The good news is that if your Labrador Retriever finds a single chocolate on someone's pillow, it is unlikely to be a problem. But if he comes across a box of chocolates, that could certainly cause trouble (not to mention that the foil wrappers may, ahem, plug things up!). Dark chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate. And the chocolate baking squares and powdered pure cocoa are the worst culprits, so beware of counter surfing dogs when you are making that delicious chocolate cake!

I still have a very clear memory of my young son coming to my bedside early one New Year's Day morning, to tell me that he had been out to the living room, and had found our then 2 year old Jack Russell (he is now 16 and 1/2 years old!) snorfing down a bag of truffles that my darling husband had left on the coffee table from our party the night before. Sadly, since I am a veterinarian, it was my job to rush him to the clinic, and to spend the next hour of that very early morning inducing vomiting and then cleaning up after and bathing my poor little dog. Glad I did though, because the total amount of chocolate that he brought up was really quite remarkable, and would in all likelihood have caused some serious problems for him.

Please call our staff at the Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic anytime if you have any questions about chocolate toxicity!

Dr. Wendy Korver
Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic