The Re-Emerging Threat Of Leptospirosis

As local governments ordered restaurants to close their dining rooms to slow the spread of Covid-19, urban rodentologists began to notice drastic changes in the movements and behaviors of city dwelling rats. Specifically, as restaurants cooked less food and produced less waste, hungry rats started spreading into suburban and residential areas where household kitchens are currently filling the niche.

While a plague of vermin might not seem particularly shocking in the big picture that is 2020, rats are the most common carriers of leptospirosis, a disease caused by a bacteria which is shed through their urine. Clinical signs of leptospirosis include fever, lethargy, vomiting, inappetence and jaundice. In its later stages, it causes renal and liver failure. It is usually fatal if not caught and treated in a timely manner, and can be transmitted from pets to humans. Thankfully, there is an annual vaccine which protects dogs from leptospirosis, so make sure your pet is up to date. While leptospirosis has been reported in cats, it is extremely rare, and far more common in dogs.

Meet Daisy, Our September Pet Of The Month!

 

World, meet Daisy, our September Pet Of The Month!

Daisy is a 14-year-old dachshund who, like most of us, is unimpressed with the year 2020. As stay at home orders turned Miami into a virtual ghost town, Daisy's mom found herself racing to a veterinary neurologist when Daisy became suddenly paralyzed. After major surgery to repair her spinal column, Daisy developed acute pancreatitis in response to her many post surgical medications. This led to another round of hospitalization, including several weekends in the emergency clinic. 

Like most dachshunds, however, Daisy a wee bit on the stubborn side! Feeding tube? No problem! Kidney problems? Bring 'em on! Fast forward to the fourth quarter of 2020 and Miss Daisy May is fully recovered. She took on 2020 and won - and we will too.

Oh and a tip from Daisy's family? Buy. Trupanion. Pet Insurance.

Congratulations, Daisy and share with all your fans - you're our Pet Of The Month!

                                                    Daisy surveys her many get-well gifts!

Heartworm Disease Cases Expected To Rise

Heartworm Disease Cases Expected To Rise

June of 2020 brought unusually high levels of rainfall to an already waterlogged South Florida. Consequently, urban flooding and standing waters provided ample breeding ground for mosquitoes. Our community has seen an uptick in cases of mosquito-borne West Nile Virus. And as more people and pets head outdoors to escape Covid-induced cabin fever, we can expect to see an increase in heartworm disease as well.

Heartworm disease is carried by mosquitoes and infects both dogs and cats. While we can do our part to control mosquito populations by dumping  the standing water in which they breed, our neighbors might not be as diligent. For this reason, it is imperative to keep both dogs and cats on monthly heartworm prevention. While many pet owners feel that pets who do not go outside often (or ever in the case of indoor cats), mosquitoes will often enter the house as humans come and go. A single bite from an infected mosquito is all that is necessary to transmit the disease to our furry family members. The treatment for canine heartworm disease is very expensive with potentially dangerous side effects. There is no treatment for feline heartworm disease. In both species, the disease is usually fatal if left untreated.

Meet Sammy, Our August Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Sammy, our August Pet Of The Month! 

Sammy is a 12-year-old Schnauzer who loves visiting his buddies here at the clinic. When he's not out enjoying the neighborhood or chillaxing on his bed, Sammy enjoys snuggling with his family, and playing with his little brother Bleu. Who wouldn't want to quarantine with this cutie pie?

Congratulations, Sammy and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

                                                                Out on the town with Sammy!

Summer and Pets

Summer And Pets
By Dr. Ian Kupkee

As summer drags on, and many of us continue to work from home, we're likely to have more time to spend outdoors with our pets. While pets appreciate the additional attention, it's important to remember the increased hazards that accompany outdoor activities here in South Florida.

Higher resting body temperatures and dense coats make pets much more likely to suffer from heatstroke than their human companions. The best times to exercise pets, especially brachycephalic, or "smush-faced" breeds, is early in the morning, or at dusk. Provide plenty of fresh water and bring pets inside at the first sign of excessive panting. Keep dogs away from bufo toads as their venom can cause seizures and death. Finally, before leash walking pets, place a hand on the pavement to check the temperature. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for them. Postpone the walk until a cooler time of day to avoid burning your pet's paws.

Plenty of fresh water? Check!

In The New Normal, Fireworks Persist

While living with the threat of Covid 19 is creating a so called "new normal", a popular South Florida holiday tradition seems destined stick around - Fourth of July fireworks. Many municipalities have cancelled official displays to prevent the spread of coronavirus, yet some communities are going full speed ahead. And who are we kidding - it's Miami! There's always that one neighbor...

For shelters across the country, the busiest day for intakes is July 5th. Estimates run as high as 30% to 80%, with fewer than 13% of dogs and 2% of cats being reunited with their heartbroken families. Simply put, fireworks are so terrifying to our pets that many will bolt from the safety of their homes in a blind panic. Our pets do not understand our fascination with fireworks, and their hearing is far more sensitive than ours. Simply put, fireworks are explosions! Is it any wonder our pets don't like them?

Before the fireworks begin, place cats in a separate room with lots of hiding places. Leave closet doors open, allow access to spaces under beds and behind furniture, and make it clear to guests that this room is strictly off-limits. Consider crating or boarding anxious dogs if you cannot confine them to a separate part of the house. Turn on the television or play music to help drown out the noise, and provide them with interesting activities to occupy their minds. For cats, try catnip or an interactive toy. Dogs are often content with a Kong toy that has been stuffed with canned food and placed in the freezer. These "popsicles" can keep them busy for hours. If your pet has a history of fireworks anxiety, consider asking your vet for some anti-anxiety medications. These can take several weeks to achieve the desired results, so the time to do this is now.

CBD Products and Pets

CBD Products and Pets
By Dr. Ian Kupkee

As the legal and social status of marijuana and CBD products has shifted, pet owners have been asking questions about the effectiveness of CBD oils and supplements for their furry friends. Anyone who has searched online or in pet stores knows just how many products are available, and how little seems to be known about them.

When shopping for a CBD product, it is important to be able to access the science behind the product. A seller or manufacturer must be able to articulate where the ingredients are sourced, what doses are recommended, whether or not the product has been studied by an independent third party, and if so, whether or not double-blind placebo tests were performed. Products should be full spectrum, and sourced from organically grown plants. Oils should be CO2 extracted and contain no isolates.  Manufacturers or sellers should be able to provide terpine profiles, and copies of research upon the consumers request. Natural products are not immune to side effects or drug interactions, so remember to check with your pet's veterinarian before using any CBD products.