Mosquitoes– More than just a Nuisance
Dr. Amy Czarnecki

As a native Michigander, I used to wonder if heartworm disease was really still alive and well...then I moved to the south. According to the American Heartworm  Society, this potentially fatal disease has now been reported in all 50 states, and we have the (mis)fortune of residing in one of the areas with the highest prevalence rates. The American Heartworm Society conducts a heartworm prevalence survey every 3 years, and the last report showed this easily preventable disease is still on the rise.

So, what can you do to keep your pet safe? There are so many great products on the market that are both palatable and easy to administer-either orally or topically just once a month. We recommend using a product that combines medication to prevent heartworms and to prevent and control intestinal parasites since many of these organisms can cause disease in both animals and people. Annual heartworm testing is also very important for early detection of disease, even in animals on year-round preventatives-any dog is capable of pretending to swallow, vomiting outside, etc...Heartworm testing should also be performed prior to starting preventatives in any adult animal. Buying your products through your veterinarian also comes with another “peace of mind”-if your pet tests positive for heartworm disease or intestinal parasites while on the medication, most companies will pay most , if not all treatment costs. Our feline friends are not exempt from this disease either, though many differences exist between disease course and treatment in cats vs. dogs. We do not routinely screen for this disease in cats, as treatment is not feasible at this time, but the disease can be “quiet” in cats...showing no clinical signs other than sudden death. Because most mosquitoes aren’t well-mannered enough to stay out of our homes, even indoor cats are susceptible .

Treatment of heartworm disease carries both significant risks and cost, but leaving heartworm disease untreated can lead to irreversible heart damage and even death. In this case and ounce of prevention IS worth a pound of cure! Please call us to find out more about the products we carry-we can recommend a prevention protocol that is just right for your furry friend.

Why is there rice in my dog’s poo? And other gastro-intestinal ponderings...
Dr. Amy Czarnecki

So, I’ve alluded to the nature of southern intestinal parasites before, but all joking aside, parasites can really be a pain in the rear! In addition to being difficult to stomach (I promise to stop the silly puns…),they are major animal and human health hazards. Most intestinal parasites are transmitted via ingestion of fecal-contaminated objects/poor hygiene, though some require ingestion of an “intermediate host”-for example, ingestion of fleas or small woodland creatures can result in infection. Also, hookworms can infect humans without ingestion; the eggs are passed with feces into the soil, and larva hatch that are capable of passing though skin and causing disease.

Because of our warm moist climate, we need to be especially careful to keep our pets (and ourselves) parasite free. As mentioned in the previous article, many monthly heartworm preventative products also include a medication to control and treat parasites, but that coverage varies by product, and no product covers all parasites. Our clinic recommends checking for intestinal parasites twice yearly on dogs and indoor/outdoor cats (once a year for indoor cats)- and we’ll recommend a deworming protocol if parasites are found. Clinical signs are broad and vary depending on the offending parasite, but may include diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, anemia, and poor hair coat, or nothing– many parasites are found incidentally, before they have time to cause clinical disease. If your pet is overdue, please bring a fresh sample by-we promise our receptionists won’t be offended if you hand them over a bag of poo!

Your dog doesn’t have to have “Dog Breath”
Dr. Amy Czarnecki

Dental disease is one of the most common disease we see in small animal private practice– in addition to causing some serious bad breath (you know when your beloved pet wakes you up by panting in your face…), it also can be associated with some systemic problems. As the bacteria in the mouth becomes blood-borne, it can attach to the heart valves or cause micro-abscesses in the liver, spleen, etc… Dental disease can also cause chronic discomfort or acute pain that affects appetite and quality of life. Depending on the severity of the plaque, tartar accumulation, gingivitis and other oral pathology, we may recommend dental treats, diets, tooth brushing (yes...it can be done!), gels etc...or your pet may need to have a complete dental prophylaxis under anesthesia. During this cleaning, your pet’s teeth will be thoroughly scaled using an ultrasonic scaler, the veterinarian will chart the teeth and note any lesions, we may take x-rays of any potential problems, perform extractions if needed, then polish and apply fluoride to give a pearly-white smile. Your pet will go home feeling and smelling so much better! If you think your dog or cat’s smile could use some work, please give us a call.

Summer Safety Tips
Lora Carneavale

Spring has finally sprung! After a long dreary winter, longer days and warmer temperatures are here to stay. As you take Fluffy and venture outside to enjoy the sunshine, take a minute to think about her safety this summer:

• Bring water for you AND your pet. As anyone who has spent July in the Low Country knows, it gets HOT! Make sure Fluffy has access to fresh cool water, especially if you are exercising outside.
• Avoid strenuous activity between 10 am and 2 pm, when the sun is at its peak. Early morning and evening are the best times to play.
• Pay attention to your pet when playing or exercising in warmer weather to avoid overexertion which could lead to heat stroke, a potentially fatal condition. Excessive panting, staggering, vomiting, glazed eyes, and a rapid pulse are all signs it is time to stop playing and get Fluffy in the shade and cooled off.
• Contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your pet is suffering from heat stress.
  When travelling with your pet this summer:
• Never allow your dog to ride loose in the bed of a truck. Not only could flying debris seriously injure Fluffy, she could easily be thrown into traffic by a sudden stop or turn. Dogs should ride inside secured by a dog safety harness or in a crate.
• When at all possible, it is best to leave your pet cool and comfortable in the air conditioned house this summer. Although it is tempting to take Fluffy with you on a beautiful summer day to run errands, after all you’ll only be in the store for “just a minute,” think of her comfort and leave her at home.
• NEVER leave your pet unattended in the car. Temperatures inside a vehicle can quickly exceed 120° even in the shade with the windows cracked. Dogs left in vehicles can very quickly become overheated and develop heat stress, which we’ve already discussed can be a life threatening condition. Not only is it unpleasant for Fluffy, but in Beaufort county, an owner may be fined up to $500 or face 60 days in jail for leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle.

So go ahead, enjoy the beautiful weather with Fluffy! Just remember these few safety tips to ensure a fun-filled, happy summer for the whole family.

BBQ etiquette
Lora Carneavale

One of the best parts of summer is getting together with family and friends and cooking out. Everyone tends to gather near the grill enjoying the savory aroma of the perfect burger. Fluffy lingers nearby, hoping for a spatula mishap that will send dinner sailing her way. While it is tempting to share our food with our pets, after all they have some of the most persuasive expressions, do not give in! Human food, especially those high in fat (like our beloved hamburgers and hot dogs) does not often agree with our pet’s sensitive digestive system. Feeding table scraps can cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration, and make Fluffy rather unwell. In some cases, eating human food can cause pancreatitis, a painful condition requiring hospitalization and intensive therapy.

Now this does not mean that Fluffy cannot enjoy herself at the family picnic. Have healthy snacks available for those “puppy-dog eyes”.   Low calorie dog biscuits or other balanced dog treats are always on the menu. Ice cubes flavored with low sodium chicken broth make a great summer time dog treat. Baby carrots are also acceptable human food snacks for Fluffy. Best of all, respond to those pleading eyes with love and affection and perhaps a game of fetch, not extra food. After all, Fluffy wants to stay slim for her summer bikini!