Submitted by Danny Misch

      Although it is very likely many people have never seen a coyote near their home before, or anywhere in real life for that matter, coyotes are actually lurking everywhere.  The point of this blog post is not to care anyone but is to inform the reader.  Coyotes, like many wild animals, are losing their lifelong homes due to development in once forested areas.  This forces the coyotes to find somewhere else to live, usually right in your own neighborhood.  There has been one confirmed death from a coyote attack to a person meaning coyotes will probably not target you but your household pets are a different story. 

     Coyotes are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals.  They will go after anything from small rodents to even deer.  This blog was brought to our attention after Dr. Walsh saw a rather large coyote (which can range in size form 20-50 pounds) running through the backyard of our clinic.  We have also received a few reports of coyote attacks to family pets, a big target for coyotes in Northwest Indiana!  When letting your dogs out at night, especially small dogs, stay with the dog and be sure you know your surroundings.   Coyotes do not only carry the threat of attacking your animals, but they can also carry rabies, heartworm, leptospirosis, intestinal parasites and mange to name a few (a good reason to be sure to protect against heartworm all year round!!!)  There are also several ideas floating around of ways to protect other outdoor pets such as cats.  Giving cats escape routes such as planks in trees for them to use as a safe place from the coyotes are great ways to provide safety.  Please remember to provide safety for your pets, especially at night!

Once again the holiday season is here.  Every year we see cats and dogs that have been given some of the holiday food and we think we are sharing with our pets but actually we are putting them at risk of illness, some cases that are life threatening requiring hospitalization.  Vomiting and diarrhea are 2 common results of feeding your pets holiday food.  Another serious condition is pancreatitis, which is a very severe inflammation of the pancreas that, left untreated, can kill your pet.  Also be careful of giving your pets new treats they are not used to having.  A sudden diet change (or introduction of a new treat) can trigger the same problems as table food. 

Also remember that your pet’s sense of smell is about 10,000 times stronger than humans so they will seek out candy and food during this time of year.  Chocolate is poisonous to pets and a lot of candy has a high fat content which also increases the risk for pancreatitis.  Always make sure to keep candy and holiday foods in a secure place where your dog or cat will not get into it. On the counter or table is not good enough.  Store it in the fridge or the microwave, somewhere you are certain they can’t get to it. 

Holiday plants and decorations can also pose a hazard.  Poinsettia plants are toxic and tinsel and decorations can be swallowed and cause serious damage often requiring surgical intervention.  Pet toys and chews can pose a choke hazard as well.  Always supervise your pets play with their toys and when they become damaged discard them and purchase new ones. 

So, enjoy the holidays–with your pets–but use common sense and keep them safe!

Just a reminder that ticks are still present and are becoming active again in the autumn months.  Just today a Labrador presented with a deer tick (this tick transmits Lyme’s disease) attached and the skin was inflamed.  Ticks are carriers of many diseases some of which are Lyme’s disease, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, and Ehrlichiosis.  This can make your dog very ill and in some cases cause death.  It is very important to continue your tick control program this time of year.  There are actually some ticks that live in your house year round and serve as a source of infection for your pets as well as your family so for best protection, use monthly tick control product all year long.

(submitted by Betsy Kubisz)

Just because you’re enjoying some spooky Halloween treats does not mean that it’s safe for your pets to do the same….notably candy and gum!  Candy, especially chocolate, and gum, especially sugar-free using xylatol, can be toxic (poisonous) to your pets.  You’re pets are attracted to the smell but do NOT let them eat it!  It is much better to celebrate the holiday with some pet-friendly treats.  Why not have a box of doggie biscuits handy or cat treats when answering your door?  No doggie biscuits?  Try some baby carrts – nice and orange for Halloween!  Many of your trick-or-treaters may bring along their 4 footed friends, so be ready.

 Don’t forget when your little ones come home with their bags of candy to put it out of the way (that is, if its’s not already gone) so that your pet does not help itself once all humans are in bed for the night.  Putting it out of the way is not leaving it on the table or counter.  Pets’ sense of smell is many times stronger than humans so make sure it is in a locked cabinet or in the refridgerator or microwave where you are certain your pet can not get to it.  Day after Halloween is a popular day for the veterinarians – lots of sick tummies!

If for some reason your pet DOES get into the treat bag, save the wrappers (whats left of them) and call your veterinarian right away to see what should be done.  Don’t wait an hour or 2 to decide.  Some of the ingredients in these treats can cause serious harm to your pet in a very short time.  Your veterinarian will be glad to advise you on the best method of treatment. 

Be safe and have a spooktacular Halloween!!!!

Oak Hill Animal Clinic is committed to the highest standards of care for our clients and their pets.  Veterinary medicine isan ever changing science that requires us to reevaluate our policies and procedures on an ongoing basis in order to provide you and your pet with the best possible care.

Leptospirosis is the most common zoonotic disease in the world and can cause debilitating kidney, liver disease and even death.  A zoonotic disease is defined as a disease that can be spread from animals to people.  This disease is prevalent in the midwest states including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisocnsin.  Leptospirosis is easily spread from animal to animal via contaminated urine.   ANYWHERE an animal urinates can be a potential for Leptspirosis exposure. This disease can live for months in the soil or water and still cause infection.

Based on recommendations from several industry leading human and medical organizations (please see listed below), and in light of new research on this topic, Oak Hill Animal Clinic recommends Leptospirosis  vaccination for all dogs!  It is simple, inexpensive and it could just save your life!

American Animal Hospital Association;   JAVMA, vol 230, No.11, June 2007; Center for Disease Control and Prevention  www.cdc.gov/eid, vol12, No3, March 2006; Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine;

Submitted by Bethany Elliott, RVT

Now that summertime is coming to an end many people think that their dog’s allergies are coming to an end as well.  But fall season brings about allergies also.  From late August to late October (until it turns cold and stays cold) our furry companions can be just as bad with allergies as in the early spring and summer.

This time of year is the peak for ragweed, goldenrod, and mold spores of many kinds.  Some common sign of allergies in dogs can be itching/scratching, redness of skin, hair loss, ear infections, inflamed feet, hot spots (areas of moist, painful skin infection), etc.

Here are some tips in keeping your animals comfortable when it comes to allergies:

1.  Keep your pets away from un-mowed grass.

2.  Clean up leaves when raked into a pile.  Don’t leave them sitting around to mold.

3.  Try to avoid outdoor playtime in the morning hours.  Between 5am-10am is when the pollen is the most airborne.  A good time to have outside acitvities is after a rain as this keeps the pollen from spreading.

4.  Wash your dog’s feet when he/she comes in from outside.  Additionally frequent bathing once or twice a week helps remove allergins from your pets skin thus reducing the amount that irritates your dog.

5.  If your dog is still uncomfortable, bring him/her to your veterinarian.  In extreme cases there are allergy tests that can be performed ( a simple blood test) to help pinpoint what allergins are affecting your dog.  Once this is determined then a program of desensitization injections (think of it as an allergy vaccine) can be designed for you to administer at home.  In most cases these greatly reduce the suffering your pet endures during allergy season.

First of all let me say that I am the first to agree there are too many unwanted puppies and kittens in this world already.  Responsible pet ownership is of highest priority.  The standard recommendation for years has been to neuter/spay your pet at 6 months of age.  The reasoning behind this is that this is generally before the pet is capable of having  or producing young (although some  pets are fertile before 6 months).  This obviously would reduce the number of unplanned puppies and kittens.   Many humane societies, low cost spay neuter services are sterilizing pets as young as 8 to 12 weeks with out regard to health concerns this may pose later in that animals life.  Neutering pets as these very young ages  prevents the urinary tract (urethra primarily) from reaching full size and in many cases this can lead to urinary tract disease/blockage, especially in male cats.  Additionally, the hormones of puberty (estrogen/testosterone) play a vital role in signaling the growth plates of the long bones in the legs to close thus stopping the lengthening of these bones.  Recent research suggests that pets neutered prior to going through puberty experience longer growth in these bones without an increase in their density thus the bone is abnormally long.  What does this harm?  There is evidence that pets neutered  before puberty experience a higher rate of osteosarcoma , bone cancer, later in life.  In addition, there is also evidence that when pets go through puberty that this has an effect on their brain/behavior and helps them to mature mentally.  My current recommendation is to not neuter male toy breed dogs and cats  until after 7  months of age.  For medium breeds I would wait until at least  12 months of age, large breed 18 months and giant breeds at least 24 months.  For all female  pets there is the question do I let them have their first estrus (heat cycle) or not.  Obviously there is the need to strictly control your pet while she is in season so as to not let her get pregnant.  Estrus will last 3-4 weeks and the female pet must be strictly monitored and kept away from the males.  There is also the added mess that this presents and some people do not want to deal with this.  The advantages are the same for the female dogs/cats.  If you are willing and able to deal with a female pet in season then I recommend  letting them go through their first cycle and then spay them as soon as this is over.  For toy dogs and cats this is somewhere around 6 months of age.  Medium to large breed 7 to 12 months of age and giant breeds 9 to 18 months of age.  Always keep in mind that pets are  individuals and these time frames are only guidelines.   Responsible pet ownership is about reducing the number of unwanted puppies and kiteens as well as proper training, feeding, health care for your pet.  Look at the whole picture when it comes to your pets’ health needs.

It is so important to have your pets identified so that if they become lost they can be readily returned to you .  This week we had a Dachshund/Hound mix brought to our office.  The lady found it wandering the street.  She had checked at several houses in her neighborhood and had posted signs.  The dog has no tags or collar and we scanned it for a microchip and it had none as well.  I am sure this dog belongs to someone.  It appears well cared for and is very friendly.  Micro-chipping is relatively painless for the pet and can be performed when your pet is neutered/spayed while it is asleep so they don’t feel it.  This is a means of permanent identification so that lost pets can be quickly returned to their owners.  So, if your pets have not been micro-chipped, I encourage you to do so.  It might just save your pet from going to a shelter and perhaps being euthanized.

This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

The Center for Disease Control(CDC) reports about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year and 885,000 of those require medical attention. In 2006, more than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by dogs. For more information on dog bite prevention be sure to check out the CDC website at Dog Bite Prevention or their podcast – Dog Bite Concerns

Be safe especially with the warmer weather and more dogs out dog bites are on the rise during the warmer months.

A DWWD? Driving With Windows Down.

Finally warmer weather has hit Northwest Indiana and although it is safe for us humans to be driving with the windows of our cars down, it is not safe for our pets. Oh we have all seen it the dog hanging its head outthe car window while your driving down the road and the dog loves it. Well sometimes we need to protect those that do not know any better. Besides being unsafe if your dog happens to jump out of the moving car, speeds as low as 5 mph can cause serious injury, it is very unsafe for their eyes. Bugs, small debris and even just the wind can cause a corneal tear (scratch on the eye) or worse puncture of the eye. This can cause a serious emergency situation and your dog may lose its sight and even the eye itself.

While driving it is best to keep the windows only cracked so the dog can not stick its head out the window or jump out. If you have power windows, be sure to lock them so that your dog can not accidently open the windows by stepping on the switch.

To be honest the best way to travel with your dog in the car is confined. The dog should either be in a restraining device (doggie seat belt) or in a crate while you are driving. You keep yourself buckled up for safety you should do the same for your dog. That way you can have the windows open safely without worrying about your dogs eyes or it jumping out of a moving car.