PEAH Blog

Summer Fun for our dogs

8/2/2016

Mabel, a bullhuahua, vaults into her private pool.

Mabel loves swimming!

As the days get warmer, we naturally look forward to bringing our pets outdoors with us for social activities. Our dogs enjoy frolicking in the ocean and running through the grass just as much as we do. When pets are well socialized, the world is more fun for them and their human companions. However, before taking our pets to the beach or park, it is important to remember a few rules of safety and courtesy.

In New York State, the law requires that dogs be leashed unless otherwise posted. Check your beach or park for signs indicating places and times where dogs are allowed to be off-leash, and restrict untethered play to these areas. It is essential that your dog is well-identified should she become lost. Dog tags that include your pet’s name and your phone number should be attached to their collar at all times. Microchips are a permanent, highly effective way to identify missing pets and return them safely to their owners.

The law isn’t the only reason to keep your dog on a leash. Unpredictable environmental factors such as traffic or wild animals can be hazardous to your pet. And while your dog may be friendly and enjoy playing with everyone it meets, not all dogs will respond well to this attention. If your dog wants to play with others, be sure to ask the owner if it is ok and carefully supervise.

State law also requires that all dogs have current rabies vaccination. Be sure that your pet is up to date and wearing his most recent rabies tag. Immunization against other communicable diseases such as lyme, leptospirosis, and bordetella may also be appropriate, depending upon your pet’s location and lifestyle. It is also always a good idea to be vigilant about flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. In addition to topicals and collars, there are now chewable flea and tick prevention tablets that do not restrict your dog’s water activities. Ask your veterinarian for more information and recommendations tailored to your pet.

Lucy gazes upon the sea. What wonders must lie behind yon horizon!

Lucy casts her gaze upon the horizon.

When visiting the beach, find some ‘personal space’ for swimming. There’s nothing quite as fun for all of us as watching a Labrador Retriever riding the waves back in with her favorite frisbee in tow. Even dogs that can swim well can panic in rough water; therefore it’s best to never leave your dog unattended around water. Consider a life vest for your dog whether you are at the beach, a lake or around a pool. High-quality life jackets are available for dogs. Make sure to acclimate your dog to wearing the life vest prior to your outing. Dogs with thin hair coats are prone to sunburns, just like us. Use a quick-drying, spray-on sunscreen without ingestion warnings for your pets. There are also specialized outfits that provide protection from the sun as well as fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and biting flies.

When walking your dog on the beach, keep an eye out for washed-up sea creatures and other hazards that should be avoided. It is a good idea to bring fresh water and a clean bowl wherever you go with your dog. Collapsible bowls are a good option for travel. Also bring a small bag with some of your pet’s favorite treats. Dogs should be cleansed with fresh water when they are finished swimming. With long exposure, salt from the ocean or chlorine from the pool can irritate the skin. Rinse with a hose or give a quick bath before heading home.

And always remember the number one rule of dog courtesy - bring plenty of poop bags, and be sure to clean up after your dog and dispose of them properly!

Hot Weather Tips

7/12/2016

By Jonathan Levine, DVM

Lucy, an English Cocker Spaniel, sunning on her front porch.

Lucy enjoying some sun!

As we enter the ‘dog days’ of summer, people and their pets are likely to spend more time outside. When people go out in the hot weather, there are a lot of options to mitigate the potentially harmful effects that the bright sun and high temperatures can have on us. These risk factors can harm our pets too - and they rely on us to keep them safe.

Heatstroke in dogs can be a life-threatening condition which occurs when elevated temperatures and high humidity cause an increase in a dog’s body temperature, preventing normal thermoregulation. Heatstroke can affect many of the organ systems in the dog, causing bleeding abnormalities, kidney and liver damage, gastrointestinal distress, and even seizures. Park East Animal Hospital is here to help you keep your four-legged friends cool, comfortable, and healthy during the hot summer months.

While dogs do have a limited ability to perspire, their sweat glands are limited to the pawpads and constitute a very small percentage of the surface are of their bodies. Dogs rely heavily on panting to release heat, and are much more dependent cool surfaces and shade for thermoregulation.

Certain factors can predispose dogs to heat exhaustion and increase the risk of heatstroke. These factors include brachycephaly (short-nosed, flat-faced dogs such as Frenchies and Pugs), obesity, long hair, and dark-colored dogs. Medical conditions such as larygneal paralysis, cardiovascular disease, and others can also increase a dog’s risk of developing heatstroke.

Signs of heatstroke can vary. The most common symptoms include:
     ▸ Excessive panting
     ▸ Excessive salivation
     ▸ Bright red tongue or gums
     ▸ Thick, sticky saliva
     ▸ Depression or lethargy
     ▸ Weakness, decreased coordination, or muscle tremors
     ▸ Vomiting (possibly including blood)
     ▸ Diarrhea (possibly including darker or tarry stools)

Chart depicting canine risk factors in ambient temperatures.

Temperature Risk Factor Chart Source: Petplan

Any dog that cannot cool itself properly is at risk for heatstroke. Below are some suggestions to help prevent heatstroke and the medical emergencies it may cause:

Provide access to water at all times.
Exercise your pets in the morning or in the evening, when the humidity is slightly more manageable and the temperatures are not at their peaks. Too much exercise in hot weather can be very dangerous.
Avoid extended periods of time on concrete or asphalt, where heat is reflected and there is no access to shade.
Try to provide a cool, shaded area for your pet. While air conditioning can help, there are other ways to provide a cooler environment. Wrap cold ice packs (you can make your own with resealable plastic bags or water bottles) in a towel. Place them on the floor to allow your dog to lie on them, or hold them against your pet’s body.
Never keep your dog in your car, even with the windows open, just to run a quick errand, or for any other reason. Temperatures escalate quickly in cars, and can cause very severe problems.

If you notice any signs of heatstroke or are concerned that your dog is at increased risk, Park East Animal Hospital is here to help! Our doctors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help keep your pets cool and comfortable throughout the summer. Please call 212-832-8417 with any questions or concerns.

Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Prevention

7/5/2016

By Anne Heskel, VMD

Bailey, a German Shepherd, and Johah, her friend, take a rest and pose for a photo during their hike through the woods.

Bailey and Jonah enjoying a hike on a misty day.

To protect against vector borne diseases, the veterinary staff at Park East Animal Hospital recommends dogs receive a tick and flea preventative throughout the year. Because of the fluctuations in regional temperature as well as an increase in the tick population, seasonal parasite prevention may not offer sufficient protection.

We are glad to offer a variety of products administered in three different ways: topical application, oral medication, and continuous wear collar. All of these products work by blocking a neurological function specific to invertebrates like fleas and ticks. While products are available for dogs and cats, it is very important that dog products are not given to cats and vice-versa. When picking a product, it is important to consider your pet's health, lifestyle, and any potential allergies or drug interactions.

National lyme disease risk map illustrating increased risk in Atlantic/Northeast region.

Lyme disease risk map. Source: Wikipedia Commons

Fleas and Ticks
There are a wide variety of products available to combat fleas and ticks. These are differentiated by their method of administration, duration of action, and suitability for pets with certain medical conditions. We offer products to keep pets protected within the context of any lifestyle.

Topical
Topical products, such as Frontline Plus, are applied to the skin between the shoulder blades once a month. These products spread across the entire body of the dog or cat within approximately 24 hours and are stored within the oil glands of the skin for 30 days. Dogs should not be bathed or go swimming for approximately 24 hours before or after Frontline is applied. Aside from those days, it is fine for dogs to be fully submerged in water without a decrease in protection.

Oral
Two newer products offer flea and tick protection for dogs in the form of a flavored tablet. Nexgard is administered by mouth once a month. Bravecto is given once every 12 weeks. Both Nexgard and Bravecto begin to kill and repel fleas and ticks within 48 hours of administration. Some dogs may experience some vomiting or diarrhea so these tablets are best given with a meal. There is no need to postpone bathing or swimming with these products. Nexgard is not an option for dogs that have a history of seizures or seizure like disorders.

Collar
Next generation tick and flea collars can offer continuous protection against these pests for many months when used correctly. Scalibor, appropriate only for dogs, offers protection against the four species of ticks known to transmit disease in this area for up to 5 months. Seresto, which has collars specially designed for dogs or cats, can offer protection for 8 months. Both are designed to kill fleas or ticks already present on pets as well as prevent new infestations of these parasites. While they begin working within a day of application, it is important to keep in mind that they will be strongest after 2 weeks of continuous wear. These collars do not need to be removed for bathing or swimming. Seresto’s label notes that frequent bathing or swimming, more than once a week, can shorten the lifespan of the collar from 8 months to 5 months.

In addition to giving these preventative treatments, it is important to check your pet daily for ticks. Because fur can interfere with our ability to see the small, nymph ticks, rinsing dogs down at the end of the day may provide more efficient and effective way to remove the smaller nymph ticks. Landscaping changes can make a yard and home less hospitable to ticks, reducing the chance of exposure. These include keeping lawns cut short, removing brush or leaves from around the house, and chemically treating the perimeter of a yard with a tick preventative.

Heartworm microfilaria viewed through a microscope

Heartworm microfilaria. Source: Wikipedia Commons

Heartworm
Heartworm disease is prevented by variations of avermectin-derived medications. Avermectins are produced in the soil and can treat many parasitic diseases of people as well as pets. In 2015, the scientists who discovered avermectins were awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine. They are a very safe class of medication for most pets.

Heartgard and Sentinel are tablet forms of heartworm prevention. They are taken by mouth once a month and offer protection against some intestinal worms found in the environment as well as heartworms. If dogs have food sensitivities, Sentinel is the better choice as it does not contain beef protein. Heartgard is available for dogs and cats. Sentinel is a canine-only product.

Revolution is a topical combination product that offers protection against heartworm disease as well as some intestinal worms, skin mites, and, fleas. It is applied to the skin between the shoulder blades once a month and is a great choice for pets that will not take oral medication or have food sensitivities. Revolution is available for dogs and cats.

Tick borne diseases can cause serious, devastating illness in people - in addition to the danger they pose to our pets - and an infected tick can bite more than once. While heartworm disease is more rarely diagnosed in our area, in part due to rigorous prevention protocols, it can be even more difficult and expensive to treat. In cats, there is no approved medication to treat heartworm disease, and management is the only option once exposed.

For these reasons, the veterinarians and staff at Park East Animal Hospital believe that providing appropriate flea, tick, and heartworm prevention for your pet is an important part of maintaining their health and well-being. We encourage you to call our office and speak with a veterinarian about vector borne disease, prevention, and what is best for your pet and your family.

Vector Borne Disease

6/30/2016

By Anne Heskel, VMD

Sonny enjoys a frolick through tall grass in the country.

The great outdoors!

Spending time with our pets outside is one of the best ways to bond with them. Hiking in the woods, walking through the park, and swimming at the beach provide wonderful was to play with them. In our area, we are lucky to have many great places to share with our pets. It is also important to remember that we share these spaces with other, less welcome creatures. Animals are vulnerable to vector borne diseases and it is very important that we take appropriate steps to protect them.

Vector borne diseases are viral or bacterial diseases that are transmitted using another animal (the vector). In the New York area, ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes are common vectors that affect pets as well as people.

Ticks
Four common species of ticks, the Deer Tick, the American Dog Tick, the Brown Dog Tick and the Lone Star Tick, reside in our area and transmit many types of bacterial disease. Ticks are more prevalent and more likely to spread disease in the late spring and summer. Adult ticks can be easy to find and remove. However, it is very important to remember that the nymph stage of ticks, when they are barely bigger than the tip of a ball point pen, transmits many of these diseases. The CDC has an excellent informational page explaining the life cycle of disease-spreading ticks in the United States.

Photographs of several varieties of ticks, demonstrating differences in size and shape.

Source: Wikipedia Commons

The most well- known and prevalent disease in this area is Lyme Disease. Named for the town in Connecticut where it was identified, Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Signs of Lyme disease in the dog can include decreased appetite, joint pain or stiffness, and fever. Occasionally Lyme disease can interfere with dogs’ kidneys, causing an increase of protein in the urine and lasting, potentially fatal, kidney damage. Recent projections show that the risk of Lyme disease will continue to increase for dogs in the Tri-State area and beyond. For detailed risk information by area, please refer to this map.

Other bacterial diseases transmitted by ticks are Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. These diseases may cause nebulous signs of inappetence, fever, and gastrointestinal distress. They may also lead to more significant interference with certain blood cell types and can be life threatening.

Fleas
In a crowded environment like New York City, flea infestations can be easy to contract and difficult to contain or eliminate without flea prevention. Fleas are an itchy nuisance on their own, and many dogs and cats suffer from flea allergies and flea-related dermatitis. However, it is also possible for fleas to cause anemia (a decrease in healthy red blood cells that prevents the body’s tissues and organs from receiving sufficient oxygen), especially in younger animals, and to transmit tapeworms and bacterial or viral infections, some of which can be contracted in humans.

Mosquitoes
For dogs and cats, the most important mosquito borne concern is heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is caused by a blood parasite called Dirofilaria immitus. A mosquito bites an infected animal and picks up the parasite. The parasite matures within the mosquito and can then be transmitted to another pet. Once inside the bloodstream of a dog, the parasite can grow and multiply until it clogs the heart valves - causing coughing, exercise intolerance and possible death. For cats, this parasite is more likely to cause inflammation and disruption in the lungs causing coughing and lethargy.

While treatment for tick borne and, in most cases, heartworm disease is available, prevention is more affordable and better ensures the health of your pet. Park East Animal Hospital offers a comprehensive selection of flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives in a variety of presentations. Whether oral, topical, or wearable prevention best suits your lifestyle, our doctors can recommend a product to keep your pet free of vector borne disease all year round. Call our office at 212-832-8417 to speak with a doctor if you have concerns about possible exposure to these disease vectors.

Fourth of July Tips

6/21/2016

By Victoria Hooker, VMD

Mambo, a havanese, showing off his patriotic outfit.

Happy Fourth of July!

With the Fourth of July right around the corner, it’s important to keep the safety of our pets in mind as we prepare for the holiday. Barbecues, day trips, and fireworks are the order of the day, and the long weekend is a welcome opportunity to spend some extra time with our loved ones - both two- and four-legged. Here are some tips to make the holiday as safe and enjoyable as possible for you and your pets.

BBQs and Picnics
Summer is synonymous with barbecues and picnics. Unfortunately, our pets can’t always enjoy the same snacks that we do. Eating high fat foods - such a steak, hamburgers, and cheese - can put our dogs at risk for pancreatitis. Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is a very painful disorder that can require a great deal of supportive care for complete recovery. During summer festivities, remember to keep food out of reach of pets and consider keeping your pet indoors until after the meal to prevent them from accidentally eating high fat foods or inadvertently being fed by a well-meaning but uninformed guest.

Park East patient presented for coughing and wheezing after getting into the trash. X-rays revealed a large chicken bone lodged in the esophagus. The bone was successfully removed via endoscopy, and the patient has recovered fully.

Thoracic radiograph revealing chicken bone ingestion.

Barbeques and picnics are also a great place for dogs to ingest many common foreign objects that can become stuck in the gastrointestinal tract and cause life-threatening obstruction. Corn cobs and bones are two common cook-out leftovers that are frequently ingested and can cause obstruction.

Grapes and raisins are great snacks to bring to picnics, but it is important to remember that they can be toxic for dogs. While the exact substance in grapes that causes toxicity is not yet known, even small exposures have proven to be dangerous or even fatal in some dogs. Signs can range from gastrointestinal upset or abdominal pain to dehydration and decreased urination. In the worst cases, urinary signs can progress to renal (kidney) failure and death. If you believe that your pet may have eaten grapes or raisins, it is important to call immediately to speak with a doctor.

Fireworks
When the sun sets on the Fourth, it is time for the main event of the evening - fireworks! Unfortunately, fireworks can cause fear or anxiety in many dogs and cats. If your pet has never experienced fireworks before, it is best to not leave them unattended during the fireworks as some pets can become extremely nervous and fearful during fireworks displays. If your pet is noise-averse, keep them in a quiet place in the house (such as an interior bathroom, closet or another room with few windows) and play white noise or music to try to drown out the loud firework noise. Distract them with treats and toys. If you cannot be home during the fireworks display, it is safest to keep them in a crate or other small enclosed area. Thunder shirts can also help some dogs feel more safe. Keep in mind that dogs also have a larger range of hearing than humans; therefore, it is best to keep them as far away from fireworks displays at possible.

If your pet is showing signs of injury, toxic exposure, GI obstruction, or hyperthermia, please call Park East Animal Hospital at 212-832-8417. Our doctors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide the best possible care for you and your pets.

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Vector Borne Disease

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