Otterkill Animal Hospital
Newsletter Fall 2009

Tick, Tick, Tick

Yes, time is marching onward and we're already in the midst of another fall season. Many people mistakenly assume that once cold weather sets in, ticks and other external parasites become less active. Actually, the opposite is true. Ticks are very actively feeding now. The juvenile deer ticks are voraciously feeding in order to prepare for the winter months. We see our highest number of tick borne diseases like Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis during the period of October to December. It is vital that you keep up your tick control preventative measures until snow is on the ground! Ticks can remain active even with a snow cover but usually slow down during the winter. Fleas are generally killed outside after a week of consistent frost so they are no longer much of an issue. If you have any questions about the best methods of tick control please call us. Monitor your dog for any signs of tick borne disease such as lethargy, loss of appetite, limping, fever or any general signs of illness. If you see any of these signs please come in for an examination. Early detection and treatment is the key to preventing serious long term complications from any of these diseases.

Canine Flu

Human flu is receiving a lot of attention these days as we head into flu season and vaccination programs are underway. Did you know there is a new influenza virus that is an emerging disease in dogs? First discovered in 2004 in racing greyhounds in Florida, this virus is now present throughout the country. It behaves much like the human influenza virus. It is commonly an airborne virus but can last on surfaces for a short period of time. It can spread rapidly through dogs in close contact such as in shelter or kennel situations. As rescued dogs travel from shelter to shelter throughout the country it's becoming more widespread. The table below shows where it's being found right now:

A dog infected with Canine Flu will act much like we do when infected with the flu. Expect lethargy, fever and a cough. It can often be misdiagnosed as the more common and less serious upper respiratory infection known as Kennel Cough. This typically results in a loud, honking type cough in infected patients. The flu causes a more subdued cough often accompanied by a nasal discharge. Like our flu, this can also lead to more serious complications such as pneumonia and even death, so it's important to recognize symptoms early.

Treatment consists of supportive care such as pain relievers, fluids and plenty of rest. We'll usually begin antibiotic treatment to avoid secondary bacterial infections and to attempt to decrease the risk of pneumonia. We're diligently watching for the appearance of canine flu in our area. So far there have been no outbreaks, but if you see a persistent cough in your dog please come in for an examination.

A new vaccine for Canine Flu was approved by the FDA this past May. We're waiting until safety is established for this vaccine before recommending it for our patients. It may become part of our vaccine protocol in the near future.

Staff Continues our Education

As you well know, Otterkill Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing the very best in veterinary care for your companions. The best way we can do that is to provide educational opportunities for our staff thereby keeping them on the forefront of new advancements in care for our patients.

Dr. Will recently completed a certification course in abdominal ultrasonagraphy adding her skills to our imaging department. She will be attending the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando this January.

Dr. Zgoda just returned from attending the New York State Veterinary Conference at Cornell University. Dr. Keller and technician students Emily and Melissa are freshly returned from attending the Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference in Atlantic City. These conferences provide lectures containing the most up-to-date information about medical and surgical problems in animals given by specialists from around the world. It's our way of making certain we continually provide state-of-the-art care for our patients.

Speaking of the Arts

Did you know that one of the other “hats” Dr. Zgoda wears is as Managing Director for the Classic Choral Society? This is a 70 member chorus which performs several programs throughout the year. This season the group is celebrating its 50th Anniversary providing the best in choral music to Orange County and the surrounding communities. Dr. Z has proudly been instrumental in helping the group commission a work from a local composer which will receive its world premiere performances on November 1st and 8th. Learn more about this exciting group at www.classicchoralsociety.org.

Cat Scan

Wondering how your cat will tell you it's time for an exam? Cats are very adept at hiding their symptoms but ones to commonly watch for are: quietness, lethargy, decreasing or lack of appetite, vomiting, ocular or nasal discharge, change in urination or bowel habits, straining to pass either. Keep scanning for any of these changes. Should you notice any please make an appointment as soon as possible. Remember that the earlier a problem is recognized and treated the better the outcome!

Enjoy the fall – jump in a pile of leaves, drink some fresh cider, bite a crisp apple and give your animal companions plenty of hugs.