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Reply: Dangerous Hot Spots

Good to hear about the allergies. If the infection comes back, I ask your vet...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Dangerous Hot Spots Good to hear about the allergies. If the infection comes back, I ask your vet...

Reply: How to Remove a Tick from Your Pet

Great idea, just make sure the tick is really dead. They are really good...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:How to Remove a Tick from Your Pet Great idea, just make sure the tick is really dead. They are really good...

Summertime Tips for Safe and Healthy Pets

Almost everyone loves summer, including most pets. By practicing the following...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

Almost everyone loves summer, including most pets. By practicing the following safety tips and taking some simple precautions, you can increase your pet's chances of avoiding some potentially stressful summer hazards.

1. Watch for heated cars. It's always fun to take your dog -- and even some cats -- in the car with you. But remember how your car can heat up under the summer sun. Even with the windows down, the internal temperature can rise quickly. And pets will overheat fast. What you think is just a short run into the grocery store could be dangerous. Your best bet is to leave pets at home and let them enjoy the nice, cool house.

2. Provide lots of fresh water. When it's hot outside, pets will drink a lot more water. So make sure you keep their bowls filled up. Pets are also notorious for spilling their water, or even playing in it. So make sure you keep your pet's water in a bowl that cannot be turned over. Also, remember that water sitting in the sun will get hot. So if a pet is already overheated and they drink hot water, it is not going to help them to cool down.

3. Ensure plenty of shade. Many pets should not be in direct sunlight for long periods of time. If you are out at the park with your pet, make sure you take your breaks in the shade. This is especially true for our dark coated breeds. Direct sunlight for extended periods can really cause them to overheat especially fast.

4. Be careful of loud noises. Some common summer sounds can be scary to your pets. Fireworks and thunderstorms are the often the biggest offenders. Thunderstorms arise very fast and can really cause pets to become frightened. Make sure your pets are in a safe place where they cannot hurt themselves or get loose. Many times their natural instinct is to run, and we see lots of pets getting lost during times when there are storms or loud fireworks going off.

5. Avoid the hot pavement. Be careful when walking your pet on the hot cement during the summer, because their feet can get burned. I typically see lots of problems with foot pads around the spring and summer. Many pet owners want to enjoy the nice warm weather, and they'll take their pets for a walk or run while they do. But if your pet's feet are not adjusted from living inside during the winter, they can burn and blister. Walking pets in the grass is a great way to prevent these types of injuries.

6. Beware of parasites. Fleas, ticks, snakes, bees, and bugs really come out in numbers during the summer months. And it's always important to protect your pet from fleas and ticks with good monthly prevention. And avoid areas that are common habitats for snakes and bees. Nothing can ruin a nice summer day like a snake bite or bee sting.

What special precautions do you take with your pets to make sure they have fun and healthy summers?View Thread

Posted byM Duffy Jones, DVM

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Summertime Tips for Safe and Healthy Pets Almost everyone loves summer, including most pets. By practicing the following...

Reply: Dangerous Hot Spots

The only thing I would worry about is dogs with chronic allergies are very prone...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Dangerous Hot Spots The only thing I would worry about is dogs with chronic allergies are very prone...

Mosquitos and Your Pet

Should you be concerned about mosquitos and your pets? The answer is yes....

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

Should you be concerned about mosquitos and your pets? The answer is yes. Mosquitos can cause serious problems for our pets, including transmission of heartworm disease, West Nile virus, and even allergic reactions for some.

Heartworms
Heartworm disease is by far the biggest threat pets face from mosquitos. There are many natural reservoirs for heartworm disease, including feral dogs, coyotes, and wolves. When a mosquito feeds from one animal with heartworms and then moves on to the next, it will inject the worm larvae into the next animal. The larvae then mature and migrate to the animal's heart and lungs. Once there, the worms cause damage to these organs. And if left untreated, they can lead to heart failure.

The good news is that giving your pet preventatives each month can significantly decrease his chances of contracting heartworms. Preventatives are very effective and we rarely see failures of these products when they are given correctly.

West Nile Virus
Mosquitos also carry and transmit the West Nile virus, which can be a devastating disease for pets. It can cause a loss in muscular control, difficulty walking, and anorexia. Testing for this virus is also very difficult. Many times the pets are already recovering by the time the testing is complete. There is a vaccine for horses. But as of right now, the vaccine is not approved for dogs and cats. The risk of contracting West Nile virus is directly related to how much time a pet spends outside. So, obviously, outdoor pets are at the greatest risk.

Allergic Reactions to Mosquitos
Mosquitos can also cause allergic reactions for some pets. In my practice, I see many pets that get just a few mosquito bites, and their ears will swell and they will lose much of their hair. This occurs the most around the head and neck, where the fur is typically shorter and where mosquitos have a better chance at getting to the skin to bite. Some allergic reactions to mosquitos can be very strong and cause lots of inflammation and swelling in our pets.

For West Nile Virus and allergic reactions, good mosquito control is the only way to help prevent these problems. In addition to keeping your pet inside during times when mosquitos are the worst, this can also include:
- hiring a service to spray for mosquitos
- setting mosquito traps in your yard
- making sure you don't have any standing water around for mosquitos to breed
- keeping your ponds and outdoor fountains treated to prevent mosquito breeding

There are some products that do help to repel mosquitos. But there are also some that claim to repel them and don't. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian so he or she can advise you about which products should work best, based on your pet's age, breed, and medical history.

What have you done to prevent mosquito problems for your furry friends?View Thread

Posted byM Duffy Jones, DVM

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Mosquitos and Your Pet Should you be concerned about mosquitos and your pets? The answer is yes....

How to Remove a Tick from Your Pet

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED: - Rubbing alcohol - A pair of tweezers, forceps, or...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED:
- Rubbing alcohol
- A pair of tweezers, forceps, or another pulling device (never to be used again or on a person)
- A jar with a lid -- for the tick afterward
- Someone to help you hold the pet

STEPS FOR REMOVAL:
1. Have a helper hold your pet's head and keep the area that you will be working on still. The last thing you want is the pet jumping or moving as you attempt to get the tick out.

2. Put some alcohol around the area where the tick is attached. This helps to wet the hair around the area so you can get a better view. It also helps to kill bacteria around the area. There will be an open wound after you remove the tick, so you want to try to keep the area clean.

3. Take your removing device of choice -- I prefer a hemostat -- and grab the tick as close to the skin as possible.

4. Apply gentle pressure to your removing device while pulling the tick straight back from the skin. Try not to twist, jerk, or rotate the tick because you are more likely to break it and leave the head still imbedded. As you gently pull on it the tick will let go. It may take a minute or two of gentle pressure. Don't crush the tick because that may release more of the potential bacteria and diseases that ticks can spread.

5. Once the tick is removed, drop it in a jar with some alcohol. Secure the lid on the jar and let the tick stay in there for a day or two. Flushing or throwing the tick away will not necessarily kill it. They are very resilient creatures. Instead, a long alcohol bath will do the trick.

6. Once you are sure it is dead, then throw it away.

7. After removing the tick, clip your pet's hair around the site so you can monitor it over the next few days. Keep an eye out for any excessive swelling or redness. If you notice any, see your veterinarian and they will most likely start some antibiotics.

8. Clean the area again with some alcohol to prevent infection.

If things do not go as planned and the head is ripped off, attempt to gently remove the head from the skin. If that's not possible, see your vet to have it removed. If a visit to the vet isn't possible, use warm compresses over the next few days to help your pet's body expel the remaining part of the tick on its own.

The best place to look for ticks on your pet is around the head, neck, and behind the ears. Most ticks will migrate to these locations, although they can be found on all parts of the body.

If you have read this and you feel faint or nauseous about trying to do it yourself, don't worry. My office has many clients who will simply come to us to remove the ticks, rather than attempt to do it at home. So feel free to run your pet to your regular vet's office and they can remove it for you.

We vets have a whole class on tick removal in veterinary school. Just kidding, but we are happy to help.

Have you had any tick sightings on your own pets? What did you do that worked best for you in the tick's removal?
View Thread

Posted byM Duffy Jones, DVM

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:How to Remove a Tick from Your Pet SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED: - Rubbing alcohol - A pair of tweezers, forceps, or...

Reply: Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats

I agree, however as I learned with my own cat, some will not stay indoors only....

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

6 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats I agree, however as I learned with my own cat, some will not stay indoors only....

Reply: Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats

I am sorry to hear about your cat that broke his leg. Some just will not stay...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

6 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats I am sorry to hear about your cat that broke his leg. Some just will not stay...

Reply: Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats

It sounds like a great life for these cats. Great job keeping them safe and...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

6 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats It sounds like a great life for these cats. Great job keeping them safe and...

Reply: Dangerous Hot Spots

I am so sorry to hear about your experience. These infections are such a problem...

Posted by M Duffy Jones, DVM

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Dangerous Hot Spots I am so sorry to hear about your experience. These infections are such a problem...

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