Abingdon Veterinary Clinic

Frequently asked questions

Boarding

Q. My dog recently boarded at a facility and has been coughing and gagging.  Should I have them seen?

A.  Yes.  Your dog may have kennel cough.  It is a highly contagious infection that is spread among dogs and does not infect human or cats.  Kennel cough is an upper respiratory infection.  If untreated, it can cause Pneumonia. Symptoms include : Dry hacking cough, as though something is stuck in their throat.  They may cough up a white foam or gag as well.  If your dog is coughing and is still energetic and eating/drinking well, then it is probably a mild form.  If they are lethargic and depressed,  they may have a more serious form of it.  We suggest having your dog vaccinated for kennel cough 2 weeks prior to boarding, grooming, or frequent interaction with other dogs.  If your dog is in contact with other pooches often, we highly recommend having the vaccine given twice a year.

Q.  My pet has been having diarrhea since I picked them up from boarding.  What do I do?

A.  A lot of pets get stressed out when left in an unfamiliar environment.  Even if you board your pet at the same place every time you leave, your pet may always express high levels of anxiety.  This is very common.  A way to help prevent upset stomachs at home after their stay (or while they are away) bring their food with them.  Portion it out for each feeding so that they are receiving the same amount each time and the same diet as you give at home.  Most pets have very sensitive digestive tracts.  By bringing their own foods, you help relieve the "shock" of a different diet that could make them sick.  Let the boarding facility know that your pet has stress problems when you drop them off.  If they have the means, they could administer an antacid to help settle their tummies! 

Try feeding a bland diet for a day.  Boiled rice and boiled chicken are a favorite.  You can substitute the chicken with boiled ground beef.  If the illness does not resolve within 24 hours then you should have them seen by the veterinarian.

Q.  I have boarded my pet plenty of times. I was told that my pet was aggressive during their stay and that I can't board them there anymore.  Why?!

A.  Safety for our patients and our staff are number one on our list of priorities.  Our kennel staff is trained to handle some of the more difficult situations, but, if we feel that there is a risk we have the right to refuse that pet.  If your pet is showing signs of aggressive fear or stress while boarding, we do not want to heighten the anxiety levels anymore than what they are already putting themselves through being here.  Even if your pet has stayed with us a number of times, pets change as they get older and perhaps they begin to experience higher separation anxieties.

Q.  Why can't I leave toys and blankets with my pet?

A.  We will more than likely lose it.  We have lots of blankets and toys here. (probably from other people leaving blankets and toys for their pets in the past)

Q.  What is a temperament test?

A.  We ask that if you have never boarded with us before, or your dog hasn't been here in a year that you bring them in to be temperament tested.  The kennel staff will take your dog and walk them in the kennel area.  They will proceed to put your dog in a kennel (indoor) and in the outdoor run area.  This gives them the chance to see how your dog will react when putting on a leash, taking it off, putting them in a kennel and taking them out.  If a dog shows resistance going in or out of a kennel (aggressive only) then for the safety of your dog and our staff we can not board them.  There are facilities that offer indoor/outdoor kennels with little to no physical contact.  We are not one of them.

Q.  Does a cat need a temperament test?

A.  No.   Cats are small enough (though MUCH quicker than dogs) that we can let them in and out of their kennel with little to no interaction while we clean up after them.  Lucky cats!

Spay & neuter

Q.  When can I get my dog or cat Spayed/Neutered?

A.  We recommend having your pet spayed/neutered at 6 months of age.  By 6 months all adult teeth should be in and the baby teeth should have fallen out.  Sometimes, the baby teeth do not fall out and are retained behind the adult teeth.  This can cause a lot of dental problems in the future, so while they are already anesthetized we like to pull the retained deciduous teeth. 

Q.  Should I get my pet Spayed/Neutered?

A.  YES.  MILLIONS of dogs and cats are euthanized each year!  Not to mention certain medical conditions are prevented.

Q.  But won't their behavior change?

A.  Yes.  Your pet will no longer feel the need to pursue a mate and will not become aggressive toward other animals and sometimes humans.  Will their behavior change towards you?  No.  Will they become less of a companion?  Nope!

Q.  I heard they get fat and lazy after surgery.  Do they?

A.  If they become fat and lazy that is due to lack of exercise and playtime along with a high calorie diet! 

Preventative Care

Q.  What is Heartworm disease?

A.  Heartworm is transmitted through the vector of a mosquito. When a mosquito feeds on your dog, the dog could be infected with heartworm. Now the mosquito becomes a carrier of the disease and when it lands on its next victim it transmits the disease. Wherever mosquitoes are found you can find the occurrence of heartworm. Some regions, of course, have a greater prevalence. All dogs can get the disease, it is not limited to dogs that spend the majority of the time outside. Of course the incidence is higher among working dogs, such as the Labrador Retriever. The incidence of the disease seems to be higher among dogs ranging in age from 4 to 7 years and is more prevalent in male dogs. The length of the dog’s coat does not increase or decrease the chance of your dog contracting this disease. Dogs are the only victims; it can affect cats and foxes.

The symptoms of this disease include coughing and breathing difficulties. Heartworms cause the thickening of the blood vessels causing an increase in blood pressure and thus a heavier workload for the heart. Congestive heart failure is a common side effect since the heart affected with heartworm compensates. Eventually the heartworms become so great that they can actually block the flow of blood from other parts of the body. Dogs affected may collapse, unable to breathe. Usually when it gets to this stage the disease is too far advanced to attempt treatment.

The diagnosis of the disease is performed by a blood test or X-ray. Before your dog can be put on preventive medication, a blood test must be performed to ensure that your dog does not already have the disease. If your dog has the disease and it is treated with preventive medication it can actually do more damage or even cause death.

The treatment of heartworm infection depends upon the stage in which the dog is in. The drug which many veterinarians use to treat the disease is an arsenic compound known as thiacetarsamide. Usually this drug is given intravenously. In the early stages this drug can kill the adult worms in the heart and lungs. The bad side to the drug is that it can be highly toxic, causing damage to the liver and kidneys. Before this treatment can occur a veterinarian will request a full work up on the dog, including the blood test and x-ray, to ensure that this is the problem. After the treatment has begun the dog will receive more injections of antibiotics and vitamins. If all goes well the dog will be sent home to recover at home for the next four to six weeks. Special medication is administered to eliminate any circulating heartworm larvae.

After treatment a veterinarian might request another series of tests to ensure that the heartworm is entirely gone. Preventative heartworm medication is widely available. It is expensive and most owners do not want to fork the expense for this optional medication. It should be given daily or monthly depending on the particular medication, but most definitely should be given during mosquito season. The veterinarian will have a recommendation on how often the heartworm medication should be given depending on the drug itself and the region you live in. Ivermectin is a popular heartworm preventative that is usually administered once a month. It is important to always have your dog tested for heartworm before starting them on any preventive. If a dog has circulating heartworm larvae in its blood, the heartworm preventative can cause a severe allergic reaction. If you only give your dog the heartworm preventive during a particular season, the dog must be tested before administering it.

Most people don’t think much of this disease but it is more common than most people know. A dog can harbor symptoms for several years and then have sudden death. Discuss the alternatives with your veterinarian but it is always more plausible to err on the side of caution.

Q.  Can I get heartworm disease from my pet?

A.   No.  People can get heartworm disease, although unlikely, from a mosquito bite.  Humans are an aberrant host for heartworms, which means that the larvae can not complete their normal lifecycle within a human host.  This does not mean they cannot occasionally complete part of their life cycle however.  If a human is infected (which is rare), the heartworms usually end up as cysts in the lungs, and on extremely rare occasions the worms will migrate to the eye as the oxygen levels in the eye are the most similar to a heartworms ideal environment.

Q.  What is Lyme Disease?

A. Transmitted through the bite of a tick, Borrelia burgdorferi is the scientific name of the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease.  These microscopic bacteria are a type called spirochete... they have a coiled or cork-screw appearance under the microscope.  The disease is actually named after the town in Connecticut where an early outbreak was first described... Lyme, Connecticut.  (Remember, ticks don't cause the disease, they merely harbor and transmit the bacteria that cause the disease.)  And being fussy little bacteria, not just any tick will do as a carrier.  At least three known species of ticks can transmit Lyme Disease.  However, the great majority of Lyme Disease transmissions are due to the bite of a very tiny tick commonly called the Deer Tick, or Black-legged Tick. 

Q.  Can I get Lyme disease from my dog?

A.  You can't directly contract Lyme disease from your dog. You can get it if the diseased tick falls off your dog and it attaches to you.  If your dog has contracted the disease from your yard or woods, be sure to take proper precautions when you go out there!

Q.  I have dogs and cats but only treat the dogs monthly for fleas and ticks.  Is there a risk of my cats becoming infested-even if they are indoor?

A.  Yes.  Your dog can carry in the fleas and/or ticks into the house and pass them along to your cats.  Some flea and tick preventative require the parasite to actually attach to the skin in order to kill it.  This is very safe for your pet.  Other topical treatments that claim they will be eliminated "on contact" usually carry pesticides which are dangerous.  In order to keep a flea and tick free environment, we recommend treating everyone.

Q.  My cat can't get heartworms right?

A.  Yes they can. There is no drug approved for treating the disease in cats.  Treatment is risky.  Even if your cat does not go outdoors, the possibility of being infected through a mosquito bite is still present.  Mosquitos get in the house don't they?

Q.  Can I get worms from my pets?

A. List of NO parasites:  

Coccidia are one celled protozoans that are intracellular parasites of the lining of the small intestine that occur with some frequency. Eimeria and Isospora are the two most common coccidia of the dog. Infection occurs upon ingestion of contaminated feces or food. Upon ingestion, the parasite colonizes the lining of the small intestine and reproduction begins. As reproduction progresses the new coccidia are shed through the feces to the environment. Shedding of the protozoan can be asymptomatic or associated with signs of diarrhea and bloody stools. Puppies are most commonly affected. Most infections are not apparent and resolve on their own by self immunization. Occasionally, signs will occur and can be quite severe in heavily compromised pups. Adult dogs usually display significant immunity. Treatment for coccidia consist of antimicrobials that are bacteriostatic. These drugs stop the growth of coccidia and then the host¹s immune system responds to rid the intestine of the parasite. Sulfas are frequently employed as a coccidiastat. In kennel environments, prevention is essential. Usually good steam cleaning of kennels will eliminate the infestation of the environment. When the environment is difficult to control coccidiastats can be added in the feed or water for late stage pregnant bitches or young pups 3-6 weeks of age. Coccidia of the dog are not a zoonotic threat.

Whipworms are common but less prevalent parasites. Whipworms are found in warm humid climates and are much less prevalent in the western dry areas of North America. In addition, the difficulty in diagnosing this parasite may disguise its actual incidence. It may require several fecal samples to demonstrate the egg in a microscopic exam.

Whipworms are acquired by ingestion of the egg from contaminated feces. The egg is capable of surviving in the environment for months. Upon ingestion, the egg matures and the adult infection occurs in 2-3 months as the worm burrows into the lining of the large bowel and cecum. Clinical signs are that of colitis: straining, mucous diarrhea with occasional blood and an urge to defecate small volumes frequently.

A. List of YES parasites:

Roundworms (Toxocara) are very common. It has been speculated that 85% of puppies are infected with roundworms. Toxocara canis (TC) and Toxocara leonina (TL) are the two roundworms of the dog, with the former being far more prominent. Both worms are large, around 3 inches. Both are diagnosed by standard microscopic fecal exams. False negatives occur when no eggs have been shed into the sample presented. Infection occurs in both TC and TL by ingestion of eggs when contaminated feces are shed into the environment. However, the vast majority of TC infection occurs by transplacental migration from the bitch to the pup. Immature larvae from either method of transmission of TC undergo migration from the gut into various tissues. The majority of the larvae migrate through the liver, diaphragm, lungs and up the major airways. As they move up the trachea, occasionally several worms will be coughed up by the pup and discovered in the expectorant. Most of TC will continue their migration and be swallowed, moving down the esophagus, into the stomach and back into the small intestine where they reach adult status and begin shedding eggs. Some of the migrating larvae become encysted in tissues as migration occurs. They remain there without consequence during the dog¹s life. Infection by TL does not produce this larval migration. Most dogs develop some immunity to reinfection of TC and TL. Reinfection can add to the existing burden of encysted immature larvae but usually does not result in intestinal infection. Adult infection is estimated to be around 10-15% in the US. Encysted larvae return to the intestine when severe stress occurs to the host. The best example is the pregnant bitch which regularly passes TC via the placenta to its offspring. As a consequence almost all puppies are positive for roundworms. TC does have a serious zoonotic threat when larval migration enters vital tissue of man , in particular the eye. Children are at the greatest risk because they tend to put their fingers into their mouth without proper hygiene. The high incidence of TC and the serious health concern in children make a cogent argument for vigorous round worming schedules in puppies.

Signs of roundworms can be serious in puppies producing abdominal pain, bloating, dull coat , diarrhea and occasionally fatal small bowel obstruction. Migration can cause respiratory signs that mimic upper respiratory infections. Occasionally, serious pneumonia result. Adult dogs rarely show GI signs but can compromise their overall condition, especially if other diseases are active.

Hookworms are common parasites of dogs regardless of age. They are most common in warm humid climates but, exist all over North America. Ancylostoma and Uncinaria are the two hookworms found. The incidence of Ancylostoma is just under 20% in all ages of dogs. Uncinaria is found in about 1% of the dogs and is more common in Canada. Both worms are transmitted by chance skin penetration by the immature larvae or by ingestion of contaminated feces.

Hookworm is a zoonotic. Skin penetration of infective larvae penetrate the bare foot of man and cause mostly a self limiting local skin irritation for three weeks. In the dog hookworm can be severe to unapparent. After eggs are deposited onto the ground in the feces, hot humid temperatures will precipitate the development of larvae. After skin penetration, migration of the larvae into the blood stream carry them around the body and into many tissues. Most are brought to the lungs and like roundworms are swallowed back into the intestinal tract 3 weeks later. As mature hookworms, they attach to the lining of the intestinal track and suck blood. Hookworm larvae also migrate into the gestating pup and continue to mature when the pup is born. Puppy hookworm can be profound and require strong supportive care. Severe hookworm infection can cause marked anemia, intermittent bloody diarrhea, dull dry hair coat, and weight loss. Young and adults dogs that are immunocompromised or suffer with another disease are most at risk.

Tapeworms in dogs are less common than in the cat, probably because of their feeding habits and environmental restrictions. They represent a minority of the parasites seen in the dog but do occur regularly They apparently do not stimulate any immunity by the host. The common tapeworms of dogs pose no threat to humans. However, Echinococcus, an uncommon tapeworm, but increasing in frequency, is potentially fatal to humans.

Dipylidium caninum and Taenia pisiformis are the common tapeworms of dogs. They are passed to the dog by ingestion of the intermediate host of the tapeworm. The flea is the intermediate host of Dipylidium and rabbits and rodents are the intermediate host for Taenia. Dogs ingest the intermediate host and release the intermediate stage of the tapeworm into the GI of the final canine host where the parasite matures to an adult in the small bowel. Eggs are shed to the environment from the GI of the dog in small segments that look like small pieces of rice. These segments can often be seen in fresh feces or attached to the adjacent tissues of the dog¹s anus. As the segments dessicate they release microscopic eggs into the environment for the cycle to begin again. Mature adult Dipylidium and Taenia reach 50cm. or more in length. Signs of Dipylidium and Taenia infestation are unapparent. These parasites seem to be innocuous in the dog. Their only threat is their repugnancy and the potential to further debilitate a compromised pet. Treatment for these two tapeworms is either oral or by injection under the skin. Several drugs are available. They include praziquantel, epsiprantel, fenbendazole and mebendazole. Prevention of Dipylidium consists of good flea control. Prevention of Taenia is difficult if your dog is a good rodent and rabbit hunter and may require prophylactic tape worming several times a year.

Giardia is another protozoan intestinal parasite that infects many mammals including man. It problably is a zoonotic. The parasite is one of several flagellates (mobile tails attached to the single cell) that infect mammals. The disease produced is variable depending on the individual and age. Young puppies are most often affected. Signs usually occur 1-2 weeks after infection and often the disease goes unnoticed or is self limiting after a bout of diarrhea. It can produce severe diarrhea and fluid loss. Most cases that show signs are mild with minimal depression. The parasite is passed in the feces and is consumed directly by the next host. Giardia is very hardy and can remain in the environment for a number of months waiting for a suitable host. In addition, contaminated water is a frequent source of the flagellate. Diagnosing giardia can be demanding and may require frequent microscopic fecal examinations. Recently immunodiagnostics have been researched with some success. Giardia responds very well to treatment. Metronidazole, an oral antibiotic, is the drug of choice given daily for 5 days. However, because of resistance other drugs are being tried and may possibly replace metronidazole.

It is very important you bring in a stool (fecal) sample with your pet at least twice a year. All of these parasites can be treated successfully.

Q.  What is Distemper?

A.  Canine distemper is a contagious, incurable, often fatal, multisystemic viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Distemper is caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV).

Over the years feline panleukopenia (FP) has been known by a variety of names; feline distemper, infectious enteritis, cat fever, cat typhoid, and several others.  FP is a highly contagious virus disease that occurs wherever there are cats. Cats at any age may be stricken. Young kittens, sick cats, and indoor cats that have not been given boosters recently are most susceptible; older cats are more likely to have acquired an immunity and, therefore, are infected less frequently.

Q.  WHY should I get my pet vaccinated against distemper and WHEN?

Q.  What kind of dog is he?

A.  There are hundreds of dog breeds out there.  It seems a new one is made each day!  We can offer an educated guess as to what breed(s) your dog is.   Now we also have the ability to send out a DNA test to pin point the breed(s)!!!  Amazing stuff! 

Check out more information on the test here:  http://wisdompanel.com

Q.  How big will my pet get? 

A.  There are myths about the paw size of a puppy or kitten indicating how big they will get.  We can come fairly close to the size they will become by judging body structure at a certain age and comparing it to certain breeds.  Again, the DNA test will be able to tell much more of a dogs history and breed crosses. 

Q.  How often should I feed my pet?      

A.  Going by the back of the food bag is generally where you want to start when using a guideline to feed.  After a couple weeks you should be able to tell if your pet is looking overweight or thin and adjust accordingly.  We see way more overweight pets than pets with an ideal weight.  Obese pets end up with multiple health problems! 

Q.  I heard that rawhides are dangerous for my dog.  Is this true?

A.  We never suggest giving your dog a rawhide when you will not be available to supervise them.  If you want them to have a longer lasting treat when going into their crate or when being left alone, you can try a Kong filled with peanut butter or Kong treat fillers.  Check out the link below for more info on the Kong!
http://www.kongcompany.com/
There used to be a huge deal over Greenies not being able to be digested with canines, but they claim to have changed the recipe making it easy to digest.  We still don't sell them for dogs.

Q.  Should I crate my dog?

A.  Some people feel that crating their dog is like putting them in prison.  I personally disagree.  I have 3 dogs and all 3 are different ages and sizes, but all can equal a lot of trouble!!  I crate them when I am at work, when I go to bed and when I am going to be out of the house for a couple hours.  They LOVE going into their "dens" mostly because they each get a treat when they go in.  I make sure that the crates are large enough for each pet to turn and stand.  My 5 pound min pin is in a crate made for a German shepherd!  He also still urinates if left for more than 6 hours. 

Crating your dog will keep them protected while you are gone. We have seen plenty of cases of dogs getting into candy, pills, trash cans, 30 pound bags of food all because they are left to do as they please when the owners leave.  And lets not forget electrical wires, phones, remote controls, shoes.......if it can go in their mouth, it could get destroyed!  The worst part is that if they do get into trouble, emergency care will not be cheap.

Q.  How do I know if my pet is in pain?

A.  Crying out/vocalization when being picked up or touched can be an indicator of pain.  Although, a frightened animal may do the same.  Other signs are restlessness, pacing, trembling, not willing to get up or do usual activity, panting (when it is not hot) refusal to eat or drink.  These signs can also indicate that the pet has high anxiety.  We suggest that in either situation you make an appointment sooner than later.

Q.  Can I give my pet any medication to help them?

A.  We can not and will not give advice on medicating your pet without a diagnosis. 

Q.  How do I know when to bring them in for an appointment?

A.  If it were yourself in the same situation, would you go to the doctor?  (Not taking into account human medical benefits of course)  If symptoms persist for a day then you should call the office so that we can begin to assess the problem.

Q.  Why does my dog eat feces??!!

A.  Some dogs eat their own poo or that of another dogs simply because they can.  Some say it is because the stool reminds them of when their mom would feed them: semi-digested, warm, semi-solid regurgitated food. Eeeewww.  Sometimes this behavior will stop when the puppy matures.  Sometimes it won't.  I know, I have 2 dogs that do it.  There are medications that you can try to get them to stop.  One is called Forbid, a powder you sprinkle on their food everyday for X amount of days.  If nothing is successful just don't let them give kisses after being outside. 

Q.  What foods are bad/harmful to give my pet?

A.  Our pets have come a long way from eating in the wild.  They need proper nutrition that can be found in pet foods sold today.  Here are some foods to AVOID feeding your pet, no matter how cute they are!!!

Q.  What precautions should I take when traveling with my pets?

A.  For cats you should crate when traveling ANY distance.  There are few things worse than a loose cat in a car who is afraid  with all claws and teeth.  Be sure that the crate is secure in the vehicle so that when taking a sharp turn , Fluffy doesn't take a turn for the worse.  Dogs can use a harness (seat belt) or be put in a secure crate as well.  Why buckle your pet up or crate them?  If in an accident, they could be thrown from the vehicle and injured.  They could run loose into traffic and cause another accident or worse, get hit by another car.  Also, insurance for your pet through your car insurance is becoming popular and they require proper restraint.  I have read that dogs will chew through seat belts, so buy a sturdy one, and dogs in crates that are facing sideways get carsick.  Face the crates forward. 

We highly suggest NOT putting your dogs in the back of an open truck.  Flying debris could injure them, they could fall out or see something and decide to go after it. 

Have a Question to add?  Please E-mail us at abingdonvetclinic@hotmail.com