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Canine Influenza
September 22, 2009
Canine Influenza virus (CIV) is a virus that usually causes mild upper respiratory signs in dogs. It was first detected in the canine species in racing Greyhounds in 2004. It is an H3N8 virus (compare to the H1N1 Swine Flu virus) that does NOT infect people, nor cats. The H3N8 virus has been present in horses for many decades, but in 2004 it acquired a mutation that allowed it to infect dogs as well. Canine Influenza is easily spread amongst dogs that are in close proximity to one another. The most common situations where "outbreaks" of the virus occur are in shelters and kennels.
Current epidemiological data reveals that 20% of dogs who come into contact with the virus do not show any symptoms at all. Of the 80% that do show signs of disease, the symptoms are usually mild and include coughing, nasal discharge, mild lethargy and mild fever. Only a very small number of dogs (1 to 5 %) develop pneumonia, which can result in death. Most dogs who die have other underlying diseases or are stressed and malnourished.
A Canine Influenza vaccine has just recently been licensed by the FDA. It appears to be very safe and has been shown to decrease the severity and duration of the illness. The vaccine is administered as a single subcutaneous injection, which is then boostered 3 to 4 weeks later and is then given annually.
Currently, we are not recommending "across the board" vaccination with the CIV vaccine. We recommend vaccinating dogs who are kenneled at facilities that require the vaccine. Also, dogs that have contact with others dogs from areas of the country (such as New York City and Philadelphia), or travel to areas of the country where the virus is much more prevalent should be vaccinated.
For more information, please visit the AVMA website and look under the Public Resources, Public Health section.
Xylitol Toxicity May 1, 2009
Pet Food Recall Info.
For the most up to date information, please visit www.avma.org
January 21, 2009 PetSmart has issued a voluntary recall on one line of treats, Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits, due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please visit www.avma.org for the latest information.
September 13, 2008 Mars PetCare US has issued a voluntary pet food recall on certain dry dog and cat foods. A possible link between foods manufactured at a Pennsylvania plant and 2 cases of human Salmonellosis was made in late July. No cases of Salmonellosis have been found in any animals eating this food, but please visit the AVMA website (www.avma.org) to determine if your pet's food has been recalled.
April 2007 It feels as though every Friday new information is released regarding the recent pet food recall. For the most up to date and trustworthy information please visit the American Veterinary Medical Association website (www.avma.org), which includes news releases and a link to the Menu Foods web site. We currently recommend that you only feed your dog or cat a brand of food that is not on the Menu Foods recall list, whether it is canned or dry. Please contact us directly if you have any questions. If we are closed, please call SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Center at 703-752-9100.
April 2008
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA,
often pronounced "mer-sa") is a bacteria that is resistant to many
antibiotics including methicillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. Because
of its resistance, it is sometimes referred to as a superbug. MRSA has
received a lot of media attention lately. In the past it was less common
and typically only associated with infection of hospitalized people. Now
infectionsare occurring more commonly. There are 2 patterns of MRSA
infection in people: 1. People, particularly those with poor immune
systems or those taking antibiotics, who pick it up from staff members
at a hospital or healthcare facility. These patients can become
critically ill (septicemia, pneumonia). Hospital staff members typically
transfer MRSA from their hands to the patient if adequate hygiene
precautions are not taken. 2. People who have not been in hospital
recently and feel well, but have skin abscesses or "boils", sometimes
resembling a spider bite. This is called community-associated MRSA.
Sources of infection are contact at schools, social and sporting events
(especially contact with sweaty people or gymnasium/sporting equipment). Staphylococcus dermatitis is common in dogs (but not
common in cats), however this type of "Staph infection" is not usually
due to MRSA. Dogs and cats have their own species called
Staph. intermedius, which is not contagious to
you. If you develop a MRSA infection it is highly likely that you
acquired it from another person. Many of us "carry"
Staph. aureus on our skin, in our nasal
passages, throat and intestinal tract. If we carry the bacteria but do
not have clinical signs of illness we are said to be colonized. Recently
it has been found that pets can become colonized with MRSA after close
contact with infected or colonized people. Less commonly, people can
become colonized after close contact with pets (who have already
acquired MRSA from another person, or rarely another pet). Colonized
people can become sick if their immune system becomes compromised (e.g.
a person taking chemotherapy) or if a cut or wound becomes infected.
There are rare reports of dogs and cats developing skin abscesses and
other types of infections (urinary tract, eye and ear infections) due to
MRSA. There are even fewer reports of pets acting as a source of
reinfection to people because dogs and cats who become colonized with
MRSA usually naturally eliminate the bacteria from their body with time
(this is a bacteria that prefers people, not cats and dogs!). Colonized people are not usually treated with
antibiotics to clear MRSA unless they work in a healthcare setting.
Likewise, colonized pets are not treated with antibiotics.
Indiscriminant use of antibiotics could in fact be dangerous when MRSA
is present, because this bacteria develops resistance to antibiotics
quickly, particularly if the antibiotics are not used correctly (course
stopped too early or too low of a dose used). Colonized people or pets
should not be treated like "lepers". To prevent MRSA infections,
frequent handwashing and good environmental cleanliness is advocated.
The possible presence of MRSA (and of course many other types of
bacteria) in a pet's mouth is another good reason to discourage
hand/face licking by your pet. MRSA on skin surfaces/objects is
destroyed by most disinfectants and antiseptics.
September 2007 News articles have appeared regarding microchips and cancer. Studies have shown that microchips may be associated with a type of cancer called sarcoma in mice. One case of a microchip-associated sarcoma has been reported in a dog out of the millions that have been microchipped. Our opinion is that this is something that should be looked into in much more depth. A veterinary cancer specialist at Ohio State University has recommended a retrospective study that would look back over the past 20 years to probe for a possible link between microchips and cancer. We support this idea. For now, we still highly recommend microchips for both dogs and cats, but we are monitoring the situation very closely and will keep you up to date on future developments.
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