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Recalls: FDA Issues Warning on Chicken Jerky for Dogs Click here for the most recent Pet Food Recalls (updated 2/9/2012) Equine Herpes: Click here for a current Situation Report Message from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development 10/21/2011 LEPTOSPIROSIS INCREASE The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is getting increased reports of Leptospirosis Icterohaemorrhagiae in dogs, particularly in Detroit. Dogs are reported to have presented with peracute to acute lethargy, vomiting, and jaundice with severe clinical signs of kidney and liver failure. Nine dogs are known to have died or been euthanized. In most cases dogs have either have not been vaccinated against leptospirosis or had an uncertain vaccination history. Case reports indicate that Icterohaemmorrhagiae is the likely infecting serovar in these cases. L. Icterohaemorrhiae can cause severe disease in humans and animals. It is commonly carried by rats, but can also be transmitted dog to dog. The Department is working with the Michigan Department of Community Health to further investigate this situation. The Department advises that dogs be vaccinated yearly against all four available serovars of leptospirosis. If a practioner suspects a case of Leptospirosis, testing (e.g. convalescent antibody titers, PCR, and/or culture) is recommended. As a reminder, Leptospirosis is a reportable disease in the State of Michigan. Article of the Week
Tuning in to your pet's behavior can be a lifesaver By: Christie Long DVM A friend recently told me a sad story about his young cat that died fairly suddenly. She had stopped eating all but a little food and was extremely lethargic for several days. The family didn't realize how sick the kitty was. By the time she got to the veterinarian, it was too late to save her. Owners often are confused and unsure of what to do when their pets stop eating and/or become lethargic and withdrawn. When there are visible problems - limping, bleeding or vomiting - it's fairly obvious to most people that their pet needs medical attention. But what kinds of things make a normally active dog or cat sleep more, withdraw or refuse to participate in activities that they typically love? Do they just sometimes become more tired for no apparent reason? And is it normal for a healthy animal to stop eating suddenly? In most cases, the answers are a resounding "no." It's important to know your pet's typical behaviors well so that you can recognize problems early. When a normally active dog or cat is not interested in playing or interacting with the family, something is wrong. Causes of acute lethargy include fever, pain (especially back pain), anemia (low red blood cells) and toxin ingestion. Neither fever nor anemia are diagnoses; in both situations testing is required to determine the root cause of the problem and to treat the underlying disease. Oftentimes, lethargy is the first sign that something is wrong and eventually other more obvious symptoms may develop. But by that time, your pet may be quite ill. There are really no good reasons why a normal cat or dog would stop eating. Their drive to survive has been programmed for thousands of years into their DNA, as anyone who has ever witnessed a dog vacuum the kitchen floor for the tiniest remnant of food knows. Skipping one meal might not be cause for great alarm, but when a pet goes 24 hours without eating, something is amiss and needs to be checked out. It's important to note whether your pet shows any interest in food at all or does not even darken the kitchen door at mealtime. Does your pet try to put the food in its mouth but seems to have difficulty swallowing, or be unable to swallow? Does your pet smack or lick its lips after smelling food, indicating nausea? These are all important observations that will help your veterinarian figure out what's going on. The pets of today may be far removed from their counterparts in the wild, but they are programmed to avoid the appearance of weakness. If you are not tuned into the subtle signals your pet is sending, the result will be that when you finally realize something is wrong, your pet has been sick for sometime. Early recognition in the slight changes in your pet's behavior and attitude might be the difference between life and death. Past Articles: Pet Stress Busters Bred Banning Bites Mystery donor gives $1.5 million to build Detroit's 1st no-kill dog shelter Hyperthyroidism may be the hidden cause of your cat's ailments How to Make Halloween Safe for Pets How to recognize and relieve your pet's pain Cats Like Routine Tips for handling an injured pet A Pet's Life: When owners stay, the cats can play Can allergies cause my dog's ear infection? Be Prepared Before Bringing a New Puppy Home From the racetrack to retirement How canines could be the key to curing breast cancer 'Down, boy!' can encourage dog to jump Giving pets as gifts: Tips on doing the right thing |
