Senior Wellness

November 2012, Aubrey, LVT

Senior Wellness Senior pets aging process can be much faster then a young puppy or kitten so it can be imperative to their health to do bi-annual wellness exams. These exams will help you and the doctor detect any disease process that may be starting such as arthritis, heart disease, and kidney disease. At a senior wellness check up plan for the possibility of bloodwork and urinalysis as well as the potential for x-rays. Blood work can tell us how the organs function is doing as well as any abnormalities that may be associated with an age related disease. X-rays can assist the doctor with the ability to look at some of the joints as well as the spine to detect arthritis, and over all bone and joint health. Another thing x-rays can aid the doctor in is giving them a look at some of the organs size and shape which also can help detect disease whether it be checking the heart to make sure its size and shape is normal as well as the kidneys bladder and if there are any masses. Help us help your pet go into their senior years by scheduling an exam with our doctors today! Aubrey, LVT

6 Halloween Dangers for Pets

October 2012, Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic

6 Halloween Dangers for Pets While parental fears about razorblade-ridden chocolate and poisoned candy apples have mostly subsided in recent years, pet owners should still be concerned on Halloween. That’s because there are plenty of ways for pets to find trouble - particularly if left alone with a bag full of goodies. Here are the biggest Halloween pet hazards to watch out: Chocolate Why it’s dangerous: Chocolate is more poisonous to pets than any other candy. Chocolate contains methylxanthines, chemicals similar to caffeine that can quickly sicken dogs. In general, the darker the chocolate, the more poisonous it is. What to watch for: Symptoms in dogs that have ingested chocolate include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or agitation, increased thirst, an elevated heart rate, and, in severe cases, seizures. Candy Why it’s dangerous: It’s hard enough for a human to stop at just one piece of candy, so imagine how difficult it is for a pet. Large ingestions of sugary, high-fat candy can lead to pancreatitis, which may not show up for two to four days after the pet ingests the candy. What to watch for: Pets that have ingested candy may show signs such as decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, and even kidney failure or organ damage. Candy wrappers Why they’re dangerous: The candy itself isn’t the only threat. Ingestion of foil and cellophane wrappers can cause life-threatening bowel obstructions, which often require surgical intervention. What to watch for: Symptoms in pets that have ingested candy wrappers include vomiting, decreased appetite, not defecating, straining to defecate, or lethargy. Raisins Why they’re dangerous: While good-intentioned neighbors may hand out raisins as a healthy alternative to candy, very small amounts of raisins (or grapes) can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats. Some dogs develop idiosyncratic reactions at any dose—in other words, ingesting any amount can cause serious damage. What to watch for: Pets that have ingested raisins may show signs like vomiting, nausea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and severe kidney failure. Glow sticks and jewelry Why they’re dangerous: Pets love to chew on things they’re not supposed to, and cats in particular seem to love these items. Over the past year, 70 percent of Pet Poison Hotline’s calls relating to glow sticks and jewelry involved cats. In addition to the choking hazard, the contents of glow sticks can cause pain and irritation in the mouth. What to watch for: Keep an eye out for mouth pain, as well as profuse drooling and foaming at the mouth. Costumes Why they’re dangerous: Your clients may love the costume, but does their pet? Some costumes can cause discomfort in pets, and any metallic beads, snaps, or other small pieces (particularly those made of zinc or lead) can result in serious poisoning if ingested. Finally, don’t ever dye or apply coloring to a pet’s fur, even if the dye is labeled non-toxic to humans. What to watch for: If clients dress their pets in costumes, teach them to make sure it doesn’t impair the pets’ vision, movement, or air intake.

The Importance of Senior Wellness

October 2012, Dr. Nicole Velotta, DVM

Dogs and cats are considered to be seniors when they reach 7 years of age. At this time there are several thing we can do as owners to insure they continue to be healthy and pain free into their older years. Twice a year exams are very important in order to catch any potential problems early. Bloodwork is also very beneficial. It gives information on internal organs, thyroid, and red and white blood cells. Exam and bloodwork are how we screen for diseases that can affect older pets. Some of these include cushings, diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, kidney failure, liver disease, and cancer. The sooner that these are caught the more successful we can be in treating them and extending the life of our beloved pets. Arthritis is another common condition that affects both dogs and cats. Signs can be subtle to dramatic and include things such as taking longer to get up after laying down, pausing before going up or down stairs, limping, hunched posture, and crying when being picked up. In cats, the signs can be hard to notice, which makes arthritis in them one of the most under diagnosed conditions. Cats will pause before jumping, or stop jumping to higher surfaces altogether. They may change where they most commonly sleep because it is harder for them to get there. Vocalizing more can also be a sign in cats. There is a lot we can do for arthritic pain in both dogs and cats. In the early stages there are multiple supplements that can be used as well as chiropractic treatments (Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation). As the condition progresses there are different pain medications that can be added depending on the pets overall heath. Another alternative approach that can be helpful is Biopuncture. Biopuncture is the process of injecting homeopathic medicine at acupuncture points. Cold Laser therapy is also available. These methods help to relieve pain and inflammation. As your pet ages, the need for routine veterinary care becomes even more important. This allows us to catch and treat conditions early and manage arthritis pain. Preventative care is very important! At Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic we are dedicated to keep your older pet healthy and happy into their senior years. Dr. Nicole Velotta, DVM

Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation

September 2012, Angela, LVT

When you think of taking your pet to the veterinary clinic what usually comes to mind? Most likely it’s the physical exam, vaccines, maybe annual blood work and/or medications. If your pet was diagnosed with arthritis what would your doctor suggest? The routine treatments would consist of supplements, pain medication and possibly physical therapy. What aren’t commonly thought of are alternative treatments to your pet’s medical condition. Here at Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic, we believe in a healthy mix of western and alternative medicine. The treatment I would like to highlight today is Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM). Just like Chiropractic care, VOM induces healing by fixing misalignments in the spine. VOM is used nationwide by veterinarians for conditions such as: back pain, lameness (disability of walking due to crippling of the legs or feet), disease of the knee, intravertebral disc disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and more. VOM is so accurate because it finds and reduces all neuronal subluxations. All neuronal subluxations have a pathological reflex. These reflexes act like a knee jerk response. These responses are not ambiguous or hard to read; it is either there or it is not. This is what permits us to pinpoint areas of pain and allows VOM to be so accurate. Treatments are usually a series of 5 appointments done over a period of 2 ½ months. At each session our doctor will evaluate your pet's spine and then the subluxations will be corrected. To speed the process of recovery, we generally recommend combining VOM with Cold Laser Therapy. This technology is non-invasive and 100% safe for your animal. It is used to accelerate tissue repair and cell growth which helps treat tendonitis, faster wound healing, and treat pain. Individual treatments take only 15 minutes and your pet won’t feel any discomfort. When used in conjunction with VOM, we see a higher and quicker rate of recovery. If you are interested in exploring an alternative route to your pet’s medical care, feel free to email us at info@helpinghandsvet.com or call the clinic today. Our triage nurse on staff will be able to answer any questions you may have. We are happy to discuss the process and involvement of each different treatment approach. For specific information on Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation you can visit www.vomtech.com. Angela, LVT

Arthritis from a Dog's Perspective

August 2012, Dr. Cherie Guidry, DVM

"Hi. My name is Sophie and I am a 10 year old yellow lab. Don't call me Old Yeller! I really dislike the term "old". I love to play fetch, especially with my red tennis ball. Lately, though, I have been having trouble. My back legs hurt, especially when I wake up in the morning. Those first few steps are really painful but after a while I don't notice it as much. My family doesn't understand why I don't greet them at the door like I used to do. Sometimes it just hurts too much. Also, there are some days that I can't do my favorite things, like fetch my red tennis ball. Sometimes, after a hard day of playing, I just can't walk. Finally, my family took me to the vet. Boy, do I love her. She is just so nice. She put her hands all over me and gaves me a gentle massage, then told my family that she thinks I have arthritis in my hips. She also took some pictures of my hips called X-rays and did some blood work to check my kidneys and liver. My X-rays did show that I have arthritis in my hips. I tell ya, my vet is a smart woman. She came up with a plan for me and my family. She focused on what she called alternative medicine, but she sent me home with some pain medication as well. I don't mind the treatments or the medication because it makes me feel better. Now, I can fetch my favorite ball and greet my family at the door. I am a happy dog again!" Hi. My name is Cherie Guidry, DVM (Helping Hands Vet Clinic, Lynnwood WA) and I am Sophie's vet. I want to go over the traditional and alternative approaches to treating arthritis. Traditional Western treatments use drugs to treat the pain and inflammation involved with arthritis. Some examples of these are steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs. NSAID's are the most common treatment used by many vets. They work great for treating the inflammation at the site of the problem. These drugs do have some side affects of which every owner should be aware. They can cause vomiting and diarrhea and they can have adverse affects on the liver as well. There are also many alternative therapies. I will cover a few of the most common therapies. 1. Supplements are the most common alternative therapy used. They include the chondroprotective (joint protecting) agents such as glucosamine, chondroitin and polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAG). These supplements are used to repair joint tissue. They have been proven to reduce pain and inflammation in both people and animals. There are many other supplements that can be used. Please ask your veterinarian before starting any new supplements. 2. Homeopathy and homotoxicology are other ways to deal with the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Both use a system of remedies based upon the "Law of Similars". Both of these remedies treat the whole body and work by stimulating the body's own defense system to help treat the problem. They both consist of a system of dilutions of naturally occurring substances to treat a wide variety of illnesses. These remedies are safe and relatively free of side affects. Many of the homeopathic remedies used in dogs for arthritis are easy to give and help to control the pain of arthritis. Please see your veterinarian before starting any remedies. 3. Acupuncture is a common treatment for arthritis used in veterinary medicine. In this therapy, very small needles are inserted into specific points of the body to help with healing and improve function. It can also be used to control pain. Electroacupuncture can also be used. With Electoacupuncture, longer acupuncture needles are attached to a machine. In this method, small electrical impulses are transmitted to the acupuncture sites. Treatments of both of these methods are usually once weekly for 4-8 weeks. Each session lasts about 20-40 minutes and is relatively pain free. 4. Biopuncture is another therapy used for treatment in arthritis. With biopuncture, specific homeopathic injections are mixed with a B12 vitamin. This mixture is injected under the skin into specific points on the body. These points can be local trigger points, points of pain or irritation, or acupuncture points. This method can help control pain and help speed up the healing process as well. Very thin needles are used and the therapy is relatively pain free. Treatments are once weekly for about 4 weeks. 5. Cold laser therapy is the last treatment that I am going to mention. With this treatment, a low level laser that is safe and non-invasive is used. This laser can be used to accelerate tissue repair, treat tendonitis, and help alleviate pain in dogs. The treatments are usually 1-3 times per week for 4 weeks. Each individual treatment takes about 15 minutes and is relatively pain free. These therapies and remedies are just a few that can be used in our arthritic pets. Please talk to your veterinarian before starting any treatments. In my experience, these treatments and remedies can significantly reduce the pain and inflammation of arthritis and can help our animal friends to live a more normal lifestyle. Dr. Cherie Guidry, DVM

Heartworm Disease

July 2012, Dr. Bridget Overbey, DVM

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition of dogs and cats caused by a parasitic worm that spreads through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Once bitten by an infected mosquito, the heartworm larvae develops into an adult worm over several months and travels to the lungs, arteries, and heart of the infected animal. While it is rare for dogs and cats that have never traveled outside of Washington to become infected with heartworms it has been diagnosed in all 50 states and is endemic in parts of Oregon. Nearly all dogs exposed to heartworm larvae will develop adult worms, and more than 30 worms can be present in the heart of an infected dog. While cats are slightly more resistant to infection, 60-90% of exposed cats developing adult worms, they are much more sensitive, and even 1 or 2 worms can be fatal. Signs of heartworm disease include coughing, fainting, tiring easily, and even heart failure. Due to the spread of heartworm disease and its serious complications the American Heartworm Society recommends yearly testing for dogs and cats beginning at six months of age while keeping pets on year round heartworm preventative. Fortunately there are several options for monthly heartworm preventative for dogs and cats. Revolution is a topical monthly medication approved for both dogs and cats that is also effective for flea, ear mite, and some tick control. Trifexis is a monthly chewable heartworm preventative for dogs that also kills adult fleas, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Heartgard is also a monthly chewable medication available for dogs and cats that prevents heartworm infection, as well as treating some intestinal parasites. If you have any questions about any of these medications or heartworm disease please talk to your veterinarian. Dr. Bridget Overbey, DVM

Important travel tips for you to remember when traveling with your pet

June 2012, Dr. Cherie Guidry, DVM

Important travel tips for you to remember when traveling with your pet: 1. Stay calm: your pet will pick up on your anxiety and this will make him/her more anxious 2. Plan your trip ahead of time: Scope out pet friendly hotels and restaurants. Also you may want to find a vet at you final destination, just in case you need one! It’s better to be prepared and not need this info than to be unprepared and need a vet. 3. Make a list: Make sure you have you puppy’s favorite bed, treats, food, and toys. Make a list if you have to so you don’t forget anything! 4. Make sure your dog has some form of identification on him/her. Make sure to include a number you can be reached at. If you have your pet microchipped you may want to make sure the info in their system is correct. 5. If traveling by car, exercise your dog moderately 30 minutes before leaving and make frequent stops to exercise and release some of the tension for you and your dog! 6. If traveling by air, call the airline first to find out the rules and regulations. Not all airlines are alike. Most of them require a health certificate from your vet. Some will allow your pet to be sedated and some will not. They will list specific types of carriers for your pet as well. This is very important information. Note: Bracheocephalic breeds (short nosed breeds) may be at risk when sedated on airlines. I try to avoid sedation if at all possible and recommend more natural calming remedies for traveling. Natural calming remedies and techniques: 1. Exercise your pet just before the trip. 30 minutes of moderate exercise is great. It will release a lot of excess energy and stress. 2. All forms of alternative medicine have their own remedies. Here are a few that I have found that really work. 3. Bach Flower Rescue Remedy: a mixture of 5 flowers that help calm dogs and cats. Just a couple of drops on the tongue. 4. Composure chews: treats with B vitamins and L-Theonine to help calm your pet. I think they work great. 5. Herbal remedies such as Valerian, passionflower. Help calm dogs as well. Note: (if we have time) Aromatherapy using valerian, lavender, chamomile. Place on a cotton ball (in a safe place where your pet will not eat it). Motion Sickness in pets: Anxiety or true motion sickness? Motion sickness is more common than we think! Latest reports show that 1 in 6 dogs show signs of motion sickness when traveling. We also know that anxiety plays a role in nausea in some pets. Signs: drooling, pacing, heavy panting, vocalizing, and of course, vomiting. Natural Remedies for Motion Sickness: Homeopathic remedies: Nux Vomica I also make up my own remedy called grumpy gut for motion sickness and nausea in general. It has nux vomica in it as well as two other common homeopathic remedies for nausea and vomiting. Liquid given on the tongue Herbal remedies: Ginger, Peppermint are both great herbs for the stomach to help control nausea and vomiting in dogs with motion sickness. Can be given in capsule, tincture, or as a tea. Medications: Cerenia is a powerful anti nausea medication made specifically for dogs with motion sickness. Other thoughts: If traveling by car, lower the windows to allow fresh air inside. This can help with nausea. Make your pet as comfortable as possible while traveling. Exercise before the trip can help and make sure to include a favorite chew toy. This may distract them and keep them occupied and calm! Tips for Camping with your pet: 1. Learn of all of the potential dangers in the area you are traveling. Plan accordingly. 2. Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations. Diseases like Leptospirosis and Lymes disease are prevalent in some areas. If you know you are traveling in these areas, have your pet vaccinated to prevent disease. Wildlife also can carry diseases like distemper, parvo and rabies. 3. Include a monthly flea and tick prevention. Don’t forget deworming as well. Wildlife can spread ticks, fleas, and roundworms to your pet and other animals. 4. Be prepared for an emergency. Have a doggie first aid kit available. This includes a name to a vet closest to you. 5. Bring at least 1 leash and collar and possibly a travel kennel. You will want to keep your pet safe at night while you sleep. 6. Proper ID for your pet with up to date information. Others: Keep human foods/stuff locked down or tied up so your pet cannot raid your food! Love, Cherie Guidry, DVM

Traveling With Your Pet

June 2012, Aubrey, LVT

Summer is right around the corner and it’s a good time to get prepared for traveling with your pets! There are a lot of things to consider when planning a family trip with the pooch in tow. Safety, pet friendly accommodations, and laws and regulations. Safety when traveling with a pet is a must and is easy to do as long as you plan ahead! When talking safety I mean first and foremost if your pet is on a lifelong medication, making sure you have enough for the trip, and incase of an emergency you know where a veterinary clinic is in the area you will be traveling. When traveling with your pet it is also extremely important that your pet is up to date on its monthly flea and heartworm prevention. Some pets get carsick when traveling but Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic offers a variety of treatment for those nauseous dogs. One option is Cerenia. Cerenia is a non-sedating, safe and effective, once daily dosing tablet specifically formulated for dogs to treat and prevent vomiting due to motion sickness. This can be filled prior to your trip as long as your pet has a current exam with one of our veterinarians. Another option from the holistic side of our pharmacy is Intestinal Support Formula, for those dogs who get nauseas and drool the whole car ride this might be helpful to them. It is dispensed as a liquid and just a few drops of this either in the drinking water or by mouth is sure to curb that upset stomach! When traveling with your pet preparedness is key. Plan ahead to get those vaccines current, some hotels require a rabies vaccine certificate so call and make sure you have everything you need before you go. Another thing that is important is to make sure your pet's microchip information is current and registered! I recommend a separate bag that has a current photo of your pet, vaccine history, extra food, water and dishes, a pet first aid kit, and an extra leash just in case. Plan Plan Plan ahead and happy travels! Aubrey Gabbard, LVT

Spay and Neuter, Did you know...

May 2012, Jessica, LVT

Did you know it is estimated that 3.7 million animals were euthanized in shelters nationally in 2008 alone? The majority of these euthanasia’s are due to overpopulation of shelters. For this reason, among many others, it is important to spay or neuter your pets. Shelter overpopulation is a big issue in the U.S. because too many lost or stray dogs and cats are ending up in shelters, only 10% of which usually come to shelters already spayed or neutered. This just perpetuates the issue of uncontrolled breeding while pets are lost or strayed. Shelters don’t have the capacities or the funding to support and care for so many pets until they are adopted, so they resort to euthanasia to make space. No matter how unfair it seems, it is something shelters everywhere are faced with. Overpopulation of our nation’s shelters stems anywhere from puppy mill operations getting busted to irresponsible or accidental breeding, both of which can be prevented by spaying or neutering our companion animals. Plus spaying and neutering costs less than raising a litter of puppies or kittens properly until they are ready for new homes. Like I mentioned earlier, there are many more reasons to have your pet spayed or neutered, this is just one of them. For more information about pet populations, visit the American Humane Association or the ASPCA websites. For more information about spaying or neutering your pet, call us at Helping Hands Vet Clinic to speak with our technicians or set up an exam with one of our friendly doctors, we can help you out. Jessica, LVT

Spay and Neuter

May 2012, Dr. Cherie Guidry, DVM

May is spay and neuter month at Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic. We are offering 10% off of all spays and neuters scheduled in the month of May. Most people have lots of questions about spays and neuters. I hope that our blog this month will answer all of your questions. What is a spay? A spay is otherwise known as an ovariohysterectomy (OVH for short). During the surgery, we remove all of the ovaries and the uterus body and horns. What is a neuter? A neuter is otherwise called an orchiectomy. During this surgery we remove both testicles. Another common question is why do we recommend these procedures. We will go into later detail in another blog but the short answer is to prevent pregnancy, prevent certain diseases, and stop or prevent behavioral problems. At Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic, we offer only the best for your pet's surgery. Our packages include everything we think your pet needs. Here is a list of what is included: Pre operative blood work, IV catheter with warmed IV fluids, heated recovery kennels, blood pressure, breathing and pulse ox monitoring, Elizabethan collar, antibiotic injection as well as pain injection and pain medications to go home. We also have a surgical assistant with the doctor during the entire procedure to monitor your pet and a vet assistant monitoring your pet during recovery. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the clinic and talk to one of our licensed veterinary technicians. We are always happy to help you! Have a great day! Love, Cherie Guidry, DVM

Scoop Your Dogs Poop

April 2012, Aubrey, LVT

Besides being neighborly, there are many reasons you should always carry bags with you on your walks with your dog. There are many types of parasites that dogs are susceptible to and a few of them are transmitted by the fecal oral route. As we all know dogs like to sniff other dogs feces if its left unscooped, this is how the fecal oral route works. A dog sniffs the infected feces and potentially ingests it and in turn can be infected with roundworms, hook worms, and or whip worms. There are also factors that could cause you to be infected with a parasite! The grass can remain contaminated with hook worms and are transmitted to humans through us walking barefoot through the grass! There are preventative steps you can take to ensure your pets and your safety. 1. Keep up on a monthly flea prevention. 2. Keep up on Annual or Bi Annual exams for senior pets. Fecal testing is recommended atleast once a year. 3. Yearly deforming! 4. Last but not least, Scoop Your Dogs Poop! It’s the best for the Environment, You, and Your dog! Also be aware it is the law in Washington to scoop your pets waste. If left unscooped dog feces can contaminate storm drains, ditches, and streams that feed into our rivers, lakes, and marine waters.

Aubrey, LVT

Deworming

March 2012, Angela, LVT

Intestinal parasites are extremely common amongst both cats and dogs. The signs of intestinal parasites may not be obvious in some cases, which is why we recommend fecal exams yearly. In addition to annual fecal exams, we find it best to de-worm your pet both annually and symptomatically.
The most common signs of intestinal parasites include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, a bloated abdomen, decrease in coat quality, and sometimes a decrease in appetite. In some cases, pets may show no obvious physical symptoms, which is why we recommend fecal testing. To accurately diagnose your pet, we send a fecal sample to a laboratory to test for the presence of Roundworms, Hookworms, Whip Worms, Tapeworms and sometimes Giardia. We receive the results within a 24-48 hour period of time so we are able to quickly treat your pet. Intestinal parasites can be transmitted from animal to humans. It is especially important to de-worm your pet when there are children in the home. These parasites are transmitted in 2 different ways. Most parasites are contracted when orally ingested. Hookworms can be transmitted through prolonged bare skin contact with contaminated soil. This is one of the many reasons it is extremely important to always wash your hands when handling animals.
Luckily the treatment and prevention for intestinal parasites is simple. If your pet has been diagnosed with parasites, we prescribe three doses of de-wormer to be given orally. In severe cases we will treat the symptoms to eliminate diarrhea and prevent further stomach upsets. Helping Hands now offers Trifexis, which is an oral prevention of fleas, heartworm and intestinal parasites. It’s a flavored medication that is to be given to your pet once monthly.
If you are interested in treatment and/or prevention of intestinal parasites, either send us an email or call us at the clinic to speak with our triage nurse on staff. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have!

Internal Parasites of Dogs and Cats

February 2012, Dr. Bridget Overbey, DVM

Internal parasites as opposed to external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, can often go unrecognized by pet owners. While it can be difficult to identify if your pet has internal parasites, it is very important to treat infected animals as this can lead to health problems for them and your family. In this article we will have a brief discussion on the major internal parasites of dogs and cats, signs your pet could be infected, and the available treatments.

Roundworms
Roundworm is a generic term for several species of worms that can affect dogs and cats. Roundworms are very common, especially in puppies and kittens. Most puppies are born with roundworms since they can be passed from their mother. Kittens while not born with roundworms like puppies but can be infected by their mothers during nursing. Signs of roundworm infection include a potbelly, rough hair coat, diarrhea, vomiting up of worms, anemia, and any indication that your puppy or kitten is not thriving. It is very important to treat your dogs and cats for roundworms, as some species of worm can also infect humans. Children are the most prone to infection as they can inadvertently consume worms eggs while playing outside (via eating dirt). Since humans are not the correct host for these worms they get lost and migrate through the body, which can lead to blindness.

Hookworms
Hookworms are similar to roundworms in many respects. There are multiple species of hookworms, they can infect dogs and cats, and some species can be passed down through birth and nursing. Signs of hookworm infection are also similar to roundworm infection but can be more severe in some cases leading to a fatal anemia.

Whipworms
Whipworms are more common in older dogs and only rarely infect cats. Like the previously discussed parasites, they can cause diarrhea, constipation, unkempt appearance, and weight loss.

Tapeworms
Tapeworms can occur in both dogs and cats and are commonly acquired after they have been infected with fleas. If a pet eats a flea infected with a tapeworm they can develop an adult worm. Pets can also get tapeworms if they are outdoor hunters, i.e. eating mice or rabbits. Owners may be able to identify infected pets by finding tapeworm segments (which look similar to rice grains) in the pets’ feces or attached to the hair around the anus.

Giardia
Unlike the parasites discussed above giardia is not a worm but a protozoal organism (a single celled organism) that can cause similar symptoms. It can infect both dogs and cats, and is transmitted through contaminated water. Signs of Giardia include diarrhea and weight loss with a normal appetite.

All of these parasites can be diagnosed by testing a fecal sample from your pet. If an infection is diagnosed or suspected they are typically treated with a combination of oral medications. Yearly fecal tests and deworming is recommended for all dogs and cats. Please speak to your veterinarian about the many options for keeping your pet parasite free.

Dr. Bridget Overbey, DVM

At home dental care & why its so important

February 2012, Dr. Bridget Overbey, DVM

Home Dental Care

For this week we are going to continue our columns for Dental Heath Month by discussing how you, the owner, can provide dental care for your pets at home. The importance of dental care cannot be stressed enough 85% of pets suffer from periodontal disease by the time they are 3 years old. Periodontal disease can lead to other more severe infections in various other parts of the body, including the heart and liver.

Dental care does not have to be painful for you or your pets. There are many options available to you, including teeth brushing, dental chews, dental food, and water additives. However, no matter what method works best for you, the key to effective home dental care is consistency.

Toothpaste and Brushing

Many owners assume that their pet will not tolerate having their teeth brushed. However, just like with any other form of behavioral training, patience and consistency pay off. Begin by getting your pet used to having its face and lips handled. Once they’ve become accustomed, introduce the toothbrush (available in sizes to match any pet) by slowly and gently brushing the outer surfaces of the teeth. After your pet is comfortable with this handling, you can add toothpaste. It’s important to note that you should always use toothpaste that has been specifically formulated for pets. Human toothpaste contains a chemical (xylitol) that is toxic to your pet. In addition, pet toothpastes are offered in a variety of flavors (beef, chicken, etc) that are designed to be swallowed. If brushing is not an option for your pet there are many other products on the market.

Dental Treats

There are a wide variety of dental treats and chews available. These treats use the pets’ chewing action which creates abrasion against the tooth to remove plaque and tarter, in addition some treats also contain ingredients that prevent the mineralization of plaque into tarter.

Dental Diets

Dental diets are prescription diets available from your veterinarian that are more effective then the typical dry food diets found at grocery stores. Dental diets on the market today use several techniques to help reduce plaque. The first is that they use very large kibble, which means the pet must chew them before swallowing.

Because the diets are also high in fiber, the kibble does not shatter when being chewed - forcing the teeth to sink into the kibble and thus scrubbing plaque away as your pet eats.

Water Additives

Lastly, for owners that cannot brush their pets’ teeth or for pets that do not like chewing on treats, there are several products that can be added to your pets’ drinking water that will help reduce plaque build-up. While water additives aren’t as effective as teeth brushing or dental treats, they are good alternative to improving your pets’ dental health.

For more information about at home dental care please click through the link, provided below, to watch a video featuring many of the products mentioned above. And remember to please talk with your veterinarian about finding the right dental care options for you and your pet.

http://www.helpinghandsvet.com/do-it-yourself-videos-5470

Dr. Bridget Overbey, DVM

How do we grade pet's teeth and what it means

February 2012, Dr. Nicole Velotta, DVM

We categorize pets dental heath into grades, which help us make decisions about what care, is needed.

Grade 1: Healthy – The gums are light pink or pigmented. There is no bleeding on exam with a periodontal probe and there is no calculus. The pet’s breath is not offensive.

Grade 2: Mild Disease – There is gingivitis, meaning the gums are red and inflamed. A minor amount of plaque and tarter has formed on the tooth surface. The pet has minor halitosis (bad breath).

Grade 3: Moderate Disease – Gingivitis and moderate tarter and plaque are present. There may be gingival recession. The gums bleed easily upon probing. Bone loss and some slightly mobile teeth. The pet has marked halitosis.

Grade 4: Advanced Disease – Heavy plaque and calculus. Gingival recession and bone loss are present. The pet has severe halitosis. There are multiple loose teeth.

Pets that are categorized as grade one have good dental health. In these pets we recommend dental prophylaxis, such as brushing teeth and dental chews, to maintain good health. Pets that fall into grade two need to have a dental cleaning within a year. Grade three is more serious and requires immediate dental cleaning with possible extractions. Grade four has severe disease that is overdue for a dental cleaning and will have the need for extractions.

Dr. Nicole Velotta, DVM

Dental cleanings are so important

February 2012, Aubrey, LVT

By the time a cat or dog is 4 years old, 85% show signs of periodontal disease. Keeping your pets oral hygiene up to par with regular exams by your veterinarian can greatly reduce their risk factors for dental disease. Oral health is so important because chronic infection in the mouth can lead to serious problems. Pain, bad breath, excessive drooling and potentially tooth loss can all be consequences of untreated dental disease. Chronic oral infections can also lead to damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart and other serious health problems. Avoidable disease and pain for your pet is easy! Just schedule yearly exams with your veterinarian and we’ll keep your beloved pets teeth healthy! Keep an eye out for Dr. Overbey’s blog coming up on at home dental care, she’ll have great tips on some do it yourself options to help prevent periodontal disease.

Aubrey, LVT

Dental Disease

January 2012, Aubrey, LVT

Dental disease is the most commonly diagnosed disease in cats and dogs. If dental disease is left untreated it can significantly affect your pets health. Your veterinarian determines dental disease, having yearly exams for your pets can help in insuring that your pets dental health is not going untreated. One thing you can do at home is look at your pets’ teeth to see if there is any obvious tartar, swelling of the gums, or broken or cracked teeth. If you notice any of those issues you can schedule an appointment with a veterinarian to have a dental cleaning on your pet. A dental cleaning is an anesthetic procedure. Once your pet is under anesthesia the licensed veterinary technician useses an ultrasonic-scaler to remove any tartar and build up from the teeth. Once the teeth are cleaned the veterinarian uses an instrument called a dental probe, which measures the depth of the gum line to insure there is no pocketing where bacteria can be trapped. Once the teeth are examined and there are no teeth to be extracted, the licensed veterinarian will polish the teeth with a prophy paste to smooth down any rough spots on the teeth. Having regular exams to check the health of your pet cannot only keep your pets healthy but it can also help prevent your pets from having to have dental extractions. Dental extractions are recommended if a tooth appears to be broken, infected, or causing pain. It is best to have dental x-rays done with a dental procedure which we can do while your pet is under anesthesia. The month of February we are offering 10% off our dental packages as well as dental x-rays! Schedule a pre dental exam and keep those pets teeth clean!

Aubrey, LVT

Heartworm

January 2012, Angela, LVT

At Helping Hands veterinary Clinic, we are always stressing the importance of keeping your pet up to date on all treatments and preventions. This holds true for the prevention of Heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is a serious and sometimes fatal condition where infected animals have adult worms living in both lungs and heart.

Heartworms are passed from animal to animal by means of a mosquito. The life cycle begins with the female Heartworm releasing their young, or microfilariae, into the infected animal's bloodstream. Once a mosquito takes a blood meal, it too becomes infected. Within 10 to 14 days, the microfilariae mature to the infective larval stage within the mosquito. Once the mosquito takes a blood meal on another animal, the infective larvae pass through the bloodstream. Within 6 months the larvae mature into adult worms and reside in both the lungs and the heart. The adult heartworm can live up to 7 years in an animal.

Though Heartworm disease may not be as prevalent in the Northwest as it is in warmer areas, it has been reported in all 50 states. In both cats and dogs, clinical signs are usually seen in late stages of the disease. Some signs you may see are persistent coughing, vomiting, lethargy and weight loss.

This disease can cost thousands of dollars to treat and can be extremely rough on both animal and owner. The treatment includes harsh medications and isolation/kenneling for months at a time. Prevention, on the other hand, is both cost effective and simple. Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic currently offers two types of Heartworm preventions; Revolution and Trifexis. Revolution is a topical prevention whereas Trifexis is an oral form. Both are successful in the prevention of Heartworm disease. We also recommend bringing your pet in for yearly Heartworm tests. These tests use a small amount of blood to detect the presence of adult worms within the bloodstream. These tests are important to do because animals that are diagnosed with Heartworm should seek treatment immediately. The sooner this disease is diagnosed, the more optimal results you will see with treatment. If you have any questions or would like to schedule your pet's yearly Heartworm test, send us an email or call us at the clinic.

Angela, LVT

Fleas

January 2012, Dr. Nicole Velotta, DVM

Is your dog or cat constantly itching? Fleas are the most common external parasite found on both the cat and dog.   They are also one of the top causes of an itchy pet.  Fleas spend their entire adult life on a host with an average life span of 6 – 24 months.  During this time they produce eggs, which fall off of the host and hatch into larvae.  Larvae then undergo three molts then spin cocoons in which pupa develop.   Pupa are a very durable stage and can survive up to one year in the environment until conditions are right for them to hatch into an adult flea.  These newly hatched fleas seek out a new host.

Fleas can cause many problems for cats and dogs including hypersensitivity (allergy reactions), anemia, and tapeworms.

Some cats and dogs are allergic to flea saliva (contains histamine-like substance and antigens) and experience severe reactions such as extreme itchiness followed by self-inflicted trauma (from itching) that can lead to skin infections.  The severity of the reaction does not correspond to the number of fleas present on the pet, meaning that a single fleabite in a flea allergic pet can cause a severe reaction. It is even more important in these pets to keep them on a yearly flea preventative. When flea infestations are significant enough, they can cause severe anemia (blood loss).  This is especially true in young animals.

Dogs and cats that have fleas most often are also infected with tapeworms.  This is because fleas are the intermediate host for tapeworms.  Animals become infected with tapeworms when they eat an infected flea.  This is why it is important to de-worm your pet as well as treat them for fleas.

In order to get rid of fleas it is important to treat both the pet and the environment.   At Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic we recommend using a topical product for your pet called Revolution.  It kills adult fleas, larvae, and eggs.  It is also effective against ticks, many types of mites, and in prevention of heartworm disease.  It is very easy to apply to your pet.  For a how to video please visit our website.  There also is a new product available for dogs called Trifexis.  It is a monthly beef flavored chewable tablet that kills fleas, prevents heartworm disease, and controls adult hookworm, whipworm, and roundworm infections.

It is also very important to treat the environment.  Vacuuming should be done daily and washing of bedding weekly.  We also recommend the product Fleabusters.  It is a powdered product that is applied to carpets to kill fleas.

Fleas are much easier to prevent than get rid of!  For a happy, healthy pet make sure to keep them on a flea preventative year round.

Dr. Nicole Velotta, DVM

Microchiping

January 2012, Dr. Cherie Guidry, DVM

Microchiping is another very important service that we provide at Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic. It's an easy step that is often overlooked in our pets. According to Home Again, 1 in 3 pets will go missing during their lifetime. Without proper permanent identification, 90% of these pets will never return home.

A microchip is a small chip inserted between the shoulder blades just under the skin with a needle system. If your pet is lost and ends up at a vet or shelter, a staff member would scan the pet and a unique code would pop up. That code is linked to your own personal information.

At Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic we not only place the microchip in your pet but we also register the microchip with Home Again for you. Our cost includes both the implantation fee and the registration. We make the process hassle free for you! To make it even easier, we have also included microchips in our puppy and kitten packages.

I'm going to end with a little story. My friend had a dog named Zoe and one day Zoe escaped from her back yard. Within 24 hours Zoe was found and back home with her family all because she had a microchip that was scanned by a local shelter. This is only one of my stories.

I hope to see you soon!

Love,

Dr. Cherie Guidry, DVM

Puppies & Kittens

January 2012, Dr. Cherie Guidry, DVM

This month is puppy and kitten month at Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic. We all know how adorable new puppies and kitten are. Having just adopted a new kitten, I am still on cloud nine. We have to remember that there are critical things that they need in their first year of life to keep them healthy.

First of all, I recommend that you take your new pet to your vet within 48 hours of adopting them. This is so important. You want to start off with a healthy addition to your family.

At this visit, your vet should discuss a few important points. Vaccines, internal parasite exam and parasite control are just a few of the points that should be discussed with you by your vet.

Vaccines are a critical part of every new pet's care. At our clinic we follow the AVMA's (American Veterinary Medical Association) guidelines of vaccinating your new pet. The AVMA divides vaccines into core vaccines, vaccines every puppy and kitten needs, and non-core vaccines, vaccines that should be given to pets that are exposed to those diseases. We will discuss this with you and make recommendations according to your pets needs. Most puppies and kittens require a series of vaccines their first year of life. You want to make sure you finish these series to completely protect your pet.

Now let's talk about those yucky parasites. About 75% of new puppies and kittens are born with some kind of internal parasite. What's even scarier is that most of these pets do not show critical signs of parasites AND some of these parasites can be passed on your you and your family. At Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic we follow the CDC's (Center of Disease Control) guidelines and recommend a series of de-wormings and an internal parasite exam (fecal) for your new pet. This should be done right away to protect you and your new pet.

  

At Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic we offer puppy and kitten packages for all pets under the age of one. The packages are discounted to make puppy and kitten care more affordable to our clients. Please stop by or call for more information. See you soon!

These are just a few of the services we provide for your new pet. Please keep a lookout for weekly & monthly blogs to find out more. 

Love,

Dr. Cherie Guidry, DVM