ZIKA VIRUS: Recently we have had inquiries about the possibility of Zika

infection in pets.

As of this date, human cases of Zika infection have been reported by the

Florida Department of Health as close as Alachua, Duval and St. Johns

counties. Most of the cases were acquired in another country, however

there appears to have been transmission, possibly through mosquito

bites, in a small section of Miami.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although

Zika appears to have spread from non-human primates (apes and monkeys)

to humans, originally in Africa, other animals including dogs and cats

are not involved in transmission of Zika to humans; one study conducted

in Indonesia in the 1970's indicated that cows, horses, goats, ducks and

bats as well as water buffalo were infected with Zika virus however they

were not involved in transmission to humans (so don't get rid of your

water buffalo yet). The CDC suggests that "more research is needed to

better understand Zika virus in animals"

(http://www.cdc.gov/zika/transmission/qa-animals.html).

Mosquitoes are responsible for transmission of HEARTWORMS to dogs and

cats, and we see multiple cases of heartworm infection every month: so

mosquito control in our area is always a good idea. You can read about

simple measures you can take at the following site:

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/controlling-mosquitoes-at-home.html

and don't forget about monthly heartworm prevention for dogs and cats.

DEET containing products, considered safe for humans, have not been

approved for use on pets and should probably not be used, in part

because a dog or cat may lick the product off of their hair. Some pet

products containing pyrethrins (Advantix - for dogs only) or pyrethroids

(Ovitrol - for dogs or cats) are labelled for use as mosquito

repellents, however avoidance of mosquitoes (see the CDC website) is

probably a better option.

Join us for our segment of the 2014 Great Suwannee River Cleanup on Saturday, November 8. The 'Cleanup' is a coordinated effort to keep the river clean. Call either office for more information; we will be heading down the river early in the afternoon and collecting trash, tires etc. Participants will get an All Springs Veterinary Hospital t-shirt.

Pet Poison Helpline receives a spike in calls and lists the following as fall carnival or Halloween pet hazards:

CHOCOLATE: Methylxanthines in chocolate cause signs of toxicity from vomiting to seizures. Baker's chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate however pets should be kept away from all types.

SWEET CANDY AND FOOD:  Pancreatitis can result from excess intake, and especially avoid candy with xylitol used as a sweetener as it can result in liver damage and low blood sugar.

RAISINS: Relatively small amounts of raisins and grapes can cause kidney failure and pets should be prevented from eating these, especially if they are coated in Chocolate!

CANDY WRAPPERS, COSTUMES AND CANDLES: all create hazards either from ingestion of buttons or strings or from burns. Make sure to secure these away from pets; if your pet has a costume watch out for zinc or lead parts as well as parts your pet can swallow.

STAY SAFE!

* Make sure outdoor pets have well shaded areas with plenty of clean, fresh water. Dogs appreciate fans if practical. Older or disabled dogs and cats may need to spend most of the summer indoors.

* Prevent exposure to toxic yard plants such as sago palm, rhododendron and azalea.

* Make sure dogs and cats receive monthly heartworm preventive (needed all year in Florida).

* Do not leave pets in parked cars and don't let your dog ride in the bed of your truck.

* Prevent swimming or drinking access to standing water.

FLEAS!!!!!!!!!

Flea season never really ended this year because of our relatively mild winter. The best approach to flea control is to completely eradicate them from your pets' environment.

Fleas mount your dog or cat and take a blood meal. If you see black specks in your pet's coat this is flea feces (yuck!) which is primarily dried blood.

Female fleas will then begin to lay 20 to 50 eggs per day, so it easy to see why a small flea population quickly becomes a major infestation. The eggs develop into larvae and then adults over the next few weeks and begin the process all over again.

The following are keys to eradicating fleas:

1. Control the fleas on you cats and dogs. There is no difference between the dog and cat flea, so if you see fleas on your dog, then your cat has fleas even if you can't find them. So you need effective control on all pets.

There are a number of options for controlling fleas on pets and during your office visits we will tailor the best approach for your pets.

2. Control flea eggs and larvae in the environment. We recommend you use a commercial service to treat your pets' environment for flea eggs and larvae. Available products inhibit development of flea eggs and larvae, breaking the flea cycle.

If done well, flea eradication can be done in a closed environment over a one to four month period. So let us know if you need help making and implementing a plan to make your home and pets flea free!

  Who Me?

How many ways can a curious cat or a rambunctious pup get into trouble during the holidays?

Share these simple rules with your family to avoid an emergency trip to the veterinary clinic this holiday season.

People Food. Don't share human food with your pet. Pets often get gastrointestinal upset when their diet changes. Little snacks of turkey, cranberry sauce and baked goods have a bigger effect on pets than on humans. During the holidays, try to keep your pet's diet the same as the rest of the year.

Plants.  -Poinsettias, holly, amaryllis, mistletoe, and pine needles are toxic to pets.

               -Christmas Trees are a big source of injury and illness for pets.

     *Don't let pets drink from the tree water bowl. Use low-toxicity preservatives in the tree water or make your own using citric acid and sugar.

     *Tinsel causes intestinal blockages in pets. Cats and dogs eat it readily so keep it out of reach or don't use it all.

Cold and flu medications. If you get the sniffles this holiday season, make sure you don't leave your medications on the counter. Cats and dogs are often attracted to the bottles and can become very sick from human medications.

Batteries cause ulcerations on mouths and tongues and serious gastrointestinal damage. Keep these snack sized objects out of the reach of pets.

Antifreeze. It's easy to lose track of your pet when family and friends are over. Make sure your pet does not have access to toxins, such as antifreeze, when your attention is on the holidays. Less toxic anti-freeze,  made with propylene glycol or methyl alcohol, are available. These may still cause gastrointestinal upset, however,  so clean up all spills immediately.

Dress up.  Young children often tie ribbons, bows and strings around pets. These can present strangling hazards if the pet gets hung up on furniture or a fence and when ingested often cause intestinal blockages. Commercially made holiday collars are a safer alternative.