What is Brucella canis?

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

What is Brucella canis?

B. canis is a bacteria that can cause reproductive problems (notably abortions and stillbirths) in dogs. It is a similar organism to the Brucella abortus bacteria that causes Brucellosis in cattle, bison, and elk in the Yellowstone area.

The bacteria can be found in highest concentrations in reproductive fluids and to a lesser extent in urine, milk, blood, saliva, nasal and ocular secretions, and feces. It can be shed intermittently for months to years after the dog is infected and can survive in the environment for extended periods of time.

Although rare, humans can also contract the disease via open wounds or mucosal surfaces (inside of the eye, nose, etc.) that come into contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals. Dogs are diagnosed by a blood test.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure for the disease and euthanasia of the infected animal is currently recommended to stop the spread.

To learn more, you can download this pdf file from Iowa State University http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/brucellosis_canis.pdf

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Designer Dogs Need Care Labels

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Many small dogs have mouths with crowded teeth or retained baby teeth necessitating the need for more frequent dental cleanings and care.

Beware! Designer dogs need to come with extra care labels.

Small dogs are cute and they don’t eat as much as a large dog, but they usually come with a multitude of other health issues.

Before selecting a small dog check into any potential disease issues that breed might have and get certified dogs when possible.

Plan on setting aside money for yearly dental work. Many small dogs have mouths with crowded teeth or retained baby teeth necessitating the need for more frequent dental cleanings and care.

Small long- backed dogs like dachshunds often develop intervertebral disk disease and any short- legged dog with misshapen legs can have yet another set of developmental orthopedic issues.

Extra wrinkles tend to come with a milieu of dermatologic problems and cute smushy faced critters have breathing issues as well.

So, do your research and set up a savings account.

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Dental Cleaning and Gunky Teeth

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

cat brushing its own teeth with text that says "cavities...I fights them"

Unfortunately, dogs and cats can’t brush their own teeth. They need our help to maintain those pearly whites.

My pet just had a dental cleaning done and I’m seeing gunk on his teeth already.

Congratulations for completing the first step in dental care for your pet!

Unfortunately, the care doesn’t end there. Home care is just as important as the cleanings.

Plaque begins to develop within 24 hours, tartar within 72 hours (3 days), and gingivitis can set in again as early as 2 weeks after a cleaning.

Brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way to disrupt the bacterial biofilm that is responsible for the plaque development.

Even getting your pet accustomed to simply having your finger run across the teeth with some pet safe tooth paste is helpful. Consult your veterinarian for proper brushing technique.

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Pet Dental Month

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

“Trust me, I’m a dentist”

February is dental month for pets!

Don’t be fooled.

Pets that are overweight and pets that still appear to be eating well can have terrible dental disease. Gently flip up your pets lip to check the teeth on a regular basis.

Keep in mind that some pets that resist this procedure may have inflammation of their gums and touching their mouth may be painful.

Signs of dental disease in cats and dogs include:

Yellow or brown crust (tartar) on teeth
Bleeding gums (or inflammation of the gums)
Drooling
Bad breath
Tooth loss
Refusal to eat or difficulty chewing

Your local veterinarian has a wealth of information on dental disease so don’t hesitate to make an appointment and have your pet checked out.

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Seasonal Pet Safety

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Season’s Greetings!!

Can it be that the Holidays are once again upon us?

While this can be a time of excitement, fellowship, and indulgence for humans, pets can sometimes get stressed with all of the extra commotion. The following is a list of things you can do to keep your pet(s) safe.

Provide your pet(s) with a safe place out from underfoot. Kennels and kid/pet gates can be useful in designating boundaries.
Invest in covered trash cans and keep food out of reach of clever counter surfing pets. Chocolate, coffee, alcohol, xylitol, grapes, raisin, currents, macadamia nuts, bones and excessive fats like butter and shortening can all be toxic or harmful to pets.
Keep decorations safe and appropriate for the type of pet you have. Tinsel, candles, electrical cords, glass ornaments, and many of the seasonal holiday plants can be hazardous to pets.
Additionally, be conscientious about the outdoor weather conditions if your pets need to stay outside. Adequate shelter and access to unfrozen water are essential.

Happy Holidays!

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Dogs and Sound

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Does your dog go nuts when outside or if it hears a noise? Maybe he just seems to have convenient hearing. Let’s go inside the minds of dogs and find out why.

Over the years attempts have been made to understand what goes on inside the minds of dogs. Scientists have observed dogs in their natural state and through experiments. However, a Hungarian scientist has recently put conscious dogs through MRI scans in order to gain a better understanding of how they process information.

MRI scanners have been used in larger veterinary hospitals as a diagnostic tool, but the dogs are usually put under anesthesia. This special group of dogs was trained to lie perfectly still while in the noisy scanner.

So far, the scientists have found that in the dog’s auditory area of the brain approximately 39% of it responds to other dogs’ vocalizations, 13% to human voices, and a whopping 48% to environmental sounds. In contrast, our brains respond to other human voices using 87% of the auditory cortex and only 3% is used to respond to our environment.

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Thankful for Pets

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

As Thanksgiving comes around, take time to be thankful for your pets. Sure they can be a lot of work, but the joys they bring us can be unmeasurable. They make us laugh and cry. They comfort us when we are sad and keep us company when we are alone. Sometimes they protect us and sometimes they get us in trouble with the neighbors or animal control.

Show your pet some extra love this year.

Popular requests from the dogs include going out for a walk or run, extra petting, and healthy treats.

Cats might appreciate a new cat tree/scratching post, some cat nip, a sunny window shelf or just a cardboard box.

Horses like apples and carrots or maybe just a saddle that fits.

Little critters are often happiest with a clean cage and a few delicious munchies.

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Why test pet urine?

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Why does my veterinarian want to test my dog or cats urine? What’s he/she going to find?

Veterinarians analyze urine for acidity or alkalinity, specific gravity (how concentrated the urine is), red blood cells, white blood cells, cancer cells, and bacteria (urine should be sterile).

They also look for crystals, casts, glucose, ketones, protein, and other substances whose presence can indicate a disease process is active.

A urinalysis is best performed in conjunction with blood tests and a physical exam to gain a more complete picture of how the body is processing and filtering certain substances.

For example, glucose should stay in the blood and not spill over into the urine via the kidney. Diabetes is of course suspected with the presence of glucose in the urine.

Allow your veterinarian to collect samples at the clinic or confirm with them their preferred process of collection. Fresh samples are best and need to be collected and handled in a manner that will reveal the most help information.

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Winterproof Your Pets

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Fall is going to quit teasing us and as much as we hate to think about it, the cold is coming. It’s time to start preparing your pet’s environment for winter.

Are fences secure and sturdy enough to handle wind and snow?

If your pet has to stay outside for any length of time make sure that adequate shelter is available. Dog houses, wind breaks, garages, and sheds can all be appropriate.

Short haired pets, sick pets, very young animals, and older animals will benefit from heated spaces and soft warm bedding. Straw, shavings, orthopedic beds, cushions, and heated beds can provide appropriate insulation.

It’s important that pets continue to drink plenty of water during winter. Heated and/or insulated water bowls are available at many veterinary offices and farm stores. Also re-evaluate your pet’s feed intake. Adjustments may need to be made if you pet is burning more calories to stay warm.

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Should I bathe my dog?

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Bathing dogs with healthy skin and hair coat can interfere with the dogs natural protective oils and disturb the delicate balance of beneficial microbes that live on the pet’s skin.

However, dogs are notorious for getting into stinky things that most owners find repulsive. In these cases, bathing your dog periodically (a few times a year) with a mild doggie approved shampoo is not harmful.

On the other hand, some dogs need to be bathed on a regular basis (weekly to monthly) to help them combat harmful bacteria, yeast, or parasites. Allergies, thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions, metabolic diseases, and cancer can all alter the skin making frequent bathing with medicated shampoos a necessity for the pet’s comfort.

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