The colder weather and barren trees hasten our steps to get ready for the upcoming winter months.  We are sending this note to reach out to our horse owners about several topics that are pertinent to your horse’s well being. More and more of our horse clients are using the round hay bales during the winter months and studies have shown that feeding round bales increases a horse’s risk of developing botulism.  According to Dr. Robert Whitlock, DVM, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, about 90% of botulism cases are in no way associated with dead animals baled into the hay. Most horses have type B botulism and type B comes from the soil, not from deceased animals (which are linked to type C) baled into the hay.

Round bales should be placed on a platform to keep them off the ground and ideally under roofs.  Throwing baled hay out into muddy or damp ground can also be a source of botulism poisoning.  Horses walk on the hay and it gets packed down – creating an environment for spores in the soil for toxins.  Again, keeping hay off the ground (low feeding tub) and under a roof is a much better management practice.  Equus magazine (October 2008) did an extensive article on Botulism.  As a summary, botulism is a rare but often deadly form of poisoning.  There are several forms of botulism (Types A-H) with the most common botulism affecting more than 85% of horse cases being type B.  Signs of botulism include the inability to eat, difficulty swallowing, drooling, trembling and muscle weakness, stiff, short strided walk, in coordination, poor muscle tone; reduced tongue tone and ability to retract, weak eyelid tone, poor tail tone, recombency,  an inability to rise, colic, and abnormal respiratory pattern/rate. We are carrying BotVax B which will provide protection for your horse against type B, the most common type of equine botulism.  Previously unvaccinated horses should receive three 2 ml does of BotVax B at one month intervals.  Broodmares can be vaccinated (starting at the ninth month of pregnancy).  BotVax B is safe to administer to foals as young as 2 weeks. We have received reports of skunks and raccoons testing positive for rabies in the Claremont and Cornish area and expect this may spread.  Please be certain that all your animals are up to date on their rabies immunizations.

Also this is the time of year we would recommend a dental check up and float if one has not been done this year.  Due to the continuous growth and side to side chewing pattern of the horse, sharp points develop along the cheek side surface of the upper molars and the tongue side surface of the lower molars.  These sharp surfaces abrade and irritate the soft tissues such as the tongue and cheeks.  If left untreated, the horse will have difficulty chewing food.  You may notice your horse having a difficult time eating or reluctant to eat, head tossing or grain/hay falling from the mouth or “quidding” of hay.  We can float either with the traditional method or with the equine power float.  The power float enables us to float in an efficient and precise manner to remove points and hooks and to perform more extensive treatments such as wave mouth, tall teeth and bite alignments.  The veterinarian, along with the horse owner, can discuss each situation to make the choice for each horse.

Please call the office if you have any questions or concerns about the above issues at 603-543-0117.

Happy Holidays,

Lynn F. Fisher, DVM

Signs of chocolate toxicity occur within 6 to 12 hours after ingestion and can include vomiting and diarrhea, followed by heart beat irregularities, tremors, seizures and death.  As the holiday season approaches, be sure to keep all chocolate treats out of reach of your pets.  If you suspect your pet has consumed chocolate, call your veterinarian immediately.  Note how much chocolate was consumed and whether it was milk chocolate, dark chocolate or bakers chocolate.  A timely call to your veterinarian can avert a potential holiday disaster.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can infect many species of animals and can cause very serious health problems in both dogs and humans. Cats are susceptible as well, though often not as severely. Whereas some infectious diseases primarily affect only one body system, leptospirosis can infect numerous organs, including the lungs, heart, eyes, spinal cord, and reproductive organs, but is most known for causing severe kidney and liver failure.

The kidney infection allows the organism to be transmitted in the urine, where it can live for an extremely long time in puddles or moist soil, only to be later picked up by a dog drinking from this puddle. The offending bacteria have many different strains, or serovars. They enter the body through skin disruptions or mucous membranes, such as the mouth, when drinking from a contaminated water source.

After infection, the organism can set up house within the kidney where it may persist chronically with no signs or cause a wide variety of more sudden problems. Affected animals may appear sick within days of infection, with weakness, depression, anorexia, and often have a fever. They may also vomit, have diarrhea, stiffness, bleeding, or difficulty breathing. Often animals may simply be urinating more or less frequently than usual.

As well as causing very serious and life threatening disease in animals, it is additionally important because it can be transmitted to humans. Prevention of exposure to the Leptospira organism and early recognition are the best ways to prevent serious consequences of this disease. Thankfully a vaccine against many of the Leptospirosis serovars exists and is recommended for any dog potentially exposed to this organism. Additionally it is wise to prevent your dog or cat from drinking from sources of standing water or near contaminated soil.

Written by:
By Marcella Goff, DVM
Claremont Animal Hospital, Inc.

Many factors influence whether and when a dog develops OA. Dogs with hereditary malformations of a joint such as hip or elbow dysplasia can develop OA fairly early in life. An injury such as a cranial cruciate ligament tear (equivalent to human ACL) in a dog’s knee virtually guarantees OA, even if the injury is discovered and surgically corrected quickly. Infection or anything causing inflammation of a joint can lead to OA. Finally, a rapid weight gain or simply being overweight also significantly predispose a dog to the discomfort of OA.

OA is a slowly progressive inflammatory disease of the cartilage lining joints. The job of this cartilage is to make joints move smoothly and to cushion the forces of weight as they are transferred between bones. Whatever the cause of a dog’s OA, a vicious cycle is begun where abnormal biomechanics and physiology of the joint cause inflammation and degradation of cartilage, which then worsen the abnormal biomechanics and physiology. This eventually results in fragmentation of the cartilage surface and bony remodeling at the joint periphery. Without normal cartilage, the simple act of walking becomes painful.

Management of OA is usually most successful when a multifaceted approach is used. The goals are directed at controlling pain and maintaining function of affected joints. Weight control is often one of the first steps in managing your dog’s OA. Keeping weight in the normal-to-light range reduces the stress placed on joints. This, combined with sufficient muscular support of joints achieved through regular, limited exercise, can make many dogs more comfortable. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a physical therapy routine to help maintain function and range of motion in your dog’s arthritic joints.

A second facet to management involves neutraceutical supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids. These act to provide precursors needed to repair damaged arthritic cartilage. They also have antioxidant properties that help reduce the mediators that cause inflammation in joints. Neutraceuticals are now incorporated into some prescription veterinary diets, in addition to being available in supplement form.

The mainstay of OA management lies in treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These compounds block the production of molecules that promote the inflammation that makes OA painful. Prescription veterinary NSAIDs are the best choice because they are designed specifically for a dog’s physiology and metabolism. Your veterinarian may discuss the importance of performing bloodwork prior to initiating treatment and periodically while your dog is on NSAIDs to monitor the function of organs that are important in the metabolism and elimination of these drugs from the body. One important thing to remember is to NEVER give ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to your dog. Dogs do not have the ability to metabolize these drugs like humans do, so they accumulate and become toxic. A good, safe plan is to talk with your veterinarian before giving ANY pill to your dog (or cat).

Recognizing the signs of OA and discussing them with your veterinarian are important as your dog ages. There are many ways to keep your pet comfortable and active as she ages. Talk with your veterinarian about the best plan of action for your dog.

Written by:
By Katharine Evans, DVM
Claremont Animal Hospital, Inc.

The infected deer tick feeds on these hosts, becoming partially engorged (24-48 hours after attachment); the tick transmits the spirochete organism, Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Affected animals may or may not exhibit signs after infection occurs.

The most commonly reported signs include recurrent arthritis with lameness, fever, anorexia and depression. Three phases of disease have been reported. During the acute phase (7-21 days) vague signs such as fever joint, swelling, lethargy and lameness may be noticed, although often signs of illness in the early phase are not always present. The sub clinical phase (1-3 years) is a period in which animals may appear healthy; however, the disease is progressing. The chronic phase is the period during which lameness may be observed. Other organs affected included are the heart and kidneys.

Diagnosis of Lyme disease can be made by blood testing. Due to the potentially progressive nature of this disease, early detection and treatment are essential. Yearly testing for Lyme disease is recommended. As with any disease, prevention is the best method of control. Consult with your veterinarian for available tick prevention products and vaccines.

Written by:
By Holly VanNess, DVM
Claremont Animal Hospital, Inc.

Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia that happens when the body cannot dissipate heat to accommodate the environmental temperature. This serious, life threatening and often fatal disorder occurs in all ages but especially the very young and the very old. It causes respiratory arrest, seizures, bloody vomiting and diarrhea, brain hemorrhage, coma and death. Brachycephalic breeds (i.e.: pugs, bulldogs – dogs with a short face appearance), obese pets and pets with underlying heart and lung diseases are more susceptible.

Prevention is certainly the best treatment. Please don’t leave your pet in a vehicle for more than a few minutes even if it is in the shade, the windows are down or the AC is on. Also don’t leave a pet outside on a warm or humid day even if you think they have enough shade and water. They are always wearing their winter coats. Try to put yourself in their place. Leave them at home by the air conditioner. Even if they don’t thank you for it immediately, they will be around a lot longer to appreciate your kindness.

Written by:
Priscilla Lambert, D.V.M.
Claremont Animal Hospital, Inc.

Now that you have determined your pet is overweight, you may say, “so what, as long as he’s happy”. That is the wrong attitude. Obesity leads to many health problems. These include but are not limited to diabetes, congestive heart failure, respiratory disease, arthritis and other joint disease. Obesity decreases your pet’s lifespan.

So your pet is overweight. What can you do about it? First, talk to your veterinarian as weight gain can be the result of an underlying medical disorder. Next discuss a proper feeding schedule (i.e. type of food and amount) with your doctor. There are prescription diet foods available if your doctor feels these are warranted. Avoid feeding table scraps as these are only extra calories in your pet’s diet. Also any “treat” that is given is likely high in fat and calories and should be avoided. Finally moderate exercise is recommended and will help your pet to lose weight. This way you can both live a long, healthy life together.

Written by:
By Priscilla Lambert, DVM
Claremont Animal Hospital, Inc.

Routine dental care is vital to the health of any horse, regardless of age, breed, or size. General recommendations include dental examination and floating twice yearly as permanent dentition is developing, and then annually. Dental health maintenance recommendations for individual horses can be provided by your veterinarian.

Written by:
By Dr. Holly VanNess
Claremont Animal Hospital, Inc.

Dental floating is a technique to correct abnormal wear pattern associated with dental eruption. The procedure also allows sculpting of the teeth to accommodate the bit. Enamel points of the lingual and buccal surfaces are removed. Proper equipment and restraint are necessary to accurately sculpt the teeth. Traditional float blades are made of carbide chips or tungsten carbide planing blade. Although adequate, these floats are powered manually in a back and forth motion which is time consuming and sometimes traumatic to the horse. Alternatively, the power float is an electric device with a rotating abrasive wheel. The small grinding surface and small diameter handle enable difficult to reach surfaces to be more accessible than the manual float. The power float is a fast, efficient and precise means of removing points, reducing hooks, wave mouth, tall teeth, and incisor bite alignments. Most importantly, the device provides a safe and less traumatic experience for the horse.

Routine dental care is vital to the health of any horse, regardless of age, breed, or size. General recommendations include dental examination and floating twice yearly as permanent dentition is developing, and then annually. Dental health maintenance recommendations for individual horses can be provided by your veterinarian.

Written by:
By Dr. Holly VanNess
Claremont Animal Hospital, Inc.

The disease is seen in two forms in the dog. There is a localized form where only small areas of the skin are affected and a generalized form where the majority of the body is involved. Symptoms include loss of hair and reddening of the skin. Affected areas may be scabby, crusty and sometimes itchy. Skin infections due to damage by the mite are common. Skin infections can become so severe that they threaten a dog’s life. Diagnosis of demodectic mange is made by examining debris from deep skin scrapings under the microscope.

Treatment of demodectic mange depends on the patient’s age and the severity of the disease. In the localized form, the dog may heal on its own. Many times a cream, shampoo or gel will be used to aid in healing. It is important that dogs with the localized form be observed for a worsening of the condition or spread to other areas. Infrequently, the topical medication may cause the affected areas to look worse, before the areas begin to heal.

Dogs with generalized demodicosis may require intensive treatment with dips or daily medication and often further diagnostic testing. When some dips are used, whole body clipping is required throughout treatment so that the dip solution can reach the mite down in the hair follicle. If a skin infection is present, antibiotics will be needed.

Patients should be neutered or spayed as soon as their disease is under control to reduce the incidence of this hereditary disease in dogs.

Written by:
By Kimberly Snedden, DVM
Claremont Animal Hospital, Inc.