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WRVC NEWSLETTER
Winter 2007-08 Newsletter 17
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Special points of Interest: -Fleas cause significant skin diseases in both dogs and cats. -Veterinary medicine is not all about running a business-It's about relationships. -A passion does not go away-it drives a person to try and make a difference every single day.
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In the past, when we spoke of tick-borne diseases, this meant Lyme disease. We had easy answers to the problem– a vaccination for Lyme disease and a variety of topical preventatives. The same is not true anymore as much has changed. Not only are we increasingly concerned about the prevalence of Lyme disease, but we are also concerned about tick-borne diseases such as Ehrlicichiosis and Anaplasmosis. In Addition, there is concern for the effectiveness of the various flea and tick preventatives that we have relied on for so many years. Despite the claims of the manufacturers, many people recognize that the topical products we have been using for years seem to be losing their effectiveness. Another concern is our changing weather pattern. It seems that winters are becoming milder and milder, with less days of snow cover, which means that our tick season is growing longer and longer. It is no longer unusual to have ticks present almost year round as our winters moderate. So what is the answer to controlling tick-borne diseases? Certainly, continued use of the Lyme vaccine is essential. Closer monitoring for tick borne illnesses via blood testing will also become increasingly important. The development of newer flea and tick preventatives will also help the situation. Recently, three new flea and/or tick preventatives have entered the market, some of which have some validity, and others not so much. It has been predicted for both humans and animals that the control of tick transmitted diseases will be our next big health care hurdle. This should not be taken lightly-pet owners need to be aware of these developments and information from your doctor or veterinarian will be crucial to future health care needs. |
New Product Review-Promeris®
Fleas and ticks are classified as
ectoparasites-parasites that live on the outside
(skin)
of the animal.
Fleas cause significant skin diseases in both cats and dogs, and tick-borne diseases
are becoming more and more of a concern for people and pets.
Promeris® is a new topical flea and tick preventive developed by the Fort Dodge company. It is one of the few new “players” in the flea and tick control product market, which is phenomenally based in the U.S.
There has been a recent concern about the effectiveness of some of the existing products that have been on the market for years. Because of this, it will be interesting to see how the efficiency of these new products compare to the “old guard”.
Like anything, the use of Pormeris® will have to take into consideration the pets life-style and the risk of acquiring certain diseases. In short, all of these products need to be part of a comprehensive health care plan that makes sense for the pet.
| ___________ "Over the years I have made many friends-perhaps the greatest reward or the long hours I have worked".
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I
started my career as a veterinarian as a large animal (dairy) doctor. I
evolved into mixed animal practice, and ultimately converted to all
companion animal work. Over the years, I forged many friendships, many of
which I maintain today. |
Recently, I received a call from the farmer. Thinking that I may be in need of another load of composted manure, he phoned me one day, and informed me that he had woken up that morning, looked at a giant heap of cow manure, and immediately thought of me. Well, I could not even be offended, and all I could do was laugh. In a way he was sincere, but I also knew he was trying to get a rise out of me. Veterinary medicine is a wonderful thing. It’s not all about medicine, surgery, and running a business-it’s about relationships. Over the years I have made friends form my clientele, perhaps the greatest reward for the long hours I have worked |
A Moral Obligation to
Serve?
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Historically, veterinarians have, as a profession, been at the top of the list for giving away their services. We are expected to take care of every stray cat and dog, rescue all injured wildlife, and provide gratis services for those who cannot afford our fees. It seems that goodwill has been as essential and expected criteria for being a veterinarian. For better or worse, the winds of change have been blowing for a number of years. Veterinarians have been forced to become better businessman, therefore having to evaluate more carefully how much we “give away”. The costs in running a business have escalated phenomenally for many reasons. The profile of today's D.V.M. has also changed, and most veterinarians today do not want the old days of 60-80 hour work weeks. They want 35-40 hour weeks with no nights, weekends, or holidays, (hence the growing popularity of multi-million dollar regional referral centers). All of this has raised many questions and concerns in the profession. There is still a strong feeling that providing goodwill services is still an important aspect of what we must do. Yet, this cannot be forced onto anyone, and it will remain up to each individual to decide how they choose to serve their profession. In reality, this concern should not only be about stray pets, poor pet owners, and veterinarians. It should be about everyone that has a gift, talent, or time that they could utilize in a better way to benefit an individual or group who has less. I have always said that we should all have a cause in life-a driving force to serve, in some capacity, those in need. I have chosen to serve animals. I do not expect everyone to do so, but everyone should choose to make a difference in life in some capacity. As we go through the holiday season, we tend to fall into the clichés of “goodwill”, “giving”, “resolutions”, etc, only to have most of it fade away around mid January. A passion does not go away-it drives a person to try and make a difference every single day. My hopes for everyone this winter season, a season of reflection, is that if you do not have a passion, you will develop one. What more can give a life meaning that to serve others in some capacity? |
Book Review: The Good, Good Pig: The extraordinary life of Christopher Hagwood, by Sy Montgomery
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This book is the story of a pet pig, raised as a sort of surrogate child by a childless couple. The story certainly breaks the mold of the cat and the dog “feel good” stories that are prevalent, as it weaves the life and personality of a “farm animal” into the lives of a small, rural community. In short, the book is fun. It not only gives insight into a unique relationship, but also teaches a bit of pig history. And, as in all stories with animals, in the end Christopher Hagwood dies. The author has some interesting insights into his loss, and into life, that I think we would all do well to mull over. |
 “The Good, Good Pig” is a book for everyone-animal lover or not. |
The Lemon Law
There is currently a proposed “lemon law” for pets which is being revised. The original intent was to target puppy mills who are recklessly breeding animals, propagating genetic problems which then become the burden of the unknowing buyer who only sees a cute puppy, and then proceeds find out that they have a problem on their hands (and potentially a lot of expenses).
I will be the first to agree that it is essential that something be done about the puppy mill situation. The proposed legislation, however, targets not only puppy mills, but also the legitimate breeders who are doing a good job of breeding. As written, the law will be a deterrent to anyone breeding, it will flood the courts with endless cases of “lemon pets”, and selfishly, it will make life miserable for veterinarians as we will get dragged into the middle of every case involving a disgruntled buyer.
In some shape or form, there will be a law passed that will give the consumer some recourse should they buy a “defective” pet. Anyone breeding and selling pets will have to achieve a higher standard of care, if they are not already doing so. In the end, assuming that the proposed law is modified. I think that this sort of legislation will be a good thing. It will be interesting to see how it develops.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (F.I.P.)
F.I.P. is a viral disease of cats which, while not common, is well recognized, and is very serious in that it is fatal 100% of the time.
The most common form of the disease is the “wet” form in which cats develop fluid retention in the chest cavity and or the abdominal cavity. Clinically infected cats show vague signs, such as abdominal distention, labored breathing, inappetence, decreased energy level, etc.
A less common “dry” form of the disease causes neurological symptoms, which can be varied. In both forms, there may be eye involvement with corneal cloudiness, an eye discharge, etc.
The virus responsible for F.I.P. is mainly seen in high concentration of cats after a carrier animal introduces the virus. Therefore breeders with numerous cats, animal horders, farms, rescue organizations, etc. are more likely to see cases and outbreaks of this disease.
Testing for F.I.P. is difficult, treatment choices are limited, vaccines are largely ineffective, and as I mentioned, 100% of infected cats will ultimately die, making it a devastating disease.
Given that most pet cats seem to originate as strays with an unknown background, it is often impossible to determine when and where an exposure occurred. Even though rare, any cat or kitten showing vague signs of illness needs to be taken seriously, and a full medical workup is indicated.
S.A.F.E. (Stray Animal Fund Endeavor) is a program within the Wolf River Veterinary clinic which cares for the areas stray cats and dogs. The clinic provides safe, comfortable housing for strays until they are either claimed by their owners, or, if unclaimed, placed into our adoption program. Adopted pets are spayed, neutered, vaccinated, checked for any potential health problems, and their personalities are assessed prior to their placement in a new home. It is the goal of S.A.F.E. to do the best we can to give every life a chance. (See Pets for Adoption page)
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