The following tips and information originally appeared in our annual newsletter.  If you would like to receive our newsletter, please let us know.

Current Tips & Articles

	A Tip On Wildlife
	Annual Flea Prevention Program
	Preventative Health Blood Chemistry Screening
	Professional Dental Cleaning vs. Brushing
	Does Your Pet Suffer from Allergies?
	Heart Disease: Early Detection is the Key
	Does Your Dog Suffer From Separation Anxiety?
	Pets Can Live Longer with Regular Dental Care
	Do You Suspect Your Pet Has Arthritis?
	Heartworms: Detect Them Before They Occur

A Tip On Wildlife

Nearly everyone has witnessed a nest of birds and questioned why the parent was not with its young. The Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (OWRA) urges people to leave the nest alone since wildlife parents rarely abandon their young.

If on the other hand, you observe an injured wild animal and know it has lost its parents, contact the Columbus wildlife district office for assistance at 614-644-3925. They will locate a wildlife rehabilitator in your area who has the proper training and experience to handle and care for injured wildlife. Never try to care for an injured wild animal on your own. You are jeopardizing your health by risking injury and even disease.

Annual Flea Prevention Program

Did you know that a flea life cycle could be completed in only 16 days? That's all the time it takes for an egg to hatch into larvae, molt into the pupal stage and become a young adult flea ready to reproduce. The good news is there are many effective and relatively easy ways to control and even prevent this vicious flea life cycle from occurring on your pet.

Elyria Animal Hospital offers two topical monthly flea controls called Advantage and Frontline. It is directly applied to an area on the pet's skin, and then distributes itself evenly over the pet's body. As quickly as 24 hours after application, 100% of the adult fleas on the pet will be dead or dying.

The American Veterinary Medical Association is seeking changes in product labeling for concentrated spot-on flea products that contain permethrin. Most over-the-counter products contain permethrin and have been linked with toxicosis. The most common signs are salivating, shaking and staggering and can be fatal. The SPCA Poison Control Center has already issued a warning. Advantage and Frontline contain no permethrins and are extremely safe.

Preventative Health Blood Chemistry Screening

Dr. Alex O'Roark says that one ounce of prevention is a pound of cure especially when it comes to blood tests. A simple blood test can detect disease and can be easily controlled if found early. Clinical observation can not catch everything and if undetected, advanced stages of disease can be fatal. Elyria Animal Hospital recommends annual blood screenings for pets over 7 years of age, and every two years for pets under 7 years of age.

Professional Dental Cleaning vs. Brushing

The word is out on how routine dental care can actually play a factor in the longevity of your pet's life. In fact, statistics show that dogs who receive routine dental care live an average of 2Ð2 1/2 years longer than those that do not. With the right diet, including hard foods to chew on and keep gums healthy, dogs and cats will help keep their teeth clean. However, buildup of tartar eventually develops no matter what they eat.

Using this knowledge, some pet groomers are now offering a type of dental cleaning called "dentals." This service includes brushing and sometimes removing large chunks of tartar buildup from your pet's teeth. However, although regular brushings are important, it cannot and should not replace professional dental cleaning.

"Both are inadequate solutions or replacements for a proper dental cleaning. A proper cleaning can only be performed under general anesthesia," says Dr. O'Roark.

Dr. O'Roark follows five important steps when performing a dental cleaning:

1. Removal of large chunks of tartar.

2. Removal of smaller pieces of tartar with an ultrasonic scaler.

3. Removal of tartar under the gum line with a hand scaler.

4. Polishing the teeth.

5. Fluoride applied to teeth!

According to Dr. O'Roark, polishing the teeth is the most pertinent step in preventing future tartar buildup. "The teeth are polished to create a smooth surface and remove microscopic amounts of tartar that may act as a holding place for new tartar. If left unpolished, teeth will begin showing tartar very quickly," he emphasizes.

Animal dental health can be checked during a regular checkup and appointments can be made to have the animal's teeth cleaned on an as-needed basis thereafter. Regular brushings at home is the most effective way to slow the return of tartar after a professional dental cleaning. Pets who are given regular home dental care may only need professional dental cleanings every 3-6 years.

Does Your Pet Suffer from Allergies?

It seems like we have waited so long for summer, and now that it has arrived, many of us suffer from the seasonal allergies that accompany it. Unfortunately, this allergy period is expected to last until late fall. However, as you may know, humans are not the only ones who suffer from allergies. Our pets do too!

The first step in determining whether your pet suffers from allergies is to pay close attention. Often the pet will exhibit one or more of these signs or symptoms:

1. Constant itching
2. Red irritated skin
3. Hair loss
4. Licking feet or staining of toes
5. Sneezing
6. Watery eyes
7. Ear infections

However, even if your pet shows symptoms of seasonal allergies, another type of problem or allergy may be the culprit. Sometimes, changing the brand of food or treats your pet eats can trigger these symptoms if it is allergic to a specific ingredient. Fleas can also bring on itching and red, irritated skin. That is why it is so important to document when the symptoms first become noticeable and when/ if they diminish. It is also possible that your pet will have multiple allergies combined with infections so keep track of anything that seems to make the symptoms worse. Diagnosis can be difficult and extensive, but any information and observations you contribute will help.

Take time to ask yourself the following questions before you bring your pet for the veterinary visit:

What kind of expectations do I have for allergy control/relief for my pet?

How extensive do I want to be?

Am I willing to medicate my pet, and can I follow a medical plan religiously?

Elyria Animal Hospital has several treatments for allergy relief, which are customized for each pet. These treatments may include any of the following either separately or in combinations:

1. Shampoo Therapy
2. Diet Change
3. Oral or Topical Medication
4. Nutritional Supplements
5. Allergy Injections

Source Elimination Medications for Secondary Problems

Some allergy problems can be controlled simply with a change in diet. Foods with essential fatty acids, also known as Omega 3 and Omega 6, have been shown to be beneficial in relieving allergy symptoms. The only nonprescription foods recommended for allergies are Eukanuba and Authority brands. Prescription diets are available if needed.

If your pet is experiencing allergies, flea control is fundamental. It will decrease the possibility of flea allergy dermatitis, and therefore allow for a lower dose of medication or less frequent treatment.

Patients with more difficult cases will eventually be referred to a dermatologist for further treatment.

Heart Disease: Early Detection is the Key

To successfully treat heart disease in pets, early detection is critical. Although the symptoms and signs of heart disease are often silent, there are several you can look for in your pet including:

1. Coughing
2. Shortness of  Breath
3. Decreased Activity
4. Fainting

If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms, call the Elyria Animal Hospital immediately to schedule a thorough exam. During a cardiac examination, the doctor will check your pet for heart murmur, irregular beat and fluid in the chest. An EKG screening may also be performed on your pet at no extra charge. For more difficult cases, full diagnostic EKGs and a veterinary cardiology consultation are available as well.

Many cardiac problems in pets can be controlled simply with diet and exercise, but sometimes medication is required as well. A drug called ENCARD is used in many cases and may actually extend your pet’s life to two and one-half times longer than it would have been without drug treatment.

Does Your Dog Suffer From Separation Anxiety?

As every dog owner knows, dogs are highly social creatures and form very strong attachments to their owners. Because they are so social, many dogs experience separation anxiety when away from their owner, similar to what a child feels

When separated from his parents in a mall. If your dog begins behaving disruptively as though he or she is spoiled, spiteful, or angry, separation anxiety may be at the root of the problem.

Dogs suffering from separation anxiety are often well behaved when their owner is present. But when left alone, they panic, showing one or more of these signs or symptoms:

1. Distress vocalization, howling, barking, whining
2. Inappropriate elimination, urination, defecation
3. Destructive behavior, chewing, digging
4. Anorexia, depression or inactivity
5. Psychosomatic/medical consequences, excessive licking of haircoat, pacing, circling
6. Hyperattachment, excessive greeting behavior, constant pestering of owner
7. Hypersalivation

A dog with separation anxiety is truly suffering and panics when separated from the people he loves most. An easy way to identify signs of separation anxiety is to videotape your dog when you are out and if signs appear, contact the Elyria Animal Hospital for an appointment to discuss treatment. If left untreated, this disorder may become progressively worse.

Elyria Animal Hospital will treat your pet with a two-part system, combining simple, daily behavioral training with a daily medication called CLOMICALM. CLOMICAL helps to relieve the dog’s anxiety and makes it easier for him to learn new, more positive behaviors. This two part system has been proven to be fast and effective in relieving dogs’ suffering and helping them to return to feeling and acting normally. Results are often seen within a month or less of beginning treatment.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, don’t wait. Stop by the Elyria Animal Hospital today to pick up an information packet containing forms you will need to take the first step in treating your dog’s anxiety and in getting him back on the road to normal, anxiety-free behavior.

Pets Can Live Longer with Regular Dental Care

Two-thirds of all animals can benefit greatly from regular dental care. In fact, statistics show that dogs who receive routine dental care live an average of 2 Ð 21/2 years longer than those that do not.

"Bacteria associated with dental infections can get into the bloodstream of an animal and affect its liver, kidneys and nervous system. Preventative cleanings can help prevent gum and other diseases and may prolong the life of pets," says Dr. O’Roark.

Animal dental health can be checked during a regular check-up and appointments can be made to have the animal’s teeth cleaned on an as-needed basis thereafter. With regular home dental care, pets may only need professional dental cleanings every 3-6 years.

Do You Suspect Your Pet Has Arthritis?

If your dog or cat seems stiff or sore after exercise or tends to lay around for prolonged periods after physical activity, call today for an appointment. Arthritis can affect any dog or cat and while there is no cure, early detection can stop its progression.

"Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial to treating this disease in dogs and cats," Dr. O’Roark says. "We are fortunate to have multiple options for treatment of pets with arthritis which include pain control medications, cartilage protectants and weight and exercise management programs which may or may not include drugs," he adds.

Early on in the treatment of arthritis, a product called Rimadyl can be used to treat animal arthritis pain. Later on, the dog or cat’s arthritis treatment program can be modified and other products can be added as needed to keep the affected animal active and comfortable.

Symptoms of Arthritis

1. Stiffness, lameness, or shorter strides when walking
2. Slowness to rise or reluctance to rise or walk
3. Pain if the affected joint is touched
4. Licking affected joint
5. Loss of normal range of motion
6. Whining or whimpering
7. Reluctance to climb stairs or jump
8. Preferring to sit rather than stand
9. Prevent Feline Heartworms

Heartworms: Detect Them Before They Occur

Heartworms are a newly emerging threat to feline health. Living in the heart and lungs, heartworms can cause serious disease. Treatment for heartworms is risky and expensive, but prevention is easy.

Transmitted by mosquitoes, feline heartworms are caused by the same type of parasite in dogs, but the life cycle of the disease and the way it is managed is slightly different in cats. Several cases of this potentially fatal disease have been reported in Lorain County and as such, cat owners need to take steps to protect their pet’s health.

Dr. Alex O’Roark says prevention is the key to dealing with feline heartworms. Ò1998 has been a very warm year with a large mosquito population, which results in a high potential for transmission of feline heartworms," he says. Since the first and only symptom of the disease can be the sudden death of an infected cat and 55% of the cats with heartworms are inside cats that never leave the house, it’s difficult to know when a cat has been infected. Cat owners are strongly urged to seek preventive measures for warding off heartworms.

So how does one prevent feline heartworms? According to Dr. O’Roark, ideally every cat should undergo an annual examination and then be given a prescription pill monthly to prevent heartworms. Although this pill prevents heartworms, it cannot cure them if they already exist. Fortunately, if heartworms are detected during the cat’s first annual exam, the monthly pills can prevent further progression of the disease.

Dr. O’Roark urges all cat owners to seek preventative care for heartworms. "At this point in time, there is no approved drug for treating cats with heartworms and experimental treatments which currently exist are risky and costly. Prevention is the easiest, safest and most cost effective option for keeping cats heartworm-free," he says.

Symptoms of Heartworms in Cats

1. Coughing
2. Vomiting
3. Breathing Difficulties
4. Sluggishness
5. Sudden Death