Warning:  Blue-Green Algae

   With the heat we have been experiencing, allowing our pets a swim in local ponds and lakes is tempting.  However, there is a danger lurking you may not be aware of.  

   Blue-green algae blooms have been a long-time problem in Indiana waters, and this hot, dry summer is making the problem even worse.  Also known as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae are named for the color they give to the water they grow in, including the dense scum they can leave on top of the water.  With low water levels in many of our lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, blue-green algae are growing at record breaking rates.  Local lakes and reservoirs are affected, including Geist Reservoir.

   Illness from blue-green algae can affect humans and animals, especially dogs.  Symptoms in dogs include drooling, weakness, vomiting, staggering and convulsions.  Liver failure often develops.  Death can occur 4 to 24 hours after exposure to the algae.

   Dogs become ill from blue-green algae through swimming in and drinking contaminated water.  Already in Indiana, the death of 2 dogs is being blamed on these algal blooms.   Read this article for more information.

   If you're looking for a way involving water to help your pet beat this summer heat, try filling a plastic children's pool with water from your home's hose.  It will be a much safer environment for your pet!

Welcome Dr. Stauffer!

 

Noah's Animal Hospitals are very pleased and excited to announce that Kent D. Stauffer, DVM, DACVS, DABVP (board certified surgeon) has joined our staff!

Dr. Stauffer served the Indianapolis area for many years in the past with his excellent surgical skills and practical approach to surgical cases. Dr. Stauffer has been working at Iowa State Specialties as a boarded small animal surgeon for the past year and has decided to return full time to Indianapolis.

Dr. Stauffer performs all manner of orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery and soft tissue surgery. He has performed well over 3000 TPLOs.  TPLO stands for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, and is a common surgical procedure used to treat canine cruciate ligament rupture.

In conjunction with our Noah's 24 Hour Emergency Center, all of Dr. Stauffer's surgical patients will receive around the clock medical care until they are able to be released home.

 

Dr. Kalt and his team of excellent doctors are still here for all of your medical and surgical needs as well.

 

Noah's desires to provide the highest quality medicine and surgery for your pet, at the most affordable prices in the specialty care community.  We believe that the addition of Dr. Stauffer, with his extensive experience and outstanding reputation, will allow us to serve central Indiana more effectively.

Heartworm Disease

By Dr. Melissa Hawkins

            As someone that has been working in the pet healthcare industry for 14 years, I am amazed at the number of pet owners that don’t know about heartworm disease.  Not to worry!  I’m here to educate you, and help to keep your pet happy and healthy!

Heartworms are common throughout the world, and heartworm disease has been documented in every state of the US, including Alaska!  Heartworms are spread through mosquito bites, so it stands to reason that any area with mosquitoes has the potential to have heartworms as well.  Most places we and our pets live are warm enough to have a healthy mosquito population for at least some period during the year.  This is especially true for the Midwest, including Indiana.  We have plenty of water here, and even this past winter in Indianapolis didn’t get cold enough to kill off the mosquito population completely.

            When a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae bites your dog or cat, one (or more) of the microscopic larvae is deposited under the skin.  This larva makes its way to the vessels associated with the heart and lungs, where it grows into a long, white worm.  These worms sometimes reach 1 foot in length!  With the presence of adult heartworms, the heart has to work harder to pump the same amount of blood throughout the body.  This in turn causes the heart muscle to enlarge.  Congestive heart failure often develops.  Abnormal heart rhythms and sudden death are unfortunately common.  Sometimes there are no outward symptoms of infection at all, except for sudden death.  Severe inflammation also develops in the lungs, making it harder for the pet to breathe.  Cats develop symptoms similar to asthma.  Treatment of heartworm disease in dogs is possible, but it is very expensive, and fraught with risks.  Some patients do not survive the treatment process for this disease.  There is no cure for cats.

            But there is hope!  This disease is completely preventable!  Administering a monthly heartworm preventative to your pet all year round is the best way to prevent heartworm disease.  And not only does your pet receive heartworm protection with a monthly product, but they also receive protection against the most common intestinal parasites – hookworms, roundworms, and usually whipworms as well.  Many products also include flea protection.  There is protection against ear mites available as well, which is great for outdoor cats.

            Now some of you might be thinking, “But Dr. Hawkins, we live in Indiana.  It gets cold in the winter.  We really don’t have to give the heartworm preventative all year round.” 

Yes, it gets cold in the winter.  But remember this past winter in Indy?  It really didn’t get cold enough to kill off the mosquito population completely.  No one could have predicted that early enough to let you know the importance of year round heartworm prevention for your pet.  Not to mention that some intestinal parasite eggs and larvae can still live in the environment, despite freezing temperatures.  These parasites can infect your pet in the winter, and some of them can even be spread to their human caretakers!  

 (Click here for the latest U.S. Heartworm Incidence Map by the American Heartworm Society! )

            I also frequently hear from clients, “Dr. Hawkins, he/she rarely (or never) goes outside, so there is no risk of a mosquito bite.”  This is not true!  I have found plenty of mosquitoes in my house, and I’m betting you have, too.  Mosquitoes can, and do, get into the house, leaving even your “indoor only” cat at risk of infection. 

            Noah’s Animal Hospitals recommend yearly heartworm blood testing for all dogs each year.  This is usually done at the same time as the annual physical examination and vaccines. 

Now I bet some of you are thinking, “But Dr. Hawkins, you just told us to give our pet’s heartworm preventative all year round.  This means there is no reason to test them every year.  If they receive preventative every month, there is no chance they will get heartworms.” 

This would be true in a perfect world.  However, we lead busy lives.  We don’t always remember to give our pets their heartworm preventative pill on time every month.  Administering the dose even 1 or 2 days late leaves a risk that your pet could develop a mature heartworm infection.  And I’ll be honest with myself – sometimes my pets don’t receive their preventative tablet on time.  I forget.  And if I am forgetting this small task every month, I know some of you are forgetting as well. 

Undetected heartworm infection is extremely detrimental to your pet.  Yearly testing ensures that we will catch an infection in your dog early if one develops.  Heartworm treatment is expensive and dangerous, but treating early in the course of the disease is much safer and more successful for your pet. 

Check out this video by NFL football player, LaDainian Tomlinson regarding his family's experience with heartworm disease.

Unfortunately there is no accurate yearly blood test for cats for this disease at this time.  We’re waiting for it.  The best thing you can do to protect your cat is monthly administration of a heartworm preventative product.  Please schedule an examination for your cat if you notice something out of the ordinary.

This year to date in Marion County, over 500 heartworm positive dogs have been diagnosed.  That is over 80 cases a month, in 1 county.  We hope to help stop these rising numbers by ensuring our patients receive monthly heartworm preventative, all year round.  As always, we strive to be your partner in your pet’s healthcare!

Tillie's Two Cents

Hi!  My name is Tillie.  I’m an Egyptian Mau that lives at Noah’s Caring Hands Animal Hospital.  What’s an Egyptian Mau, you ask?  Only the best breed of cat ever!  I feel kind of special knowing I’m so exotic.  So what makes me, well, me?  Mostly my spots.  Those are a huge characteristic in my breed, as well as my facial markings.  Did you know that it is rumored that Egyptian women tried to copy my breed’s facial markings when doing their makeup?  Especially the eyes.  Neat, isn’t it?!  I’m also extremely loyal. 

As I said, I live in an animal hospital.  I wasn’t quite sure about it at first, but now I love it!  They adopted me from the Hamilton County Humane Society.  I’m sure glad that they did.  Everyone here loves me, and it sure feels good to finally be loved.  I see all sorts of things living here.  It’s never a dull day, that’s for sure!  There are always new friends to meet, if I so choose to.  You know, it really is a blessing that I was chosen to live in an animal hospital.  After I’d been here for a bit, they noticed that I kept regurgitating my food.  I wasn’t really sure how to tell them something was wrong, but they figured it out anyway.  Smart people!  They knew I had stomatitis.  They tell me that’s an inflammation of the mouth.  Eek!  I had a dental so they could look around in my mouth.  My first dental hadn’t helped as much as hoped, so I had to have more teeth taken out.  I only have three teeth left, but my mouth feels so much better.  While I was having my surgery, they snapped a few x-rays.  Many x-rays later, they discovered that I have megaesophagus.  This means my esophagus does not contract, so it makes it harder to get my food into my stomach, and then the food hangs out in my esophagus making it easier to aspirate to my lungs.  Not much can be done to fix this.  What helps a ton is my step stool.  My bowls are up on the stool, and I have to eat standing on my back legs.  I got used to this really quick, and it has helped me so much.  They also keep a very close eye on me for any signs of pneumonia, which unfortunately comes with the territory of megaesophagus.  I can’t say that I mind the extra attention!  So you see, I really did end up at the best place possible for me.  So that’s my story. 

Noah’s Caring Hands Animal Hospital doesn’t only help me though, they help so many other fellow furry friends.  I learn so many things by living here, and that is why I decided to start an advice column on this blog.  If your pets (especially my fellow cats) have any questions, you can send them my way at tilliemau@gmail.com.

Talk to you soon!

~Tillie

 

 

Happy 4th of July!

You can help keep your pets safe this holiday with a few tips listed below, and some common sense!

--- Loud sounds from fireworks and music can cause stress and fear in many pets.  They may become so scared that they escape from home and become lost.  Make sure your pets are secure in your home, and guard the door when it is open.  Provide a quiet, comfortable area for your pet to retreat to if they become nervous, such as a crate with pillows or a bedroom.  It may also be helpful for some pets to close the curtains or shades to help hide flashing colors and muffle the sound.

--- Barbecues are a common part of this patriotic holiday.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and potato salad are the epitome of summertime eating!  Don't feed the leftovers to your pets, and make sure they don't steal from the table!  Foods like hamburgers and hot dogs can cause pancreatitis, and corn cobs can become lodged in the intestinal tract, necessitating surgery.  Stick with your pet's regular food, and maybe a special dog or cat treat from the pet store. 

--- It's still hot out there!  Remember the importance of keeping your pets cool, especially if they spend a lot of time outside with you this holiday.  Check out last weeks blog post for some ideas to help your pet beat the heat!

--- If your pet should become injured or ill, remember that Noah's Central is open to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!  We're located at 56th Street and Emerson.  You can reach us at 317-244-7738.