Emergencies: Toxic hazards in the home!

Kudos to PetCare TV who featured Pet Poison Helpline in their latest education video on toxic hazards in the home! Click here to check out the informative video!

Preventation magazine: August 2009 Fleas and ticks!

Flea-Proof Your Pets: How to keep your dog, cat and house free from these oh-so-common pests.

If you have pets, fleas are a fact of life. Nearly half of all dogs and cats become infested with them at some point—despite the over $1 billion Americans spend annually on products to control the pesky critters. Once your pet has them (those that play outdoors are especially susceptible), you’ll find that fleas can rapidly take over your house. They can also cause your animal serious illness, including hair loss, dermatitis, and tapeworms (because they’re hosts to the worms’ eggs). Fleas may even carry bacteria that are contagious to humans. But you can keep fleas at bay—or prevent them in the first place—with these three easy steps:

Prevent an infestation
Save yourself a lot of trouble by using a topical prescription preventative such as Program or Frontline Plus every 30 days (but especially during warm-weather months). Both are liquids that are applied between a cat or dog’s shoulder blades and keep infant fleas from developing into full-blown adults. If you have a dog, you can also opt for pills that have the same effect; they are usually given once a month and come combined with heartworm medication. These products are safe, as they are absorbed into your pet’s skin and hair but not his body. They are also more effective than OTC home and lawn sprays, flea collars, bug bombs, shampoos, and dips, which are potentially toxic to you and your pet.

Spot them—and destroy them—fast
Sometimes an infestation occurs despite your best efforts, so if you notice early symptoms (such as your pet’s excessive scratching or small, itchy flea bites on you, the owner!), here’s what to look for: The pesky critters are the size of the tip of a pencil, so if you separate your animal’s hair to look for them, they’re visible to the naked eye. They most commonly hide on or around your pet’s lower back, tail, belly, inner thighs, and neck. A flea comb, which has fine teeth, will snag both the bugs and flea dirt: small, black specks of dried blood that turn red when you sprinkle them on a wet paper towel.

Get rid of them for good
If you find evidence of an infestation, move to a vet-recommended topical product that will rid your pet of adult fleas once and for all. Unfortunately, the fleas have to bite your pet for the pesticides to take effect—but it’s the easiest, safest, and most effective way of eliminating them. Your pet gets relief in 5 minutes and could be flea-free in as little as 12 hours.

Get rid of fleas hopping around your home by vacuuming frequently to suck up adults and eggs lying on the carpet, furniture, and pet beds. Throw away the vacuum bag away immediately, or fleas will crawl back out, re-infesting your house.

Biography:
Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC is a veterinary emergency critical-care specialist and the associate director of veterinary services at Pet Poison Helpline. She is the author of It’s a Cat’s World…You Just Live in It and It’s a Dog’s Life… but It’s Your Carpet.

Copyright Prevention magazine, August 2009.

EPA spot-on problems - how to avoid a flea and tick preventative problem!

When it comes to properly using and applying flea and tick medications, here are some important considerations:

1. Make sure you know the exact weight of your pet before purchasing a product. Your vet should allow you to weigh your pet for free! This is important because a lot of toxicities seen with flea and tick medication are from inappropriate dosing. Never guess your pet's weight. As a comparison, keep in mind that one gallon of milk weighs approximately 8 pounds.

2. Read the package directions, and then read them again! Despite the small print, it's important to know how to properly apply the flea and tick product. We see lots of inadvertent, unintentional toxicities from pet owners applying the product onto the wrong sized animal, the wrong species (putting a dog product on a cat), and by the wrong route (i.e., some people accidentally give the product orally instead of dermally on the skin!).

3. If you have both cats and dogs, beware. Certain types of flea and tick preventative are very safe for dogs, but very toxic to cats. Using a "small dog" product on a cat can result in life-threatening tremors, seizures, and even death if untreated! If you just applied the product to your dog, and your cat grooms or rubs himself onto the dog (and ointment), toxicity can occur! Separating pets until the product is completely dried is important!

4. When in doubt, call for help. If you think you applied the product erroneously, or if your pet develops adverse reactions, call your veterinarian immediately. In addition, there is often a medical information phone number listed on the packaging - these are typically open 24/7, so when in doubt, call for medical advice!

5. Make sure to always store the box, packaging, and tubing all together, so you have all the information in one area. After using the product, hang on to box for few days, in the event of a reaction.

6. Never, ever split the product. In other words, don't buy a big dog flea and tick product to split and apply onto two medium-sized dogs. This is very dangerous, and the product is not labeled or intended to be split this way.

	Volunteering as an Iditarod Race Veterinarian The Iditarod Race, also called “The Last Great Race on Earth,” started in 1973 to remember and honor the sled dog trip in 1925 that saved many of the children of Nome, Alaska. The children of Nome needed a vaccine or serum to prevent them from getting diphtheria, but the weather was too bad to take it by train or plane. So they used sled dogs to take the serum to Nome on the Iditarod trail. Today, the lives of the sled dogs that participate in the race each year are kept safe and healthy by volunteer veterinarians who go to Alaska and donate their time to take care of the sled dogs during the race. Justine Lee, DVM is a veterinarian who has volunteered seven times for the Iditarod. Dr. Lee said, “I decided to be a vet when I was 7. I always loved pets when I was a child, from wildlife to farm animals to a few household pets that we had, and honestly I don’t know what I would be if not a vet…so this has just been a dream of mine.” Justine took several chemistry, biology, and math courses in junior high and high school to help her prepare for becoming a vet. Justine became interested in the Iditarod in vet school, so when she was in her fourth year of veterinary school she volunteered on the Iditarod as a special research project. “That’s where I developed my passion for sled dog medicine. It’s unique in that it’s very, very different from companion animal medicine (taking care of pet dogs). It’s elite, marathon athletes that we’re working with.” A few days before the race, all the vets meet at the Iditarod headquarters in Wasilla to examine approximately 80 teams of dogs that are racing. “All of the dogs that race have pre-race veterinary physical examinations; blood work to check their kidney function, liver function, white and red blood cells; and a heart monitor test performed (an electrocardiogram, or EKG). We also scan the dogs to make sure that they’re micro-chipped appropriately, and we check their vaccine records to make sure they are all up-to-date on their vaccines. The microchips are to make sure that all dogs are accounted for (the same dogs that finish the race must have started the race).” After the race begins, veterinarians travel to and stay overnight at the first of the 20 or so various checkpoints on the trail and await the arrival of each race team. A checkpoint is where the teams stop along the trail and rest. During the rest period, the vets examine the dogs. The sleeping accommodations for the vets at each checkpoint can differ widely, and they are not always very comfortable. At some checkpoints, the vets are sleeping on the gym floor at the community center, while at others, they may have to stay in a freezing cold tent, or in a small cabin with no heat or running water. Even so, Justine says, “It’s really a fun trip for all the veterinarians and all the volunteers who help out on the trip.” Justine believes it is important for the vets to be at the Iditarod Race because, “We as vets want to make sure the dogs are healthy. We’re looking out for the best welfare of the dogs. We are the ones who, besides the mushers, are examining every single dog that comes into a checkpoint. We’re examining, on average, around 1,000 dogs per day just to make sure they’re all healthy.” According to Justine, volunteering at the race is a tiring but rewarding experience. “It’s a great experience because you meet phenomenal people and fantastic dogs. You get to explore certain parts of Alaska that no one else has ever been to. It’s really ‘bush Alaska’ that you’re seeing. A lot of local, native villagers come out to visit all the volunteers during the race, so you get to learn about the local Athabascan or Inuit culture, and you get to meet local kids and teachers. It’s a great way of experiencing a little bit of everything, all within a 2-week period of time.” Justine says there are several characteristics that make a good Iditarod vet. “The first important quality would be flexibility, because plans and logistics change all the time. The next would be cooperativeness, which makes you a good team player. Communication and team work are so important when you’re working in really harsh conditions—weather-wise, eating-wise, and sleeping-wise.” When asked if she will volunteer at the Iditarod again, Justine says, “I plan to continue it for a long time. Many of us take time out of our practice to do this, most often using our vacation time, but it’s definitely worth it to make sure these dogs are healthy. It’s also a great way to see bush Alaska and surround yourself with fantastic people and great working dogs. So, yes, I’ll definitely do it again!” Justine advises any young person who is thinking about becoming a veterinarian to “Stick with your dreams and work really hard. Because, ultimately, the road to vet school is long, but it’s worth it. It’s a unique, diverse field where you can do whatever you want. If you want to work in a zoo, if you want to work with sea animals, or if you want to work in the middle of Alaska with Iditarod sled dogs, you can. There’s so much diversity and opportunity for veterinarians out there." Volunteering as an Iditarod Race Veterinarian The Iditarod Race, also called “The Last Great Race on Earth,” started in 1973 to remember and honor the sled dog trip in 1925 that saved many of the children of Nome, Alaska. The children of Nome needed a vaccine or serum to prevent them from getting diphtheria, but the weather was too bad to take it by train or plane. So they used sled dogs to take the serum to Nome on the Iditarod trail. Today, the lives of the sled dogs that participate in the race each year are kept safe and healthy by volunteer veterinarians who go to Alaska and donate their time to take care of the sled dogs during the race. Justine Lee, DVM is a veterinarian who has volunteered seven times for the Iditarod. Dr. Lee said, “I decided to be a vet when I was 7. I always loved pets when I was a child, from wildlife to farm animals to a few household pets that we had, and honestly I don’t know what I would be if not a vet…so this has just been a dream of mine.” Justine took several chemistry, biology, and math courses in junior high and high school to help her prepare for becoming a vet. Justine became interested in the Iditarod in vet school, so when she was in her fourth year of veterinary school she volunteered on the Iditarod as a special research project. “That’s where I developed my passion for sled dog medicine. It’s unique in that it’s very, very different from companion animal medicine (taking care of pet dogs). It’s elite, marathon athletes that we’re working with.” A few days before the race, all the vets meet at the Iditarod headquarters in Wasilla to examine approximately 80 teams of dogs that are racing. “All of the dogs that race have pre-race veterinary physical examinations; blood work to check their kidney function, liver function, white and red blood cells; and a heart monitor test performed (an electrocardiogram, or EKG). We also scan the dogs to make sure that they’re micro-chipped appropriately, and we check their vaccine records to make sure they are all up-to-date on their vaccines. The microchips are to make sure that all dogs are accounted for (the same dogs that finish the race must have started the race).” After the race begins, veterinarians travel to and stay overnight at the first of the 20 or so various checkpoints on the trail and await the arrival of each race team. A checkpoint is where the teams stop along the trail and rest. During the rest period, the vets examine the dogs. The sleeping accommodations for the vets at each checkpoint can differ widely, and they are not always very comfortable. At some checkpoints, the vets are sleeping on the gym floor at the community center, while at others, they may have to stay in a freezing cold tent, or in a small cabin with no heat or running water. Even so, Justine says, “It’s really a fun trip for all the veterinarians and all the volunteers who help out on the trip.” Justine believes it is important for the vets to be at the Iditarod Race because, “We as vets want to make sure the dogs are healthy. We’re looking out for the best welfare of the dogs. We are the ones who, besides the mushers, are examining every single dog that comes into a checkpoint. We’re examining, on average, around 1,000 dogs per day just to make sure they’re all healthy.” According to Justine, volunteering at the race is a tiring but rewarding experience. “It’s a great experience because you meet phenomenal people and fantastic dogs. You get to explore certain parts of Alaska that no one else has ever been to. It’s really ‘bush Alaska’ that you’re seeing. A lot of local, native villagers come out to visit all the volunteers during the race, so you get to learn about the local Athabascan or Inuit culture, and you get to meet local kids and teachers. It’s a great way of experiencing a little bit of everything, all within a 2-week period of time.” Justine says there are several characteristics that make a good Iditarod vet. “The first important quality would be flexibility, because plans and logistics change all the time. The next would be cooperativeness, which makes you a good team player. Communication and team work are so important when you’re working in really harsh conditions—weather-wise, eating-wise, and sleeping-wise.” When asked if she will volunteer at the Iditarod again, Justine says, “I plan to continue it for a long time. Many of us take time out of our practice to do this, most often using our vacation time, but it’s definitely worth it to make sure these dogs are healthy. It’s also a great way to see bush Alaska and surround yourself with fantastic people and great working dogs. So, yes, I’ll definitely do it again!” Justine advises any young person who is thinking about becoming a veterinarian to “Stick with your dreams and work really hard. Because, ultimately, the road to vet school is long, but it’s worth it. It’s a unique, diverse field where you can do whatever you want. If you want to work in a zoo, if you want to work with sea animals, or if you want to work in the middle of Alaska with Iditarod sled dogs, you can. There’s so much diversity and opportunity for veterinarians out there.”

Paintball toxicity! by Dr. Catherine Adams

Ah-h-h, summer… road trips, swimming, camping, fishing, ice cream, cotton candy, and……PAINTBALL!! Yes, paintball. Many people enjoy this rousing sport and keep supplies for the game in their homes and garages. An average size Labrador feasting on just 5-10 paintballs has the potential to develop serious sodium (salt) toxicity, resulting in tremors, hyperactivity, seizures, coma, blindness, and death. Generally, the first signs are vomiting and diarrhea and oddly enough, sometimes no paint is seen!

While the exact mechanism of action is unknown most toxicologists believe that osmotically active ingredients such as polyethylene glycol, glycerol and sorbitol cause a shift of body fluids into the colon, upsetting the delicate electrolyte balance in the body. Very high serum sodium levels (hypernatremia) and rapid sodium and fluid changes in the brain are responsible for the clinical signs. The onset of metabolic acidosis and hyperthermia play an important role as well. Treatment is essential and involves both decontamination and supportive care so a trip to your dog’s life-saving veterinarian would be a wise choice if paintballs were a part of his dinner!

Published in Butler July 2009. Authored by Dr. Catherine Adams at Pet Poison Helpline.

Polish translation!

I was pleasantly surprised to get a Fed Ex package last week - it was a hardcover copy of my book translated into... you betcha.. POLISH! :) How exciting! This was unexpected, and it's lovely to see Poland lovin' dogs as much as we do!

Dog dental treat recall!

VOLUNTARY PRODUCT RECALL
1st June 2009

Virbac (Australia) Pty Ltd has decided to announce a voluntary recall of all batches of the following products:

• VeggieDent™ Chews For Dogs under 10kg; and
• VeggieDent™ Chews For Dogs 10-30kg; and
• VeggieDent™ Chews For Dogs over 30kg.

Relevant batch numbers of VeggieDent™ include C14808, C14908, C01409 and C1509.

This is purely a precautionary measure in the interests of animal welfare and the veterinary profession. The decision has been made after discussion with key opinion leaders including Dr Linda Fleeman BVSc PhD MACVSc Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine from the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney.

Virbac has recently received reports of dogs exhibiting signs suggestive of an acquired proximal renal tubulopathy including polyuria, polydipsia and glucosuria in the absence of concurrent hyperglycaemia. As part of their diet history these animals have consumed VeggieDent™ as well as various products. There has been no establishment of a causal link with the VeggieDent™ product range.

Virbac is actively investigating this issue and encourages the veterinary profession to report any cases of dogs exhibiting similar changes following consumption of VeggieDent™.

Virbac (Australia) Pty Ltd is not aware of reports of similar illness occurring in other regions where VeggieDent™ has already been established including North America, Europe and Asia. VeggieDent™ products sold in Australia differ from products sold in other countries - they are irradiated as required by AQIS.