Recently, we have seen several cases of canine influenza. Canine influenza is a respiratory disease that can cause coughing, runny nose, and/or loss of appetite. The signs of infection are similar to those of other respiratory diseases in dogs, but the coughing caused by canine influenza can last for several weeks. With proper care, most dogs generally recover. However, canine influenza can lead to more severe or even life threatening infections such as pneumonia, and can be fatal in some cases.
Canine influenza is highly contagious and visiting places where dogs congregate, such as kennels, doggie daycares, dog parks, or groomers, puts dogs at higher risk for catching this virus. Since dogs do not have any natural immunity to the virus, the best way to protect your dog is to vaccinate. There is a vaccine available that aids in the control of the disease caused by canine influenza. Please call us to discuss any questions you might have or to set up an appointment. To give your dog the most complete protection, the initial vaccination requires two doses of vaccine given 2 to 4 weeks apart, followed by a single booster dose given annually.
Annual heartworm testing and year round administration of heartworm preventative medication are recommended by the American Heartworm Society to successfully prevent heartworm disease. Due to the recent increase in heartworm disease in this practice, Salmon Brook is now following these guidelines and requires an annual heartworm test prior to dispensing heartworm preventative.
Dental Radiography Suite
Our new dental suite was completed in April of 2009. It is a state-of-the art facility with a wall mounted digital dental radiography unit, two dental exam tables complete with ultrasonic dental scalers and high and low speed hand pieces for drilling, cutting and polishing.
Proper evaluation of the teeth cannot be done without dental radiographs. X-rays aid the veterinarian greatly in detecting abnormalities that cannot be detected under examination alone. We encourage you to have your pet’s full mouth x-rayed during the first dental cleaning visit.
Dental care of dogs and cats is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care. In fact, a recent American Animal Hospital Association study showed that approximately two-thirds of pet owners do not provide the dental care that is recommended as essential by veterinarians. What’s more, the American Veterinary Dental Society reports that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. Dental disease doesn’t affect just the mouth. It can lead to more serious health problems including heart, lung and kidney disease, which makes it all the more important that you provide you pets with proper dental care from the start.
The AAHA dental care guidelines recommend regular oral examinations and dental cleanings, under general anesthesia, for all adult dogs and cats. AAHA recommends these procedures at least annually starting at one year of age for cats and small-breed dogs, and at two years of age for large-breed dogs.
Your pet’s dental care doesn’t rest with your veterinarian alone. As a pet owner, you play a pivotal role in helping ensure your pet’s dental health through regular teeth brushing
New Canine 3-Year Vaccine
We are now using a newly approved three year duration canine vaccine for Distemper, Adenovirus(Hepatitis), and Parvo Disease. Leptospirosis, Bordetella (Kennel Cough), and Lyme Disease vaccines still need to be boostered annually.
Re-Emergence Of Canine Leptospirosis
With the frequency and geographic distribution of Canine Leptospirosis increasing, it is important that you vaccinate your dog against this disease. Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease. It is now a leading cause of acute renal failure in dogs and has become an increasingly common and sometimes deadly disease. Dogs and people are most often infected directly from contaminated water, but they can be infected through direct contact with animals shedding the organism in their urine. Dogs must be vaccinated annually for this disease.
Lyme Disease Protocol
Lyme Disease is ever present and increasing in this area. Dogs exposed to this disease are predisposed to serious kidney disease and joint pain. Vaccination of Lyme Disease is recommended for all dogs ten weeks of age or older and needs to be boostered annually. Initially, two vaccines are given three weeks apart. A blood test for Lyme Disease is recommended in dogs six months of age or older if they have not been previously vaccinated. The vaccine does not produce disease in the dog.
