It seems like the only weather we had this spring was rain, rain and more rain. While wet weather has plenty of benefits, rain leaves behind bacteria and parasitic riddled puddles which can make your dog or cat very sick. In the wake of wet weather, pets that spend time outdoors are more at risk of contracting bacteria like leptospirosis and parasites like giardia.

                Leptospirosis (Lepto) is an infection caused by leptospira bacteria, which is found in soil and water. This usually affects dogs and is less common in cats. Pets will typically come into contact with this bacteria after heavy rainfalls or while playing in or drinking out of rivers, lakes, streams, ponds and other standing water that has been exposed to wild animals. After the pet ingests the infected water, the bacteria take advantage of the pet’s organs to multiply.

                Pets become infected when the bacteria move from the source to the mucus membranes in a dog’s mouth or an open wound, according to AVMA. It is then spread through the body via the bloodstream.  Lepto can vary from mild to severe, but the sooner it is treated, the better. If your dog is infected, they may display some of the following symptoms: fever, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, increased thirst and urination, dehydration or muscle tenderness. If your pet is showing any of these signs, please take them to a veterinarian.

                Unfortunately, this infection that can be passed between dogs and humans! In people, it appears like the flu and can cause liver or kidney damage. This is why we consider the Leptospirosis vaccination important for those pets at risk. We can start this vaccine for puppies as early as 12 weeks old, but can be done at any annual vaccine visit.

                The other common wet-weather illness that can affect dogs and cats is giardia which is caused by a microscopic parasite. This parasite is found in many of the same areas as the Leptospirosis bacteria. In more rural areas, we diagnose giardia almost every day.

                Symptoms of giardia include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, gas, blood in stool and inappetence.  Pets become infected if they come into contact with contaminated feces, play in contaminated soil or drink water from a source infected by these parasites. Humans can also contract this parasite. In humans it is known as Montezuma’s Revenge. To reduce the risk of giardia, we recommend cleaning up feces from the yard promptly and eliminating standing water sources.

                While the warmer weather dries up some of the sources of these infections, it does not totally eliminate the potential to contract them. Any time your best friend is not feeling well, do not hesitate to take them to the veterinarian. Remember, they cannot tell you what is wrong, but your skilled and experienced doctor can. It is always best to catch and treat any symptoms or diseases sooner than later. If you have any questions, feel free to call Ash Veterinary Clinic at 734-782-2827 or email us at ashvet2012@gmail.com  

Summer is full of celebrations involving fireworks. Canada Day is on July 1 and Independence Day is on July 4. Some pets are not bothered by fireworks, but others have the potential to get hurt trying to get away from the terrifying noise and lights. Independence Day is the busiest day of the year in shelters and many pets get lost or injured. Most pets will do better if they are not home alone during firework events. Try to think ahead before leaving for your 4^th of July celebrations.

                Signs of anxiety can include pacing, trembling, panting, drooling, attention-seeking (vocalizing, pawing, nuzzling, and climbing on people), hiding, and bolting. Escape attempts can involve hiding behind furniture and staying in a basement or bathroom. Because the source of the noise is confusing, inside dogs may want to escape to the outside and outside dogs may be frantic to get inside.

Nervous pets tend to drink more water, so keep plenty available. Bring outside pets inside, so they cannot escape. Keep your cats securely inside, and if your dog needs a bathroom break during the fireworks, take them outside on a leash, even in a fenced yard. Make sure all your pets are wearing an ID tag or a collar that contains your phone number. Tags and collars can be lost, so a microchip is even more useful in helping you find your lost pet.

There are things you can do to help keep your frightened pet safe and calm. For many frightened pets, just staying in a crate or in a “safe” room with a closed door is all that is needed. Some natural remedies that can assist your pet in keeping calm during the festivities include pheromone sprays, such as Feliway for cats and Adaptil for dogs, and essential oils like lavender. These sprays imitate the properties of the natural pheromones of the lactating female that gives kittens or puppies a sense of well-being. Essential oils like lavender are naturally calming and very helpful in many cases. Lastly, some pets respond to pressure wraps, such as Thundershirts or Anxiety Wraps. The pressure on the body has a calming effect.

If you can plan ahead for these summer events, veterinary behaviorists often recommend behavior modification, counter conditioning, and teaching a desirable coping response.               In behavior modification, controlling the intensity of the fireworks is necessary and often the most challenging part. Often, is not possible to expose a fearful dog to only “little fireworks,” so distance from the fireworks can be less intimidating.  Music may disguise the bursts of noise and giving positive attention to the pet can help lessen the negative reaction. Classical counter conditioning can create a positive association with fireworks if the anxiety is not extreme. Give high-value food rewards, offer your pet his favorite toys or food puzzle toys, or have your pet practice his tricks with you. The goal is for him to learn that fireworks result in highly pleasant rewards.

                You can also try teaching a desirable coping response. The appropriate response for a dog facing something frightening is to retreat to a safe place until the frightening thing ends. Providing a safe retreat for your pet, such as a crate or a closet, will give security and confidence. Blankets to muffle the sound and a pheromone diffuser will provide natural motivation for the dog to seek this location. Being able to cope when the world becomes overwhelming is a life skill essential for both people and dogs!

It is easier to prevent a fearful reaction than it is to reverse one. If your pet is nervous around loud noises, a short-term sedative before the fireworks start may be just the ticket. Talk to your veterinarian ahead of time, so you can have something on hand to give your pet before the noise begins. Several medications are used for fireworks or thunderstorm phobias in dogs; however, do not use any of your own prescriptions because many human drugs are not safe for animals.

                You have many choices of how to help your pet cope with fireworks and summer stress.  If you would like discuss with Dr. Broschay about what is best for your pet, please call us at 734-782-2827 to set up an appointment. Hopefully, everyone in the family will then be able enjoy the summer festivities!

There are thousands of different species of fleas throughout the world. These creatures attack both pets and humans and inhabit their hair and our homes. Despite numerous technological advances, fleas continue to represent a potentially lethal plague upon our pets. Current flea preventions are very effective so there is little reason for a flea infestation of pet, owner or home. The problem seems to be one of understanding. In this article, we hope you become more aware of the different types of fleas and what to look out for so you can keep your furry friends bug free.

Cat Fleas – These are the most common type of flea, at least here in America. Cat fleas infest cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and numerous other animals. They are the most common flea found on our pets and inside our homes. They love laying eggs (up to 50 a day) and infesting carpets, curtains, furniture and entire households as well.

Chicken Fleas – As their name implies, these fleas love infesting and living on chickens. They live and breed in the chickens coups, and attach themselves with their heads buried into the skins of the chickens. They can be seen around the faces and heads of chickens and they appear as blackheads, or small black nodules. When you enter a coup to gather eggs or clean it you can become a temporary host for these biting pests.

Northern Rat Fleas – These nasty little critters are always feeding off the blood of rats and mice. If you have a pet mouse and have spotted it scratching itself, these are very likely the culprits. They favor the blood of rats and mice, but like most other fleas, if brought around humans, they will also feed on the blood of people.

Human Fleas – Most folks will tell you people do not become infested with or get fleas! This is not true at all. In fact there is a species of flea called the Human Flea. It looks very similar to any other flea, except under a microscope. This type of flea likes to infest the hair of humans. It easily finds a host by hiding on the backs of seats of buses and other vehicles, and hitching rides in the hair of new passengers. These fleas love to infest hairy areas of people such as the heads, under the arms and other areas. They live quite well on people, and gorge themselves off the blood. Human Fleas are not that common anymore, thanks to better hygiene and cleaning methods, but they are still out there.

Sand Fleas – These are the little villains that often bite your ankles when at the beaches. When you lie down on the sand, they will bite any body part that is close to the ground. They are one flea that looks different than most others. In fact, their appearance is more like that of a very tiny shrimp-like creature. Sand fleas feed on organic and dying plants, especially seaweed that washes up on a beach. If you are near the beach, these fleas may be found any place there is sand.

Fleas are adaptive and their life cycle is always active: eggs are laid, larvae are developing and pupae are growing, etc. The environmental temperature controls how fast this occurs. Despite the TV commercials, the educational pamphlets and the common nature of the parasite, there are still some significant awareness problems and a multitude of misconceptions. The moral of the story is that fleas should not be underestimated and preventing fleas is easier than treating fleas. Nearly all flea preventatives are aimed at the most common one that affects dogs, cats and your home, which is the cat flea. Products carried only by your veterinarian are guaranteed to work on your pets and in your home. Any product bought at any store or online is not regulated or recommended by your veterinarian. If you have any questions about fleas or flea control products, please call Ash Veterinary Clinic at 734-782-2827 and we would be happy to help you prevent or treat fleas with reputable products that are only available from your veterinarian.

            When you are in the exam room with a veterinarian and they are petting your animal, the doctor is actually doing part of the examination. By running their hands over the pet’s body, the doctor can feel any lumps or bumps, the condition of the pet’s coat and feel your pet’s muscle confirmation. They will look in your pet’s eyes, ears, nose and mouth. By doing a cursory exam of your pet’s mouth, the doctor will be able to see signs of tartar or gum disease. Our veterinarian will listen to your pet’s heart and lungs and palpate its abdomen for any abnormalities. At every visit, your pet is weighed so the doctor can evaluate the pet’s diet and let you know if there is a need for change.

            Did you know that your pet could have both external and internal parasites? Our doctor checks every pet for evidence of fleas, ticks, mites and lice. Intestinal parasites are checked by an examination of your pet’s stool. Common parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, are contagious to humans. We recommend a stool check every 6 months to ensure that your pet and your family stay healthy. Heartworms are a parasite that can live in your pet’s blood and are transferred when a mosquito that is carrying heartworm disease bites your pet. Our technicians will draw your pet’s blood and send it out to the lab to make sure your pet is heartworm free. After this test is done, we can prescribe monthly heartworm prevention to make sure your pet stays healthy. We do recommend heartworm prevention year round and even to indoor pets. In Michigan, we know there is no such thing as an “outdoor only” mosquito!

            By law, your dog must be vaccinated against rabies. In the state of Michigan, cats are not required by law to be vaccinated against rabies. Your individual city, however, may have a different policy. Of course, we highly recommend vaccinating against the disease for all pets, because rabies is potentially fatal. There are many additional vaccines available for both dogs and cats which are given to your pet to prevent illness. Whether your pet is indoor or outdoor, speak with your veterinarian to see which vaccine protocol will work best for your lifestyle.

            Ask your veterinarian for the most effective ways to keep your pet healthy. This includes how to care for its teeth, how to protects its joints and how to care for your senior pet. If your pet has not been spayed or neutered, arrange to have one of these crucial surgeries done to prevent future problems with your pet and to help reduce the serious overpopulation problem we currently face. Remember to have your pets see your veterinarian at least twice a year for a happier, healthier pet!

                Having a sick pet can be a very scary experience. It can also be very stressful, not only for the pets, but for you the owner, too. When your regular veterinarian is not available, it may be hard to decide if your pet requires immediate attention at an emergency clinic. There are certain symptoms that should never be ignored. Seek immediate care for your pet if you see any of the symptoms listed below.

                Gums any color other than pink. You can check the color of your pet’s gums by lifting up your pet’s lips. If you see gums that are white, brick red, blue, purple or gray, get to the emergency clinic immediately.

                Difficulty breathing or abnormal breathing. Any change in your pet’s breathing is cause for immediate concern. Breathing issues are very serious and symptoms can progress extremely rapidly.

                Bloated abdomen. If your pet’s abdomen appears to be swollen, painful and/or if there is non-productive vomiting, have your pet examined immediately. This could be a sign that your pet has eaten something that they should not have.

                Straining to urinate. This can be a sign of a blockage in the urinary tract, which requires urgent treatment. This is especially serious and can cause death in a short period of time if not treated in male cats.

                Facial swelling. If your pet has swelling in any part of the face, seek immediate treatment. This can be caused by an allergic reaction or bug bite, but can progress quickly to swelling of the throat or difficulty breathing.

                Bleeding. Any sign of blood loss from your pet, whether from a wound, mouth nose, genitals or ears should be treated immediately. Also seek treatment for large amounts of blood in vomit or fecal matter.

                It is impossible to list every symptom that should be concerning and frequently, multiple symptoms occur together. If your pet is showing anything abnormal and you are concerned, it is always best to have your pet examined by a veterinarian immediately. If you are unsure, you can always call your veterinarian or the emergency clinic, too. When we are closed here at Ash Veterinary Clinic, we have a recording on our answering machine that lists the names and phone numbers of the closest emergency clinics. These clinics are open any time that we are not. They can also help guide you on whether what your pet is experiencing is an emergency or not.

It has been a long, long time coming, but we can finally say that spring has sprung in Michigan. The snow has melted, the trees have leaves and flowers are blooming. The weather is getting nicer, so it is great to spend time outdoors. Your pets may be begging to go too, but before you open the doors and windows, we want to make sure that all of your pets are ready for spring!

                Months of inactivity can make your pet more prone to weight gain and injury if activity is “too much, too soon.” Start with controlled exercise such as short leash walks, and work your way up to more strenuous exercise. A vigorous game of fetch before your pet’s body is ready will make them susceptible to injuries such as muscle strains, ligament damage and sprains.

Identification, on or in your pet, is critical. If your pet gets lost, they cannot ask for directions or tell people where they live. Protect your pet with proper identification. Collars with ID tags are helpful, unless the collar or tag falls off. In general, most pet’s collars are put on way too loosely. Make sure you can only fit 2 fingers snuggly under the collar and you cannot easily pull it from the neck and off the head. This is how a dog “slips its collar.”

Microchips are permanent identification and are inserted under your pet’s skin. Each chip contains a unique number that helps reunite you with your pet.  All shelters and clinics should have the ability to scan for microchips if someone brings in a found pet. It is your responsibility to register the chip in the national database and make changes if you move or change your phone number.

Some people think that in the spring, pets need to shed their winter coats. It is not a bad idea to treat your pet to a spa day or invest in a good brush. Do not automatically assume that your long-haired dog or cat needs a full shave down to stay cool. Many pets use their long coats to not only keep them warm in the winter, but to also keep them cool in the summer.

Parasite prevention is a must in Michigan. We recommend it year round! Whether we like it or not, we share our yards and neighborhoods with insects such as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. These pests cause illnesses in pets, such as flea infestations, tapeworms, Lyme disease and more serious and sometimes fatal diseases like heartworm. Keeping your yard clean and free of stool can go a long way toward preventing intestinal parasites. If your pet is not on a monthly prevention, these organisms can infect them and some cause illnesses in people, too.

Not only are vaccinations a topic of dispute in human medicine, but in veterinary medicine, as well. These important vaccines save lives and halt horrible and fatal diseases. Before turning your pets loose to romp the great outdoors, taking them to the groomer or pet store or letting them play at the dog park, make sure their vaccines are up-to-date. In particular, check their rabies and distemper status. The rabies vaccination is mandated by state law.

Unfortunately, hit-by-car accidents are common in the spring. Pets are happy to run outside, and some owners forget the risks. Be prepared, and don’t let this happen to your pet.  Keep your dog confined, either on a leash or in a yard with a physical or invisible fence. Reflective gear — both for yourself and your pet can be a lifesaver during walks.

Some cats can be trained to walk with a harness or leash. Others are content having access to windows with bird feeders outside or screened porches with views of chipmunks and birds. This does not eliminate a cat’s need for vaccinations. Many diseases are transferred through screens by saliva or urine alone.

                With the weather finally getting nicer, everyone is eager to get outside and play. Take a moment now to check all of your pets’ vaccines or call your veterinarian and ask them to check for you. We are always more than happy to help you keep you and your pet safe and protected from disease. With a little planning and preparation, you and your pet can look forward to the dog days of summer.

            Walking is an essential part of your pet’s good health. A quick walk down to the end of the block and back isn’t enough activity. Many short walks may be the best for very young or very old dogs, but for other pets, longer strolls may be necessary.  A walk that increases your pet’s heart rate, about 15-20 minutes, will also increase his metabolism. If you do interval walking, where you switch from walking, running, jumping, etc. every few minutes, your dog will get excited because you’re always changing things up. You will also get a decent cardio workout from this, too.

            Another way to exercise your pet involves “teasing” them. Grab your pet’s favorite toy and get in sit-up position. As you do a sit-up, pretend to toss the toy as you reach the top. Your pet will chase after it, only to realize that you never threw it. Repeat as many times as it takes your dog to stop chasing and playing along. Another “tease” exercise that you can do involves squats. As you squat down, tap your dog with his favorite toy to get his attention. As you rise, lift the toy above your head and your pet should jump for it.

            Exercising with your dog is another way to bring out your inner child again. Playing tag with your dog gets you both an excellent cardio work out. Also, you can change up a game of fetch. When you throw the toy for your dog, see if you can beat them there. Wrestle the toy from their grasp and toss it again!

            Cats need exercise, too. Anyone who owns cats knows that getting them to move can be hard work. It may take a few “trial and error” sessions to see what works.  Most cats love any type of moving light. When doing sit-ups, hold a flashlight in your hand and move the beam back and forth as you reach the top of your motion. See how many repetitions you can get in before your cat gets bored. Another exercise for cats could be attaching a lighted object to your dumbbells. As you are curling your arms, your cat will go crazy trying to catch the moving light. If you’re lucky, some cats even like to play fetch. More than often, you will get the exercise by “fetching” the object that your cat has abandoned.

            There are a few cautions that you should follow when exercising with your pets. Remember that they can’t sweat, they pant to cool down. The best time to exercise outdoors is morning or evening when it’s not too hot. Dogs with short noses (Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, etc.) have a harder time breathing, so they do best in cooler weather. Watch for signs of overheating or exhaustion. If your pooch pants excessively, his tongue or gums turn bright red or they get listless, stop exercising and seek veterinary care. These may be signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, which is potentially fatal.

            Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Find whatever works for you and your pet. Always remember that your pet is having the best time because they are spending it with you.

            Now that spring is here and the weather has finally taken a turn for warmer days, everyone is looking forward to getting out of the house. With colorful decorations for Easter livening up the scenery, spring is a great time to take an inventory of potential pet hazards. Here are a few quick tips from Ash Veterinary Clinic on what to watch out for this spring.

             For some pets, Easter grass is simply irresistible. It moves easily in the breeze, makes interesting sounds and feels good on their gums when they crunch it. Easter grass can pose a deadly threat if ingested. It can get stuck in the mouth, throat and even intestines. If your pet ingests Easter grass and you can see it in the mouth or rectum, pulling it out is not recommended, as this can cause more damage if the piece is long and trapped far inside the body. Aside from the visible material, some signs of illness include vomiting, straining to defecate or a painful abdomen.

            Be aware of candy wrappings around pets too. They hold the same interest that Easter grass does because pets are drawn to the texture, bright colors and crinkly sounds of these wrappings. Many pets, especially cats and puppies, often consume them unintentionally while playing with them. When pets eat these items, they can cause intestinal upset or even an intestinal obstruction.

The Easter Lily is a common gift this time of year. It is also a plant that is highly toxic to cats if ingested. Make sure to put plants in an area that cats cannot get to or in a room that they do not have access to. Cats love to chew on the leaves of this plant and do not understand that it is not healthy for them. The first signs of ingestion are vomiting and lethargy. If untreated, it could progress to kidney failure and even death.

Chocolate is always a danger. The toxic component in chocolate is called theobromine. It is more of a dog hazard, because they have the nose and determination to find it, but it is still harmful to cats, too. The level of theobromine toxicity is based on the quantity and type of chocolate consumed. Dark chocolate contains the highest amount of theobromine, while white “chocolate” contains the least. Early clinical signs of theobromine toxicity include, but are not limited to, vomiting, diarrhea and trembling.

Lastly, consider backyard Easter egg hunts very carefully. If you use real eggs, make note of where they are placed in the yard. Many pets have become ill after stumbling across a rotten Easter egg. If possible, plastic eggs would be better than real eggs as long as your pet cannot get inside to consume any of the contents. If real eggs are tradition, make sure that the same amount of eggs come in that went out.

It is important to remember to keep all candy dishes and Easter baskets out of your pet’s reach at all times. If you know that your pet is the curious type, make sure to keep a good eye on them this Easter season. Also, if you have any questions or feel your pet has ingested any of these items, do not hesitate to call Ash Veterinary Clinic in Carleton at 734-782-2827.

Much of the time you can save your dog by early intervention. Sometimes you will save a human from a serious injury. Either way, it is essential to act on the warning signals of aggression by getting the right help in a timely manner. Experts are aware of several risk factors for dog aggression that most people do not know to watch for. Knowing when to be careful can prevent a good dog from getting caught in a bad situation.

                A female dog with young puppies goes through a hormonal stage of serious protectiveness. One day the family children handle the puppies in the nest, and suddenly the next day the mother dog cannot tolerate this intrusion. Do not allow anyone free access to a mother with pups. Male dogs commonly become overprotective of female dogs, especially if the female is in heat or just generally neurotic. You reduce the risk of your male dog biting people by neutering him, preferably by the time he is a year old. Spaying the female reduces the risk of her inflicting injuries since heat cycles and puppies in the nest are the times she poses highest risks of biting.

Dogs need human help to learn to inhibit their bite with people. Normal play between two dogs involves mouthing that will injure a person. Dogs have no hands, so it is normal for them to grasp and otherwise act with their teeth. It is up to humans to teach dogs to inhibit the bite with people, and this training needs to start in puppyhood. A dog new to the home can pose special risks. It is impossible to thoroughly evaluate a dog’s temperament in one test, or even over a period of a couple of weeks in foster care. The dog’s behavior will change with maturity and also will be different with your family than in some other situation. Be observant and careful with any new dog.

                Dogs in pain are at increased risk of injuring someone when the person approaches in a way that causes the dog to fear being hurt. Dogs tend to hide signs of pain as a survival instinct (showing weakness in the wild could get an animal killed), so it is essential to be watchful for pain. Protect your dog from being hurt so the dog will not feel the need to self-protect. Dogs are often labeled “fear biters.” This is an unfair label that makes it seem fearfulness automatically makes a dog dangerous. It is true, though, that dogs that bite in fear often bite people who act in ways that can frighten dogs, even if the actions were reasonable from a human point of view. Protecting dogs from situations in which their fear provokes a bite is important.

Thankfully fatalities from dog attacks are rare, but injuries are common. Everyone with a dog must take seriously the responsibility of protecting people from being hurt by the dog. Whenever there is reason for concern, pick up the phone and make the appointment, starting with your veterinarian and then following through on veterinary advice. It is the best way to protect your dog as well as the people you love. If you have questions on how your dog is behaving or need to schedule an appointment, please call Ash Veterinary Clinic at 734-782-2827.