Homecare Services

New Hartford Animal Hospital offers homecare services provided by Dr. Abby Regner. These services will allow you and your pet stress-free and convenient at-home veterinary wellness care.    Dogs and cats need regular veterinary care to help them enjoy happy and healthy lives. At New Hartford Animal Hospital, we recommend annual or biannual exams for dogs and cats depending on health related concerns and their age. During your pet’s annual or bi-annual physical, we perform a comprehensive examination to look for signs of health problems so we can treat and manage them early on. Early detection is key to a long healthy life for your companion. We also discuss additional preventive care and provide counseling to ensure you and your pet will continue to enjoy a healthy and rewarding relationship with each other.          Homecare Preventative and Integrative Medicine services: Comprehensive examinations by accredited veterinarian Diagnostics: blood work,urinalysis,fecal analysis,and cytology Certified acupuncture and herbal therapy Preventive medicine - vaccinations, heartworm and tick screening, parasite prevention Senior Wellness  Hospice & Supportive Care Peaceful Home Euthanasia/End of Life Services Pedicures & Anal Gland Expression Nutrition and Behavior Counseling Visit our website at www.newhartfordanimalhospital.com or call our office for more information!

Seminar: Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine

At NHAH, we recently welcomed certified acupuncturist Dr. Abby Regner to our practice and are proud to offer a more integrated approach to pet health care. Our medicine includes certified acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine which patients are experiencing tremendous results from. To help you understand what this means for you and your pets, please consider joining us for a seminar on acupuncture and herbal therapy.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine Seminar

Given by: Dr. Abby Regner, DVM, CVA

Wednesday August 29th

 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Dr. Regner will be giving a presentation on the benefits of acupuncture and herbal therapy and performing a live demonstration on an acupuncture patient.

Please join us by calling 737-7387 to sign up.

Space is limited so call today!

How to choose the right pet treats

Some pet owners may not give much thought to the size of a treat or toy they are buying for their pet. While most treats are fine for pets, buying the wrong type or size of treat can be fatal if the treat or toy is swallowed and becomes lodged inside your pet. 

It is estimated that Americans will spend over $52 million dollars on their pets in 2012.Of that, many dollars will go towards treats, snacks and toys for pets to enjoy. Picking the wrong ones could be hazardous to your pet and cost you a great deal of money in the long run.

Give your pet toys and treats that they cannot swallow. Some toys and treats are labeled in size but just because something is labeled "medium" doesn't mean it is right for a medium sized dog. Keep this in mind when choosing toys or treats and if you are not sure, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. Some toys and treats are better than others so you might be better off if you ask a professional.

Also, keep track of your pet's treats and toys. If you think that one could be missing behind the couch, check to be sure. Sometimes pets can become internally obstructed from small objects like toys and treats. In extreme circumstances, a pet might need major surgery to remove the obstruction.

In addition, all pet owners should be aware of recalls on products that could be dangerous to their pet if consumed. There have been several recalls of pet food and pet treats already this year. If your pet has eaten a toy or treat and then shows signs of vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss you should have them checked out by your veterinarian. 
 
Some simple tips that might help when choosing a pet’s toy or treat:
•Talk to your vet erinarian about the best size treats and toys to buy
• Make sure the treat or toy can’t be swallowed in one piece
• Be aware of toys and treats like rawhide that can splinter and get lodged in the throat

As a pet owner, it always best to be informed and vigilant just as you would with any family member.


http://www.allpetnews.com/wrong-size-treats-and-toys-could-be-fata

Why we screen with the latest technology!

The incidence of tickborne disease is on the rise. At NHAH, we screen annually for heartworm disease along with several other diseases that can be transmitted from ticks. A few facts:

 What are some of the diseases carried by ticks and mosquitoes?

• Lyme disease is transmitted by the deer tick or black-legged tick and can be

found in every U.S. state and Canadian province. Dogs are 50% more likely than
people to contract Lyme disease.

• Canine anaplasmosis is a disease that is caused by the organisms Anaplasma

phagocytophilum, which is transmitted by the deer tick and black-legged tick,
and Anaplasma platys, transmitted by the brown dog tick.

 • Canine ehrlichiosis is caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia canis which is

transmitted by the brown dog tick and Ehrlichia ewingii which is transmitted by
the lone star tick.

• Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. Despite high awareness

with pet owners, infection rates haven’t changed in 10 years.

How could my dog become infected?

• Ticks and mosquitoes often carry parasites and bacteria that cause
disease. They can be transmitted to your pet if an infected tick or mosquito
bites them.

• Your dog can be exposed to infection in almost any outdoor location where ticks

and mosquitoes can be found, and risk varies from region to region.

• Your pet may not show any immediate signs of infection, making diagnosis

difficult. Testing is the only way to know for sure if your dog has been exposed.

What can I do to help?

• Use a tick preventative on your dog. Watch them closely for changes in

behavior or appetite and call your veterinarian with any concerns.

• Call your veterinarian immediately if you recognize any of the following signs:

lameness, swollen or painful joints, lack of energy, loss of appetite/weight loss,
vomiting, diarrhea.

• Check your dog for ticks daily. If you find a tick, go to dogsandticks.com for

proper removal procedures. Call your veterinarian for assistance and
to schedule a follow-up visit.

• Bring your dog in for a vector-borne disease screening at least once a year.

If infected, regular testing can provide early detection, which can improve
your dog’s prognosis.

The danger lurking outdoors!

The great outdoors may sound like fun for a cat but there are many dangers lurking outside for our feline friends. Veterinarians and shelters strongly advise that all cats be kept indoors only or allowed outside only under supervision. Consider some of the outdoor dangers to your feline friend:

Cars

Your cat can get hit by a car or climb under a car hood to get warm and then get caught in the radiator fan when the engine is started. Cats also like the sweet taste of anti-freeze which is poisonous.

Rabies

There is an increased presence of rabies in New York! In fact, there was a rabid racoon found  Once contracted, it is fatal and presents a serious risk to your family as well. It is much more likely that people will contract rabies from a family pet that tangles with a wild animal, rather than the wild animal itself. When your cat goes out by itself, you have no idea where it has been or what animals it has come into contact with. Vaccinating your cats and dogs is the law.

Dogs or Other Animals

Dogs or other animals can attack, severely injure or kill your cat. This is not something that could happen — it happens all the time.

Wildlife

While outside, your cat could become injured, killed by a wild animal, or attack and cause problems for area wildlife. In fact, it is no surprise that domestic cats bear a big responsibility for the decline of many local songbird populations, as well as many small
mammals.

Parasites
Cats are hunters by nature. Many cats eat small, wild animals and become infested with parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, coccidia and ear mites. The best way to prevent fleas? Keep your cat in a flea-free environment — inside your home! Monthly flea prevention is best, even with indoor cats.

Neighbors

Your neighbors may not want your cat trespassing onto their property and killing the songbirds they love to watch and feed, using their garden or sandbox as a litter-box, or upsetting their own pets.

Getting Lost or Trapped

Your cat might never come home again. It might lose its bearings and wander too far from home. Elderly cats quickly become disoriented outside. Your cat could also get accidentally locked in a neighbor’s basement or shed or be severely maimed or killed in a trap.

Diseases and Catfights
Cat fights can and do result in serious injuries or abscesses and pass deadly feline diseases like Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). Upper respiratory infections (URI) and Distemper are also serious threats to cats that go outdoors — especially if they are not vaccinated. Even if your own cat is vaccinated, the risk of coming into contact with infected cats is far greater when your cat is going outside. Remember no vaccines afford 100% protection.

Breeding and Pregnancy

We all know there are too many homeless kittens in the world today. The overpopulation tragedy is why responsible pet owners spay their females and neuter their males. But remember, even if you plan on spaying or neutering your cat, he can breed before the surgery is done.

Poisons

Anti-freeze, weed-killer, and other chemicals used in gardening or lawn care could kill your cat.

Pet Theft, Abuse, and Torture

Your cat could be tortured, stolen and sold for laboratory research, or abused in some sort of cult ritual.

Cats will live longer, healthier lives when kept indoors only. The average life span for a cat that goes outside is 16 months; for a cat that stays inside, it is 16 years. That’s worth staying indoors for!

http://www.mspca.org/programs/pet-owner-resources/pet-owner-guides/cat-care/outdoors-and-cats.html

What you should know about parvo

Parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that can produce a life-threatening illness. The virus attacks rapidly dividing cells in a dog’s body, most severely affecting the intestinal tract. Parvovirus also attacks the white blood cells, and when young animals are infected, the virus can damage the heart muscle and cause lifelong cardiac problems.

In most cases, this virus causes extreme damage to the intestinal tract, causing sloughing of the cells that line the tract. This can leave the patient open to secondary bacterial infection. Most of the affected dogs (85%) are between 6-20 weeks old. Younger dogs contract the virus because their full set of vaccinations aren't given until they reach a certain age. The death rate from infection is reported to be 16-35% in this age group. Some intestinal signs include:

· Lethargy

· Vomiting
· Loss of appetite
· Diarrhea - usually bloody, and very foul-smelling
· Fever

The onset of clinical signs is usually sudden, often 12 hours or less. The incubation from exposure to seeing the clinical signs varies from 3 to 10 days.

Parvovirus is diagnosed by physical examination, medical history, and a fecal Parvo test. Additional diagnostics include blood work and radiographs. Dogs infected with Parvo typically have a low white count. Radiographs help rule out other potential causes for vomiting and diarrhea.

Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes in contact with an infected dog's feces. Highly resistant, the virus can live in the environment for months, and may survive on inanimate objects such as food bowls, shoes, clothes, carpet and floors. It is common for an unvaccinated dog to contract parvovirus from the streets, especially in urban areas where there are many dogs.

The Parvovirus family of viruses are particularly long-lived in the environment, lasting anywhere from 1 to 7 months -- commonly surviving 5-7 months in an outside environment. Due to the large amounts of virus particles shed in the feces of an infected dog (shedding lasts two weeks or more after exposure) and the longevity of the virus, complete eradication of the virus is often impossible.

There are many Parvovirus disinfectants on the market, but regular bleach is still 100% effective against Parvovirus and what we choose to use for disinfection.

If you think your pet may not be properly vaccinated or you would like more information about parvovirus, talk to your veterinarian. Ilness is much better prevented than treated!

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-parvovirus.aspx

What is a luxating patellar?

Patellar luxation is hereditary and especially common in small and toy breeds of dogs. Affected animals may also have other leg or joint problems. The patella (or kneecap) lies in a "track" on the front of the leg, where it functions in joint movement, sliding up and down easily as the knee bends and extends. In some dogs and less commonly in cats, the patella does not stay in its track, occasionally slipping (or luxating), usually to the inside of the leg. When this happens, it is called patellar luxation.

Signs of patellar luxation in pets vary depending on how severe the problem is. Most pets tend to skip or hop when walking or especially when running, but some dogs and cats may hold the leg up completely. Damage caused by the kneecap slipping in and out of its track can eventually lead to arthritis in the knee.

Your veterinarian can generally diagnosis this problem by palpating the knee joint, but x-rays are often recommended to look for arthritis or other problems.

Many pets with patellar luxation do fine without any treatment or with only occasional pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medication. Surgery may be needed in more severe cases or in overweight pets that typically have much more of a problem when the patella slips. Getting your pet's weight under control is important in management of this condition in overweight pets.

If surgery is required, it is often extremely successful and with proper recovery, will correct the problem. Our veterinarians are very experienced with this type of surgery. Visit our website to read about our pet of the month "Pearl" who just had this surgery performed a few weeks ago!

Some material taken from John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhDand Susan E. Aiello, DVM, ELS