From time-to-time we will highlight certain articles that have been published in our newsletter.  We anticipate having the entire newsletter on our website sometime in 2004.  More details to follow...

Fall 2004

Swiffer is safe to use around pets - an article on safe cleaning products

E.R.D. - Health Screen - a test for early detection of kidney damage

Hypertension - High blood pressure in dogs and cats?

Fish Oil Supplements - can help reduce itch

Summer 2004

Protect your Pet - an article on Lyme disease

Acupuncture Pointers - pets being treated to relieve pain and discomfort

Summer 2002

Dr. Schoenberg - completes Acupuncture Training

Swiffer is safe to use around pets

Several of you called in or wrote to us via email inquiring about the Swiffer (Proctor & Gamble) products. There are many “urban myths” that circulate and the internet provides a source for rapid dissemination for information, whether that information is true or not. Some of you inquired about that information and asked us, your “other family doctor” regarding the safety of the Swiffer Wet Jet or Swiffer Wet for use around pets. After investigating these “stories” with both consumers and veterinarians, Proctor and Gamble assures us there are no confirmed cases of Swiffer Wet or Wet Jet harming pets. The formula is designed to dry quickly with no residue and contains more than 95% water, standard cleaning and evaporative aids. Proctor & Gamble has shared the formula, ingredients and regulatory-required safety testing with independent experts and none have had any concerns. The product’s safety has been attested to by the leading veterinary professionals across the U.S., including the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (the full Statement can be found at www.apcc.aspca.com.

A response from Proctor & Gamble states “We understand the concerns of pet owners and want to help allay their fears. Please be assured that all of the ingredients in Swiffer are safely and commonly used in other household products. However, while Swiffer is safe to use throughout the home, we maintain our recommendation that this and all cleaning products be kept out of reach of children and pets.”

We hope this provides you with sufficient information to feel confident regarding the safety of Swiffer Wet and Wet Jet. Please call us at the Animal Hospital if you have further questions.

There is now a simple urine test for early detection of kidney damage. It’s called the E.R.D. - Health Screen Canine Urine Test. This test looks for tiny amounts of protein in the urine. If this small protein, albumin, is detected in the urine it can be an indication that kidneys are damaged or diseased. The kidneys act as a window into a dog’s overall health. Your dog’s entire blood volume is filtered through its kidneys 48 times per day, so kidneys are continually exposed to a number of potentially damaging elements such as inflammation from dental disease or joint disease. Many different types of infections and diseases can damage the kidneys. Damage to the kidneys can result in low levels of protein leaking into the urine. The E.R.D. - Healthy Screen test can detect this protein more accurately and earlier. If the test is negative, that’s good news. A negative test indicates your pet has no ongoing detectable damage to the kidneys. Yearly monitoring is recommended. If the test is positive, we may recommend other tests to identify underlying disease or illness. If an underlying cause of protein leakage is identified it may require treatment to stop or slow the damage to the kidneys. The test requires only a urine sample. The easiest way is for us to collect the sample when you bring the dog in, but sometimes we will ask you to bring in a sample. There is also an E.R.D. - Health Screen Feline Urine Test available.

It is another important tool we have for early detection of kidney damage and can help us to screen for those pets at risk for developing significant kidney disease.

We see many dogs with allergies. Allergies can be seasonal (like hay fever in  people), or they can be year round. Pets can be allergic to anything. While we may suffer from watery eyes and a stuffy head, dogs typically experience skin and ear problems along with varying degrees of itchiness. Some of the more common causes are pollens, grasses, molds, even ingredients found in food. One of the ways to help control the signs associated with allergies is with a specific fatty acid supplement. It is very important that the firth fatty acid and the right amount be used according to the pet’s weight. The ingredient to look for on the label is ecosapentanoic acid (EPA). Pets need 360mg of EPA per 203 of body weight to gain any benefit for their pruritis (itchiness).

There are many products out there. Label reading is a must for any supplement. A word of caution, some pets with certain health conditions should not take this type of supplement. If we have not prescribed the supplement or specifically discussed the use of fatty acids in your pet, please ask us if your pet is one that could benefit from EPA.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) in veterinary patients differs from human hypertension in two ways. First, hypertension is much more prevalent in the human population in general than it is in the veterinary population. The prevalence of hypertension in the general veterinary population ranges from 1-10% (prevalence of hypertension in the human population is approximately 24%). The difference between veterinary and human hypertension is the underlying cause of the elevated blood pressure. Human hypertension may occur secondary to the diseases we normally think about causing hypertension (for example, renal failure or diabetes mellitus or heart disease), but it is often diagnosed as “essential,” meaning that no underlying disease is present. In contrast, hypertension in dogs and cats is usually recognized as a complication of other systemic diseases such as kidney disease, hyperadrenocorticism, or diabetes mellitus. So, which pets should have their blood pressure measured? Common signs of mild hypertension in people such as “early morning headache” or “facial flushing” are difficult to diagnose in dogs and cats! Any dog or cat with renal insufficiency diabetes, cats diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (blood and urine tests are used to diagnose these), any pet with clinical signs of hypertension such as changes in the retina, ocular bleeding, acute blindness, and those with abnormal heart rhythms, particularly cats. As many of us know, blood pressure can rise with stress so getting several readings once the pet has become accustomed to its surroundings is important. Systolic blood pressure in dogs and cats can also vary with patient attitude. The following table gives guidelines for systolic blood pressures.

We have a Doppler blood pressure device in the hospital for measuring pets when age, clinical signs, or health status indicates. Since hypertension in dogs and cats is usually secondary to another disease condition, treatment for that condition is needed. If blood pressure medication is needed, it can be prescribed as well.

Protect your pet!

LYME DISEASE :  Questions and Answers

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete called Borrelia burgdorferi.  A spirochete is a type of bacterium.  It is transmitted to dogs (cats my be infected as well, but it is more rare) through the bite of a tick.  Once in the bloodstream, they Lyme disease organism is carried to many parts of the body and is likely to localize in joints.  It was first thought that only a few types of ticks could transmit this disease, but now it appears that several common species may be involved.  The most common type of tick to carry Lyme disease is the deer tick.

Can Lyme disease also affect people?

Yes, but people do not get it directly from infected dogs.  They get it from being bitten by the same ticks that transmit it to dogs.  Therefore, preventing exposure to ticks is important for both you and your pet.  The flea and tick product Frontline has been shown to be very effective against the deer ticks here in northern Wisconsin.

What are the clinical signs?

Many people with Lyme disease develop a characteristic "bull's-eye" rash at the site of the bite within a few days.  For these people, the disease can be easily diagnosed at an early stage.  However, symptoms of Lyme disease are more difficult to detect in animals than in people.

The characteristic rash does not develop in dogs.  Because the other symptoms of the disease may be delayed or not recognized and because symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases, Lyme disease in animals is often not considered until other diseases have been eliminated.  Generally, dogs affected with Lyme disease are taken to a veterinarian because they seem to be experiencing generalized pain and have stopped eating.  Affected dogs have been described as if they were "walking on eggshells."  Often these pets have high fevers.  Pets may also begin limping.  This painful lameness often appears suddenly and may shift from one let to another.  If untreated, it may eventually disappear, only to recur weeks or months later.

Some pets are affected with Lyme disease organism for a year before they finally show symptoms.  By this time, the disease may be quite widespread in the body.

How is Lyme disease diagnosed?

Dogs with lameness, swollen joints, and fever are suspected of having Lyme (Borreliosis) disease.  However, other diseases may also cause these symptoms.  There are blood tests that may be used for confirmation.  An antibody test does not detect the actual spirochete in the blood but does detect the presence of antibodies created by exposure to the Borrelia organism.  A test can be falsely negative if the dog is infected but has not yet formed antibodies, or if it never forms enough antibodies to cause a positive reaction.  This may occur in animals with suppressed immune systems.  A positive test indicates exposure to the organism (Borrelia burgdorgeri) but does not confirm the disease itself.  A positive test along with clinical signs and response to treatment are often definitive for the diagnosis.  A positive test in a dog without clinical signs indicates exposure to the organism.  That pet may or may not go on to develop Lyme disease in the future.  Because of the seriousness of Lyme disease and its potential to cause arthritis, kidney problems, and heart problems, we recommend treating these exposed pets with the antibiotic doxycycline for 4 weeks.

This will reduce the number of organisms that may still be in the pet's system and can help to avoid future complications due to the Borrelia organism.

How is Lyme disease treated?

Because the Lyme spirochete is a bacterium, it can be controlled by antibiotics.  However, a lengthy course of treatment is necessary and may not always completely eradicate the organism.  Occasionally, the initial infection will recur, or the pet will become re-infected after being bitten by another infected tick.

How do I remove a tick from my dog?

Check your pet immediately after it has been in a tick-infected area.  The deer tick is a small tick and only about pinhead size in juvenile stage, but a little more obvious in adult phase and after feeding.

If you find a tick moving on your pet, the tick has not fed.  Remove the tick promptly and place it in rubbing alcohol or crush it between two solid surfaces.

If you find a tick attached to your pet, grasp the tick with fine tweezers or your finger nails near the dog's skin and firmly pull it out.  We have found that the analogy of "unscrewing it like you would a light bulb" helps to remove it entirely.

How can I protect my dog from Lyme disease?

Protection is two-fold.  A vaccine is available for building immunity to protect dogs against Lyme disease.  This vaccine is initially given twice, at two-week intervals.  Annual revaccination is also necessary to maintain immunity.  The vaccine has been shown to be safe and very effective.

The key to prevention is keeping your dog from being exposed to ticks.  Ticks are found in grassy, wooded, and sandy areas.  They find their way onto an animal by climbing to the top of a leaf, blade of grass, or short trees.  Here they wait until their sensors detect a close-by animal )or person) on which to crawl or drop.  Keeping animals from thick underbrush reduces their exposure to ticks.

The second important step is using a product, such as Frontline, to help control ticks during spring, summer and fall.

Acupuncture Pointers

Every week Dr. Schoenberg performs acupuncture on pets as a complementary or alternative method to help relieve pain and discomfort.

Earlier this spring we saw Buddie, a miniature pinscher cross.  Buddie was experiencing severe neck spasms and pain.  His pain had started a few days before.  He had been seen by his veterinarian in Buddie's hometown of Eau Claire and was placed on pain medication.  At home he also received soothing neck massages and warm hotpack treatments by his "mom".  Despite the medication and tender home care, he did not seem to be getting any relief.

Buddie's family was seeking out help for him, and scheduled him for an acupuncture assessment.  They were more than willing to drive to Chetek from Eau Claire to try and get some felief for him.  When we saw Buddie for the first time he was very quiet and deliberate in his movement.  He stood with his neck extended, trying to avoid any painful movement.  His neck was tense and he was having muscle spasms.  After Buddie's initial acupuncture treatment his family reported he was a little tired but finally had slept through the night for the first time in days.  His neck spasms were gone and he was regaining his mischievous personality.

When we saw Buddie for his second treatment he was much more comfortable, no longer exhibiting the stiff neck and spasms observed at his first visit.  Buddie is continuing to do well and will be coming in periodically for an acupuncture "tune-up" to try and help prevent such a painful episode again.

We also see several dogs for acupuncture therapy for arthritis and even had success in a young puppy that came in on emergency with an acute pain episode.  If you would like more information on acupuncture, its history and uses in veterinary medicine, please call us.

Dr. Schoenberg recently completed the five-month, 120-hour intensive veterinary acupuncture course in February.

In March she returned to Houston to take a two-day examination that will lead to certification by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS).

She will be submitting a case in veterinary acupuncture for review by the examining board and will be completing a 40-hour internship with an IVAS certified veterinary acupuncturist in the next few months.  She has started integrating acupuncture into some of the cases we’ve seen recently at the Animal Hospital of Chetek.

See Services for An Introduction to Acupuncture.

If you have questions about this treatment modality or if you would like to know more, please call us.

You can also find information regarding veterinary acupuncture and IVAS on their web site at http://www.ivas.org

International Veterinary Acupuncture Society