Your CanineRunningPartner, Part I

Running is the most popular fitnessactivity in the world. As a runner, I can saythat it is much more enjoyable when I canbring along my dog, Miles. Running withyour dog not only provides a good outlet formental and physical exercise, but also buildsa relationship structure that carries into therest of your life together. Miles also gives memotivation: when he looks at me that way, Iknow it’s time to get out the door! Winter isa great time to start preparing your dog—andyourself—for partnership runs in the spring.

First, consider whether your dog is eligible.Running is not a good idea for dogs that arestill growing. Similarly, elderly dogs will notenjoy running as much as they used to. Otheractivities should be chosen for certain breeds, such as short-nosed dogs (bulldogs,pugs, etc., with the possible exception of the boxer), toy breeds (Maltese, Yorkshireterriers and similar) or heavy dogs, like Mastiffs. If your dog is very dog-aggressive,choose another activity.

Second, teach your dog good running mate behavior, to ensure both safety andfun. He should know the following:1. How to walk on a flat lead, without stopping to urinate, sniff or investigate. For

Miles, I have a flat leash that means business: when he wears that, he knows it’stime to hit the grind! This training should include how to turn in bothdirections.

2. How to ignore distractions such as other dogs, squirrels and other interesting items.Miles knows the command “Leave it,” and we use this for everything that may be atempting diversion.

3. How to heel: She should be within three feet of you and never in front of you,wandering off, or pulling. There are many ways to teach this, but the mostimportant thing is to keep it fun and positive.Once your dog has the basics, begin to incorporate this training into short jogs

aside from your usual walks.There are many ways to teach running manners to your dog, and we at the

hospital can help. If you are inclined to surf the Internet, check out Dr. Sophia Yin.In the next newsletter, I will address getting your dog ramped up to hit the roads. Inthe meantime, be safe and have fun!

By Wendy Turner, DVM

Andover Animal Hospital243 Newton Sparta RoadNewton, NJ 07860Phone: (973) 940-BARN (2276)Fax: (973) 940-0309

www.andoveranimalhospital.com

HoursMonday: 8:00am - 8:00pmTuesday: 8:00am - 8:00pmWednesday: 8:00am - 6:00pmThursday: 8:00am - 8:00pmFriday: 8:00am - 5:00pmSaturday: 8:00am - 12:00pmSunday: Closed

Harvey E. Hummel, VMD Shelley L. Parker, DVMWendy Turner, DVM

Winter SafetyWinter is a challenging time for pets.

Keep these safety tips in mind to ensureyour pet’s well-being during the coldweather.

Puppies and kittens, older pets andpets with health issues are much lesstolerant of the cold than healthy adults.Most pets should be kept indoors in thewinter, but if you do need to leave yourhealthy, adult pet outside for any lengthof time, make sure it has shelter and aheated water bowl.

Your pet’s fur coat may not beadequate to keep it warm, even on shortwalks. Sleet and freezing rain areespecially dangerous for all pets, as wetfur loses much of its ability to providewarmth. While some breeds may revelin the snow, others, such as greyhoundsand Chihuahuas, often become coldquickly. A properly-fitting coat may helpkeep your dog in a warm during winter,and boots may help protect his paws aswell. Remember, pets wearing coatsshould never be left unattended, as it

continued on pg. 4

WINTER 2016

Dr. Turner and Miles, getting ready for a run together

you are concerned, please contact us.Rarely, pets may experience a more

severe reaction to vaccines. These willgenerally occur within 30-60 minutesafter vaccination. Please call yourveterinarian or an animal emergencyclinic immediately if you notice anysudden onset of the followingsymptoms: multiple episodes ofvomiting, diarrhea, hives, loss ofconsciousness, swelling of the eyes orface, or difficulty breathing.

Protect Your Pet

For many veterinarians, there isalmost nothing more heartbreakingthan diagnosing a pet with a fatalillness that could have been preventedwith a simple vaccine. Vaccines fordiseases like distemper and parvovirusare highly effective, yet unvaccinatedpets still die from those illnesses eachyear.

Vaccines are an importantcomponent of every preventive healthcare protocol for both humans and pets.There are many vaccines available, andnot every pet needs to be vaccinatedwith each one. “Core” vaccines are thosewhich are recommended for all cats ordogs. “Non-core” vaccines are thosewhich may be recommended based ona pet’s life stage, lifestyle, environment,exposure risk, geographic region andother factors. Combination vaccinesthat protect against several diseases arecommon for both dogs and cats.

Here is an overview of some diseaseswe can prevent using core and non-core vaccines:

Rabies is one of the most deadlyzoonotic diseases that threatens petsand humans. Rabies is caused by avirus; it attacks the nervous systemand is almost always fatal onceclinical symptoms appear. The virus issecreted into the saliva of an infectedanimal and is usually transmitted bybites, although it is possible totransmit the disease when infectedsaliva comes in contact with an openwound, the eyes, nose or mouth. Therabies vaccine is considered a corevaccine for both dogs and cats.

Understanding VaccinesThe immune system is the body’s defense network against infection. It is made up

of a combination of cells, tissues and organs that work together, each performing animportant function. The immune system must detect potential threats (such as virusesand bacteria), distinguish them from normal, healthy tissue, and attack and fight offthe threats.

The first time the body encounters a specific pathogen, it can take days for theimmune system to recognize the threat and start to fight. After an infection, theimmune system creates “memory cells,” which are able to respond quickly if that sametype of pathogen invades the body again. Antibodies are large proteins created by theimmune system to attack a specific threat.

A vaccine is a biological preparation that is designed to stimulate the immunesystem to develop immunity to a disease. Vaccines usually consist of weakened or killedforms of disease-causing microorganisms. When they are administered, it stimulates animmune response so that the body will recognize that pathogen in the future.

Most vaccines require at least two initial doses to provide immunity. The first dose“primes” the immune system, and the second dose, administered two to six weeks later,stimulates the body to create a protective immune response, which typically takesabout seven more days. This is why puppies and kittens initially require a series ofvaccines. Very few vaccines provide lifelong immunity, so pets must receive boostershots at intervals throughout their lives for continued protection. Efficacy varies fromone vaccine to another, depending on many factors, such as the type of vaccine andthe age and overall health of the pet.

When puppies and kittens are born to healthy dogs and cats who have beenvaccinated, they acquire what is known as “passive immunity” to disease from theirmother. That passive immunity only lasts a short time, and when they stop nursingand start exploring the world and being exposed to pathogens, they are at a high riskfor infection. “Active immunity” is acquired from vaccines.

Vaccines are an important aspect of protecting your pet’s health, and they’re verysafe. As with all medications, however, adverse reactions can sometimes occur.Common side effects are lethargy and possible hair loss or a small lump at theinjection site. If the lump lasts longer than a month, becomes red or inflamed, or if

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FELINE DISEASESRhinotracheitis is a viral

respiratory disease that causessneezing, conjunctivitis,coughing, nasal discharge andfever. It is highly contagious andcan be fatal.

Feline calicivirus isa contagious respiratory diseasethat causes fever, sneezing, nasaldischarge and stomatitis (ulceration ofthe mouth). Some cats may show nosymptoms but still shed the virus andspread it to others, so it is a dangerousproblem for shelters and catteries.

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV),also known as feline infectious enteritisand feline distemper, is a highlycontagious virus that attacks thegastrointestinal tract, causing bloodydiarrhea, dehydration and anemia. It isoften fatal.

Feline leukemia virus, or FeLV, is acontagious virus. Some infected catsshow no symptoms but still shed thevirus. It is the most common cause ofcancer in cats, and it also suppresses theimmune system, opening the door formany other problems, such as chronicinfections.

CANINE DISEASESCanine distemper is a highly

contagious viral disease. It attacks therespiratory, gastrointestinal and nervoussystems, and is often fatal. Signs includefever, nasal discharge, coughing, vomitingand diarrhea. Transmission can be eitherby direct contact with bodily secretionsor via airborne particles from coughingor sneezing.

Canine adenovirus occurs intwo forms: canine adenovirustype 1 (CAV-1) is also knownas hepatitis, and causes fever,abdominal pain, vomitingand diarrhea. Canineadenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) is arespiratory virus, and causes adry cough, retching andconjunctivitis. Because theyare closely relatedviruses, CAV-2 is usedin vaccines andprovides protectionagainst CAV-1.

Canine parainfluenza is acontagious respiratory virus that

causes a low-grade fever,coughing, nasal discharge,lethargy and lack of appetite.This virus is one of the mostcommon pathogens thatcauses tracheobronchitis, orcanine cough. The symptoms

of parainfluenza and canineinfluenza are similar, but the viruses aredifferent and require separate vaccines.

Canine parvovirus is one of thedeadliest diseases in dogs. It is highlycontagious, and is especially dangerousfor puppies. Early symptoms of parvoinclude lack of appetite, depression andlethargy. Parvovirus attacks the intestinaltract, causing fever, vomiting and severe,often bloody diarrhea. Death can occurwithin 48 to 72 hours after onset ofsymptoms. The virus can also damage theheart, and in animals that survive, it cancause long-term cardiac issues.

Bordetella (kennel cough) is ahighly contagious respiratory infection.This vaccine is typically required for anydog that will be going to obediencetraining, a boarding kennel, dog parksand most grooming facilities.

Lyme disease is spread by ticks, and can cause fever, lethargy, painfullameness and neurological symptoms.

Leptospirosis is a deadly disease that is transmitted by ingestion ofcontaminated water. Signs includevomiting, diarrhea, fever, abdominalpain, refusal to eat, muscle pain,weakness and depression. The diseasecan quickly damage the kidneys andliver, and can be fatal.

Canine influenza virus is a highlycontagious respiratory disease, and

is easily spread between dogs bydirect contact, airborneparticles or by touching anycontaminated surface, suchas toys or bowls. Signs

include fever, coughing, nasaldischarge, lethargy and loss ofappetite. Most dogsexperience only mildinfections; however, somedogs may develop

pneumonia or other seriouscomplications. The disease issometimes fatal.

FoodWarningAlert!

A natural sweetener that is safe forhumans but deadly for dogs isshowing up in more and moreproducts these days. The latest threat ispeanut butter. Several brands,including Nuts ‘n More, KrushNutrition and P-28 Foods, make peanutbutter and nut-based spreadscontaining xylitol.

Xylitol is a low-calorie sugarsubstitute that is found in manyproducts, including sugarless chewinggum, mints and baked goods.Unfortunately, xylitol is toxic to pets.

At low doses, xylitol causeshypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Thiscan make your dog seem weak ordisoriented and potentially lead toseizures and death. Higher doses ofxylitol can prove fatal as a result ofliver destruction. Other signs of xylitolpoisoning include vomiting,depression and coma.

In most cases, peanut butter that issweetened with sugar is safe to feedyour dog in moderation. It’s a commonmisconception that xylitol is anartificial sweetener, and some petparents feel safe if they reach forproducts labeled “natural,” but xylitolis a natural sweetener. It’s crucial forpet owners to be diligent aboutreading labels before feeding their petsany human foods. Avoid any productsthat list xylitol, and if a productdoesn’t specify the sweetener used andjust says “naturally sweetened” it’s bestto avoid that as well.

“What a beautifulworld it would be

if people had heartslike dogs.”— Unknown

could endanger them if they try to remove it or if it gets snagged. Frostbite is a serious concern in freezing weather. Frostbitten skin is red or gray,

but with paw pads it can be difficult to detect at first. Pay close attention to yourpet’s skin after being outdoors, especially their nose, paws, ears and tail. Seek medicalattention if you suspect your pet may have frostbite—do not rub the skin as it cancause permanent damage.

Outdoor cats sometimes crawl under the hoods of cars seeking warmth in thewinter. If you have an outdoor cat or know there are feral cats nearby, bang on thehood or blow your horn before starting your engine.

Many ice melting products are toxic to pets, so be sure to look for pet-friendlyproducts before putting them on your walkways and driveways. Road salt and otherchemicals can become trapped in dog’s paws or coat, and can cause severe stomachupset (or worse) if ingested when they lick it off. Wipe off your dog’s paws, legs andstomach when you return from a walk on the road.

Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet!

243 Newton Sparta Road, Newton, NJ 0786025 years of excellence

Antifreeze ToxicityWinter is a time of wonder and enchantment. Winter also poses hidden threats to

our beloved pets. One such danger is antifreeze toxicity. There are multiple sources ofantifreeze, including automotive antifreeze, windshield de-icing agents, motor oil,and less commonly, toilet bowls. Many antifreeze products have an appealing tasteand smell to pets, others may be accidentally ingested if your pet walks through apuddle of spilled product and then licks it off while cleaning its paws.

Antifreeze toxicity causes acute kidney failure in pets. The toxic effects are due tothe main ingredient, ethylene glycol. Signs of antifreeze toxicity includedrunkenness, excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, drooling, lethargy, inappetanceand diarrhea. If you see any of these symptoms and you suspect your pet has ingestedantifreeze, seek veterinary care right away. If caught early enough, the toxic effects ofantifreeze can be reversed with emergency treatment.

Promptly clean any spills you notice in your driveway, and consider purchasingantifreeze that contains a bittering agent that pets are less likely to ingest.

By Shelley Parker, DVM

WINTER SAFETY continued from pg. 1