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clinic photo
April 2008 
 the Visiting Vet Newsletter
 25th ISSUE
In This Issue


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Welcome to Spring! This months newsletter will include articles about Travel with Pets, and Canine Tick-borne Disease, fun facts, and the monthly trivia question. Remember we love input on the newsletter so any recommendations or suggestions of article topics are very welcome. I hope you are enjoying the newsletter and I thank you for your time. Check out the coupon at the bottom of this newsletter for a free heartworm test. We plan to move our office the first week of May. We hope to keep the same phone number and will keep you posted!

 Tips for Traveling with a Pet
 


The 3 most common errors owners make when traveling with pets:
  • Opening the kennel in an insecure area and allowing the pet to escape.
  • Using a low quality kennel that fails or comes open allowing the pet to escape.
  • Insufficient portable kennel training in advance to reduce pet fear of travel, especially for airline travel.
Some owners request a tranquilizer for a traveling pet but this does nothing for psychological stress. Tranquilizers also may not be safe for airline travel when the pet is not travelling with you. A better solution would be to give the pet positive kennel training by taking it for short car rides in a portable kennel prior to a trip. Please discuss your pet travel concerns with your veterinarian. Safe alternative medications can be recommended to help reduce pet travel anxiety based on the needs of the individual pet.

 


 Canine Tick-Borne Disease
 

ticks Tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease, are found around the world and in 48 states including Michigan. We usually see ticks in our area starting mid March. Pets and people who go for exercise in wooded areas could be exposed to infected ticks. Sign of lyme disease occur in ten percent of dogs 2 to 5 months after exposure and may include signs of lameness, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. The majority of dogs show no sign of infection with lyme disease, and based on antibody levels in the blood treatment with antibiotics may or may not be needed.
A tick takes up to 12 hours to attach to a dog and another 18 to 24 hours to transmit disease. You can prevent infection from tick bites by frequent tick removal from pets, and the use of a topical flea/tick product such as Frontline. In addition, some owners with pets at high risk may want to consider a Lyme vaccination for their dog.
IDEXX Laboratories has a 3Dx rapid screening test that detects heartworm, lyme disease, and ehrlichiosis. This test, offered by the Visiting Vet, can identify dogs that have been exposed to a tick- borne disease so treatment can begin before a pet becomes sick. Your veterinarian can help you determine your pet's risk for infection from ticks and will recommend the preventative measures that would be best for your pet.

 


 Promotions
 Triva

The trivia question for April is: Cats can see at night with what percentage of light that humans need to see? a) 10%, b) 33%, or c) 50%. The first client to CALL us with the correct answer will receive a free cat boarding certificate to Cat's Cradle. Good Luck!! The answer to the March question: The 1st Iditarod dog race to Nome Alaska started on what date and year in March? March 3, 1973. Congratulations to Patty S. who called in with the correct answer and had $5 credited to her Visiting Vet account.


 Did You Know?

Did you know "Indoor Only Cats" can be exposed and/or infected with parasites? Mosquitoes, fleas, and rodents can become established in the home leading to heartworm, tapeworm or other infectious issues. Parasite eggs and larvae can be tracked into the home by people or other pets. Although indoor cats are less likely than outdoor cats to become infected with parasites, a year round heartworm preventative that contains an intestinal de-wormer such as REVOLUTION is recommended for most cats.


Thank you for your time and I wish you a fantastic month! We constantly strive to provide the best care for your family pets and exceptional service to our clients. I offer appointments while parked locally at Discount Pet Store on Gull Road and also offer individual and neighborhood house calls as available. If I can be of service to your, please give us a call at 269-731-PETS to schedule an appointment today. Remember if you refer a friend or family member to our clinic, both of you will be entered in our 2008 referral drawing program. Our next drawing is June 2008. Please see our website for more information about our prize drawing. Our previous newsletters can be found on our website. Thank you!

Sincerely,


Dr. Seely Rotigel & Julie B.
the Visiting Vet

phone: 269-731-7387

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