FROM OUR VETS: Dog Bite Prevention Always Worth Talking About

From Dr. Baillie:

As school gets out, and summer activities hit high gear, it's a good time of year to be talking about dog bite prevention;  almost 5 million dog bites occur every year in our country.   Bites accounted for more than one-third of homeowners' insurance liability claims in 2011 according to the Insurance Information Institute.  

Teaching children how to interact with dogs--even if you don't own one--can go a long way in preventing injury. Kids aged 5-9 years old are most often the ones injured, and usually the dog that bit them is not a stranger. The AVMA estimates that of the children under the age of 18 who have been bitten, family dogs are responsible for 30% of the bites, while the neighbor's dog is responsible for another 50% of the bites.

Tips from the AVMA include:

*Carefully select your pet,  considering the breed and your own lifestyle.  Puppies should not be obtained on impulse.  We are happy to consult with you about finding your best dog breed match (in fact, we love to talk dogs!)  

*Make sure your pet is socialized as a puppy so it feels relaxed around people and animals.

*Don't put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased.

*Train your dog. Basic commands help dogs understand what is expected of them and can be incorporated into fun activities that build a bond of trust.

*Walk and exercise your dog regularly to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.

*Avoid highly excitable games like wrestling or tug-of-war.

*Use a leash in public to ensure you are able to control your dog.

*Keep your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. Parasite control and other health care are important because how your dog feels affects how it behaves.

*Neuter your pet.

*Make sure gates are secure.

If you are bitten by a dog, here is a checklist of things you should do:

* If the dog's owner is present, get the owner's name and contact information, and request proof of rabies vaccination.  

* Clean bite wound with soap and water as soon as possible.

* Consult your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if the bite occurs after office hours.

*  Contact the dog's veterinarian to check vaccination records.   

We have sent several Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo staff members for special training in dog bite prevention and have, in the past, presented programs for day camps and elementary schools.  If you have questions or problems regarding dog bite situations feel free to call us at 651-770-3250 for help or advice.   

For more information on dog bite prevention, visit http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/ for helpful tips and resources for the whole family.

FROM OUR VETS: Canine Influenza Disease and Vaccination

Dr. Baillie writes:  Recently, in both Minnesota and the national news, there have been reports of an outbreak of Canine Influenza H3N8  and increased recommendation for vaccinating certain dogs against this virus.  We have been following this story through the professional publications and want to put this story in context.

This virus is a mutation of the Horse Influenza virus and has caused significant outbreaks of respiratory disease; it started at greyhound tracks in 2004 and then spread to boarding facilities and dog parks in the Eastern and Southern states. The virus causes significant respiratory disease. The main symptoms are cough, runny nose and fever. Many exposed dogs will develop antibodies and clear the infection without getting sick. It spreads rapidly when close-proximity conditions exist,  primarily by aerosol spread and  direct contact with infected dogs.  It is similar to human influenza in that symptoms will vary tremendously between infected individuals; some  will have mild signs and others developing much more serious disease.  The biggest risk is the concern for secondary bacterial pneumonia. 

Treatment approaches would be to prevent  dehydration and place infected dogs on antibiotics.  We recommend that any dog with respiratory symptoms be seen and consideration be given to starting antibiotics.  Although there have been deaths associated with this virus, overall most dogs will respond to treatment and nursing care.  Vaccination does exist for this virus, but vaccinated dogs may still acquire the virus, show some signs of illness, and shed the virus.

The important thing to recognize that there has not been a case of this disease confirmed in Minnesota, Wisconsin or Iowa yet.  Screening tests are available for this virus and other causes of dog respiratory disease.  We will be happy to discuss testing your dog and treating if needed.

Currently, we are not recommending routine vaccination for Canine Influenza.  If you intend to travel to the East or South especially over the holidays or winter, and your dog will be going to dog parks or be boarded during your travels, please contact us to discuss the possibility of vaccinating your dog.  The vaccine is a series of two injections a couple weeks apart and it would be best to do this in advance of traveling.

Do call us with any questions about canine influenza and the health of your pet.  We'll be glad to consult with you.  http://www.cedarpetclinic.com