AAHA Celebration Week Winners

• Monday (Pets Shedding Pounds): Janet & JJ
• Tuesday (Senior Wellness): Vondie & Maggie
• Wednesday (Parasite Prevention): Marilyn & Peaches, Candy & Sadie, Raymond & Mona, Cris & Bear, Lisa & Oreo, Linda & Baby Girl
• Thursday (Dental Health): Jean & Buddy
• Friday (Communications): Priscilla & Libby

Pets Shedding Pounds Contest Details

Did you know that 45% of dogs and 58% of cats in the United States are overweight? The popularity of The Biggest Loser television show highlights the health benefits of losing weight. The Orrville Veterinary Clinic also cares about the long term health of pets. A healthy weight can mean a better defense against weight-related diseases and a healthier, happier life. Common consequences of obesity include reduced life span, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, breathing problems, heart problems, hypothyroidism, and more.

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is partnering with Purina to help your canine or feline friend shed extra unwanted pounds. "Pets Shedding Pounds" is a three month contest running June through August. It is designed to jumpstart weight loss and improves the longevity of your pet's life. For an enrollment fee of $50, owners will receive an initial assessment with one of our veterinarians or registered veterinary technicians to assess your pet's body condition score. A customized weight loss plan, including nutrition and exercise, will be designed for your dog or cat. Purina has generously donated discounts of up to $100 per participant towards the special Purina Veterinary Diet required for the weight loss program. Periodic weigh-in sessions are included to monitor progress each month. Pets that meet their weight loss goal will be entered to win one of the three final prizes, valued at $50 each.

Enrollment is requested by May 24. To enroll your pet or for more information, contact Dr. Marissa Hofstetter at (330) 336-5823 or Jenn Brown, RVT, at (330) 682-2971. Questions can also be emailed to orrvet@earthlink.net.

Warm Weather Tips for Pet Owners

Prepare for the Perils of Spring

With the warmth comes fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and parasites. Each group presents a particular health risk to our canine and feline companions.

Fleas

• Fleas can present a variety of problems. They serve as an intermediate host in the life cycle of tapeworms (look like grains of rice near your pet's rectum). Flea prevention typically results in tapeworm prevention.
  
  Your pet may also be allergic to the saliva of fleas, which can cause severe pruritus (itching). This reaction can result in hair loss and a severe skin rash/infection. Not all flea prevention products are created equal. There is much skepticism around many of the over-the-counter flea products. Consult one of our veterinarians to determine what flea product is best for your pet.

Ticks

• Ticks are capable of transmitting diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Lyme Disease just to name a few. Repelling ticks is particularly important for dogs involved in hunting or those that spend time near wooded areas or tall grasses. Tick control is usually achieved by using flea control products.

Internal Parasites

• Roundworms, hookworm, and whipworms are the most common internal parasites in our pets. Puppies and kittens are especially susceptible to these parasites, but dogs and cats of all ages can become infected. Our veterinarians typically deworm puppies and kittens several times during their series of initial vaccinations.
  
  To keep your pets parasite free, we recommend monthly deworming in the form of heartworm prevention (Revolution, Interceptor, Heartgard). It is also important to perform a yearly fecal flotation test to ensure no parasites are present.

Mosquitoes and Heartworm Disease

• Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal disease that is spread to dogs and cats by mosquitoes. When mosquitoes feed on dogs and cats, their saliva spreads the larval stages of heartworms into the animal's tissues. Our heartworm prevention products (Revolution, Interceptor, Heartgard) kill these larval stages so they are not able to grow into adult worms that invade the heart and lungs. Even though mosquitoes are only present seasonally, we recommend year-round heartworm prevention because these products also prevent infection with common intestinal parasites.
  
  Our feature flea product for dogs, Vectra 3-D, has the benefit of being a mosquito repellent in addition to flea and tick repellency for up to 30 days.

Canine Influenza (H3N8) An Emerging Canine Disease

First isolated a few years ago in Florida, Canine Influenza Virus, H3N8, is an emerging disease that places all dogs at risk. Like the H1N1 Influenza virus, the H3N8 strain has jumped from one species (horses) to another (dogs). Because this strain of the Influenza virus is new to the canine species, dogs have not had a chance to develop the protective antibodies required to fight off the disease. In the Florida epidemic, many dogs did not survive. Since the initial outbreak, studies have shown that approximately 8% of dogs that get the virus will not survive. This is an extremely high mortality rate. Now endemic in Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, and Colorado, affected dogs have been identified in 30 states and Washington D.C.

The Canine Influenza Virus spreads rapidly from dog to dog. Dogs shed the virus up to a week before demonstrating any clinical signs. This means that an otherwise healthy dog may be shedding the virus, placing all other dogs at risk. Clinical signs include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, low grade fever, and secondary pneumonia and can persist up to 21 days despite attempted treatment. There is no specific treatment available, merely supportive care.

The good news is that a vaccine has recently been developed to protect dogs. Initially, a two shot series is required followed by an annual booster for immunity.

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic, and Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic offer the Canine Influenza Vaccine. A booster is required in 2-4 weeks to insure immunity. This vaccine is highly recommended for dogs older than 12 weeks for boarding, grooming, showing, daycare, dog classes, and dog parks. The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is located at 1665 N. Main Street, Orrville, phone 330-682-2971; Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic is at 3898 Greenwich Road, Seville, phone 330-336-5823; and Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic is at 1111 Wooster Rd. N, Barberton, phone 330-753-4114.