Orrville Vet Clinic

Are Counterfeit Flea and Tick Products Harming Pets?

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 01:41:00 GMT

Earlier this month, USA Today published in article in which it was stated that the Environmental Protection Agency issued a report about potential problems with one of the more popular flea and tick products, the Seresto collar by Elanco Animal Health. According to the USA Today article, Seresto collars have been associated with the death of close to 1700 animals. In addition, the article claimed that tens of thousand of pets were injured, along with several hundred human injuries.

Many veterinarians were skeptical about the initial report, as the Seresto Collar has gone through several trials prior to reaching the market. It has also been on the market for several years. This skepticism is also based in the fact that there are numerous factors at play in the life and health of an animal. The mere fact that a pet had a collars in place does not mean the the adverse effects were directly attributed to the collar itself. The saying goes that correlation does not equal causation.

While most veterinarian likely feel that the collar are safe, there is some cause for concern. The high numbers of complaints and issues is enough to draw concern. Additionally, and perhaps the greatest cause for concern is that counterfeit flea and tick products can show up through various sources. In May of 2020, the US Customs and Border control confiscated a large shipment of counterfeit Seresto collars from overseas. These collars show up mainly through non-veterinary channels.

As of now, the FDA and EPA have not been able to confirm whether or not the majority of problems are coming from the brand name product or from counterfeit collars that have entered the US. These products can easily be purchased without knowing if they are the real deal or the fake product. Elanco distributes directly through veterinary channels, which avoids the potential of receiving a counterfeit product when purchasing directly through your veterinarian.

Veterinary Wellness Partners offers many products through direct veterinary channels. The easiest way to purchase is at one of our clinic locations. In addition, we offer an online store , that still guarantees that the product is delivered through proper channels to avoid the risks associated with potentially counterfeit products.

How to Use our Online Store

Sportmix Pet Food Recall

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 18:35:00 GMT

2020 has one more surprise for pet owners: A FOOD RECALL

The FDA announced a recall of certain pet foods from Sportmix Brand. These foods contain high levels of aflatoxin, a mold that typically grows on corn. This is in response to 28 deaths and 8 sick patients as of 12/31/2020. Pet owners who have purchased Sportmix pet food products should be aware that this brand is linked to the fatalities. The pet food in question was manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods.

According to the FDA's release, aflatoxin is "a toxin produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus which can grow on corn and other grains used as ingredients in pet food." In high levels, it can cause harm to pets. Clinical signs and sympotms include: sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea. In some cases, it can cause liver damage and can even be fatal.

If you happen to have any Sportmix pet food in your possession, the FDA suggests not feeding it to your pets and consulting a veterinarian if they've ingested it recently. In the organization's recall, they wrote that their investigation is ongoing and that as more information is available, they will update their post.

Affected products iclude: (copied from the FDA website)

The list of recalled dry pet food products announced by Midwestern Pet Food, Inc. on December 30, 2020 is:

Sportmix Energy Plus, 50 lb. bag

Exp 03/02/22/05/L2

Exp 03/02/22/05/L3

Exp 03/03/22/05/L2

Sportmix Energy Plus, 44 lb. bag

Exp 03/02/22/05/L3

Sportmix Premium High Energy, 50 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Sportmix Premium High Energy, 44 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Sportmix Original Cat, 31 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Sportmix Original Cat, 15 lb. bag

Exp 03/03/22/05/L2

Exp 03/03/22/05/L3

Lot code information may be found on the back of bag and will appear in a three-line code, with the top line in format “EXP 03/03/22/05/L#/B###/HH:MM”

Veterinary Wellness Partners recommends the following companies for pet foods, as these companies have higher certification levels and higher quality control measures than some of the smaller companies:

IAMS/ EUKANUBA

ROYAL CANIN

PURINA

Hill's/ SCIENCE DIET

Article written and published by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Veterinary Wellness Partners COVID-19 Plan May 18th, 2020

Mon, 18 May 2020 20:25:00 GMT

Curbside Care

With the continuing COVID-19 situation across the country, many veterinary clinics continue to provide curbside care to their clients and patients. Veterinary Wellness Partners, including our four clinics, are continuing with this same curbside care for the foreseeable short-term future.

What is Curbside Care?

Curbside care is the term used to describe the process that we use to accommodate the social distancing guidelines by having clients wait in the parking lot. We still perform a complete examination and discuss findings and recommendations with each client.

How does curbside care work?

Upon arrival at one of our clinics, clients are to call the front desk. We ask that all dogs are on leashes and all cats are in carriers, as they could easily get away if not properly placed in a carrier. We also request that clients wear a mask while interacting with our staff. Once the front offices checks your pet in, a medical team member will come out to the vehicle to bring your pet into the clinic. A valid cellphone number will be obtained, so as to allow for communication from the veterinary staff to the clients. A history will be taken either over the phone or discussed at the vehicle.

Once your pet has been escorted into the clinic, he/ she will be weighed and then will have a complete physical examination. Following the physical examination, you will be called by the attending veterinarian to discuss our findings, as well as to go over our suggested treatment plan.

At the end of the follow-up phone calls, clients will be placed on hold. This will allow the front office staff to discuss payment. A check can be written and given to the team member that returns your pet to the car, or a credit card number can be obtained over the phone.

How long will curbside care last?

We do not know the end date to this system at this time. We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation and recommendations given by the federal government, as well as the government of the state of Ohio. In addition, we take the safety and concern of our staff into consideration. Our staff members are our greatest aspect of our clinics and we need them to be comfortable and relaxed as we proceed going forward. We have had some client feedback and requests for clients to be allowed into the clinics. We will continue to listen to feedback. Some of the challenges of the social distancing protocols centers around the limited spacing in the examination rooms. With many examination rooms being too small to allow the proper 6 feet of distancing with three to four people in the rooms (one client, the doctor, and a support staff are general required for each examination).

Veterinary Wellness Partners want to thank everybody for their understanding. We have had 100% compliance with clients. There have been very few client complaints and a lot of compliments as to how this process is going. We continue to be thankful to be able to provide the best care to our patients and their families!

Farm Animal Coronaviruses

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 01:27:00 GMT

Species-specific coronaviruses and the diseases they cause

Many pet and farm animals have their own version of coronavirus by which they can be infected. They usually cause mild gastrointestinal illness, but some can cause respiratory disease.

Cattle

Bovine coronaviruses (BCoV) have been associated with calf diarrhea, winter dysentery in adult cattle, and the bovine respiratory disease complex. None of these diseases can be transmitted to humans.

Winter dysentery is characterized by the presence of acute watery diarrhea and decreases in milk production in adult cows. Cows may also exhibit mild respiratory signs such as nasal and eye discharge or a cough.

Diarrhea caused by bovine coronavirus is usually self-limiting and lasts a few days to a week; however, milk production may take weeks to months to return to normal. Often, treatment is not necessary as long as cows continue to have access to fresh water, feed, and mineral. Some cattle affected by more severe dehydration may require additional intravenous fluid support.

Neonatal calf diarrhea caused by bovine coronavirus is most often present in calves 5-15 days old, but can also affect older calves. Infected calves will have soft to liquid manure with mucus, sometimes only lasting a few days. These calves will usually still drink milk but may be moderately depressed.

Treatment is supportive care; calves will likely be dehydrated and require fluid therapy. This may mean oral electrolyte solutions with or without additional IV support. It is important that calves still receive nutritional support, and milk should not be withheld for more than 24hrs.

A vaccine for pregnant cows against coronavirus is available, but has yielded variable results.

Swine

There are several coronaviruses that cause disease in swine. These include porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCoV), porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV), and porcine coronavirus (PorCoV). All of these, with the exception of porcine respiratory coronavirus cause gastrointestinal disease in pigs and will show signs of diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes sudden death, especially in younger pigs.

Horses

Equine coronavirus causes fever, decreased appetite, colic signs, and sometimes diarrhea and is most commonly diagnosed in the winter. Disease is usually mild, and supportive care is treatment of choice. Sometimes dehydrated horses will need IV fluid therapy. Maintaining excellent hygiene is the best method of prevention and transmission.

Poultry

Chickens can be infected with a coronavirus that causes infectious bronchitis (IBV) in poultry. This is a rapidly acting and highly contagious disease affecting the upper respiratory tract in chickens. Clinical signs include respiratory problems and a decrease in production for 10-14 days. This virus only causes disease in chickens.

Chickens with infectious bronchitis will have mucus and foamy liquid in the trachea, sinuses, and nasal passages. They will often experience secondary bacterial infection. Viral infection can also affect chickens' reproductive system and kidneys.

Bluecomb, or transmissible enteritis is a disease affecting turkeys that is caused by a coronavirus. The virus causes a decreased appetite and lethargy, plus diarrhea, weight loss, and a darkening of the head or comb. Treatment for this disease is largely supportive care, and strict hygiene, biosecurity, and good management are the most important factors for prevention.

Vaccinations

While there are vaccines for some animal coronavirus, they are NOT licensed for protection against respiratory infections or COVID-19, and there is no evidence that they can provide any cross-protection.

COVID-19 Update 3/23/2020

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 23:47:00 GMT

COVID-19 Update

March 23rd, 2020

As of yesterday, Governor DeWine has issue an order to shelter in place beginning at 11:59 P.M. tonight that is statewide for Ohio. As a result, Veterinary Wellness partners continues to adjust to the guidelines and restrictions.

Like many clinics in the State of Ohio, we are beginning a protocol of not permitting public personnel/ clients into any of our buildings. This is being done to further protect our staff and our own families. Please read below for the changes and how we are going to be implementing them. In addition, please click on any of the links below to see what we have already instituted along the way. These new changes build upon those that we have previously implemented. Thank you for your understanding during these turbulent times. Our clinic doors will be locked to prevent clients from entering. We will get signage up on each door explaining our procedures.

Strict Curbside Patient Protocol

We are going to a strict curb-side service protocol effective at 11:59 P.M. tonight in conjunction with the onset of Governor DeWine's orders to shelter in place. When you arrive at one of our clinics, please call in and let us know. A staff member will come out to your vehicle to get your pet for their visit. We will use a clinic leash to bring them into the clinic. Please try to hand dogs off at arm's length. Cats should be in a carrier and the carrier can be placed on the ground prior to transfer. Once your pet is safely in the room and the doctor comes in, we will call you from a restricted number to discuss the reason for your visit. A thorough history can be taken via the phone, then a verbal description of the examination and findings will be relayed. The pet will be taken back to the car and any medications dispensed. Payment will also be via the phone or Cash/ check taken at the car window

Pick up of Medication and Food

Please call ahead with your desire to pick up a medication or a food for your pet. When you arrive at the clinic, please call. A staff member will take a payment via the phone and then deliver the food or medication outside. We will place the item at a predetermined location and then you can come pick up the item. This will help to limit contact between our staff and the many clients that we come into contact with every day.

Pet Euthanasias

This policy will apply to euthanasias in the following manner. Please call upon arrival and we will bring paperwork out to your vehicle. A staff member will take you pet inside and we will place an IV catheter. Once the catheter is in place, we will return to your vehicle or an outside location. Our staff will be wearing personal protective gear for their safety. At that point, the euthanasia solution can be administered, causing your pet to gentle experience an anesthetic effect prior to the completion of the euthanasia.

Services

We are still performing most services, as they are each designed to either prevent disease or relieve pain and suffering. There are some services that are truly elective and will need to be delayed. These include very basic dental cleanings, castration procedures, minor lump and bump removals, and a few other things. If you are unsure, please call one of our clinics to discuss. We appreciate your understanding and respect of our doctors' decisions on these matters.

Farm Calls

For large animal, we are asking techs to hold horses and the owners to step back 6 feet. If necessary, horses can be tied temporarily, or the lead rope handed off at arm's length. For bovine farm calls, please respect the leading of our technicians and veterinarians. If we ask you to stand back, please understand our reasoning.

Personal Protective Equipment

There have been questions in various outlets regarding our usage of personal protective equipment (PPE). We do need to utilize PPE, in order to best protect ourselves. Most of the PPE that we use is slightly different from that of human hospitals. In addition, we are able to easily utilize reusable PPE (reuseable gowns, masks, etc.) without compromising any of our patients. We have had a staff member sew us cloth masks that we can wash and reuse to cut down on the masks that we typically use in the event that they would be needed by a local hospital or local first responders.

For Staff

We are still requiring you to take your temperature twice a day. Please call us if your temperature is above normal. In addition, if you are sick AT ALL, STAY Home. Call Missy (then Misty if Missy not available) to report your illness. We greatly appreciate each and every one of you working through these trying directives. There is a lot of time and effort that is begin spent upon every decision that is being made. You guys make us great!

To all, thank you for your understanding and patience during this time. We are blessed to continue to be able to provide exceptional service to our clients and their animals, our patients!

COVID-19 Policy 3/19/2020

COVID-19 Policy 3/16/2020

COVID-19 Policy 3/15/2020

March Bovine Health

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 21:03:00 GMT

March Bovine Health

Gabe Middleton DVM

How can activity monitoring systems improve profitability?

Activity monitoring systems are becoming more commonplace on dairy farms. Despite the large investment, many progressive producers see the potential payback for utilizing this technology. These systems are able to effectively monitor rumination time and activity of the cow to determine if she is sick or in heat.

The most common question during the decision making process is “How will the system pay for itself?” That question is not easily answered and is dependent on the current status of the herd as well as the goals.

From a reproductive perspective; if heat detection rate and conception rates are poor, the system may help improve both of those numbers, in turn improving profitability. Changing from a predominantly timed AI program to more of a heat detection type program with an activity monitoring system is probably not going to be the sole method of payback. Reproductive hormone savings will not be substantial enough. If reproductive efficiency is already good, moving an already excellent pregnancy rate up a few percentage points does not results in tremendous financial returns. In other words, reproductive improvement can certainly occur with the installation of activity monitoring systems, but there must be other areas of improvement for the system to be justified financially.

I recently met with Joe, a regular herd health client, who has had an activity monitoring system for the last 2 years. We reviewed his herd data to see how certain metrics compare before and after the implementation of this technology. We found a much quicker payback on the system than we expected. Reproductive efficiency showed improvement, as pregnancy rate went from 24% to 27%. Both conception rate and heat detection rate also improved. The interbreeding interval was reduced as the system found cows to be rebred prior to the cows being enrolled for pregnancy diagnosis. Prior to system installation, the herd used very little timed AI, so reduction of hormone use did not occur, but the return appreciated by seeing decreased days open for the herd.

We also examined culling and death rates. Joe and I were very pleased with the level of improvement in this area. Joe's culling rates went from 32% to 25%. Culling by 30 days in milk went from 6.5% to 3.5%. Death loss was also reduced, going from 6% to 4.4%. There were over 1500 calvings in the data set, so these findings were definitely significant and did not occur just by chance. By reducing culling and death, Joe was able to change the way they managed the farm's heifer inventory. With a reduced cull rate, fewer heifers were needed. A reduction in overall heifer inventory was another significant savings thanks indirectly to the activity monitoring system. In addition, selling of heifers resulted in some increased profits that were not factored into the overall cost savings of the system.

We attributed the reduction in culling and death to both early identification of disease and utilization of group rumination numbers to allow us to make nutritional changes prior to a significant disease outbreak. For example, monitoring group rumination level of pre-fresh and far off dry cows has been tremendously helpful. Without the ability to monitor group rumination, dairies typically wait until transition cow incidence increases before making changes. With rumination data, the ability to see changes before they result in disease is a remarkable benefit. For example, if group ruminations in the prefresh pen are reduced, that issue can be immediately investigated. Some potential reasons include urine pH changes on negative DCAD rations, dry matter changes in forages, energy changes in forages, or mixing errors.

Early identification of disease typically results in improvement of treatment effectiveness. We noticed this occurring in several different areas. Success of DA surgeries was dramatically increased because of rapid intervention. Joe also noticed increased success in treatment of other fresh cow diseases. One area that we needed to fine tune over time was treatment of cows with low rumination levels. Obviously, low rumination itself is not a disease, rather a symptom. Every cow that is sorted for low rumination still needs a thorough physical examination. To avoid overtreatment, we had to adjust protocols so that not every cow received treatment. Some cows appear stable and don’t show specific disease symptoms other than low rumination. We had to be prepared to just monitor those cows. Many recover uneventfully after a day or two.

Joe also noticed that his labor need changed when he installed the activity monitoring system. While every cow needs an exam if she is sorted for low rumination, the need to go out and find the cow is eliminated by an effective sort gate. There is tremendous benefit in allowing skilled labor to do their job and not waste time finding sick cows within the group. Joe was able to expand his dairy and maintain his current labor force thanks to the effectiveness of the system in finding and sorting sick cows.

All of these benefits resulted in reduced direct disease costs and improved treatment and breeding outcomes. There was an obvious payback for that. Ultimately improved peak milks and overall production are what made the system successful for Joe. While the investment was high, he recognized the potential for activity monitoring systems to improve profitability on his dairy. Like any automated dairy system, all of basics of successful dairying still need to be in place for the system to be optimized.

COVID-19 Update 3/19/2020

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 20:48:00 GMT

COVID 19 UPDATE

March 19th, 2020

As many of you know, things are changing by the day with the COVID-19 virus and government's directives and guidance. We will continue to update via Facebook and various articles on our website. If you haven't already done so, like us on Facebook and encourage your friends to follow us as well. We plan to continue to provide helpful articles and links as we can get them developed.

Shortage of Personal Protective Equipment

Across the nation, there are concerns about veterinarians utilizing resources that are desperately needed for the human health aspect of this disease. We want to make sure that everyone is aware that we are not compromising the human health capabilities to respond to this situation should the need arise. We adhere to some of the most strict guidelines for veterinary medicine, however our equipment is not the same grade as that needed i human hospitals. We reuse our masks for several surgeries and have recently begun saving them from day to day to conserve. Our surgical gowns and caps are reusable, being washed and sterilized in between reuse. We change gowns and gloves in between every procedure to maintain a sterile environment within the surgical suite. This is for the best care of our patients. The disposable gloves that we wear are not required to be as impermeable as that of human hospitals. We are doing the best we can to help support local hospitals and first responders by keeping an eye out for supplies that we may be able to order and donate.

Veterinarian Role During this Time

We are considered essential services as veterinarians are on the front lines of public health through the care of animals. Our large animal team is the first step outside of the producers to ensuring safe and healthy food production. They will continue to operate as normal until otherwise directed.

Policies for Staff and Clients

At yesterday's news conference, the governor announced some increased measures that are affecting the way that we do business. The first is that all employees are to take their own temperature prior to coming to work. We have asked our employees to do this twice a day and keep a log on their phones. We are asking all clients to take their temperature prior to entering our clinic. Please do this at home prior to coming in. We do not have staff waiting at the doors to do this for you (and we mainly have thermometers that have been used on animals in our hospitals....eeeewwww)

We are limiting appointments to one person per appointment due to the size of examination rooms and the need for appropriate social distancing (6 feet). We realize this may be an inconvenience and thank you for understanding the need for these precautions at this time.

Schedule Changes and Updates

As a result of the increasing need for social distancing, we have made the following changes to our office schedule:

1) Orrville Pet Spa and Resort has discontinued grooming and Daycare services at this time. For boarding, we are open for:

ARRIVALS ONLY Monday through 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 A.M.

DEPARTURES ONLY Monday through Friday 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. and Sunday 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Prepaid only on Sundays)

2) All veterinary clinics will be closed on Saturdays beginning March 22nd and moving forward. We are currently scheduling Saturday appointments on May 1st, realizing that things may open up earlier or be restricted for longer than we anticipate.

3) There is no change to our large animal department, as we are the frontlines for animal health.

4) We will be shortening the evening hours at our Orrville location, by closing at 5:00 P.M. every day until further notice.

5) Our Elm Ridge Animal Hospital is currently planning to remain open until 6:00 P.M. on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Ongoing Services

As far as services that we are providing, we are still allowed to operate as normal as far as caseload, however we have been asked to minimize elective surgeries. There is a vast gray area of what this means, so we are establishing what we feel is best for our patients and within the spirit of the state's announcements. So please check below for out best "black and white" guidelines as of today:

Spays and Neuters: Spays are a very important surgery in the battle against overpopulation of pets and overloading of the rescue groups and shelters. In addition, it prevents mammary gland adenocarcinoma (breast cancer) in dogs. The final consideration is the prevention of pyometra, a severe condition that is the result of a uterus infection. For puppy spays, we are suggesting waiting until closer to six months, rather than at 20-24 weeks. For castration procedures, these are slightly less pertinent and can most likely be delayed for the time being.

Vaccinations: We feel that it is important to stay up to date on vaccinations. This means staying on schedule. Puppies and kittens are the most vital, as their full immunity has not developed. We need to try to keep these pets on their schedules. Pets that have recently been in and need a booster of a new vaccine need to remain on schedule to gain immunity. Rabies vaccinations are to prevent the risk of human exposure to rabies and are also very important.

Dentals/ Oral Surgery: Prophylactic dentals will need to be delayed. Dental procedures that are scheduled due to pathology is vital to preventing pain and the progression of gingivitis and oral disease.

Orthopedic Procedures: These are necessary to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis and pain in our pets.

Client Actions

Steps we suggest that you take:

Look into your current inventory of medications. Be sure to call in to see about refills at this time. Some things may be in short supply due to other veterinary clinics stocking up around the country.

If we are out of something, or you are currently using a big outside pharmacy, we highly encourage people to order through our online store. This is the easiest way for us to approve any online orders and helps support our clinic over larger, distant corporations. It is essentially along the lines of SHOP LOCAL and you get products that are guaranteed through the manufacturers. You are also eligible for rebates. The outside online pharamacies are unable to offer the manufacturer support. In addition, the outside pharmacies require a lot of staff time dealing with their representatives. With us being short on staffing, we appreciate the streamlining of the process, as we can approve needed prescriptions with the click of a button. For information and instructions on how to use our online store, click HERE.

We advise purchasing ahead for pet foods, whether prescription or a regular maintenance diet.

Thank you for understanding and helping to make this as easy as possible on our staff at this time. We realize that some of these decisions may not be convenient, but we feel that they are necessary to keep our staff healthy and here to continue to serve our clients and their pets.

Covid-19 Policy 3/16/2020

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 03:14:00 GMT

Our offices are continuing to monitor the Coronavirus situation and listening to the leaders of our state and nation. Currently we are taking the following steps;

1) We are wiping down door handles and areas every hour

2) We are offering car side delivery of medications with a call ahead and credit card payment via phone

3) We are limiting the number of clients in each room to one per appointment. If you have multiple family members, they will be asked to remain in your car. We can take your pet in if there is a reason to remain in your car

4) We are requesting that anybody with respiratory signs cancel their appointments.

5) Our staff is washing hands regularly

6) We are abiding by the social distancing rules of no handshakes and trying to keep personal space of 6 feet whenever possible.

7) We recommend that you call to get 60 day supplies of any needed medications

8) We highly recommend using our online store if you order online. As things get more and more limited, we can continue to supply medications via this route. If offices need to limit staff, we will only be able to service online orders through our online store. IN addition, this supports us directly, sticking with the spirit of BUYING LOCAL.

9) We are limiting our usage of facemasks by reusing disposable face masks as often as we can. We are also ordering fabric, washable, reusable masks to replace the disposable ones.

Please call our office and ask if you have any questions or concerns.

Coronavirus statement

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 14:00:00 GMT

CORONAVIRUS vs COVID 19

Veterinarians and human health workers have dealt with coronavirus for many years. The old coronavirus was a fairly common infection that caused mild common cold symptoms. Veterinarians often diagnosed this virus in younger animals including puppies and calves and it also showed mild symptoms and illness. Vaccines and antibodies have been used off and on to control the old coronavirus. The canine coronavirus is so mild, that standard vaccination was discontinued by most veterinarians over 15 years ago.

The new virus, or Novel Coronavirus, has been named COVID-19. This virus is a completely new strain and acts differently than the previous coronavirus, so there are very few similarities other than the name. This new virus originated in China and has been rapidly spreading around the globe. It is highly contagious, much more so than the common flu. Transmission is most likely to occur when there is contact with a person’s bodily secretions, such as droplets from a cough or a sneeze. The best way to avoid the disease is to limit being around crowds, limit touching each other by handshake, wipe down commonly touched areas with sanitizers, and wash your hands often. For most people the risk of being infected is low but the virus is a very serious public health threat due to its ability to spread quickly.

Fortunately, multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations agree that there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets become ill with COVID-19. There is also no evidence that animals spread the disease to other animals including humans. There are currently no documented cases of COVID-19 virus in animals. As with any virus, if you are sick, it is good to isolate yourself from other humans and pets as much as possible to eliminate the spread of the disease.

There are no drugs or vaccines licensed by the FDA available to treat COVID-19. If a person feels sick, please stay home and take care of yourself much the same as a cold or other flu virus.

Veterinary Wellness Partner veterinary clinics will remain open to take care of the needs of our patients. We are taking the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We are taking steps to limit the use of supplies and keeping our staff separated into smaller working groups. We continue to monitor the situation and will respond accordingly. We ask that you limit the number of people coming to each pet's appointment to one. Please call us if you have concerns about your pet or have any questions regarding the need for your pet to be seen.

Coronavirus in Dogs

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 01:42:00 GMT

Canine Coronavirus

There are two forms of coronavirus that infect our domesticated dogs: Intestinal and Respiratory

Intestinal Canine Coronavirus (CCV)

The first is an intestinal disease that can be found worldwide. It is specific to dogs, not transferring to any other animal or human. The virus infects the upper two thirds of the intestinal tract, as well as the local lymph nodes. It is limited to the upper two thirds of the GI tract and replicates here, where it can cause the clinical signs listed below. Most dogs experience very mild GI signs of diarrhea, with many not having any clinical signs or symptoms. When this virus occurs along with another GI disease, such as parvovirus or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, the signs and symptoms can be much worse, including death.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of a canine coronavirus vary from dog to dog. In the majority of adult dogs, the signs will be very negligible, to none at all. Occasionally a dog may have a vomiting episode followed by a few days of diarrhea. Fever is rare in older dogs. Most dogs will simply seem “off” for a bit, with decreased appetite and mild depression. Puppies may experience prolonged periods of vomiting and diarrhea, which can result in dehydration. These puppies need supportive care and will often fight the virus off.

Causes

As many know, this is a coronavirus. The term corona refers to the appearance of the virus when viewed under an electron microscope. This view gives the appearance of a crown, or corona, which is made up of protein particles on the shell of the virus. The most common source of infection is from contact with the feces of an infected dog. The virus can remain in the dog’s intestinal tract for a prolonged period of time, resulting in shedding of the virus to be picked up by other dogs. Stress and overcrowding can make some dogs more likely to come into contact with coronavirus.

Respiratory Canine Coronavirus

Differing slightly from the intestinal canine coronavirus (CCV), the respiratory virus is a type 2 coronavirus. It is called canine respiratory coronavirus, or CRCoV. It is genetically closely related to the bovine coronavirus, though the virus is not contagious to cattle. It is also closely related to the human coronavirus that causes the common cold (NOT COVID-19) and is also not share from dog to human.

Canine respiratory coronavirus first occurred in England in 2003. It has also occurred in Japan, Italy, Greece, Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Clinical Signs

CCRoV can cause and acute respiratory infection. Most dogs have a mild disease consisting of cough, sneezing, and nasal discharge. Some dogs have a subclinical infection with no clinical signs, yet they shed virus that can infect other dogs. A small minority of dogs infected with CRCoV have progressed to pneumonia, especially is they are complicated by CIRD (see below). The clinical signs usually resolve after 1-2 weeks, depending on whether co-infection with other pathogens is involved.

Causes

Once again, this is caused by a coronavirus. It is most commonly associated with the complex known as canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD). CIRD is made up of several viruses and bacterial invaders. Some of these include canine parainfluenza, Canine influenza, and Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough). This complex can get very complicated if a bacterial pneumonia develops with mycoplasma being the primary concern.

The virus is spread through nasal secretions and particles. The most efficient transmission occurs by direct contact with infected dogs and by aerosols generated by coughing and sneezing. The risk for CRCoV infection is highest when large numbers of dogs are housed together in close confinement, such as boarding/training kennels, shelter facilities ,and dog shows. Dogs of all ages and breeds are susceptible to infection. The incubation time from CRCoV exposure to clinical disease is unknown, but may be a few days. The number of days that virus is shed is also unknown.

Treatment

There is no known treatment for CCV or CRCoV. Both of these are treated by supportive care, which is basically fluid therapy and treatment of secondary infections. Isolation of infected dogs is the best way to contain the virus. Quarantine time is unknown, but two weeks is suggested.

Prevention and Vaccination

Quarantining of affected dogs in the best preventive measure. The coronavirus does not last very long in the environment. General principles of cleaning and sterilizing of areas also helps to prevent the spread. Once thoroughly cleaned, areas should be completely dried. There is currently no vaccine for CRCoV.

There is a vaccination for the intestinal form, CCV. However, this vaccine is no longer commonly used or recommended due to the mild nature of the disease.

Animal Coronaviruses Overview

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 00:39:00 GMT

At the time of this writing, the World Health Organization has deemed the coronavirus outbreak an official pandemic. There have been approximately 121,000 cases worldwide, with just over 1,000 in the United States. Those numbers are likely to increase due to the fact that this is an emerging virus. This article is not meant to address the COVID-19 issue in people, but rather focus in on coronavirus in animals. At this time, COVID-19 has not been identified in animals, though it’s beginnings are not determined. If this were a zoonotic disease, which means transferring between people and domesticated animals, there would be reports of infected animals along with the daily updates on the number of people that are infected.

There are several viruses that affect animals that are within the coronavirus family. The term corona means crown and is given to this family of viruses due to the shape of the virus’s outer shell. The viral surface is surrounded by a ring of projecting proteins that cause it to appear "crownlike" when viewed under an electron microscope. Dogs , Cats, Horses, Turkeys, Bovine, and Pigs are several of the species that have had coronaviruses detected in them. Click on the hyperlinks embedded above to read more about coronavirus in each species.

In general, coronaviruses tend to cause very mild disease in most animals. Coronavirus in dogs used to be considered a core vaccine, but was removed from that status over 15 years ago. The vaccine was removed because it is mainly a virus of puppies that causes such mild clinical signs as to not warrant the risk of vaccination. Coronavirus in cattle is termed winter dysentery and is also generally mild. Perhaps the cat coronavirus, known as FIP, is the most aggressive form.

COVID-19 UPDATE 3/15/2020

Coronavirus in Dogs

COVID 19 Update 3/15/2020

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 00:12:00 GMT

Amid the rapidly-evolving news regarding Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), we wanted to take a moment to share some helpful information and answer some common questions regarding this virus, domestic animals and pets, and what you can do to continue to stay safe.

At this time, major world health organizations are emphasizing that the current primary concern is for human health. It is also important to know that, at this time, there is no concern regarding transmission to or from animals, and animals are not at risk for contracting COVID-19.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses named for their structure, which resembles a crown, or “corona”

There are many different types of coronavirus which can infect people and animals; historically, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV are types of coronavirus that have caused disease in humans

COVID-19 is the name for a new coronavirus that originated in China and causes respiratory disease, fever, and pneumonia in people

Can my pet get COVID-19?

COVID-19 appears to have emerged from an animal source. However, it is now spreading from among people.

At this time, there is no evidence that your pet can contract COVID-19 or that they may be a source of infection.

While there has been recent news about a dog testing “weak positive” for COVID-19 in Hong Kong, it does not mean this dog is truly positive, and no dogs in the US have been identified with the virus. It stands to reason that if pets were able to be infected, we would be hearing about it.

Are coronaviruses in other animals related to COVID-19? What about vaccines?

Many pet and farm animals have their own version of coronavirus by which they can be infected. They usually cause mild gastrointestinal illness, but some can cause respiratory disease.

Canine and bovine coronavirus cause diarrhea, and feline coronavirus can cause feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). These diseases are NOT associated with the current COVID-19 outbreak.

What can I do to keep myself and my pet safe?

Keep cats indoors, and keep pets with you if you are self-quarantined.

Excellent hand hygiene is the bottom line: always wash hands as much as possible, especially before and after handling any animals or pets.

Here are some practices we are enforcing to increase everyone’s safety during this time:

The lobby and all exam rooms are sanitized and wiped down thoroughly between appointments

All of our doctors and staff wash hands before and after each pet’s appointment

We are limiting the number of people accompanying a pet to the bare minimum. This keeps the number of people entering the clinic to a minimum. If you have kids with you due to the school closings, please call when you arrive and we can come out to your vehicle to get your pet.

Here are some practice you can implement to help everyone stay safe during this time:

For more from VWP on Coronavirus, check out the links below

/blog/coronavirus-statement

Animal Coronaviruses, an overview

IS BRD COSTING YOU?

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 11:00:00 GMT

February Bovine Health

Find out if BRD is costing you more than you think

Gabe Middleton DVM

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to plague the dairy industry. Raising replacement heifers is already an expensive proposition for dairy producers, but when factoring in the increased cost of raising heifers with either clinical or subclinical BRD, the heifer program becomes even more costly. Clinical BRD is not difficult to recognize. The heifer has a fever, cough, nasal discharge, and may have a reduced appetite. Subclinical BRD occur when lung lesions are present, but the calf does not show outward signs of disease. Subclinical BRD is costly and may be present in a larger percentage of heifers than clinical BRD. Lung ultrasound is a technique that may provide some insight as to the level of subclinical BRD in youngstock.

Lung ultrasound is a relatively new technique where your veterinarian can determine lung pathology without a stethoscope. In fact, ultrasound of lungs is a much more sensitive indicator of disease than a stethoscope. Most bovine veterinarians already have a reproductive ultrasound, which will work just fine to ultrasound the lungs of calves or heifers. Isopropyl alcohol is used to help improve contact between the animal’s skin and the ultrasound probe. Normal lungs are filled with air and show up as an artifact on the ultrasound that looks like lines parallel to the animal’s body wall. When lung disease (fluid, cells) is present, there is evidence in the form of white lines running perpendicular to the body wall. This is known as a comet tail. Comet tails range in size from less than one centimeter to over three centimeters. When areas of lung consolidation become too severe, an abscess can form and can be visualized by the ultrasound.

Perhaps the science of lung ultrasound has you confused at this point. Focus on the big picture ways that lung ultrasound can help your dairy operation. Your veterinarian can quickly learn the lung ultrasound technique and the scoring system, which identifies how many lung lobes are affected.

There are multiple ways lung ultrasound can help a dairy. Some common ones are:

1) Determine which animals are candidates for culling

2) Determine the extent of subclinical BRD in replacement animals

3) Measure the success of BRD therapy

Traditional measures of BRD treatment success are reduced fever, restored appetite, lack of heavy breathing, and the animal not dying. Lung ultrasound has taught us that these are actually quite poor indicators of treatment success. Lung ultrasound can be utilized to score a group of new cases on the day of treatment, and again 7-10 days later. There should be a dramatic improvement of lung ultrasound scores at the recheck examination. Treatment success is defined as the lung ultrasound scores returning to normal or near normal. If less than 80% of animals treated aren’t cured based on lung ultrasound, further discussion is warranted, as several possible explanations for this exist. Perhaps animals are not being identified and treated for BRD early enough in the disease process. Remember that calves and heifers will have a good appetite early into BRD, so it is not a sensitive enough indicator to base treatment decisions on. Other factors potentially delaying improvements in lung ultrasound scores include pathogens that are difficult to treat (e.g. Mycoplasma bovis), very poor ventilation, and/or inappropriate therapy/dose.

Lung ultrasound can also be utilized to determine the extent of subclinical BRD in a group of calves or heifers. The impact of lung lesions on first lactation milk yield is well documented. Increased lung scores can easily cost a heifer over 1,000 pounds first lactation milk yield. Consider scanning calves and heifers at various ages to get a baseline. Repeating an ultrasound in a month to once again scan and determine if the problem is consistent at a certain age. If lung ultrasound scores consistently start to increase at a certain age, further investigation is needed. Perhaps there is a lapse in vaccination, movement into a facility with poor ventilation, or inappropriate movement causing the issue. Either way, lung ultrasound can uncover where the BRD bottleneck is to the heifer growing operation.

Lastly, culling of heifers is a practice that producers do not like to consider, but may be necessary on a select few animals. Studies have shown that heifers with more damaged lung scores or with the presence of lung abscesses are not productive future members of the herd. While culling heifers is a losing proposition due to high inputs and low value, producers should put a stop to the financial loss of that particular animal and decide to cull.

Lung ultrasound is an excellent tool to make some “next level” types of management decisions on the dairy. Your veterinarian is uniquely qualified to perform, track, and assess the status of BRD and make recommendations to get the most out of the replacement heifer operation.

Small Ruminant Wellness Plan

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:25:00 GMT

OVC Small Ruminant Wellness Plan

The small ruminant wellness plan (SRWP) is an all-inclusive program for sheep and goat owners. The goal of SRWP is to provide excellent quality of care for sheep and goats and provide owners with the resources to develop and improve the management of their animals. The plan includes at least one annual visit designated to discuss farm-specific management topics of the owner’s choosing. Topics include: parasitism, vaccinations, nutrition, and reproduction. SRWP members will also have open access to phone consultation with a veterinarian.

When first signing up for SRWP, owners will also receive a packet with basic management tips and resources. Other benefits of membership include discounted services. Fecal exams are 50% off. Other procedures including castration, disbudding and dehorning are 10% off. Many diagnostics are also discounted, such as ultrasound for pregnancy, bloodwork, and autopsies are 20% off from regular price.

There is a $100 annual fee to be a SRWP member. This fee easily pays for itself after the annual management visit, which is a $200-$250 value.

We look forward to working with you on all of your sheep and goat needs.

Please contact the clinic with any questions and to enroll.

BEG Diets and Heart Disease

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 22:00:00 GMT

Some of you have reached out to us regarding the FDA reports of diet related heart disease. We greatly appreciate your trust in us. We are keeping up with the investigation and can share some recommendations based on the findings as of now.

According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) , the FDA released information that it is investigating a possible connection between diets and a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The FDA began receiving reports as early as 2014 with the majority of cases reported between 2018 and 2019.

Veterinary cardiologists became suspicious of a diet related condition when an increased number of cases of DCM surfaced in breeds that were not previously genetically predisposed. DCM is a condition that results in an enlarged, weakened heart that cannot pump blood effectively. This leads to congestive heart failure. Signs of heart failure include coughing, breathing heavier, exercise intolerance, collapse and even sudden death. Breeds known to be genetically predisposed to DCM the Doberman Pinscher, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Boxer, Irish Wolfhound and Cocker Spaniel. The investigation is on-going. Investigators are looking into potential deficiency of the amino acid taurine, but that has not explained all the cases. It is also unclear if the issue is a result of diet imbalance, quality control, interaction between ingredients, poor bioavailability or something else.

Here are some things we know:

A lot of pets were found eating a BEG diet. BEG diets are Boutique brands, foods with Exotic ingredients, or Grain-free foods . Other diets that may pose a risk for pets include those that are very low in protein, very high in fiber, vegan, vegetarian, or home-cooked diets.

We are recommending sticking with a diet from companies such as Purina, Hill’s, Iams/Eukanuba and Royal Canin. These pet food companies are well-established, have board-certified veterinary nutritionists on staff, and have robust research and development. Be wary of marketing ploys, opinion ratings, and myths. Grain sensitivity (especially to wheat) is rare in animals.

The good news is that, discontinuation of the BEG diet, combined with veterinary medical treatment, many affected dogs have shown improvement of their disease and clinical signs associated with DCM. The resolution of clinical signs may take some time.

Clicking on the hyperlinks in this post will take you to the full articles relating to this topic. Here is an excellent short summary video from Board Certified Veterinary Internist and Veterinary Nutritionist, Dr. Valerie Parker, from The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center. As always, we would love to discuss this with you relating to your pets’ specific needs, so please reach out to your veterinarian with any questions or concerns you may have. In order to better help you and your pet, your veterinarian or veterinary technician may ask for a complete diet history during your pet’s appointment.

It is our privilege to partner with you in the care of your pets,

The doctors and staff of Veterinary Wellness Partners

Written by Dr. Marissa Hofstetter and Dr. Meghan Studds

These are two sites you can visit for more information:

Lisa Freeman’s blog: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/06/a-broken-heart-risk-of-heart-disease-in-boutique-or-grain-free-diets-and-exotic-ingredients/

UC Davis: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-investigates-link-between-dog-diets-and-deadly-heart-disease

For More nutrition related Articles, use our search engine or click on the links below:

The truth about "by Products"

Help for Aging pets

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 18:51:00 GMT

We’ve all been there – your dog or cat is aging, and you don’t know what to do, or where to start for help. You’ve noticed that she gets up a little slower these days, seems a little weaker in the back end, or he walks with a slight limp every once in a while. Did you know that there are MANY ways to help our pets with arthritis pain due to aching muscles and bones? Many people would think that it’s just a part of life; people get arthritis, too! It seems as though a lot of pet owners aren’t aware of all of the things we can do to help our pets have a better quality of life. Here are some things that you can do to give your pet the best, most comfortable life possible:

Click HERE for a link to our online store's joint supplement department. Many supplements are available without a prescription

There are many options for helping your pet live a long, healthy, comfortable life. Arthritis is not the end of the road! We are here to help you on that journey and continue to research new ways to increase quality of life in our pet friends. If you would like more information, feel free to call or email the office of your choice, and we will do everything we can to get your pet feeling better.

Robin

Veterinary Wellness Partners

Orrville Pet Spa and Resort 15th Anniversary

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 15:15:00 GMT

The Orrville Pet Spa and Resort is celebrating our 15th Anniversary of providing quality care to dogs and cats. We will be having an Open house Monday through Friday of the week of November 18-22nd. We will have refreshments and daily prizes! Stop in for tours between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. during that week. We hope to see you there!

Credelio

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 11:00:00 GMT

Credelio

We recently added a new tool to the fight against fleas and ticks, called Credelio. Many of you may be familiar with Bravecto , a 12 week oral flea and tick preventative. Credelio is similar to Bravecto, yet only lasts for one month.

Credelio has the active ingredient: Lotilaner and is available by prescription. In order to get a prescription for your pet, a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship must be in place.

Credelio is a formulated into a palatable (tasty) treat that is soft and chewable. It is well liked by most dogs and easy to administer. It is highly recommended to give this product with a meal to prevent any risk of GI upset.

Credelio kills adult fleas, treats flea infestations, and treats and controls tick infestations. Ticks that are covered include: Lone Star Tick, American Dog Tick, Black-legged/ deer tick, and the Brown Dog Tick. Several of these ticks are of concern because they can transmit various diseases such as Lyme Disease , Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Anaplasmosis.

An advantage that Credelio has over several similar products is that it is approved for use in puppies over the age of 8 weeks old. Credilio comes in 5 sizes: 4.4-6.0 pound, 6.1-12.0 pounds, 12.1-25.0 pounds, 25.1- 50.0 pounds, and 50.1-100.0 pounds. Dogs over 100 pounds will need to use two tablets, one of each appropriate size.

Though Credelio has passed all safety tests and has very few side effects and risks, the following safety information is included: The safe use of Credelio in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Use with caution in dogs with a history of seizures. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are weight loss, elevated blood urea nitrogen, increased urination, and diarrhea. Please see full Credelio product information for complete safety information or contact your veterinarian.

Proheart 6 and Proheart 12

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 15:17:00 GMT

Proheart

Zoetis Animal Health has several convenient products that they offer in the injectable format. These medications make administration easier that oral and topical products. While there is yet to be an injection for fleas and ticks, there is a great one (actually 2) available for prevention of Heartworm Disease.

Proheart 6 is an injection for the prevention of heartworm disease, as well as hookworms. This injection can be administered at your dog's annual physical examination after a heartworm test has been performed to determine whether or not your dog has heartworm disease. This is called Proheart 6 because it lasts for 6 months. At that time an additional injection will need to be given, or your dog may be able to begin Proheart 12. Depeding on your dog's history, a second heartworm test will be performed at that time. The reason for the second test is that it takes 6 months for a heartworm to become detectable on a test. This means that the first test is testing for a period of time 6 months before the first injection. The second test is testing for the six months immediately before the first injection.

Proheart 12 is an injection for the prevention of heartworms and hookworms. It can be given to dogs after 2 negative heartworms, or to dogs that do not have a gap in the last 12 months of heartworm prevention.

Proheart 6 can be adminsitered to puppies over 6 months of age. Dogs must be greater than one year of age to receive Proheart12.

For more information regarding heartworm disease check out the following articles:

Heartworm FAQs

Protect Your Dog from Heartworm Disease

May is Heartworm Prevention Month

Reasons to Spay your Pet

Sat, 07 Sep 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Reasons To Spay Your Pet (Dog or Cat)

There are many reasons to spay your female pet. This surgery will help prevent medical and behavioral issues later in life. When spaying at a young age, 4-6 months, your pet will recover quicker and easier than if she is older.

Medical Reasons:

1) Pyometra - Pyometra is a bacterial infection in uterus. This usually happens shortly after a heat cycle because the cervix opens up during the heat cycle. As the heat cycle comes to an end, the cervix closes and traps bacteria in the uterus. The bacteria in the uterus then has a perfect environment to multiply. A pyometra is an emergency. As the uterus fills with bacteria, the uterus swells and can rupture. If the uterus ruptures, there is only a small chance that your pet will survive.

2) Mammary (Breast) Cancer – Mammary cancer is normally seen in intact female pets. Mammary cancer is normally malignant, meaning that it spreads rapidly to other areas of the body. Females that are spayed prior to their first heat cycle have a significantly less likely chance of getting mammary cancer. Every time your pet goes into heat, the risk of developing mammary cancer increases.

3) Perianal Fistulas – Perianal fistulas are more common in intact females. Perianal Fistulas are draining tracts around the anus. Perianal fistulas are characterized by chronic purulent discharge, foul smelling, and ulcerated tract. These are very painful and irritating to your pet.

4) Heat Cycle – Spaying your pet will also make it so your pet does not come have anymore heat cycles. In dogs, a heat cycle occurs about once every 6 months. This will also eliminate the mess of your pet bleeding during their heat cycle. In cats, about the first of the year, your cat will come in heat. They will go in and out of heat until they are bred. When cats go into heat they become very vocal. Cats go into heat about once a month until they are pregnant.

5) Frequent Urination – Your pet may start to urinate more frequently in an attempt to attract a male with her scent. This can also cause them to urinate in your house or inappropriate areas. You may also get some unwanted male visitors to your house in the attempts of mating with your female.

6) Roaming – Your pet may decide to leave your property in search of a mate. This could cause not only injuries to your pets due to being hit by a car, but also injuries to others in the attempts to miss your pet on the road.

7) Behavior – Female pets are more likely to become irritable and aggressive especially during their heat cycle. They can become aggressive towards other dogs or people. Pets can also become aggressive towards other animals or people when they don’t want you to touch their puppies. Females can have false pregnancies where they adopt an object as their puppy and could become aggressive over that object.

8) Unwanted Litters – There is already an overpopulation of animals in the world. Many animals are euthanized every year due to overpopulation. Shelters are having trouble keeping up with the number of unwanted pets in the world.

Cost – The cost of spaying your pet at a young age is considerably less than if you spay her at an older age. This cost is dramatically less than the cost of correcting the many conditions listed above, as well as being healthier for your cat or dog.

For these reasons alone, you can see the major benefit in spaying your pet. She will have a healthier life.

Written by Jenn Brown R.V.T.

Published and edited by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Disease Costs on Farms

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Disease Costs on Farms: Know the cost of disease on your farm

A dairy manager must evaluate and scrutinize all areas of management on the farm. Understanding diseases (transition and other) and the associated costs should be no different. The only way to truly understand the cost of disease is to enter your data into a program (fortunately there programs that can do that for a farm) or a spreadsheet that calculates costs. There are direct costs (drugs, death loss, treatment costs, milk withheld) and indirect costs (lost future production, reduced first service conception, culling) that need to be factored into the calculation. If you aren’t sure exactly how to calculate the disease costs for your farm, your farm’s disease cost is probably not much different than the industry average cost, so you could use the average costs for specific diseases. The dairy can justify management changes and improvements based on the financial cost of those diseases.

Clinical mastitis is all too common disease on some farms. A typical goal should be to have less than 2% of the milking herd with clinical mastitis per month. The best farms can get that number less than 1%. Keep in mind that even if you don’t treat clinical cases, that cow is still considered a mastitis case and most of the associated costs still apply. Research shows that the average cost of a case of mastitis is $400. I recently worked with a dairy with a high clinical mastitis rate. It turns out one of the issues was that their parlor towels were not being properly cleaned. They were able to easily justify the purchase of a new washer and dryer based on the potential savings by reducing clinical mastitis by even a small percentage of cases.

Metritis (Infected Uterus) is another transition cow disease that is very costly. Metritis typically occurs when a cow is 5-10 days in milk. Clinical signs include a fever and malodorous uterine discharge. First service conception rate and days to conception are usually increased and lactation production is decreased. A case of metritis can cost between $400-500. A different dairy farm had a 70% incidence of metritis in first lactation heifers. That is a significant financial drain. One of my producers decided to begin housing cows in a post-fresh group for the first 21-28 days in milk. This management change cost him a few thousand dollars to get started. With this change alone, he was able to reduce metritis incidence in first lactation heifers down to 10%. The decision was easily justified financially based on understanding his disease costs and incidence.

The example of a post-fresh group can also be applied to the diseases of ketosis and DA. Ketosis costs around $125 per case while DAs cost much more due to either surgery or culling. That cost is somewhat variable between farms depending on how the DAs are corrected, if at all.

Milk fever (hypocalcemia) is disease that can plague transition cows. Culling and death in early lactation can be a major financial drain on the farm. Milk fever costs approximately $125 per case. Keep in mind that hypocalcemia is considered a gateway disease, so while the actual cost of disease isn’t high, it creates an environment ripe for other costly diseases to occur. A different dairy farm had a high early lactation sold/dead rate. These involuntary and unwanted culls were a major drain on cow numbers and production of early days in milk cows. Bloodwork on fresh cows revealed an issue with fresh cow calcium status. The producer and nutritionist decided to feed a full DCAD (dietary cation-anion difference) diet to close up cows. The early lactation sold/dead rate drastically decreased. The feed additive and management change costs were easily justified based on the reduction in disease-associated costs.

There are other examples of cost benefit ratios when other diseases are examined. Respiratory vaccinations, ventilation systems in calf barns, salmonella vaccinations, mastitis vaccinations, and bedding costs are a few that come to mind. When you consider the decisions that are made on the farm on a daily basis, don’t just look at the cost of a product; but rather, what potential decreases in disease that may occur as a result. A few years ago I discovered a producer stopped using dry cow antibiotic therapy to save money. He had increases in dry period new infections and he also had a rise in bulk tank somatic cell count. He made a poor decision to try to save money but it ended up costing him more in the end due to increases in early lactation clinical mastitis and bulk tank somatic cell count.

Only the strong will survive in the industry moving forward. Farms that constantly lose money due to disease will have a hard time operating a profitable dairy. Know your cost of production, disease rates, and costs of disease so that you can make the soundest financial decision possible.

Written by Dr. Gabe Middleton

Reducing Calf and Heifer Respiratory Disease

Sat, 31 Aug 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Keys to reducing calf and heifer respiratory disease

Over the past decade, there has been an increase in housing pre-weaned dairy calves indoors. This has happened for many reasons. Humane comfort of housing calves indoors during winter months is one major factor. Another factor is the increase of group feeding of dairy calves. Whatever the reason may be, when dairy calves and heifers are housed together in a barn, they are at an increased risk of respiratory disease when compared to being housed individually in hutches. Even if calves are housed in hutches, when they are placed in groups in a barn post-weaning, respiratory disease can become an issue. Respiratory disease can be a problem in any housing situation if other management practices are not optimal.

Most producers think that colostrum management is critical to the prevention of neonatal scours, which is true. Passive transfer of immunity via colostrum is also necessary to prevent respiratory disease. Up to 1 out of 5 cases of respiratory disease in calves can be prevented by good colostrum management. Make sure your colostrum is concentrated, timely, clean, and fed at the appropriate volume.

Many vaccines do a good job at preventing respiratory disease in calves and heifers. Whether it is an intranasal or an injectable product, administering the right vaccines at the right time is very important to respiratory prevention. Giving injectable vaccines on the day of weaning and expecting those products to have maximum effect is an example of a poor use of vaccines. Vaccines do not work overnight. In addition, giving them to an already stressed animal will yield poor results. An example of a proper protocol is to administer injectable vaccines in the week or two prior to weaning, or even better, give an intranasal product around weaning. The key to vaccinations is to abide by a protocol and constantly revisit that protocol depending on the challenges of the farm.

Pen moves and pen sizes have a direct effect on respiratory disease. Pen sizes greater than 15-20 will increase the likelihood of pneumonia. Moving calves the day of weaning causes additional stress and a greater chance of respiratory disease. Management practices around the time of weaning should be critiqued and evaluated. Many changes can be instituted to help alleviate the stress ans strain on the calves.

Dairy producers should also consider the installation of a positive pressure tube ventilation system when calves or heifers are housed indoors. The idea behind these tube ventilation systems is to reduce the air bacterial counts and provide more fresh air in the microenvironment of the calf. It is critical to understand that the microenvironment is the area where the calf breathes air within the pen. A calf does not breathe the same air that a human does when they walk into the barn. The way a tube ventilation system achieves a reduction in air bacterial counts is to aim for exchanging the air in the barn at least 4 times per hour.

The tube needs to be custom designed for each calf facility. Purchasing a “cookie cutter” tube system for your facility will yield poor results. The University of Wisconsin Dairyland Initiative has created a spreadsheet that generates a custom-made tube ventilation system. The Dairyland Initiative staff has trained veterinarians and industry professionals throughout the world on proper design of these systems. If you decide to purchase a tube ventilation system, you should consider getting it designed by someone experienced with the Dairyland Initiative spreadsheet and who has taken the training course. There are also “certified consultants” within the Dairyland Initiative network that have demonstrated advanced proficiency with the design of tube ventilation systems.

Tube ventilation system designs can be modified so that the tube can be placed in many different locations throughout the barn. Typically one tube will properly distribute air up to 40 feet of barn width. The design can be modified so that the tube can be placed under or within the trusses. In the case of a barn with a low ceiling or a bank barn, the tube can be placed along the wall or out of the way of machinery that is utilized during barn cleanout. The hole size and location can be changed to accommodate basically any location within a barn.

There are some preconceived notions about tube ventilation systems that typically aren’t true. Even a well functioning tube ventilation system can be overwhelmed by disease pressure if any of these management factors become inadequate. Some producers believe that tube ventilation systems will make calf barns cold during winter. Unpublished research has shown that tubes have minimal effect on the temperature inside a calf barn relative to ambient temperature. Another misconception is that managing curtains is no longer important. Tube ventilation systems are just one aspect of preventing calf respiratory disease.

Current market prices for heifers are very depressed. So why is it still important to emphasize prevention of respiratory disease? The obvious answer is that respiratory disease directly causes increased treatment costs (labor, drugs) and death loss, as well as diminished growth. The long-term outcomes of poor growth are increased age at first calving and reduced first lactation (and likely subsequent lactations) milk yield. Don’t let the current market situation for heifer calf prices diminish the value of raising a quality heifer that will be a productive cow in the future.

Written By Gabe Middleton DVM of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic for Bovine Health

Edited for VWP by Jeff Fink DVM

Displaced Abomassum: Making the Right Decision

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:00:00 GMT

Displaced Abomasum: Making the Right Decision

Transition cow programs have improved to increase cow health in early lactation, thus causing a reduction in transition cow diseases on many herds. There are several management reasons why cows in transition might experience disease, and all of those factors should be evaluated on the dairy to maximize welfare and profitability. One of the most expensive transition cow diseases from both a direct (cost of fixing the disease) and indirect (cost of lost milk) is a displaced abomasum (DA).

Despite better transition cow management, DAs still happen. A producer must make a decision on whether to fix the cow (surgery, rolling/medical therapy) or to cull the cow. Often times this decision is made based on a lack of objective criteria. A producer needs to be consistent in making culling decisions with DAs, rather than making flippant decisions.

The first thing to evaluate is whether the cow has ketosis. Surprisingly, ketosis actually predicts a more positive outcome after trying to fix the DA. The reasoning behind this is that typically a cow with a DA that is not ketotic may have a more serious or devastating reason that caused her abomasum to displace. Examples of these reasons are cancer, adhesions, peritonitis, abomasal ulcers, or liver disease. The presence of ketosis typically indicates that particular disease led to the DA, rather than another disease that is extremely difficult to fix.

First lactation heifers and cows with moderate body condition scores also respond better to DA therapy. These animals typically have a more functional liver (and a subsequent more functional immune system) and are more able to withstand DA correction and return to normal production. Heavier cows are more prone to fatty liver and immune suppression, thus causing potential treatment failure.

Other factors involved in DAs are concurrent diseases, such as metritis, retained placenta, lameness, and/or mastitis. Concurrent diseases can reduce the cow’s prognosis for productive recovery from DA therapy. There is a spectrum to the severity of each disease (for example common metritis vs. toxic metritis, lameness due to hairy heel wart vs. septic pedal arthritis) that will have an impact on the outcome. Consider concurrent diseases when determining whether or not to try to fix a DA, but also consider whether a cow with a severe concurrent disease is really a candidate for culling anyways.

Too often, a dairy takes a hard line one way or another in regards to DA treatment vs. culling. The most important factors involved that lead to culling DAs are an already overcrowded barn and plenty of replacement heifers. It may be worthwhile to consider fixing at least some percentage of DAs, rather than just culling all of them. It is also worthwhile to consider culling at least some percentage of DAs, rather than fixing all of them. As stated previously, first lactation heifers and mature cows with moderate body condition in the presence of ketosis without a severe concurrent disease are excellent candidates to try to treat as these animals often return to production. It may seem counterintuitive, but during difficult economic times, it may make more financial sense to try to fix some cows rather than sell them all. This is true because it costs much more money to grow a replacement than it does to fix a cow that is already in the herd. This situation may be complicated by an overabundance of replacements, which is a problem many dairies currently have.

How will the dairy go about fixing DAs? There are a few options: surgical correction, roll and tack/toggle, or roll and medical therapy. Surgical correction likely represents the most sure-fire approach to fixing DAs, as long as a trained veterinarian does the procedure. Roll and tack/toggle may represent a salvage procedure if the dairy doesn’t want to invest the money into surgical correction. Roll and medical therapy isn’t nearly as effective as the previous two options, but can work if the concurrent diseases are addressed. In either situation, the cow must receive follow up care to treat underlying diseases such as ketosis or metritis.

It makes financial sense no matter what the economic climate to make sound decisions on culling vs. fixing DAs. It also makes the most financial sense to pick the method of correction that yields the best results. If a method of correction is yielding poor results, it is often costing the dairy more in increased culling and dramatically reduced cull cow value than it would to pick the best method of correction in the first place.

Take time to make sound decisions on DAs, but also don’t forget to track DA incidence and make sure managements steps are taken to prevent them from occurring. An acceptable rate of DAs is less than 5% annually. Remember, a cow still should be recorded as a DA even if she is culled. If there is money being left on the table on your dairy due to transition cow disease, evaluate your situation and take some steps to improve transition cow health and productivity.

Article Written by VWP owner Dr. Gabe Middleton for Bovine Health

Edited and published by Dr. Jeff Fink

Palliative Care

Fri, 23 Aug 2019 17:21:00 GMT

Palliative Care in Veterinary Medicine

Pet parents are often faced with the issue when a beloved animal companion is faced with a terminal illness and is nearing the end of his or her life. With palliative care, we focus on the patient’s comfort, as well as allowing the family to be able to have as much time with their beloved friend. This is also a good chance for family and friends to gain a little closure at the end of life of their pet. In this article, we want to focus upon Palliative care, which is often referred to as hospice care. Palliative care provides those with a serious or chronic illness – from the time of diagnosis throughout the course of treatment – care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing, and managing suffering.

We often get asked the question: "How do you know when it is time?" There is not a clearly defined set of standards, but many things can help to evaluated quality of life. Roger Brambell’s Five Freedoms help with maintaining good quality of life and may be helpful when trying to decide on the appropriate time for the family to make the final decision for their beloved pet. The Five Freedoms outline five aspects of animal welfare under human control. They were developed in response to a 1965 UK Government report on livestock husbandry, and were formalized in 1979 press statement by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council. These timeless principles apply today, as well as when they were developed in 1965.

Brambell’s Five Freedoms

Freedom From Hunger/ Thirst:

Inappetence is often very distressing for owners. When body weight is not being maintained due to lack of appetite, there are things we can try. First is to make sure there is no underlying medical issue that could be causing the inappetence, such as a urinary tract infection. If no underlying medical issues are present, there are appetite stimulants and anti-nausea medications that can be administered.

Freedom From Stress & Fear:

One common stressor is the inability to breath regularly. Labored breathing is very stressful to our pets. There are sometimes medications or procedures that can be done to resolve labored breathing; such as bronchdilators, diuretics, or removing fluid from the lungs. Another source of stress and fear is hospitalization or hospital visits. Side effects from certain drugs or procedures can cause stress, such as nausea from chemotherapy. When in hospice, the owner and veterinarian should be in contact at least monthly. This may be in the form of a hospital visit or via phone. The veterinarian and staff make every effort to provide low stress visits to every pet that comes in, especially when coming in for euthanasia.

Freedom From Discomfort:

Discomfort can come in a variety of ways, such as having a suitable environment. This includes shelter and a comfortable resting place. Some of things to consider are:

1) Moving your pet in out of the weather, whether it be hot or cold.

2) Not letting your pet become dirty with urine and feces. Some pets become incontinent/ are unable to hold their urine or bowel movements anymore. Others may simply be unable to get up to either go to the bathroom outside or move so that they are not laying in the excrement.

3) Providing a soft place to lay for those aching joints.

4) Providing a ramp instead of stairs also helps with pets that have decreased mobility and joint pain.

Freedom From Pain, Injury & Disease:

Pain significantly decreases a pet’s quality of life. Pain management is very important in palliative care. There are a lot of medication choices to keep your pet from having chronic discomfort. Many of these medications can be given in combination to control the pain. At some point, there are times that a pet can get so much pain that we are unable to control it. At that point, quality of life diminishes greatly. We must also keep our pets safe. Depending on their mobility, falling down stairs or off beds & couches can cause issues, such as fractured bones. Heated beds can come in quite handy for comfort.

Freedom To Behave Normally:

The ultimate goal of palliative care is to allow our beloved pets to continue living a good quality life at home, doing the things they enjoy. One thing you can do to monitor the quality of life in this category is to make a list of 3-5 favorite activities your pet enjoys doing. With this list, monitor how often they are able to enjoy doing these activities. When your pet is unable to do the activities they enjoy, quality of life is diminished.

In addition to therapies mentioned above, there are alternative treatments that can have positive effects to help with quality of life. These treatments include laser therapy, massage, essential oils, acupuncture, stretching, chiropractic, and therapeutic swimming.

If your beloved pet is in need of palliative care, talk to your veterinarian with these concerns. Your veterinarian may be able to help if your pet improve quality of life in any of these categories. You veterinarian will also be able to help you notice when quality of life is diminishing.

Palliative care is a good way to keep your pet comfortable for as long as you can and give you a little extra quality time with them.

Article written and submitted by Jenn Brown R.V.T.

Edited and published by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Employment Opportunity

Thu, 02 May 2019 18:28:00 GMT

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. – Registered Veterinary Technician

With over 60 years in the community, we are a clinic everyone has come to know and trust. We pride ourselves on providing the best service to our clients and their pets and would like to add to our growing family! If you are a visionary who wants to use your technical skills; if you are dedicated to the highest standard of veterinary care; if you want to grow and be challenged beyond your current role, then Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. may be the place for you to shine!

Ideal candidate will demonstrate the following:

• 1-2 years of clinical veterinary experience as a Registered Veterinary Technician (Strongly preferred, not required)

• Positive work attitude and commitment to a stress-free environment for our patients

• Schedule flexibility; Available to work weekends and holidays

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

• Provides excellent patient care and customer service

• Comfortable working with computer software to complete patient records and treatment

• Leadership skills, ability to train other staff

• Self-motivated, reliable, ability to multitask

• Competent in general knowledge and technician skills for specialty patients and ability to provide advanced patient care

• Team player with good interpersonal skills

• Planning, administering, and monitoring anesthesia, including for critical patients.

• Clear client communication and education

• Maintain professionalism in a fast-paced work environment.

Requirements and Qualifications:

We offer competitive benefits, including Group health insurance, 401k, Paid Time Off, personal pet discounts, uniforms, and other benefits.

If your skill set matches our ideal candidate, there is no need for you to look any further! Please feel free to stop in to fill out an application at 1665 North Main Street in Orrville, or email your resume to info@orrvillevetclinic.com . We look forward to hearing from you!

Newborn Foal Care

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 15:10:00 GMT

The birth of a live foal is the culmination of a tremendous amount of preparation,
management, and even some good luck. Breeding a mare, keeping her in foal, and
the successful delivery of a live foal is a wonderful course of events when everything
works out as it should. For the broodmare owner, important work continues when
the mare delivers a live foal in a clean, straw-bedded stall. This article will give
some general tips on management of the neonatal foal.

Shortly after foaling the mare should expel the placenta. If this doesn’t happen
within 2 hours, the owner should have oxytocin on hand and give the mare a 1-2cc
dose intravenously or intramuscularly every 15-30 minutes. A larger dose of
oxytocin is not indicated and often has a detrimental effect on placental detachment.
If the placenta is not expelled within 3-4 hours, the veterinarian should be called to
determine the next step. There are many negative consequences of retained
placenta, with foal founder (laminitis) being one of the more common and
detrimental issues. Closely examine the placenta to ensure it has all been expelled,
especially where the placenta attached to the tips of the uterine horns, as this is a
common site of placental tag retention. If you are unsure of how to confidently
examine a placenta, call your veterinarian to perform the examination.

Initial processing of the foal varies greatly amongst mare owners, but should include
dipping or spraying the umbilical stump with an iodine or chlorhexidine-based
solution several times during the first 24 hours of life. The foal should also receive
tetanus prophylaxis and an exam to check for congenital abnormalities such as
hernias, entropion (eyelids rolled inward), heart defects, and cleft palate defects in
the mouth. Mare owners can perform this exam themselves or opt to employ their
veterinarian to give their expert opinion on the health of the foal.

The foal should stand and nurse within several hours of birth. There is wide
variability in the aptitude of foals to successfully find the teat and nurse colostrum.
Human intervention is sometimes needed to guide the foal to the right place. If the
foal is still unable to nurse on its own after a few hours, the owner can milk the mare
and try to feed the foal out of a clean bowl or bottle. There are cheap and effective
systems that can be purchased to efficiently milk a mare. If the foal is still unable to
nurse after several hours of assistance, the owner may consider calling the
veterinarian to administer colostrum to the foal via nasogastric tube to give them an
initial dose of nutrients and immunity.

When the foal is close to 24 hours old your veterinarian can draw blood to determine
the likelihood that the foal received enough colostrum to have a competent immune
system (IgG test). This is a simple and cheap blood test that can be performed stall
side. There are several reasons why a foal might not have received enough
immunity from the colostrum, such as the foal not nursing well, or the mare leaking
colostrum prior to foaling. If the foal has low IgG levels, it is unlikely to be able to
fight off infection and is at greater risk for disease and death. A plasma transfusion
is the therapy for inadequate passive transfer. Your veterinarian can perform this
procedure. Plasma transfusions generally cost $400 and up, depending on the
plasma dose. However, it is well worth the investment to try to save the foal that the
mare owner has already committed so much money and time into. A common
mistake that mare owners make is that they wait until the foal is already fading to
decide to IgG test and transfuse. Being proactive and testing early greatly increases
the foal’s chance for survival.

Despite adequate transfer of passive immunity and a clean environment, disease can
still happen to foals after birth. Any kind of disease in the first few weeks of life can
be devastating and should be treated aggressively. Diarrhea that is not related to
foal heat, respiratory disease, and navel infection leading to joint infection are
several diseases that warrant a call to your veterinarian for either examination or
treatment advice. A clean environment and good ventilation, proper vaccination of
your broodmare prior to foaling, and adequate IgG status of the foal are critical to
prevention of these diseases.

Be ready to treat diseases in your newborn foal and post-partum mare, but work
more diligently to prevent them before they arise. Your veterinarian is there to
help. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and inform them about the issues you might be
having with your foal to ensure health and growth without the hindrance of disease.

February Is Dental Health Month

Sat, 02 Feb 2019 12:30:00 GMT

February is Dental Health Month

Common Signs of Dental Disease

February has been designated as dental health month for animals. Dental health is often an easily neglected aspect of caring for our pets. It is not until we smell their bad breath that we realize that there may be a problem. This article will identify some of the common signs that dental disease may be occurring in an animal.

One of the first signs that you may notice in your pet is a change in eating pattern. This may show up as not eating as fast as before. It could also show up as picking up kibble and taking it to another room to eat. It could also manifest as not wanting to eat all together. If there is a sudden change in your pet's eating habits, it is probably time to check their teeth, or have them examined.

Another sign of dental problems in animals is weight loss. This is often due to the fact that your pet is either decreasing the amount of food that he/ she is eating or from loss of nutrient uptake. When animals develop dental problems, they tend to decrease the time that they spend masticating (chewing). The decreased amount of chewing keeps the food particles larger, which makes digestion harder. If a pet is unable to chew well and experiences less efficient digestion, fewer nutrients are absorbed.

A third common sign of dental disease is a preference for soft food over kibble and hard food. Most pets will prefer canned food at all times; but a sudden decrease in willingness to eat dry food, combined with a strong appetite for softened/ canned food is a strong indication that there could be trouble brewing in your pet's mouth. One way to test your pet's mouth pain is to take the normal dry food and soak it in warm water. If your pet eats this softened food a lot more readily than the same food in its dry form, there may be dental disease.

Perhaps the most common complaint from owners is a sudden increase in a soul odor to the breath. This has a very strong, distinct odor. Oftentimes, it is described as a rotten smell. This is probably due to the likelihood that there is some stage of gingivitis. The odor is also caused from the high levels of bacteria that have accumulated in the tartar and plaque build up.

An obvious sign of dental disease is bleeding from the mouth. If you notice blood from your pet's mouth, it is likely that there is some form of dental disease.

whining

Cold Weather Tips for Farm Animals

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 00:30:00 GMT

Cold Weather Tips for Farm Animals

The National Weather Service is predicting several days of extremely cold temperatures in our area. In a previous article, we discussed some tips to keep small animals warm during this time. Tips included: bringing animal inside, providing solid shelter, supplemental heating sources, keeping animals dry, limiting exposure, feeding tips, and keeping fresh water available. Many of these same concepts apply to farm animals; whether dairy herds, horses, or smaller farm animals.

We will look at: How do I best protect my animals? How can I provide extra heat? How cold is too cold?

How do I best protect my animals?

The first thing is to recognize that the majority of farm animals are outside throughout the year and grow thicker coats to acclimate to colder weather. This is God's design for protecting them. While this is true, it is still going to be brutally cold outside over the next few days. If it is bitterly cold to us, it is bitterly cold to them.

The best way to keep animals warm is to provide solid shelter. Most barns will remain 15 to 20 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. With herd animals, there is comfort in numbers. These animals can huddle together and provide warmth simply by sheer numbers. Smaller shelters and sheds are superior to nothing, as they provide a wind break.

It may be a little uncomfortable to shore up buildings at the last minute, but some simple things can be done. First, make certain that any windows are shut to decrease the gaps in buildings. This helps to keep warm air in. Second, provide some relief from drafts by placing board over gaps in older wooden buildings. Hay bales can be stacked around buildings to provide wind barriers. Common sense needs to prevail, as simply keeping doors closed can help quite a bit.

Overhead areas should also be secured. Many barns still have holes for pitching hay and straw down below. The holes should be closed or covered when not being used. Overhead holes and gaps allow for a lot of heat loss, creating an upward flow of warm air and an additional area for drafts. It is beneficial to walk around the area where animals will be housed. It doesn't take long to feel colder, drafty areas.

Chickens and other smaller farm animals can benefit from smaller enclosures within a large building. Nest boxes provide such an area. Again, you should make certain that the nest boxes are clean and dry, with plenty of bedding material.

What else can I do?

It is important to keep animals dry during extreme cold. An easily overlooked aspect of keeping animals dry is to provide fresh bedding. Similar to a blanket or towel on the ground for small animals, thicker straw gets animals up and away from the frozen ground. Extra straw around the bottom of stalls and edges of barns can also help to block breezes that may occur through gaps in the lower portions of walls. Deep, dry bedding is especially important for young dairy calves, whether housed in calf hutches or in group housing.

Horses and small ruminants can benefit from having their hooves cleaned out. Any older dirt and manure can build up between the toes and within the hooves then freeze. This is a quick, easy, and often overlooked aspect of cold weather care.

How can I Supplement Heat?

Heat lamps are an easy source of overhead heat. It is important to remember safety. Animals are very curious and can chew through electric cords. They can also easily knock down heat lamps, causing a fire risk when these lamps get too close to dry bedding.

Horses, Goats, Sheep, and smaller calves can use blankets that are made for them. These can be purchased at a local farm supply store. Smaller animals can even use dog coats.

Does feed matter?

Providing fresh, quality food is important all of the time; but it is vital when the temperatures reach extremes. A general rule is to provide and extra 25% of feed to animals during these extreme temperatures. For ruminant, providing hay is one of the more important factors. This is a good time to use some (not the only source of feed) poorer quality hay for animals that are not in heavy production. This type of feed is harder for the bacteria in the rumen to break down. This seems like it would be the opposite of what makes sense, but work equals energy, equals heat. The harder (to an extent) that the bacteria have to work to digest the roughage, the more heat is produced as a byproduct. This internal heat helps to keep the animal's body temperature warmer. This means less of a pull on the body's metabolism to simply keep an animal warm. An easy way to accomplish this is to increase the animal'f hay by 25%, but have the 25% be a poorer quality feed. This does not mean feed moldy and bad feed, but rather a chance to "burn" through some first cutting hay, which tend to be lower in protein and higher in roughage.

Water, Water, Water

An article on any cold weather tips is incomplete without mentioning water. Make sure that animals have access to fresh water. Most animals will have access to heated waterers. It is important to check the integrity of these waterers several times a day. A frozen waterer can end up taking weeks to thaw if the conditions are right for a deep freeze of the water lines.

A heat lamp can be placed near the water source as well. Of course, use common sense and safety. Another area to focus on is any other area where there are water lines. This includes wash racks, milk houses, parlors, and any other locations that may freeze. These areas should be heated as well.

Cold Weather Tips for Animals

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 17:12:00 GMT

Cold Weather Tips for Animals

It looks like the National Weather Service is calling for extreme cold in our ares over the next week. Termed the "Polar Vortex," the professionals are calling for "extreme" and "dangerously" cold temperatures. On January 30th, they are predicting a HIGH temperature of -2 degrees F. The last time we had a high temperature below zero was 1994: almost a quarter of a decade ago! The extreme lows are only a part of the issue, with windchill temperatures predicted to be between -40 and -20 degrees F.

This leads to many questions:

How cold is too cold for animals?

What can I do to keep my animals safe?

How can I supplement heat?

What about farm animals and larger animals?

This article will attempt to answer many aspects of the cold weather and provide practical information to keep our pets and livestock safe during this extreme weather.

How Cold is Too Cold for Animals?

There is no set answer to this question, as it varies from breed to breed and species to species. For example, a Siberian Husky can reportedly do well in temperatures like what we are expected to see, even as low as -40 degrees. A Chinese Crested dog, on the other hand; is not designed for such extremes due to the lack of hair coat, thinner skin, and typically lack of body fat. As a general rule, if it is too cold for us, it is too cold for them. This may be a blanket statement, but it is a practical way to think of things. Most animals come equipped with their own fur coat, so they are warmer than we tend to be, but it is still not pleasant for them.

What Can I do to keep my animals Safe?

When the temperatures are this low, there are many tips to keep our animals safe. The first is to limit exposure and limit the time spent outside. It is best if animals can be brought inside, but this is not always possible. If animals are outdoor animals, they will benefit by as much shelter as possible. An attached garage or solid barn is preferable to a lean to or a small shed. Garages tend to be warmer than sheds, as they typically benefit from being enclosed and attached to the heated house.

In addition, small boxes, crates, and animal houses help to further shield them from the elements. A small, enclosed box helps to trap body heat in, as well as limiting exposure to wind. Oftentimes, these smaller boxes will be 20 degrees warmer than the air outside. A animal house can be purchased at a local pet store or online. Even cardboard boxes can be placed inside a garage, barn, or shed to help out. These are not as good as more solid enclosures, but certainly better than nothing. A box within a box can provide extra layers of insulation, even if just a little bit.

Another tip is to prevent animals from direct contact with the ground when possible. Blankets and towels help to insulate a pet from the ground-the thicker, the better!. Dogs can be fitted with boots for their time outside. Boots can be purchased online or at local pet stores. This helps to prevent the direct contact of the paw pads with the ground, as well as preventing snow accumulation on the hair between the pads. Vaseline can be applied to the pads prior to sending a pet outside. This insulates the tender pads, as well as protects the paws from any salt or ice melt that may be on the ground.

Many owners groom their dogs often. A lot of breeds benefit from being "shaved down" during the heat. The opposite is true in the winter. The thicker the hair coat, the better. One area to consider grooming is between the toes and on the bottom of the paws. This limits that amount of hair on which snow and ice can accumulate.

Finally, clothing can be placed on animals while they are outside. There are many fashionable dog and cat sweaters and coats available. These coverings provide and additional layer of heat protection, just like they do for us. Many dogs can fit into various human sweaters as well.

How Can I Supplement Heat?

Heat can be supplemented with heat lamps. It is important to use safety, as these can be a fire hazard. Heat lamps should be elevated enough that an animal can not chew through the cord. In addition, they should be placed a safe distance from anything flammable. Heat lamps can work very well to provide supplemental heat, especially in a garage, which is mostly concrete. Other portable heating devices can be used, but each presented additional risk of fire or burns if an animal is too close for too long. Heating pads can be used too, but these are not recommended. An animal can cozy up for too long and end up with skin damage from burns.

Two more practical sources of supplemental heat are heated water bottles a rice-filled sock. It is very easy to take an old mismatched sock and fill it with plain white rice. Sew over the end of the sock and you have a nice, easy device to provide heat. This can be heated in a normal microwave until it fells nice and warm. Often times, these will hold some heat for 4 to 8 hours.

What Else Should I Consider?

The basics are still important. Water and Food are vital during periods of cold. Animals require additional calories to keep warm. This means feeding additional food. In this kind of extreme weather, free choice feeding is a great idea for animals that don't over eat. A general rule is to increase calories by 25-33%. Keep in mind, this is mainly for outdoor animals. Increasing calories for predominately indoor animals is just adding calories to their diet.

Water is vital. Keeping plenty of fresh water available is key. There are many heated water bowls available online and at pet stores. In our area, there are also farm supply stores that will carry many of the items that we recommend.

Keeping animals dry is vital. Any animal that is returning to inside should be dried off. It is also good to check paws for ice that may have clumped in between the toes. Limit bathing during this time if at all possible. It is also good to allow longer hair coats/ limit trimming during cold weather.

What about farm animals?

This will be addressed in part two of this series. many of the concepts listed above will work for farm animals as well.

In Summary, we recommend some simple common sense:

1) Bring animals inside

2) Limit time spent outside

3) Provide insulation (blankets on floors, coats, boots, etc)

4) Feed extra calories to outdoor pets

5) Keep water from freezing.

6) The more shelter, the better

7) Small boxes and enclosures help to insulate.

8) Keep animals Dry

Article Written by Dr. Jeff Fink

Christmas Donation

Fri, 07 Dec 2018 19:56:00 GMT

Veterinary Wellness Partners and our clinics are collecting donations for a local dog shelters. Please help to support these wonderful organizations, who each have a passion to help save animals that do not have homes.

Needed Items include:

Food

Cleaning Supplies

Bedding and Blankets

Newspapers

Paper Towels

Toys

Leashes

Litterboxes

Monetary donations

Water Bowls

Dish Detergent

Laundry Detergent

Leptosporosis

Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:34:00 GMT

Leptospirosis is a bacteria with the potential to cause devastating infections in multiple body systems. We are going to look at:

1) When do we vaccinate against this deadly disease?

2) Why do we vaccinate against this deadly disease?

3) What are the signs of infection?

4) When should you contact your veterinarian?

Leptospira is a type of bacterium that is found worldwide in soil and water. There are many different subtypes of leptospira, known as serovars, each of which can be shed in the urine of wild animals. Raccoons, rats, mice, moles, and deer are just a few of the wild animals that have the potential to shed the bacteria in their urine. Additionally; dogs, cows, sheep, pigs, and humans can become infected and spread the disease to others. Infection occurs when urine from an infected animal contacts the mucous membranes (mouth, eyes) or broken skin of a susceptible animal or human. The bacteria travel through the blood stream to the liver, kidneys, eyes, and reproductive tract; where it may settle to cause clinical signs. It may take anywhere from 7 days to several weeks after exposure for an infected animal to show signs of illness.

Signs of leptospirosis in dogs are most notably fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, increased drinking, increased urination, vomiting, diarrhea, or yellowing of the eyes or gums. More rarely, leptospirosis can lead to bleeding disorders, causing nose bleeds, pinpoint red spots on gums and skin, or even bloody fluid within the chest or abdomen. In pregnant animals and humans, leptospirosis can cause pregnancy loss. Because this disease can be transferred to humans, it is important to contact your veterinarian and your doctor right away to initiate testing and treatment. Wear gloves, skin, and face protection when handling an animal suspected of having leptospirosis.

Treatment of leptospirosis involves antibiotics and supportive care based on clinical presentation and signs. It may require hospitalization in an isolation ward for intravenous fluids, anti-inflammatory medication, anti-nausea therapy, liver protectant medications, and nutritional support. Antibiotics can usually be given orally at home. Some animals, that are vomiting, may need to be given by injection at the veterinary clinic. In mild cases, the prognosis for recovery from leptospirosis is good. In more severe or prolonged cases with irreversible damage to the liver, kidneys, or nervous system; treatment may not be successful.

Prevention of leptospirosis starts with vaccination of young dogs and appropriate re-vaccination (boosters) throughout life. At Veterinary Wellness Partners, we recommend adding the lepto component to the vaccination schedule at your puppy’s 12 week visit. We then recommend boostering this vaccine at the 16 week visit. The vaccine will then be boostered every year. While certain dogs may be at higher risk for leptospirosis infection, we recommend full vaccination of all dogs due to the widespread nature of the bacteria. Even indoor dogs go outside for walks and to use the bathroom and can easily come in contact with urine from wild animals. The lepto vaccine is safe and effective. Leaving your pet unprotected can potentially have lifelong consequences. If you have an adult dog that has never been vaccinated against leptospirosis, it is not too late to get them up-to-date on vaccines!

This article was written by Dr. Michele Awad-Morris

Dairy Herd Health Records Analysis

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 16:10:00 GMT

PCDart Dairy Herd records analysis

Mel Wenger DVM

The large animal doctors at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. include herd records analysis as part of our comprehensive dairy herd health management. Many herds in our area use PCDart as the records data base when they do their monthly milk testing. This record service is usually provided by DHI or Dairy One, two of the local testing services. The records are generated each month, but much of the information is not properly utilized due to lack of time and the ability to glean the information that will be most helpful in making farm management decisions. We offer this analysis as part of our service to keep the relevant information in front of the veterinarian and producer each month in order to make management decisions.

PCDart is based out of Raleigh, NC. With the farm owner’s permission, we access the monthly records using the private RAC code provided by the owner. Our office downloads a summary of the test day records each month. From the summary sheet, we develop a spreadsheet with the most relevant information relating to management. We mainly focus on 3 areas; production, reproduction, and milk quality. If you are not aware of this service, please ask to see an example of this information to determine if it could be helpful to you.

When it comes to production; we track the cow numbers (both milking and dry), rolling herd average, days dry, days open, daily production, etc. We track how the past 12 months are trending. If we see a trend we are not comfortable with in any of these areas, we can open up PCDart and dig deeper into the records to see what the problem may be. Often times, ration changes or feed quality cause changes in production. We have the ability to graph these changes from month to month and year to year.

In terms of Reproduction; we track the pregnancy rate, conception rates on first service, overall conception rates, days to first breeding, percent of herd pregnant, services/conception, cull rate, etc. The pregnancy rate is a good indicator of how the breeding is going through the year. From this information, we will set up the best breeding program for your herd. This may be timed AI or a locomotion monitoring system, which we are utilized more and more. Our goals are to get the cows bred in a timely manner, to keep the herd in production, and to improve the number of replacement animals.

In the milk quality area, we track the somatic cell count (SCC), daily production, and the butterfat and protein content of the milk. Tracking SCC has been valuable in helping to make decisions to lower SCC, thus improving milk quality. Improving the quality of milk impacts profitability by increasing the amount the milk is worth. Butterfat and protein levels are greatly influenced by the nutrition. In many instances, feed changes are first noticed from the records analysis. Most of the milk check is based on the fat and protein content of the milk.

The PCDart records contain valuable information. There is a lot more information behind the summary to dig deeper into problems. Tracking trends is a good way to know the direction you are heading. If you are not utilizing a monthly testing service, we can still keep track of certain herd data. We can make up a custom report in this situation to help track the herd information.

Please ask your herd veterinarian about this valuable service. We will incorporate the records analysis into your monthly herd visit.

Mel Wenger DVM 9/29/18

West Nile Virus

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 15:00:00 GMT

West Nile Virus: What Horse Owners Need to Know

For many years, West Nile Virus (WNV) has caused scares among people and their four-legged companions. Recently, that scare became a reality for two horses and their owners in Northeast Ohio.

On August 21, 2018, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) released information concerning the first two confirmed, positive cases of WNV in Ohio this year. This is a small number compared to last year’s 14 cases, but this is still not an acceptable number. Both of these infected horses had not been vaccinated, leading the ODA and our veterinarians to urge horse owners to keep their animals’ vaccines and boosters up-to-date year-round. The West Nile vaccination is the only way to prevent such an issue.

“My message to horse owners is simple: vaccinate your animals and you can protect against West Nile Virus,” State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Forshey said in the press release. “Vaccines are a proven and effective prevention tool, and I encourage all owners to talk to their veterinarian to learn how they can easily keep their animals healthy.”

West Nile Virus is a virus that mosquitoes can spread to humans and other mammals. The virus itself is transmitted through infected mosquito bites, and may cause flu-like symptoms. In addition, West Nile can cause symptoms ranging from mild depression to encephalitis, even causing fatalities. If your horse seems mildly anorexic, depressed, drowsy, pushing forward, or experiencing asymmetrical weakness, please contact one of our veterinarians immediately. If treated early on, horses can often be cured, though the ODA says that the mortality rate for horses can be as high as 30-40%.

In order to prevent any disease symptoms, we hope to hear from you to set up a vaccination or booster appointment. In the meantime, you can help reduce the mosquito population on your property by eliminating possible mosquito breeding areas, such as stagnant water sources. It is also recommended to keep horses inside during insect feeding times, which are typically early in the morning and evening. It is also a good idea to use appropriate insect repellents.

The West Nile vaccine is often given at the same time as other vaccinations, some of which prevent other forms of encephalitis. Orrville Veterinary Clinic has an equine wellness program that is designed to protect horses against common threats that exist in our area. Please contact the office to set up a vaccination plan for your horses, or to discuss the equine wellness program in more detail.

Dairy Economy July 2018

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 15:47:00 GMT

July Bovine Health – Financials

In 2009, our veterinary business experienced a significant downturn. This downturn was also experienced by many other businesses, including dairy farms. This event caused our practice to gain a better understanding of our finances and the impact those numbers have on our ability to operate. Many dairy farms were forced to do the same thing. Today’s dairy economy is also very tough. It is likely that some farms may not make it through this downturn, unless they understand their numbers and act on them. A dairy farm is a business and should be operated as such.

A dairy producer should track where money goes that leaves the farm (expenses) and money that comes into the farm (revenue). Major expenses on a dairy farm are feed, forages, labor, custom harvesting, debt payments, custom replacement raising, taxes, repairs, utilities, veterinary care, and medicine (in no particular order). A farm should categorize and track all of its expenses. The categories can be developed with help of the financial consultants. It is vital to look back at the previous years’ expenditures and create a budget. The budget should be based upon revenue, which is projected using milk price and pounds of milk shipped. The budget/ revenue should also include any other sources of farm income; such as crop sales, cull call sales,and bull calf sales.

It is very difficult to predict the price of milk in the year to come. One area that a producer can impact is your number of cows, level of production, and cost of production. Use the projected milk price, production level, cow numbers, and beef income to create a possible figure for income on the farm. Now, look at all of your expenditures from the last year, break them down into categories, and try to make projections for this year. This is your budget. A budget is only valuable if you continue to add your expenses month by month and not wait until the end of the year. You can determine if you are meeting or exceeding projections for each category of expenses. You can take action if you see the farm expenses have exceeded income.

Understand that expenses are highly variable on a farm based on the seasons and various inputs. Your annual budget may be positive early in the year, however, it may shift to the negative after spring inputs (seed, fertilizer, custom harvesting) are due to be paid. The point here is to not stray from the budget based on positive numbers during a short period of time. Making a purchase outside of the budget after a few positive months is often times not a wise decision.

If the operation has experienced a positive financial year, discuss with the financial and agricultural consultants what investments should be made with the extra money. A new piece of farm equipment may be a good investment, but not always. There may be opportunities to upgrade aspects of the facility to improve productivity of the herd. These upgrades might include improvements in cow comfort, activity monitoring systems to improve heat detection and rumination monitoring, heat abatement systems, or a ventilation system in the calf facility. Either way, make sure the money invested is going to provide payback over time.

Unfortunately, most dairy producers are not seeing revenue exceed expenses at this point. Most are trying to find a way to pay bills without having to borrow more money. This is where the revenue versus expenses discussion comes into play and the value of a budget is magnified.

As stated previously, the overall price of milk is out of your control, unless you change to a niche market. The mailbox price, however, can be influenced very positively by maximizing milk components and capturing any quality premiums that are available through your processor. If it makes financial sense to change the ration to improve components, that change should occur. Overall milk pounds produced is something strongly in control of the producer. If cow numbers are lagging for some reason (high culling, poor reproductive efficiency in heifers and cows, etc.), strong consideration should be given to find out how to increase cow numbers to the desired level. If production is below budgeted levels, a dairy producer should work with consultants to figure out why. Perhaps the answer is heat abatement, forage quality, cow comfort, or transition cow disease just to name a few. Remember, it usually makes financial sense to increase the level of production.

It is challenging for a dairy farm to make revenue exceed expenses under the current market conditions. Rather than just continuing to lose money, the budget will tell the producer what expenses are causing the dairy to operate in the negative. This might mean restructuring debt to make payments more manageable, selling equipment and going to custom harvesting, making feed changes to reduce cost, etc. All expenses on the dairy should be under scrutiny. Don’t think that the cheapest products or services are always the way to go. Making poor decisions can reduce production, which may in turn make the balance sheet even more negative. Make wise decisions with the help of your financial and agricultural consultants.

In the good old days, dairy producers could simply milk cows and survive. Nowadays, the dairy needs to be run as a business and operated under a strict budget. As with most businesses, poorly run operations are going to have struggles surviving long term. Gain a hold on your finances to give your operation the best chance possible to survive the turbulent dairy markets.

Article written by Dr. Gabe Middleton

Orrville Veterinary Clinic Achieves AAHA Accreditation

Sun, 10 Jun 2018 22:00:00 GMT

Orrville Veterinary Clinic Achieves AAHA Accreditation

May 15th, 2011

"The mission of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. is to strive to promote quality health care practices for companion and farm animals. Through preventative, maintenance, and diagnostic programs, the veterinarians and staff treat all animals with compassion and professionalism."

The goal of our doctors and staff is to continually provide high quality patient care and client service. By recently becoming accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), we have reached a new level. AAHA is a national association that provides voluntary accreditation to companion animal hospitals that are committed to providing the highest standards of veterinary care. Only 15 percent of the veterinary hospitals in the United States have received this honor. The AAHA Standards of Accreditation are widely used to measure excellence in veterinary medicine. The Orrville Veterinary Clinic was evaluated on approximately 900 standards in 19 different areas including patient care, surgery, diagnostic imaging, pharmacy, laboratory, examination facilities, pet medical records, cleanliness, emergency services, dental and nursing care, anesthesiology, and continuing education. To maintain our accreditation status, we will be re-evaluated every three years to ensure that we are staying current with advancements in veterinary medicine.

AAHA's standards ensure that you and your pet(s) receive the highest quality care and service. As an example, the AAHA standards require a trained, registered veterinary technician to be certified in radiology, venipuncture, anesthesiology, surgery assistance, and pharmacology to assist with diagnostic and surgical services such as taking a digital X-ray, drawing blood, and administering medication, so that we can quickly and accurately diagnose your pet's condition.

Dr. Jeff Fink, Companion Animal Department Head, states, "We want to make sure that we are the very best that we can be. It is exciting to be officially accredited by AAHA. This places us into an elite category of veterinary clinics within the country and one of only two AAHA accredited clinics in Wayne County."

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic will be celebrating this accomplishment with a week of festivities for their clients and patients May 16th through the 20th during normal business hours. Each day will highlight a different program to benefit pets. Clients may register to win pet care prizes including services, parasite protection, and food. For a schedule of "Programs of the Day", join the Orrville Veterinary Clinic on Facebook or visit www.orrvillevetclinic.com .

Article originally published in May of 2011.

Updated In October 2013 for our new website

Hookworms in Punta Cana???

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 21:20:00 GMT

A reason to give Heartworm Pills?

Did you see the recent report of the young couple that went to Punta Cana on Vacation? They visited a resort and begin to experience itchy feet. When they returned to Canada, the doctors were a bit puzzled, until they discovered that the young couple had cutaneous larval migrans. This condition is caused as the hookworm parasite migrates through the skin of an infected host, in this case these two people. They seem to have contracted the parasites from walking barefoot on the beach at their resort. EWWWW!

According to the Centers for Disease Control, Hookworm infections infect 600 to 700 million people worldwide. Hookworm infections were common in the United States 100 years ago, but it was thought to have been eradicated with the advent of septic systems and sewer systems. However, a study in 2017 discovered an Alabama community in which about 1/3 of the people were infected with a species of Hookworms.

So what are hookworms? They are small parasites that are carried by different species of mammals, specifically dogs and cats. These parasites live in the intestinal tract and shed eggs into the feces. These eggs develop as the feces lies on the ground and then develop into larva. These larva can then reinfect a dog or cat through the skin. The parasite is also contracted through contact with feces, through the placenta, and via the mother's milk.

So what are the symptoms? In dogs and cats, clinical infestation is typically subclinical (no signs noted). Typical clinical signs include diarrhea, blood in the feces, rough haircoat, abdominal pain, inappetence, and failure to thrive.

How are hookworms diagnosed? Hookworm eggs can be detected by testing the feces. This is one of the many parasites that we check for when you bring in a yearly fecal sample (intestinal parasite test)

How are hookworms treated? The treatment involves one or two doses of oral medication. Interestingly enough, the monthly heartworm pills also serve as a monthly deworming. This helps to clear out low level infections.

Hookworms are one of the many Zoonotic diseases that we see in dogs and cats. As noted with the young couple from Canada, the larva can migrate through the feet and into the skin. Typically the infection is limited there, but rare cases can be seen of migration through the body. As this parasite looks for a host, it can do some damage to organ tissue. These parasites can even end up in the eye, rarely resulting in blindness. Humans don't act as a natural host, and it is thought that hookworms from animal do not cause mature worms in humans. The risk of infection to humans is one of the main reasons that we emphasize a monthly heartworm and intestinal parasite preventative every month, all year long. This is also one of the main reasons that removing feces from your yard helps to limit then chance of the larva getting into the soil, waiting for you or your pet to walk over them.....

Should you tighten your belt when milk prices decline?

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 19:26:00 GMT

February Bovine Health Column

Gabe Middleton DVM

It is no secret that we are in the midst of a dairy recession. Producers are trying to find ways to tighten their belts and weather the storm of low milk prices. An evaluation of the components of the farm budget should be evaluated. There may be a few aspects of the operation that can be removed or reduced without sacrificing health and productivity. Hopefully there are not many situations where you examine a product or management practice and decide to remove it because of lack of profitability. If there isn’t a financial benefit of using that product now, there likely wasn’t much benefit before.

Before you decide to stop using a product or eliminate a management practice, consider your cost of production. In other words, what does it cost on your farm to make 100 pounds of milk? After you establish this number on your farm, you can further break down the components of your cost of production and what areas need additional evaluation. If you aren’t sure how to figure your cost of production, work with an expert to determine the number. It cannot be understated how important it is to understand the financial aspect of your dairy business. Cost of production is highly variable among farms, so you can’t just look at industry averages.

After you realize how close or far your cost of production you is from current prices, you should sit down with your farm consultants to evaluate what can be done about it. In most cases, if the products that you use on your farm provided some financial benefit before, they still should do so today. A key point of this article is to examine where a producer should consider fixing some management bottlenecks to save money. Examples of this are reducing feed shrink, decreasing transition cow disease incidence, improving calf health, decreasing lameness, improving reproductive management, and reducing mastitis.

Feed shrink is something that happens on every farm. How much protein supplement gets rained on or blown away in the wind? How much corn silage gets hauled on the fields because of poor bunker face management or inadequate packing? How much TMR ends up in the cow alleys because cows toss it on their backs due to poor fly control? How much feed is thrown away due to heat spoilage? With feed costs being the number one cost on the dairy, don’t necessarily look to cut a product from the ration, rather, reduce the shrink of your current feed supply. Chances are there is more money to be made in reducing feed shrink than any other area.

Transition cow disease is an area of tremendous cost on a dairy. The costs don’t always directly hit producers in the pocketbook. Every case of mastitis, metritis, ketosis, DA, etc. has a direct cost to the farm (drugs, death loss) and an indirect cost (lost milk, reduced reproductive efficiency). Transition cow disease may be robbing the cows of peak milk levels and total production throughout the entire lactation. Sometimes proper prevention and treatment of transition cow diseases doesn’t necessarily require a large financial investment. The fixes can be as simple as cow movement and pen changes, feed delivery, stocking density, etc. This is an area where the veterinarian and nutritionist need to meet together with the producer to come up with a plan of prevention.

Vaccines are often an area that producers may consider cutting during low milk prices. Treatment of disease is often much more costly than prevention. Consider a 100-cow dairy that stops using core antigen (coliform mastitis) vaccination. If the 3 shot protocol is followed, the vaccine will cost the dairy around $500-700 per year. The overall cost of a mastitis case is around $400, and one could argue that a coliform mastitis case costs more than $400 due to increased severity. If the producer stops using the vaccine and has more than 1 additional case of coliform mastitis, the farm has lost money by removing the vaccine from the protocol. Work with your veterinarian to critically evaluate each and every vaccine that you use. Vaccines are typically a good investment when used properly.

Milk price depressions are typically short lived, and prices often rebound to some extent. Trying to cut areas that affect future productivity of your herd may be short sighted. For example, feeding a basic 20/20 milk replacer to calves will reduce weaning weights, which will reduce first lactation milk production two years down the road. Semen purchases will also have an impact on farm profitability even further down the road. Using cheaper bulls may save you money now, but cost money later. Cutting these areas may have at least some impact on the profitability of your farm far into the future.

A key message of this discussion should be that a farm can reduce costs simply by streamlining processes, reducing bottlenecks, and improving health. These changes will make the farm better suited to survive in today’s dairy industry. If you make a cut and it reduces production, understand what that means to your bottom line. There are resources available to look at what a pound of milk or a tenth of fat or protein mean to your milk check. If there is a will to survive in the dairy industry, there is a way.

CANINE INFLUENZA FALL 2017

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 13:27:00 GMT

October 25, 2017

The new strain of Canine Influenza Virus (CIV H3N2) that emerged in 30 states earlier this year has recently been reported in Columbus and Toledo. With this new information, the veterinarians and owners of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic, and Orrville Pet Spa & Resort continue to strongly recommend proper immunization against CIV H3N2 as well as prevention to control this disease. In order to provide the best protection and care for dogs, a primary and booster vaccination are administered two to four weeks apart. The H3N2 vaccine is boostered annually to protect against this newer strain. In the past, we have protected dogs against a different influenza strain (H3N8), which hasn't caused an outbreak in several years.

This highly contagious virus is spread by direct contact (sniffing, licking or nuzzling) with infected dogs, through the air (coughing, sneezing or barking), and by contact with infected objects such as dog bowls, toys, and clothing. The virus remains contagious in the environment for 48 hours. Clinical signs of this disease include coughing, discharge from eyes and nose, loss of appetite, and lack of energy. Owners whose dogs are showing any of these signs should not participate in activities or take their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to the virus.

Please contact any of our veterinary clinics (orrvillevetclinic.com) to schedule an appointment to protect your dog against CIV H3N2.

Canine Influenza 2017

Fri, 04 Aug 2017 16:44:00 GMT

An Emerging Concern

A new strain of Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) has emerged in over 30 states across the country. Labeled CIV H3N2, this new strain is incredibly contagious. It can be spread easily by direct contact (sniffing, licking or nuzzling) with infected dogs; through the air (coughing, sneezing or barking); and by contact with infected objects such as dog bowls, toys, and clothing.

Clinical signs of this disease include coughing, discharge from eyes or nose, loss of appetite and lack of energy. Dog owners, whose dogs are showing any of these signs, should not participate in activities or take their dogs to facilities where other dogs can be exposed to the virus. Activites to avoid include: boarding, grooming, dog shows, day care, and dog parks.

The veterinarians and owners of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic, and the Orrville Pet Spa & Resort are concerned about the rapid spread and severity of this virus. In order to provide the best protection and care for your dog, they believe that proper immunization and prevention are important to control this disease. Primary immunization requires two vaccinations given two to four weeks apart.

Please call one of our veterinary clinics to schedule an appointment to protect your dog against CIV H3N2.

Horse Clinic with Esco Buff, PhD

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 17:33:00 GMT

Esco Buff

Saturday August 5th, 2017

8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to announce an upcoming clinic featuring Esco Buff, PhD. This equine education seminar is focused on everything hoof related. Esco Buff, PhD, APF, CF is the owner of Esco Buff's Professional Farrier Service, located in Western New York. He is an American Farriers Association(AFA) Certified Farrier (CF), an American Association of Professional Farriers (AAPF), Accredited Professional Farrier (APF), a NYS Gaming Commission Licensed Farrier, a member of the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame, a Society Only Member of the College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR), and the Large Animal Diagnostic Society (LADIS). He will be covering a variety of topics. This education seminar is open to farriers, veterinarians, and industry professionals. Early bird registration is open until July 15th, with a cost of $40. The registration fee is $50 after the July 15th deadline. These seminars are currently being reviewed for approval for Continuing Education with OVMLB and AAPF. Please call the clinic for more information (330)682-2971

President of CAST

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 15:02:00 GMT

Dr. Middleton announced as President-elect of CAST

In a recent election at the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), Gabe Middleton, DVM, was chosen as the President-Elect for 2017-2018. Dr. Middleton has been involved with CAST since 2014 as the board representative for the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. He also serves as the vice chair for the Animal Agriculture and Environmental Issues Work Group and the task force board liaison for the forthcoming publication titled Social and Economic Impact of Misinformation in Agriculture .

Dr. Gabe Middleton began working at a dairy farm in Smithville, Ohio at the age of 12; where he became interested in veterinary medicine and agriculture. The experience on the dairy farm led him to appreciate how difficult making a living in agriculture can be and how farmers need the help of technology to improve the health and productivity of their operations. Following graduation from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008, he joined Orrville Veterinary Clinic in Orrville, Ohio. His area of expertise is in large animal medicine, specifically dairy cattle, with a focus on milk quality, calf health, and proper drug use and residue prevention. He also serves as a calf ventilation consultant, designing systems all across the northeastern United States. Orrville Veterinary Clinic serves farms in the areas surrounding Orrville, including Rittman, Seville, Creston, Wooster, Apple Creek, Mt. Eaton, and many ares within Stark, Wayne, and Holmes Counties.

He has received inspiration for his work with CAST through Dr. Norman Borlaug's vision, as well as the enthusiastic and engaged leadership of CAST and the Board of Representatives. He plans to continue that enthusiasm by implementing the excellent ideas proposed through the Strategic Planning Committees. His vision for CAST also includes not only providing CAST information through social media, but also designing tools to help people improve social media skills and convey messages in a more effective manner.

Middleton will officially assume his responsibilities as President-Elect at the conclusion of CAST's fall board meeting in October. In 2018-2019, he will become the 46th president of CAST, a singular honor and responsibility dating back to 1972, when Charles A. Black and Norman Borlaug, along with other committed scientists, spearheaded the movement to "bring science-based information to policymaking and the public."

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/CAST-Names-New-President-Elect-for-2…

Welcome Our Newest Associate Veterinarians

Tue, 30 May 2017 14:56:00 GMT

Orrville Veterinary Clinic Welcomes Our Newest Associates

Here at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, we are so excited to announce the arrival of two new associate veterinarians to our practice group.

Dr. Lydia Friend is joining our small animal team of doctors. She is also offering acupuncture to our large animal clients. Dr. Friend enjoys exotics, as well as focusing on feline and canine patients. She hails from the state of New York, but now lives near Kidron. She graduated a few years ago from Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Bradley Dalton is joining our mixed animal practice. He has a vast interest in many aspects of veterinary medicine, including cattle, horses, dogs, cats, and many others. Dr. Dalton is a recent graduate of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Please welcome them when you get a chance!

Diagnostic Ultrasonography

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 17:32:00 GMT

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is pleased to announce our recent purchase of a state of the art, diagnostic ultrasonography unit. This unit is much needed and will allow us to more accurately "look inside" your pet to try to determine health status of our patients. Oftentimes, X-rays and ultrasound are both needed to better determine the cause of a pet's illness. With our newest addition, we will be able to step up our diagnostic capabilities to better serve you.

What is an Ultrasound?

The ultrasound unit uses sound waves to pass through tissue and fluid. The sound waves create a certain pattern of reflection based upon the type of tissue that the sound waves encounter. These sound waves are both generated and captured by a small probe that is placed in direct contact with the patient's skin. As the sound waves return to the probe, they are sent to the accompanying computer to be interpreted. It is this information that is translated into the black and white image that we evaluate on the screen.

What is the difference between ultrasound and radiographs (X-rays)?

Both x-rays and ultrasound are used to look further into the inside of a patient in a non-invasive manner. The X-rays essentially take a 3 dimensional animal and place the image onto a 2 dimension screen or film. This is then interpreted by the radiologist. X-rays are good at showing size, shape, and positioning of various body organs, bones, and tissues. X-rays essentially show 5 variable shades of gray (from darkest to lightest): air, fat, soft tissue/ fluid, bone, and metal. The x-rays require contrast between adjacent tissues to prevent things from blending in. It is often easiest to think about x-rays as showing the size and shape of organs, but they are limited in the ability to see what is "Inside" the organ itself.

An ultrasound uses the aforementioned sound waves to look at the various tissues in the body. The sound waves can be easily targeted and directed a various structures. On limitation is that an ultrasound is basically taking pie shaped sections of the body, which prevents it from looking at an entire organ at one time. This means that the organ must be "scanned" with the probe to see the entire organ. Unlike X-rays, ultrasound eaves are able to "see" what is located within the organs. This allows the ultrasonographer to see small lesions or defects within an organ. Since the ultrasound waves are in real time, ultrasounds can be used to guide various instruments into the appropriate tissue/ lesion to obtain biopsy specimens.

What types of conditions can the ultrasound help to diagnose?

The answer to this question requires lengthy answer. For the sake of brevity, the ultrasound can be utilized to diagnose a limitless number of medical conditions. These include: neoplastic tumors, benign tumors, urinary calculi (Bladder stones), Kidney stones, gallbladder disorders, splenic masses and lesions, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, potential abscess, cardiomyopathy, liver shunts, diaphramatic hernias, and many, many more conditions.

What should I expect for my pet's appointment?

Your pet should generally be fasted for 12 hours. This allows for sedation, as well as helping to make the testing more uniform in procedure. Generally, you will drop you pet off at the clinic. We often need to administer a light sedation in order to help calm your pet. This will allows us to get him or her into position and perform the procedure. Most often, the ultrasound is used for abdominal ultrasonography; which means that your pet will likely be placed in dorsal recumbence (on his/her back). We will need to shave a large area to allow the ultrasound probe to have direct contact with the skin. The sound waves are actually prevented from traveling through air. The facilitate contact with the skin, a gel or a lot of alcohol is used to eliminate an air between the skin and the probe. The attending veterinarian will contact you after your pet's scan to discuss the findings and make further recommendations.

2017 Horse Owners' Meeting

Mon, 09 Jan 2017 20:08:00 GMT

Our annual Horse Owners' Meeting is Scheduled for Thursday, January 26th at 6:30 P.M. We will once again host the event within the Doggy Day Care center, located inside the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort. Our topic this year is Natural Horsemanship. We will also be highlighting our newest diagnostic tool, onsite radiology.

Interceptor Plus

Thu, 19 May 2016 19:43:00 GMT

The previous version of Interceptor was a good product, but was removed from production a few years ago due to a problem with the previous company's production facility. Please know that at no time did any of their animal products have a problem, but the issue was actually with a human medication that they manufactured in a separate manufacturing site. It was at that point in time that we began to recommend, and carry, Iverhart Max.

So, you may be thinking: "What is the 'Plus' part all about?" Essentially the Plus indicates and additional parasite and a new formulation. The new formulation is into a little larger chewable tablet. This benefits many pet owners, as Interceptor Plus is more of a treat to their dog than many of the other heartworm medications that come in a tablet form. They have also added an ingredient to target tapeworms.

Interceptor Plus is often marketed as a heartworm pill, but it does much more. In addition to preventing heartworm infections, it also prevents many intestinal parasites. These include: Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms and Tapeworms. Though Interceptor Plus is not an all in one medication, it is the most extensive medication for internal parasites.

We still highly recommend some form of flea and tick prevention in addition to the monthly heartworm prevention. Products that treat fleas and ticks include Bravecto, Vectra 3d, and several others. There are also some medications that cross over from category to category, but none of those products target as many things as a combination of Interceptor Plus and Bravecto. That combination is our current top recommendation for fleas, ticks, and internal parasites as of the publishing of this article.

Article written and published by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Lyme FAQs

Thu, 12 May 2016 20:28:00 GMT

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a complex that is caused by a bacteria, called Borrelia Burgdorfei. This bacteria is a type that is called a spirochete. Spirochetes are shaped like coil or spring and tend to embed their way into tissue. This makes the bacteria challenging to treat.

How does my dog get Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is transmitted by the black legged tick (A.K.A. the deer tick). This tick transmits the bacteria through a bite wound when it goes to take a meal of blood from your dog. The tick must be adhered to your dog for at least 24 hours to transmit the spirochete.

Is Lyme Disease in Ohio ?

Yes, the first case of Lyme disease in Ohio was documented in 2011 and has been on the increase ever since.

Is Lyme Disease Treatable?

The short answer is Yes. This can often be treated using one or more antibiotics. Often times, a combination of two antibiotics is used to clear the bacteria. It usually takes 4 weeks or more to treat the infection.

Can Lyme disease be fatal?

Unfortunately about 2% of dogs get a kidney disorder from the disease. This kidney disease, nephritis, can damage the kidneys very quickly and permanently. This leads to either death or the option of humane euthanasia.

Can Lyme Disease be prevented?

Yes. There are two ways to prevent Lyme disease, neither of which is 100%.

The first way is to prevent the bite in the first place. We recommend year round tick prevention, using a newer generation of flea and tick control. At the time of this article, we recommend Bravecto , which is a three month chewable pill for fleas and ticks. We also recommend Credelio , a one month chewable. There are a number of other good preventatives out there, including Vectra 3d. The Fipronil based products, which include Frontline Plus, have lost the majority of their efficacy in Ohio against fleas. For this reason, we have stopped recommending these products.

The second method used to prevent Lyme disease is through vaccination. We highly recommend protecting your dog with this vaccine.

If there are two ways to prevent it, can I just use one method?

Unfortunately the answer is No. The best vaccines on the market have around a 97% efficacy in controlled studies. This is a good protection level, but not high enough. The regulations for an external parasite prevention is that it must prevent at a level of 94% to get a label claim. This is also not high enough, so we recommend both modes of prevention to best protect your pet.

If you have more questions or concerns regarding Lyme disease, please call our office to set up an appointment or to discuss this issue further.

Article composed and edited by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 15:04:00 GMT

It's time to celebrate with the Orrville Veterinary Clinic!

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is celebrating their 60th anniversary with an Open House to the community on Saturday May 7, 2016 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The tour of the campus will include the new Outpatient Wing in the Orrville Veterinary Clinic and the Doggy Daycare Center at the Orrville Pet Spa & Resort. After almost a year and a half of construction at 1665 and 1669 N. Main Street, we are excited to share the new facilities as well as additional

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic’s expansion includes updated spaces for reception, separate exam and treatment rooms for dogs and cats, an isolation ward, a dental suite including digital dental X-ray, an in-house diagnostic lab, and a new outpatient treatment facility. This addition compliments our full service veterinary practice that includes general and orthopedic surgical services. As a member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the doctors and staff invested a lot of time to research and design the new addition.

The floor plan and even colors were chosen to help create a calming environment for the patients. During the event, guests will learn more about low stress visits for their pets to the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, the importance of digital dental radiography, and the healing effects of laser therapy. Guests will also have the opportunity to view the farm animal section of the clinic as they tour the entire campus.

In addition to more premier lodging accommodations, as well as an expanded and improved grooming department, the Orrville Pet Spa & Resort will showcase the new Doggy Daycare Center. Built in 2015, it is 6600 square feet of canine utopia. With plenty of natural lighting, positive pressure ventilation and radiant heated rubber floors, dogs of all ages and sizes come to play, relax, and just be dogs.

The trained daycare staff carefully evaluates each dog based on their play style and groups similar dogs together. Each group rotates through the facility and participates in different activities to prevent boredom. A daycare group will be active during the tour. Also, new to the Doggy Daycare Center is K9 Fit Club. Anne Weiser, Certified Master Instructor, will be demonstrating exercise classes, such as Beggin' for Beginners and Bow Wow Bootcamp, where owners and their dogs work out together.

We hope our many friends and clients will be able to join us to celebrate the past 60 years and look forward to the new era of Orrville Veterinary Clinic and Orrville Pet Spa & Resort history. The Wayne County Animal Shelter will be visiting with dogs ready for their forever homes and an ice cream truck will be on site serving complimentary frozen treats.

The event may be accessed by both north and south parking lots and guests may start the tour at the veterinary clinic main entrance or the new daycare/grooming entrance.

Visit www.orrvillevetclinic.com ; or www.orrvillepetspa.com or call either office at 330.682.2971 or 330.683.3335 for more details.

Open House

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 14:49:00 GMT

Orrville Veterinary Clinic Open House

May 7th, 2016

12:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

We are excited to announce the completion of our two renovation projects at Orrville Veterinary Clinic and Orrville Pet Spa and Resort. Renovation began in the Doggie Day Care Center in October 2014. The project was completed June 1st of 2015. The Orrville Veterinary Clinic renovation started in October 2015 and was recently completed. We are celebrating by inviting all clients to join us on May 7th from noon to 3:00 P.M. to see the results. Please come join us to celebrate. We will have a walking tour along with light refreshments.

Food Allergies (Cutaneous Food Reactions)

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 13:34:00 GMT

Food Allergies

Cutaneous adverse food reactions, also known as food allergies, are a very common differential in dogs and cats with skin conditions that present year round. Signs of food allergies can present very similar to another common skin condition, atopic dermatitis (atopy). Food allergies and atopy have many common symptoms such as ear infections, itchy skin, hives, greasy hair coat, and excessive licking of the paws.

The exact pathogenesis is not completely understood and there are multiple classifications of a food allergy. The most common mechanism is from a hypersensitivity to a certain ingredient. Beef, dairy, wheat, lamb, chicken, corn, wheat and soy are the most common allergens and a sensitivity to multiple allergens are common. Food allergies can show up in as early as 5 months of age and as late as 12 years old. Unfortunately, your dog can be on the same food and still develop an allergy to an ingredient 5 years later.

There is no true test to diagnose food allergies, therefore, the prevalence is unknown. A response to a veterinary dietary restriction trial is often incomplete due to poor compliance. An intradermal skin test and blood test are available to diagnose inhalant allergies, but is ineffective for food allergies. Certain dog breeds are predisposed, including the American cocker spaniel, boxer, Shar pei, collie, dachshund, dalmation, English springer spaniel, german shepherd, golden retriever, lhasa apso, miniature schnauzer, poodle, pug, Rhodesian ridgeback, and west highland white terrier.

The dietary restriction trial is recommended for 10-12 weeks with a hydrolyzed protein diet or a diet restricted to one protein and one carbohydrate in which the animal has had no previous exposure. Improvement may be seen sooner but 10-12 weeks is recommended. Treats, chewable toys, and flavored medications (heartworm prevention) must be avoided during the food trial. If the patient improves on the elimination diet, a challenge with his or her old food may be given. If the signs return, that confirms that something in the diet is causing the signs.

If you think your dog may be experiencing signs of a food allergy and could benefit from a food trial, please consult our office.

Horse Owners Meeting 2016

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 18:06:00 GMT

Join us this Thursday, January 28th for our Fourth annual Horse Owners meeting. We will be hosting the meeting at the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort, which is located behind the main Orrville Veterinary Clinic building. This year's speaker is Dr. Bimbo Welker from the Ohio State University discussing colic. Our own Dr. Matt Friend will then discuss Leptosporosis in Horses. The event will be emceed by OVC's own, Dr. Gabe Middleton.

Leaf Chasing and Shadow Chasing in Dogs

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 17:21:00 GMT

Chasing after items, such as leaves and shadows, can become an obsessive condition in dogs. The instinct to chase a moving object is inherent within dogs, yet it can develop into a problem situation. Your dog sees a moving object as something they have to have. With items like leaves and shadows, they can never really get it.............so they keep at it.

To remedy this behavior, it is important that you practice activities that encourage calm submission.

You also need to condition your dog's brain to react differently to those things they are obsessive over. When on a walk, don't give them the option to look down at any shadows. Keep your dog focused on the walk alone. Instead, make the walk their mental challenge. Always remember that dogs don't multitask well, so concentrating on the walk limits other distractions. You could try putting a dog backpack on your dog with water bottles for added weight. This gets them focused on carrying things instead of chasing objects.

Think of this as a dog discipline ritual. When a dog is fixated and obsessed, his/her brain is closed. This stubborn state of mind makes it difficult to correct the bad dog behavior, so the key here is to snap them out of this state of mind before it escalates into a dog obsession. When a dog is aggressive and bites, we sometimes use a muzzle in the rehabilitation process. There are two main reasons for this. First and foremost, it keeps the situation safe. The second reason for the muzzle is that the muzzle is a device to help convey the message. The redirection or device is what allows the brain to be open and able to be corrected. So, with obsessions, you need to find a device that helps you redirect and convey the message.

A great idea is to try dog goggles. When the dog becomes interested in a shadow, put the goggles on. You can also try an Elizabethan cone collar or a can filled with coins that make a loud noise. Once you place the goggles or E-collar on your dog, say a word like "no" that they can associate with this action. Once your dog is calm again, remove the dog goggles. Repeat this process every time that you dog begins to look at the object or shadow. This teaches them that there is a consequence to this problem dog behavior. Eventually, they will learn that just seeing the goggles and hearing the word "no" means to stop this -- that effectively becomes the redirection. Redirection is a common technique, switching one behavior for another desired behavior.

It is also very important to make sure that you are not condoning the bad dog behavior in any subconscious way. It is important to remember not to feel sorry for your dog. They need a pack leader who can take control of the situation. So encourage a calm-submissive state before engaging in any activity, be it playing fetch, feeding, or giving affection. Be sure that the calm state is not the anticipation state, but totally a level one calmness. Once your dog understands they must be quiet and respectful before any doggy activity, they will not be overexcited and obsessive with the things around them.

Your response when your dog begins to chase or fixate on shadows and light will have a big impact on their behavior. Let your motto be “Interrupt and redirect, but never punish.” Interrupt the behavior and try to redirect your dog to some other behavior. Try to distract your dog with a favorite toy or use a new squeaky toy to get their attention. Consider rattling their leash and heading out for a walk if that works to distracts them. (Don’t do this last one too often or they may learn to chase shadows in order to get you to take them out.) The interruption should distract your dog, but should never scare him. Good options for redirection include tug, fetch, a Kong® toy, a chew toy, outdoor exercise, or a training session. It can be tempting to respond in a negative way to this behavior, but any punishment carries the risk of making the behavior worse.

An hour walk each day is enough for many dogs, but additional exercise for a young, active dog is really important. Off-leash running for an hour or more a day (or better yet, twice a day) can really make a big difference. Other tiring activities, such as fetch and swimming, can also help to rid your dog of excess energy and boredom. The biggest challenge is to find a safe place to let your dog off his/ her leash. Physical exercise can greatly help this problem, but so can additional mental exercise. Giving your dog’s mind more to do may help as much as the physical exercise. Give them toys that tax their brain, teach them tricks daily, or attend classes.

If you feel that his obsession is worsening or is more noticeably affecting the quality of their life (or yours), consider talking to a qualified veterinarian about medicine for obsessive-compulsive behavior and working with adjunctive medical therapy.

This article was written by Greg A. Roadruck D.V.M. for use on the websites of the Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, Orrville Veterinary Clinic, and Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic.

Article was edited and published by Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

Obsessive and Possessive Behaviors in Dogs

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 16:47:00 GMT

Identifying obsessive dog behaviors

A normal dog plays well with others - it's owner, children, and other dogs. Balanced dogs may like one toy or game more than another, but it's still a game. Playing is not a life or death situation for a normal dog, however an obsessive dog will take such games very seriously. Their play will have a much higher level of intensity and seriousness.

When a dog is becoming obsessive, their face and body language will visibly change. The most noticeable change is that their body will stiffen. Often, a glaze will form over their eyes, their pupils become fixated, and you can't distract your dog's gaze or get their attention. It appears as if they are in a trance. At this point in time, they entered a zone in which there is no lightheartedness, no relaxation, and no joy in play. A good analogy is a gambling addict at a slot machine: mechanically pulling the one-armed bandit over and over again, fixated on it, but clearly not having fun. Obsession is not a happy place to be. It's a zone in which an animal is blind to everything around them that should make them happy.

Why do dogs develop Obsessive/ possessive behaviors

When dogs have fixations and obsessions, it usually means one of two things: that they have unreleased energy they need to get rid of or they have an insecurity of some sort.
This brings two questions to mind:

Methods on Correcting obsessive dog behaviors

Article written by Dr. Greg Roadruck

Edited and published by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink for use on the websites of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic, and Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic.

Nutrition Series: Why is my dog overweight?

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:18:00 GMT

Many of the dogs that we see on a day to day basis are overweight. This weight gain is often obvious to us, but not noticed easily by the owners. This is due to the fact that you see your dog everyday and a gradual gaining of weight is not obvious, yet we can see the weight gain by comparing your dog's previous weight to his/ her current weight. We also compare Body Condition Scores from previous appointments.

So why has your dog gained weight?

There are many reasons for weight gain in dogs. The first is simply that dog's metabolism slows down once they stop growing (somewhere between 12 and 24 months depending on the breed). In addition, neutered (spayed females and castrated males) animals have a lower metabolism than intact animals. There are still many reasons to spay and neuter your pet , so don't let the decreased metabolism affect that decision. It is simply a matter of adjusting the amount that you feed your dog .

So we can see that feeding your dog too much food can result in overweight dogs, but one sneaky thing that also contributes to weight gain is the supplemental feeding of people food and dog treats. People food should not be fed to dogs, as it is often too high in calories and too high in grease and fat for our pets.

As far as feeding treats, this is a hidden source of calories for your dog. It is not uncommon to hear a pet parent state that they feed their dog between 5 and 10 treats a day. Let's put that in human terms for a minute. That would be like you feeding your children 5-10 extra "treats" (in the form of candy or energy bars, depending on the size of the dog treat that we are comparing) every day and then wondering why they gain weight. This phenomenon can be seen a lot with the famous "Freshman 15" that students gain when they go to college. This extra weight is due to a slowing metabolism, a sedentary lifestyle, and often poor dietary choices that young people make when first out on their own. These 18 and 19 year olds are not unlike our middle aged pets; who are done growing, often don't get their needed exercise, and have a slowing metabolism. Many commercial dog treats contain anywhere from 30 to 700 kcal. Keep in mind that an average 45 pound dog will need aproximately 2250 kCal per day in food. Now think about giving this dog 4 large treats that contain 700 calories per treat.....that is 2800 calories in treats alone. Then add in a 300 calorie McDonald's hamburger and you can see where we are headed. Taking a small dog, we often hear that they get 10 treats a day. Sure these treats are lower in calories, say 40 per treat, but that is still 400 calories per day. A 9 pound dog will require a total of of 400-500 calories per day.....so we are still over that amount.

So how can you get your dog to lose weight? In short, feeding the right amount of calories per day and increasing exercise. Sounds simple, right? Well it is not always easy. Some quick steps are to: measure out the amount of food each feeding, offer more feedings per day (2 or 3), and cut out the treats. Removing the treats may be hard, so supplement with something like a baby carrot, an ice cube, or a green bean. These treats are much lower in calories than many of the dog treats. In addition, some of these supplemental treats contain fiber, which helps fill their gut and may help with a few other conditions (anal gland disorders and constipation being the two most common). Check below for other related articles for feeding recomnedations, weight loss, body condition scoring and other nutritional articles.

Canine Nutrition Series: How Much Should I feed my Dog?

Obese Pets

Purina OM Weight management Diet

Nutrition Series: What treats can my dog eat?

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 16:15:00 GMT

This may sound like a simple question, but it is another one that we often address. The quick answer is that most commercial dog treats are suitable to feed your dog. So with that being said, why address this question? The main reason for addressing this question is that many of the dogs that we see in the clinic are overweight.

One of the main factors that contributes to this is over feeding of dogs. Please check out our article on How much to feed your dog by clicking on the hyperlink. So we can see that feeding your dog too much food can result in overweight dogs, but one sneaky thing that also contributes to weight gain is the supplemental feeding of people food and dog treats. People food should not be fed to dogs, as it is often too high in calories and too high in grease and fat for our pets.

This extra weight is due to a slowing metabolism, a sedentary lifestyle, and often poor dietary choices that young people make when first out on their own. These 18 and 19 year olds are not unlike our middle aged pets, who are done growing and have a slowing metabolism.

Nutrition Series: How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:33:00 GMT

This is another question that is asked a lot during appointments. The scientific answer to this question involves several formulas. First, we must calculate Metabolic Energy Requirements (MER), which is based upon Resting Energy Requirements (RER).

RER can be calculated using a formula of 70 x Body weight (in Kg). This will yield a number of kcal per day.

The MER is then calculated using RER multiplied by another number based upon the signalment of your dog.

So now that we covered the scientific method, here are some general guidelines.

Commercial dog foods will have a feeding chart on the back, which can guide you along in determining how much to feed your dog. The chart will be in one of two formats. The first will simply say __ cups per day. The other will give a scale/ range of ____ to ____ cups per day. In these instances, the feeding recommendations are based upon intact animals. For neutered animals (which includes both spayed females and castrated males), these charts and recommendations are too high. In general, a neutered animal should be fed at the lower end of the scale or about 80-85% of the number of recommended cups per day that is recommended.

I, Dr. Fink, try to keep things simple. I have an 80 pound, neutered dog. He eats roughly 4 cups per day (divided into two feedings). At this level of food, he has gotten just a little overweight, so we cut that amount back to 3 3/4 cups per day. I often use this guideline to advise approximately 1 cup per 20 pounds of body weight, though that is not a hard, fast rule. It should also be noted that I do not give my dog many treats. Treats must be considered in the overall formula/ equation when figuring out total kcal fed per day.

When figuring how much to feed your dog, the cups referred to as a measurement above is a standard 8 ounce measuring cup. If you need one, you can stop in and ask. We often have some that we can hand out. If you have further questions, please give the clinic a call.

Nutrition Series, part one. What should I feed my dog?

Nutrition Series: How do I decide what to feed my pet?

Tue, 06 Oct 2015 20:29:00 GMT

As veterinary professionals, we often get asked for our recommendations on pet food. Clients often ask: "What do you feed your dog/ cat?". With the seemingly endless options that are available, it can be difficult to decide what to feed your pet and what is the best diet.

Here are a few tips when selecting a pet food:

The first statement is: {Brand of Food} is formulated TO MEET the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO DOG (or Cat) Food Nutrient Profile for (Life stages)." This statement indicates the the particular diet was developed to meet the nutritional standards and is simply a food analysis. These foods are based on analytic testing of the finished product.

The second statement is: "Animal feed tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate {Name of Food} provides complete and balanced nutrition for (Life stages)" This statement indicates that not only does the particular diet meet the nutritional levels, but that it has also gone through a rigorous food trial evaluation (often lasting 6 months or more). These have also been tested for palatability (Whether pets will actually eat the food), as well as nutritional adequacy.

* As a general rule, we do not recommend the feeding of raw food diets and homemade diets. These diets are okay to feed on a short term basis, but are often not balanced enough to be a maintenance diet in the long term.

* A quick note if you are looking for a product that is manufactured locally, Buckeye Feeds is produced in Dalton, Ohio and is a reputable company (Their parent company is Mars).

Nutrition Series part twp: How much should I feed my dog?

Feline Inappropriate Elimination

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 18:00:00 GMT

Feline Inappropriate Elimination, also known as house soiling, is a term that incorporates any bathroom behavior that occurs outside of the litter box. Examples include urinating outside of the litter box, defecating in various places, and spraying/ marking behaviors. Unfortunately, this is one of the top reasons that cats are either euthanized or surrendered to a shelter facility. There are many reasons why a cat may stop using the litterbox, including poor litter box management, physiological diseases, painful conditions, litter box aversion, and stress.

Let's talk about some of these conditions:

Anal Gland Remedies

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 16:04:00 GMT

While the exact cause of anal glad disorders is not known, there are some noted risk factors and potential remedies.

The two main risk factors are overweight dogs and small breed dogs, but anal gland disease can be present in large breed dogs that have a normal body condition score.

Remedies:

Even though the cause is not known, we can make some modifications to your dog's routine. The first thing to do is to target overweight dogs. These dogs can be placed on a restrictive diet to begin a weight loss regimen. This can be accomplished in two ways. The first is measuring and regulating the amount of food that your dog can eat in any given day. To know how much to feed your dog, look on the bag of food. In general, you should be feeding about 80% of the recommended daily amount. We recommend feeding the food in two feedings, roughly 12 hours apart. The second way to try to begin weight loss is to discontinue both treats and people food. People food is too fatty in general for dogs. Treats are also high in calories for the amount of food that is contained within them (similar to you eating a candy bar).

The second step to trying to alleviate anal gland disorders is to increase the fiber in the diet. We recommend feeding either canned pumpkin or canned green beans. Both of these can be used as treats to replace any other treats that you are giving to your dog. This allows the routine to remain rather consistent. For the canned pumpkin, it is best to take a cookie sheet and line it with wax paper. Then take the canned pumpkin and make tablespoon-sized treats and then freeze them in the freezer. You can then give a large dog 3 or 4 tablespoon-sized treats per day. For a smaller dog, you may make teaspoon-sized treats and give 3 or 4 per day.

These are some general ideas and guidelines for dealing with anal gland disorders. It is not likely that this will eliminate anal gland disorders all together, but it will likely help to make the condition better in general.

Dr. Fink Interviewed for OVMA

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 16:46:00 GMT

Dr. Fink's Recent Interview for the OVMA Newsletter

Dr. Fink has been serving on the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association's Board of directors for several years. He is the district representative for our ares, region 8. He was recently interviewed for their newsletter, which is attempting to spotlight those who serve on board. Check it out below if your are interested:

Respiratory Disease Flare Up

Fri, 19 Jun 2015 18:58:00 GMT

Canine Respiratory Disease Flare Up

Northeast Ohio

June 17th, 2015

According to some very reliable sources, there has been a recent waive of respiratory disease in dogs. This most recent "outbreak" occurred at a dog show in Northeast Ohio. We are not sure of the details at this time, only that over 50 dogs have been affected. These dogs presented with signs of pneumonia and a green tinted nasal discharge. It was reported to us as a potential canine influenza outbreak, though this is yet to be confirmed.

As in all instances, we recommend awaiting all details before getting overly excited.

It is possible that this is an outbreak of one of the two straind of canine influenza. Several of the infected dogs have been tested and there will be more details that emerge with time.

Please check out our articles on Canine Influenza and Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease .

As far as our recommendations at this time, we suggest that all dogs that frequent dog parks, pet stores, obedience classes, boarding and daycare facilities, or other areas in which it is common for mnay dog to congregate be effectively vaccinated every 6 months agains Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough). In addition, we recommend that dogs that are borading receive appropriate vaccination against Canine Influenza (H3N8). There is currently no vaccine for the newly emerged staring of Canine Influeza, though it is possible that cross protection exists from one strain to the other.

Canine Influenza outbreak 2015

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease

Coughing Dogs

Article written and submitted by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

NINE CAT LIES

Tue, 26 May 2015 17:56:00 GMT

9 Cat Myths

1) Indoor cats are not exposed to the outdoors
2) Heartworm disease is for dogs only
3) Litter is the only thing that is in a litterbox
4) The deck, balcony, porch, etc does not count as the outdoors
5) Only the dog uses the "doggy door"
6) My owner's shoes are a great place to curl up to sleep
7) My cat carrier is just like my home, yet with a handle
8) A little bit of dirt is good for cats
9) Because I groom myself I am clean

So what is the point? I am glad that you asked. This content is basically derived from an advertisement promoting Revolution, which is a topical parasite medication. You can read more about Revolution by clicking Here. In a nutshell, Revolution protects your cat from fleas, heartworm disease, ear mites, roundworms and hookworms.

Now that you have seen the 9 lies, what are the truths that go with these lies?

No matter how clean you house may be, parasites can travel in. Be it a worm egg on your shoes or a flea on your pants, these parasites need to find host animals in order to survive. As a result, they will stop at no cost to find your feline friend.
Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. Not only can a mosquito bite your kitty and transmit heartworm disease, but heartworm disease in cats is not treatable. This makes prevention all the more vital for you kitty.
It may be obvious that there is more in a litterbox than just the litter. After all, it is your cat's toilet. Even if you scoop your litterbox daily, there is some residual feces and urine within that box. Most internal parasites (worms) are shed in the poop and the eggs are very sticky. This means that they stick to the litterbox and then to your cat's feet. All it takes is for your cat to lick that area (See grooming myth below) and that parasite is ingested, beginning its life cycle all over again.
Anytime a cat steps outside the home, he/she is no longer indoors. A simple trip to the deck can expose them to fleas due to squirrels and other animals that may visit your deck. This is true of stray cats, possums and other animals that roam about.
Mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and rodents are all seeking a way to find food, whether that food is you, your cat or your pantry. Many of these insects are either parasites themselves, or carries of different diseases.
Mud, dirt and other debris can contain parasite eggs. In addition, parasite eggs are very sticky and it is easier to step in a small area of poop than you may think.
Thought your cat may hate the carrier, we think of it as a nice, clean place. The fact that the carrier gets set on the ground on the way to the car, gets set down at the veterinary clinic or the groomers; making it an easy place for parasites to find your cat.
Even commercial potting soil can be contaminated with parasite eggs. Zoetis cites an article (February 18th, 2006 in the Veterinary Record) which states that 15% of potting soils contain the cat roundworm.
Grooming is your cat's way of taking a bath. The difference is that they ingest a small amount of material from their hair coat when they groom. This is why cats get hairballs. Guess what? They also ingest small amounts of mud, dirt and poop; which can all contain parasite eggs.
This article is published and written by Dr. Fink. It is adapted from the promotional handout from Zoetis, Inc. entitled The 9 Lies of Cats.

Do Dogs Dream?

Mon, 11 May 2015 15:03:00 GMT

While nobody truly knows the answer to this question, most experts believe that they do dream. As we continuously discover more and more things about dogs, we find that they have many characteristics in common with humans. Experts have observed the sleep patterns of dogs and find that they share many common things with a sleeping person. This probably includes the ability to dream. We think that dogs begin dreaming about 20 to 30 minutes after falling asleep. As with a person, you may notice shallow, irregular breathing. This will often be followed by muscle twitching and possible vocalization. You will also notice eye movements that are similar to REM sleep cycles in people.

While the topic may still be open to debate, I know that my dog often acts as if he is dreaming. He will act like he is running and often howl or give off a soft bark when he is fast asleep. Does your dog dream?

Written and published by Dr. Fink

For use by Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Safe Travels With Your Pet

Wed, 06 May 2015 13:33:00 GMT

With Summer vacation season upon us, we would like to share with you some valuable tips for you and your pet family to stay safe on the road this year.
Whether you are planning an extensive road-trip with your pooch or just an extended day trip this summer, these tips can help save you some time and stress on your vacation this year.

Keep Records On Hand

Proper Identification

Safety While Driving

Keep Calm and Travel On

Stop Often For Breaks

Packing List

Article written by Samantha Wenger, RVT for use by Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Edited and Published by Jeff Fink, DVM

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease

Tue, 21 Apr 2015 03:26:00 GMT

CIRD

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease has been in the news lately due to an outbreak in Chicago. While this sounds like a specific diagnosis or specific disease, CIRD is actually a complicated syndrome caused by three or four different infectious conditions: Bordetella Bronchiseptica, Parainfluenza virus, Canine Influenza and Mycoplasma.

Bordetella Bronchiseptica (AKA Kennel Cough).

Kennel cough is a well known problem among dog owners. It gets its name due to the many occurrences in boarding facilities, or kennels. Kennel cough is caused by the bacteria Bordetella Bronchiseptica. By itself, kennel cough is not a vary serious disease, with a very low mortality rate. Clinical signs of kennel cough include a deep harsh cough, runny nose, mild to moderate fever and a general lethargy.

Parainfluenza Virus

Parainfluenza is thought to be a minor problem in dogs. By itself, it rarely causes clinical disease. The problem with parainfluenza is thought to be when it acts as a secondary invader to dogs with kennel cough. By contracting a second issue, these dogs are further compromised. This makes them less likely to fight off other factors that contribute to CIRD.

Canine Influenza

Canine Influenza is more of an emerging disease among the US dog population. At this time, there are two strains that are known to affect dogs worldwide: H3N8 and H3N2. The H3N8 isolate crossed species from horses to dogs in early 2005. Since that time, a highly effective vaccine has been developed to prevent this strain for the most part. The H3N2 strain is new to the US. It was identified several years ago in Asia. The relevance of this new disease is yet to be determined as far as whether it is a major contributing factor to the Chicago outbreak.

Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma is a bacterial disease of dogs. Mycoplasma has several varieties, but is the general term for a group of bacteria that can invade the lower respiratory tract of dogs, causing a complicated pneumonia. This bacteria is often resistant to many of the antibiotics that are used to treat other respiratory infections.

Prevention is the Key

Benjamin Franklin stated that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. " This statement rings true in regard to CIRD. With that being said, what can be done to prevent this from happening to your dog? Prevention revolves around avoidance of high risk areas along with vaccination. Dogs come into contact with these infectious agents mostly from direct contact with other dogs. Avoiding dog parks is a good idea. If you do take your dog to a dog park, keep him or her on a leash to avoid direct nose to nose contact with other dogs. Dogs that do go to at risk areas should be vaccinated. At this time, we recommend vaccinating against kennel cough every 6 months. Influenza is an annual vaccine, as is parainfluenza. At this time, there is not a vaccination for mycoplasma that helps dogs to develop much immunity. Fortunately, mycoplasma is often the third invader of this syndrome.

In summary, CIRD is more than one condition. CIRD is a complex syndrome that more or less builds upon itself. Oftentimes, kennel cough or canine influenza virus (CIV) are the beginning of the condition, with other invaders coming in on top of those. By themselves, most of these conditions are not that critical, however all of them as a whole can cause major disease symptoms.

2015 Canine Influenza Outbreak

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:28:00 GMT

Lately there have been reports of a deadly dog flu outbreak. As with many emerging diseases, details are not finalized at this time. In addition, there is some misinformation that has floated around regarding the disease itself. Here is what we know at this time:

Risk Factors:

Not all dogs are at high risk for contracting the canine influenza virus, or any other potential component of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease for that matter. At risk dogs are those that frequently come into contact with other dogs. Places that this occur are dog parks, kennel facilities, training classes, Petsmart and other pet stores, grooming facilities and daycares. To minimize your dog's risk, keep him or her on a lease and limit nose to nose contact with other dogs. When possible, avoid at the at risk activities and locations listed above. We also recommend vaccinating at risk dogs for both canine influenza and bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough).

If you are concerned about your dog being at risk, we encourage you to get educated on the disease/ syndrome. It is advisable to read many sources and note the common themes, rather than the few outliers. We are working on articles to continue to educate our clients. Links to various articles are included below:

Canine Influenza Outbreak (Article from 2013)

Coughing Dogs (August 2014 "outbreak")

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD) (April 2015)

Canine Respiratory Disease Flare Up (June 2015)

Article written and published by Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

Why do Dogs Eat Grass

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 16:25:00 GMT

This is a very common question from dog owners. It is often a concern that owners have that something is wrong with their pet. There is not one specific response to the question, but we will review several below:

Whatever the reason that dogs eat grass, there may be cause for concern. Most of the time it is harmless, but it could be an indication of a bigger problem. Always note if there is a new behavior in your dog. If she is all of the sudden eating grass, watch to see what else is changing. Is her appetite increase? What about the amount of water he is drinking? A sudden change in eating habits may be an indication of a GI problem, so watch him/ her as he/she defecates. Is the stool normal? Is it formed, runny or bloody?

Click here to read and article about reasons to take your pet to the veterinarian. (This article is forthcoming and not published at this time)

Why do cats Purr?

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 16:11:00 GMT

This is a common question that we receive during an appointment, as well as in general conversation. There are two ways to answer this question and we will attempt to do so below.

The first approach is to answer with a clinical, or physiologic, response. That simply means to answer the "HOW" portion of the question. What is going on physically with my cat that makes him/ her purr? The easiest way to answer this is that purring is generated by vibrations of the vocal cords. These vibrations cause the audible sound that you hear and the vibration that you are able to feel. The vibration occurs as the result of brain stimulation, which sends a neurologic response to vocal cords.

The second answer to the question is why your cat actually purrs. Another way to state this is "What does it mean when my cat purrs?" One common response is that a cat purrs when she/ he is happy. Cats often purr when they are in contact with their owner. They tend to purr when they are comfortable or content. You may notice that your cat purrs in response to being pet or stroked. Cats also purr when injured or sick. Some people believe that the purring my be associated with greater healing. Cats sometime purr when they are scared. Cat purr when nursing their kittens. Cats also purr when nervous. One additional cause of purring is hunger. Some cats will purr in order to try to get food from their owners.

Changing Diets: A How to Guide

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 16:15:00 GMT

How do I change my pet's food from one to another?

Is the pet store out of your normal pet food? Are you needing to change diets due to food allergies? Are you changing diets for medical reasons or weight management? Scared of a food recall or the recent Beneful Class Action Lawsuit (2015)? Maybe it is time to change to a higher quality pet food. You may be an owner who does not like the idea of feeding your pet the same food all the time. There are many reasons why a pet owner may elect to change their pet's diet. Whatever the reason, it can be dangerous to change from one diet to another abruptly. The only time this is suitable is when changing from a normal diet to some sort of bland diet, which is usually recommended for Gastroenteritis, vomiting and diarrhea cases.

So, what is the best way to transition from one diet to another? Here is a good, simple method:

We recommend a gradual change from one diet to the next. This transition period should cover a period of time of about 10 to 14 days. It is recommended to change slowly, but typically the following easy plan seems to work really well:

Day 1-2: Begin with about 10% of the newer diet mixed in with 90% of the diet that your pet is accustomed to eating

Day 2-4: Begin mixing the diets at a ration of 25% of the new to 75% or the "normal" diet.

Day 5-7: At this point, you can probably change at a slightly more rapid pace. Begin mixing the diets at an equal 50:50 ratio

Day 8-10: Now is when the diet begins to be more of the "new" diet and less of the "old" diet. Give your pet 75% of the newer diet, mixed with 25% of the former diet.

Day 11 and moving forward: You pet should now be ready to start eating the newer diet as his or her only diet.

There are some instances where this formula may be too sudden. There are some dogs that need to be started by adding in one teaspoon of the new diet and removing one teaspoon of the other diet. These dogs can be transitioned by adding an additional teaspoon every 2 days. It is also important to note that a true dietary trial for food allergies does not begin until the point in time that your dog is on the trial diet exclusively.

Written and published by Dr. Jeff Fink on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Beneful Class Action Lawsuit

Wed, 25 Feb 2015 16:43:00 GMT

Class Action Lawsuit

Purina Pet Foods

Beneful

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Recently there has been a lot of talk on the news and on social media about a class action lawsuit that has been filed against Beneful dog food by Purina. At Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc., we are keeping watch on the situation and will stay up to date.

Here are the facts as they stand right now:

At this time there is a lot to consider:

1) Pet Owners: The pet owners are understandably upset and emotional. The loss of a pet is extremely difficult. Within the lawsuit, there are claims by another pet owner that her dogs died 6 months apart. One passed away from kidney failure, the other passed away from liver complications. What is left out of the report is the signalment; meaning age, breed, sex, etc. This is important and vital because older dogs tend to get sick with various conditions, liver and kidney disease being two of the major ones. We see this a lot with a household that gets two puppies at the same time. It is not uncommon for these two pets to pass away within 6-12 months of one another when they are older.

2) Purina: Purina is denying the claims and fighting the lawsuit. This is certainly understandable, as they are a big business that sells a lot of dog food. Beneful is one of their leading brand names, so they are wanting to protect this as much as they can. I talked to the Purina Veterinary Hotline earlier today and they are standing behind their product 100%. They state that Beneful is a high quality, nutirious dog food enjoyed by millions of dogs every day.

3) News Outlets/ Media: The news outlets need to fill time and get viewership. They realize that animal stories are a great way to do this. We all get very emotional over our pets, as they bring us much joy and companionship. This is not the first instance in which out local news affiliate has run with stories of dog deaths. In 2003, there was a report claiming that veterinarians were pushing vaccinations that were killing pets. This story played on a common theme, which is once again rearing its head: the death and sickness of a pet. The vaccines in question at that time were to protect against Distemper Virus and Parvovirus. While I have never seen a death that can be directly attributed to one of these vaccinations, I see 6 to 10 cases of parvovirus EVERY YEAR. The average cost of a parvovirus treatment is $800-$1200 (a very costly treatment) while the average cost of a vaccination is generally $20-$25. Prevention is critical in fighting both of these disease and is much less expensive than treatment. Of those 6-10 cases per year, 2 to 3 will not survive the virus.

4) Social Media: The internet is a dangerous place, as people react and respond to anything and everything. There are already threads with multiple pet owners who fed Beneful blaming their dog's sickness and passing on Beneful. Most of these claims are extremely vague, with people wanting an explanation for the loss of their beloved dog. One owner states that: "My dog died last year unexpectedly. She was sick maybe 4 hours tops. An inside dog. Went to let her out and found her dead in her bed. She was fed Beneful dry dog food. Now this explains why!!!!" They go on to state that they are so upset. This is very unfortunate, but is very consistent with antifreeze toxicity. The owner does not state that she followed the dog outside and observed the pet's behavior, at which time she could have easily gotten into antifreeze or some other type of toxin. The owner also does not give an age or any other history of underlying medical conditions. Heart disease can be another situation that results in a similar presentation of sickness with rapid decline leading to death.

5) Lawyers: While there are plenty of great lawyers out there, there are also many who will take on class action lawsuits for the fact that there is big money involved. There are lawyers who will file the lawsuits and do the work for no charge, with the stipulation that they receive a large portion of the settlement. In this case the settlement is potentially millions of dollars. All it takes is a quick internet search to find numerous class action lawsuits against drug companies. From personal experience, Google the term "Copyright Troll: and you will find many of these patent and copyright lawyers who copyright pictures and then sue anybody and everybody that mistakenly uses that image. These copyright trolls scare people into settling, when very few cases actually make it to court. The ones that do make it to court are oftentimes lost by the copyright troll or they are awarded a token settlement of less than $100. (This is just an example to show that anybody can sue anyone else for anything.) Class Action lawsuits are common in business thses days, but they do not indicate a direct cause and effect.

6) Internet websites: Websites are a great place for information and a place for people to congregate around similar interests, however websites are often driven to gain "hits," "views," and web traffic. We did a quick search for Beneful and there are multiple articles that cite a "Purina Recall." In none of these articles does it state that Beneful was recalled, however the hint is there and the implication intentional

7) Beneful Brand: This is one of the more popular brands of dog foods that is available today. Like all foods, some dogs do indeed have problems associated with Beneful. These include allergies to specific ingredients (the top five are Beef, Chicken, Corn, Pork and Lamb) and gastroenteritis associated with abrupt diet change. Both of these conditions are reported with every dog food on the market. Many of the vomiting and diarrhea reports are likely due to an abrupt change form one food to another (look at the reports of "they were out of my dog food, so we bought Beneful and then my dog began to vomit.")

8) Antifreeze in the Food: There has not been a dog food that is contaminated with antifreeze from a manufacturer. This stems from confusion over two related substances: Propylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol. These two sound similar, but are vastly different. Ethylene Glycol is the compound in antifreeze that results in a quick onset of clincial signs, leading to rapid coma and death. Propylene glycol is a simple food preservative that has been used in human food as well as dog food.

9) Consumer Affairs: There are many stories and reports on Cunsumer Affiars regarding Beneful. These stories are similar to the social media aites above, vague and accusatory. Many cite problems that can be associated with any food, such as food allergies and GI upset. If your pet is vomiting or have diarrhea, there can by many reasons. Click HERE for more information.

In summary, there appears to be little merit to the direct cause and effect in this case at this time. We will monitor the situation, however a settlement may be likely and is common in situations like this one. Purina is currently disputing and fighting the allegations, but oftentimes settlements are easier and less costly than an actual trial. At this time, we do not believe there to be a problem directly associated with Beneful Dog Food by Purina. There have been no FDA recalls nor any direct links to Beneful.

We feel that we have your pet's best interest in mind, as we all have furry family members too! It is our intention to get the best information into your hands as we can. If you are not comfortable continuing the feeding of Beneful brand pet foods, we understand. Please make sure that you transition your pet to another pet food slowly to avoid GI upsets. We recommend a transition phase that lasts from one to two weeks. You should begin by feeding 75% of the current diet to 25% of the new diet for the first 3 to 4 days. At that point, it is okay to gradually add more and more of the newer diet, while decreasing the former diet (in this case Beneful). For a HOW TO guide on switching your pet to a new food, click HERE .

If you have any questions please call the clinic at (330)682-2971

Disclaimer: This is a very fluid situation. These are merely our opinoins at this time. While we can not say that there is no problem with Beneful, we are also not able to find a direct link to death by this food. More information will become available as time goes on. We are not stating that there is no potential of an issue here, but no cause and effect has been established at this time. LIkewise, we have not seen any issues with Beneful recently. We are aware that there have been multiple food recalls within the past several years and constantly try to monitor these recalls that have merit. We do not intend this to be a support of Purina directly. At this time these are just allegations, which can be levied by anybody. We also do not mean this article to represent that the food is or is not safe, as we do not know for sure. This is essentially to get the facts into your hands as they stand at this time. There are plenty of high quality dog foods that are available. We would be happy to make a recommendation. (Beneful is not one that we routinely recommend)

This article written and published by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Please check out the remainder of the website for information on flea and tick control, heartworm disease, the top medical conditions of dogs and cats and many other articles. Feel free to email us at info@orrvillevetclinic.com if you have any suggestions for future articles.

Why is my Pet vomiting or having diarrhea?

Product Spotlight: Vectra

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 19:28:00 GMT

Product Spotlight: Vectra

(For Cats)

Vectra for cats is a topical product that is available for prevention of fleas and ticks. It also treats and prevents biting flies, sand flies, lice, mites and mosquitoes. Vectra kills through contact, which means that the parasite does not have to bite in order to die. However, no flea product is able to prevent every bite because fleas are often very hungry, searching out a meal as fast as they can. The good news is that Vectra for cats begins working within 5 minutes and kills fleas within 6 hours.

By killing the adult fleas, Vectra is able to prevent many of the other stages of fleas, including eggs, larvae and pupae. (For more about the flea life cycle, click HERE ). Vectra is waterproof, but can be washed off if soaps or detergents are used during bathing. Most people don't bathe their cats, so this is hopefully a non-issue. If you do elect to bathe your cat, we recommend a soap free shampoo, which typically contains aloe and oatmeal.

Vectra is one of the newer veterinary products that has replaced Frontline. Vectra has a special application tip, which makes it easier to apply the topical product directly to your cat's skin.

Please note that there is another, similar product for dogs, called Vectra 3D. Vectra 3D is NOT FOR USE ON CATS.

Product Spotlight: Vectra 3D

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 19:09:00 GMT

Vectra 3D is produced for use in dogs as prevention of fleas and ticks. Like many products, it is unable to totally prevent a flea bite from occurring. However, Vectra 3D is fast acting, often reducing flea feeding within 5 minutes. A total flea kill will result within 6 hours. In addition to fleas and ticks, Vectra 3D repels and kills mosquitoes, biting flies, sand flies, lice and mites (not the "mange" mites). By killing the parasites, Vectra 3D prevents the development of immature stages of fleas because dead fleas can not produce eggs, growing into larvae and then pupae. (Click here for flea life cycle)

Vectra 3D is a topical product that provides protection from fleas and ticks for one month. It is water proof, but pets should not be bathed with a detergent or soap based shampoo. Suitable shampoos are soap free and often are a combination of aloe and oatmeal. Protection can begin as early as 8 weeks of age. An additional benefit is that Vectra 3D has a specialized applicator tip, which helps to apply the product directly to your dog's skin.

This is a product that many veterinary clinics have chosen to replace Frontline, by Merial. Frontline was a top product for many years, but its efficacy was lost in 2012. This is common to all flea products and not a "knock" on Frontline.

Please note that Vectra 3D is NOT FOR USE IN CATS, but there is a comparable cat product. It is calle simply Vectra.

emergency veterinary care

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 18:05:00 GMT

We are proud to provide a wide range of veterinary emergency services. We serve the Orrville, Wooster, Dalton, Rittman and surrounding regions. Since we are a mixed animal practice, we are able to provide services on the farm, as well as meeting you at the clinic to examine and treat dogs and cats at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic location.

Our large animal doctors are available 24 hours a day.

Small animal emergencies are referred to a fully staffed 24 hour veterinary emergency clinic.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 17:34:00 GMT

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a common medical condition in which an animal's skin overreacts negatively to one or more flea bites. This is due to an allergy to the saliva of the flea. Reactions to flea bites in these cases can cause itching, red skin, hair loss and sores in dogs and cat. You may notice intense itching and scratching as well as scabbing around the neck area in cats. Many reactions will show up on the pet's hind quarters; the base of the tail and back, as well as the stomach area. Many pets come in with a pattern of hair loss that looks like an upside down V just above the base of the tail. This pattern of hair loss is almost diagnostic for a flea problem.

When we see pets with these symptoms, our first question will usually be: "What do you use as flea prevention?" This is in no way meant as an insult to you or your capabilities for taking great care of your pet! We recommend treating both your indoor and outdoor pets. Fleas will hitch a ride on any object they can find: your pants or shoes, your pet's fur, something brought into the house from the garage, etc. They are expert hitchhikers and are always looking for a good meal---you or your pet!

If you have a pet with a severe allergy to fleas, you could use flea prevention year-round and it would still take only a couple bites from a flea to cause an allergic reaction. Flea prevention is a fantastic way of preventing flea infestations in your pet's environment; however, using it does not create a 'force field' effect. There is always a delay, so keeping every pet in your care (inside and out) on a good flea prevention schedule will help keep infestations from invading your house. This will greatly reduce the risk of your pet being bitten.

FAD is a raher common occurrence in the veterinary field, making up almost half of the skin problems that are seen yearly! (according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council) Most commonly, the treatment for flea allergy dermatitis is a course of antibiotics (if the skin is infected), steroid treatment for itching and inflammation, and making sure that the pet is on a proven oral or topical flea prevention.

In most cases, once treatment has been started and fleas have been eliminated, the sores and scabbing will heal and hair will grow back normally.

If you are dealing with a flea infestation, it can take up to three or four months to completely rid the area of fleas, even with all pets on prevention. The reason for this is that there is a life stage of the flea, called the pupae stage, where the flea egg grows an almost impermeable shell (FUN FACT: the flea pupae's shell is so tough that even an atomic bomb would not be able to penetrate it!). It can take up to 3-4 months for the flea to hatch from this phase. So treating your pets for one month will not be enough to cure an infestation. For more on the flea life cycle, click HERE.

In conclusion, it is much easier, and cost effective to prevent fleas that it would be to treat a pet for Flea Allergy Dermatitis and handle an infestation in the home. We have many flea prevention products here at OVC; listed below are the products (with embedded links) that we carry and recommend.

Trifexis

Comfortis

Revolution

Bravecto

Vectra and Vectra 3d

Stop in and see us anytime and we can answer any questions you may have regarding our products!

For More information about fleas, click on the links listed below:

Flea Life Cycle

This Flea Product DOES NOT WORK!

Flea Control and Prevention

Prepare for the Perils of Spring

This article was written and submitted by Robin Evans.

Edited and published by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink for use on the Orrville Veterinary Clinic Websites.

Laser Therapy

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 17:12:00 GMT

Laser Therapy in Practice

History of Laser Therapy

Laser therapy is a treatment modality that has been around since the 1960's, but is also a recent trend within veterinary medicine. The recent surge in the number of veterinary clinics that offer laser therapy is likely due to the amount of data that is now available to show that it is highly effective---in other words, it works!

Another reason for the the increase is the improvement of laser therapy units, often meaning that units deliver more energy to the tissues. These "stronger" lasers allow us to more effectively treat your animal more effectively, in less time.

It is ironic to learn that laser therapy was actually developed because of a study in mice. Endre Mester noticed that mice that receiving laser treatments were able to grow hair back at a faster rate than those that did not receive laser treatments. This begin the advent of laser therapy, which is now used to treat a wide range of medical conditions.

What is Laser Therapy?

We can use a lot of fancy terms, but what it boils down to is that lasers are light energy. The therapy units target the body tissues and deliver this energy to the level of the cells, particularly the "mitochondria." Mitochondria are basically like the engine of the cell. They produces ATP, which is energy. The light energy improves circulation, which means more oxygen to the tissue that is being targeted. Not only does more oxygen get delivered, but the cells are also more effective at using this increased oxygen. The increase in circulation also means greater ability to remove "bad stuff" from the area. "Bad Stuff" includes things like toxins and oxidative free radicals. These substances cause increased tissue damage, so removing them helps to stop this cycle. Laser therapy essentially helps the body to heal itself, by promoting the natural processes that we were designed with.

What Animals can be Treated?

Using our Class IV laser therapy unit, the doctors of Orrville Veterinary Clinic can deliver light energy to deep tissues. This allows us to perform laser therapy on many types of animals, ranging from small dogs all the way up to large horses . Oftentimes, our older pets can benefit the most from therapy. A conservative estimate is that 20% of animals over age 7 years have some form of arthritis.

What Conditions can be Treated Using Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy is often added into traditional therapies to treat many conditions. In animals these include:

Osteoarthritis

Back Pain

Nerve Pain

Soft Tissue Inflammation

Post-surgical wounds

Generalized wounds

Skin Infections

Ear Infections

Soft Tissue Injuries

Tendonitis

Dental Disease

For more information about Laser therapy click on the following links to our articles:

Laser Therapy in Horses

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:15:00 GMT

The Benefits of Laser Therapy in Horses

Laser therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, is growing in popularity among equine veterinarians to promote healing, decrease inflammation, and manage pain. Laser light has a direct action on cells, specifically cellular mitochondria, to produce these desirable effects. As with any treatment modality, an accurate diagnosis is important. For example, if your horse is lame on the left rear leg, it doesn’t make sense to start treating the hock joint unless the lameness has been localized to that area.

After lameness localization, a treatment plan must be developed. Laser therapy is considered an adjunct therapy to other treatment modalities. For example, our veterinarians may decide that your horse needs a joint injection to relieve the pain associated with hock arthritis and prescribe laser therapy to provide an additional method of long-term healing and pain relief to that area.

Another benefit of laser therapy is that it is extremely safe. Overdoses are almost impossible. Laser therapy can also help reduce the number of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as phenylbutazone, that your horse may need. Laser therapy typically starts at 2-4 treatments per week, eventually reducing to once per week or even month. There are instances where such dramatic results occur after just a few treatments that they are no longer necessary and the horse is considered cured.

Laser therapy can be used for a wide variety of issues in horses. A few of these include arthritis, tendon or ligament injury, wounds, back or neck pain, and joint swelling. Laser therapy has been scientifically proven to reduce pain and inflammation and reduce healing time. If your horse has any of these diagnoses that have been discussed, ask about laser therapy as a possible treatment modality.

Horse Vaccinations: Why have my vet do them?

Tue, 10 Feb 2015 16:58:00 GMT

Why Should I have my Veterinarian Vaccinate my Horse?

Have you ever wondered why you should have your horse vaccinated by a veterinarian when you can simply buy the vaccine at the feed store for less money?

Some horse owners may choose have to have their veterinarian design and administer their horse’s vaccination program. Others may purchase the vaccinations elsewhere and administer themselves. Is there a difference? At the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, we think there is.

Our vaccinations were selected because they include the most current and important strains of the viruses that your horse may be exposed to. We also select the safest vaccines. Our vaccines were ultra-purified to remove any of the cellular debris or contaminants that your horse may possibly have an adverse reaction to. We also guarantee that the “cold chain” has been maintained on the vaccines that we sell. If a vaccine sits on the warehouse of the feed store over the weekend and gets warm (or frozen), it is rendered ineffective. We guarantee that doesn’t happen with our vaccines.

Another very important reason that you may choose to have our veterinarians administer your horse’s vaccines is because there is a guarantee of disease prevention. The company that produces your horse’s vaccines will pay up to $3,000 towards treatment and testing if your horse gets sick and it appears there may be a disease present that should have been prevented by the vaccine. This is a very important benefit.

Finally, we feel that the expertise that we offer comes with added value. By visiting your location and performing a physical examination on your horse, we can better select the right protocol for your horse. Is he a heavily ridden trail horse that will be exposed to other horses out on the trails? Is she a breeding mare that is taken in and out of breeding facilities? Is your horse going to training? Is he more of a backyard horse that really doesn't travel? These and many other questions help us to cater a program to your horse's needs. We will also perform an examination, which will likely lead to earlier disease detection and intervention. We also take your horse's specific situation into account when designing other programs, such as an effective and targeted deworming strategy.

Overall, you will also get a piece of mind that our veterinarians have selected the best vaccinations and best schedule tho fit your horse’s needs. We trust that you will find tremendous value in our knowledge and experience.

Article written by Drs. Gabe Middleton and Jeff Fink for use by Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

The Seven Types of Dog Barks

Thu, 05 Feb 2015 17:12:00 GMT

What they mean and how to manage them

Did you know that there are basically seven types of barks that our dogs exhibit? Each bark has a different reason and remedy. Without further ado, here are the seven bark types and some information about each type:

1) Alert/Alarm Barking - This is the dog who saves his family from a fire, tells us that Timmy’s in the well (Think Lassie), scares off the rapist, barks at the dogs on Animal Planet, and goes bonkers every time someone walks past on the sidewalk outside the picture window. Alarm barkers can save lives - but sometimes their judgment about what constitutes an alarm-appropriate situation can be a little faulty.

2) Demand Barking - This is one of the most common and easiest to extinguish early. Essentially this is your dog barking a request to get what they want, be it a treat, praise or something else. The longer a dog successfully demands stuff, the more persistent he’ll be if you try to ignore him. Simply ignoring him is the best answer to this behavior. This means tough love: no treats, no attention - not even eye contact. The instant the demand behavior starts, utter a cheerful “Oops!” and turn your back on your dog. When he’s quiet, say, “Quiet, yes!” and return your attention - and treat - to him.

3) Frustration/Arousal Barking - Often confused with anxiety barkers, dogs who have a low tolerance for frustration will bark hysterically when they can’t get what they want. Unlike the separation anxiety panic attack, this is simply an “I WANT IT!” style temper tantrum similar to demand barking, but with more emotion, and directed at the thing he wants, such as a cat strolling by, rather than at you.

4) Boredom Barking - This is the dog who’s left out in the backyard all day, and maybe all night. Dogs are social creatures, and the backyard dog is lonely and bored. Boredom barking is often continuous, with a monotonous quality: “Ho hum, nothing else to do, I may as well just bark.”

5) Stress Barking - Stress barkers are fearful, anxious, or even panicked about something real or anticipated in the environment, such as the actual approach of a threat, or isolation distress/separation anxiety. Separation anxiety (SA) can be manifested in a number of behaviors, including nonstop hysterical barking and sometimes howling.

6) Play Barking - This is a common behavior for herding dogs - the cheerleaders and “fun police” of the canine world. As other dogs (or humans) romp and play, the play-barker runs around the edges, barking, sometimes nipping heels. If you’re in a location where neighbors won’t complain and the other dogs tolerate the behavior, you might just leave this one alone. With children, however, the behavior’s not appropriate, and the dog should be managed by removing him from the play area, rather than risk bites to children.

7) Greeting Barking - “Yay, Mom’s home! Mom’s home! Mom’s home!” If your dog hails you with hellos when you return after an absence, it’s time to shift into ignore mode. Stand outside your door and wait for the cacophony to subside, then enter calmly; no rousing hug-fests or “I love you! I missed you!” sessions. When your dog is quiet, then calmly greet him. If he starts to bark again, mark the barking with an “Oops!” and ignore him again.

In summary:

Alert/Alarm - Remove stimulus
Demanding - Ignore
Frustration/Arousal - Positive interrupt
Boredom - Stimulate
Stress - Remove/Condition (to) stress
Play - Negative punishment
Greeting - Ignore

This article written on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc and all associated clinic by Dr. Greg Roadruck.

Edited by Dr. Jeff Fink for use on this website along with the websites for Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic and the Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic.

Periodontitis (Gum Disease)

Thu, 08 Jan 2015 21:10:00 GMT

One of the top ten diseases of both dogs and cats is periodontitis. Often referred to as Gingivitis, periodontal disease is actually a deeper issue. With periodontal disease, not only are the gums inflammed, but the underlying structures as well. These supporting structures include the gingiva, cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. These structure become damage with worsening periodontal disease, which leads to pain and discomfort. Many animals with periodontitis requie multiple tooth extractions.

Periodontal disease is actually a result of poor oral hygeine. Without proper brushing, a pet's teeth will begin to build up bacteria and a small amount of "biofilm." This "biofilm" allows plaque to adhere to the tooth surface. Once this plaque starts, a viscious cycle is started. This cycle is as follows: bacterial overgrowth --> biofilm --> plaque -->tartar ---> further bacterial overgrowth --> more plaque --> more tartar, etc. Eventually this cycle leads to inflammation of the gingiva and the periodontal pocket. This

2015 Horse Owners Meeting

Thu, 08 Jan 2015 18:08:00 GMT

Orrville Veterinary Clinic's Horse Owners Meeting

Thursday January 22nd, 2015

6:30-8:00 P.M.

Schmid Hall (in Orr Park)

501 Hall St.

Orrville Ohio

This is our fourth annual Horse owner's meeting. We are excited to once again be hosting many of our horse owners at a new location this year. We have outgrown our previous location and have continuously increased the number of equine patients within our practice. Please come join us this year for information regarding Infectious and Non-infectious equine respiratory diseases. Dr. Scott Hancock or Boehringer Ingelheim is our featured speaker this year. In addition, Dr. Gabe Middleton will be presenting the newest treatment addition to our clinic: Companion Animal Laser therapy. We are excited about the chance to add a new form of treatment to our regimen. This will help us to aide in treating many conditions, including many lameness and arthritis conditions.

We hope to see you there. Again, note the location change.

Otitis Externa (Ear Infections)

Tue, 02 Dec 2014 15:28:00 GMT

Ear Infections

Otitis Externa

One of the most common reasons ( Top Ten Medical Conditions of Dogs ) that a dog or cat presents to the veterinarian for a non-routine appointment is due to ear infections. The medical term for ear infections in dogs is otitis and can be separated into three categories: otitis externa, otitis medialis and otitis interna (also know as outer ear, middle ear and inner ear infections). The majority of ear infections in animals are outer ear infections (Otitis externa). This involves the outer portion of the ear, which is made up of the vertical and horizontal ear canals.

Contrary to popular belief, outer ear infections are most often a symptom of allergies. While allergies are the main cause, there are a few risk factors that can help contribute to ear infections. These include floppy ears, narrow ear canals, repeated exposure of the ears to water and certain breeds.

Another common misconception is that ear mites are the main reason for ear infections. The truth is that ear mites are rarely the cause of ear problems in adult animals. Ear mites are almost exclusively a problem of young kittens and some young dogs. If we happen to see ear mites in an older animal, we always try to determine if there are young animals in the environment. Otherwise we start to be concerned about other issues and disease process that may be going on within your pet because this can be a sign of a non working immune system.

Symptoms : Many of the symptoms are related to the discomfort that is experienced in the ear canal itself. Animals experience a itching sensation, as well as pain and warmth at the site of infection. Many owners will notice constant shaking of the head. Other signs include rubbing the ears on the ground, rubbing the side of the face along the couch, pawing at the ears and holding the head down to relieve the discomfort. In addition, owners may notice redness/ inflammation of the ear. Oftentimes a very distinct odor can be detected.

Additional problems and symptoms may bee noted. These include a major swelling of the ear flap (called an aural hematoma). This requires surgery. Any abnormal head positioning or eye movement is a sign that you need to get your pet seen as soon as possible. This may indicate a middle or inner ear infection. These infections are more complicated and require more aggressive therapy.

Diagnosis : The first step in diagnosis is the physical examination. Using the otoscope, one of our veterinarians will take a look at both the vertical and horizontal ear canal. We may determine the need to clean the ear canals so that we are able to better see the tympanic membrane (Ear drum). Most of the time, we will take a small sample of debris from both ears and run a test to determine both the type of infection and the treatment that is the most likely to resolve the ear infection.

Typically we classify an ear infection into three broad categories:

Treatment : Treatment for the specific ear infection will vary depending on the results of the physical examination and the cytology testing that we perform in the clinic. Most treatments involve some form of ear cleaning and then a treatment that is placed into the ear. Our technician or veterinarian will demonstrate the proper way to clean the ear canals. Generally, we recommend cleaning the infected ears once a day for one week and then every other day for the second week. We then give you instructions on when to apply the ear medication, which is either once a day or twice a day for two weeks. Some ear infections can also be treated using a medication that we can place into the ear canal. This treatment will stay in the ear canal and treat the infection for 2 to 3 weeks depending on each case.

Animals that have a more aggressive infection may be placed on additional medications. These include oral antibiotics and NSAIDs. NSAIDs are medications that target both inflammation and pain.

Prevention : While there is no way to truly prevent ear infections, there are things that can be done to help. For dogs and cats that have chronic, repeated ear infections; we recommend cleaning the ears twice a week. This helps to keep the ear canal free of debris, as well as removes gunk and organisms from the ear canal. Routine cleaning also helps to detect an ear infection early on. It is also a good idea to clean the ears after any time that your pet has been in water. This includes after a bath and after swimming. This helps to remove the water and moisture from the ears, which is one thing that can lead to ear infections.

We recommend cleaning your pet's ears only with an approved ear cleaner for animals. We sell several different types and brands. For most animals, a general ear cleaner is recommended. Sometimes we will recommend using a specific ear cleaner that may be better for a specific case. These ear cleaners may be more effective at dissolving the ear debris or may change the pH levels within the ear canal. We never recommend a home remedy in the ears. Home remedies are not approved for use in pets and often cause more harm that good. These include vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. It is especially important to avoid these if the ear drum is ruptured. This is an additional reason why bringing your pet in for a thorough ear examination is vital, because a ruptured ear drum is a complication that can result in permanent damage to your pet's inner ear.

Companion Therapy Laser

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:31:00 GMT

Companion Laser Therapy

November 2014

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. is excited to announce the purchase of a class IV laser therapy unit. We recently agreed to purchase this unit, which will be incorporated into many of the treatment plans that we currently utilize. Laser therapy is one of the newest therapy modalities in the veterinary profession. It uses infrared laser light to stimulate healing and blood flow to injured areas. The possibilities for use as endless. The best part is that this technology is non-invasive, so your pet can experience the treatment with no discomfort. Many veterinarians report that their patients actually relax a lot during the treatment.

So, how does this technology work?

So, what conditions can be treated using laser therapy?

As of the publishing of this article, we do not have the laser therapy unit in house. It is on order and we are eagerly anticipating the arrival. We will then begin using it, rotating the unit between our three locations in Orrville, Seville and Barberton.

Holiday Hazards for your cat and dog

Thu, 20 Nov 2014 18:39:00 GMT

How to Keep Your Pet Healthy During the Holidays

The holidays are a very busy time of year with gathering and parties very commonplace. Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to align with the American Humane Association to remind pet owners about holiday hazards for your pet, mainly focusing this article around things pet may eat during this festive time of year. For a similar resource that discusses more holiday hazards, click HERE.

*Adapted from DVM Magazine staff article "Advice for clients: what not to feed animals this holiday season" for Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. by Robin Evans.

Edited by Dr. Jeff Fink.

2014 Christmas Animal Drive

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:47:00 GMT

*CHRISTMAS ANIMAL SHELTER DONATION LIST*

**Dry and Canned Kitten and Puppy Food (Friskies, Fancy Feast, Science Diet)
**Dry and Canned Adult Cat and Dog Food (Pro Plan, Pedigree, Science Diet)
**Puppy and Kitten Formula and Bottles
**Cat Litter unscented or Pelleted
Dog and Cat Treats
Clean Blankets and Towels
Pet Carriers
Litter Boxes
Cat and Dog Toys
**Leashes
Dog and Cat Food/Water Bowls
**Laundry Detergent
Dish Detergent
Disposable Non-sterile Latex Gloves
**Bleach and Hand Sanitizer
** Paper Towels
Mops, Brooms and Dustpan
**Small Paper Boats Available at GFS
Large Garbage Bags
**Monetary

** Indicates Urgent Needs

Please call the Office at (330)682-2971 if you have any questions.

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is located at:

665 N. Main Street

Orrville, Ohio 44667

www.orrvillevetclinic.com

Our other locations include Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic , Orrville Pet Spa and Resort and Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic .

Revised Bordetella (Kennel Cough) Protocol

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 17:23:00 GMT

Bordetella Guidelines

Revised November 17th, 2014

Bordetella Bronciseptica is a contagious disease of dogs. It is spread by aerosolized particles, which can spread from dog to dog when they come into close contact with one another. It is a common concern of boarding and grooming facilities, as well as dog parks and other areas where a lot of dogs tend to visit and play. Because it is common in boarding facilities, it often goes by the common name: Kennel Cough.

There is often some confusion as to the need to vaccinate. There is often confusion and discussion about when and how to best protect your dog. Here at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic (OVC), we partner closely with the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort. Through this partnership, we stay on top of the best methods of protection, as well as keeping up with concerns of various boarding facilities. For those unfamiliar with Orrville Pet Spa and Resort, we are a premium boarding and grooming facility. We are getting ready to break ground on an expansion project to further enhance our day care portion of our business.

The doctors at OVC are always monitoring the best methods of protection, as well as the efficacy of the numerous vaccinations that are available to protect dogs. At this time, we are using the following protocol:

Our current vaccination schedule will alternate an intranasal vaccination (which also includes parainfluenza) with an Oral vaccination. We feel that this provides the best immunity for your dog at this time.

Please give us a call if you have any questions of concerns about Bordetella and your dog.

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

1665 N. Main Street

Orrville, Ohio 44667

Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink is the author and publisher of this article on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

This Flea Product DOES NOT WORK!

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 20:29:00 GMT

"This Flea Product DOES NOT WORK"

This is a common complaint that we get from clients. So.......this must mean that what we recommend is not working, right? To quote Lee Corso of ESPN fame: "Not so fast, my friend!"

There are many products that are available for flea control and prevention of cats and dogs. Many of these are great products and highly effective, while some of them are not so great. In fact, some of the older "great" products have lost their efficacy. This includes the "Brand most recommended by veterinarians," which will go unnamed at this time for various reasons. At the end of this article, you will see a list of products. Most of these are currently recommended by our veterinarians and more information can be found by clinking on the resepctive product links.

So onto the heart of the matter: why is this product not working?

Well I am seeing live fleas?:

How do I make sure my pet is protected to the best level?

What Else do I need to do if my pet has Fleas?

Product Spotlight: Revolution

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:01:00 GMT

Revolution (Selamectin)

A common topical medication that is available for both dogs and cats is Revolution. Selamectin is the active ingredient in Revolution, which is produced by Zoetis, Inc.; formerly Pfizer Animal Health. They known for many novel and cutting edge pet medications. In this case, Revolution is a medication that has been available for use in cats and dogs for the past 15 years or so. With that track record, it is one of the more well known topical; yet it remains effective. Many years ago, a generation of parasite medications were released on the market and many of those are no longer effective, but Revolution has remained effective to date. So on to the nitty gritty: what does Revolution do for my pet?

Revolution is a monthly topical product, providing protection against many of the parasites that we see here in the Orrville, Dalton, Wooster corridor of route 30. These parasites include both "bugs" (external parasites) and "worms" (Internal parasites). Revolution should be applied directly on the skin, in the area between the shoulder blades of doggies. In kitties, we recommend applying the product a little higher up on the body (half way in between the top of the head and the shoulder blade area). This is so that cats can not groom any product off within the first few hours following application. An animal should not have had a bath for at least 2 days before having the topical applied. We also recommend using a soap free shampoo for all bathing when any topical medication has been applied.

Canines

Since dogs and cats are different, we have separated these two section by their associated critter classification. Dogs and cats have a different range of protection, even though there is little difference between the feline revolution and the canine revolution. The main difference is the concentration and volume of product. It is dosed by weight because larger animals have a larger surface area to cover. The bugs and worms that are covered is where the main difference lies. In dogs, Revolution is approved for the prevention of fleas, flea eggs and ear mites. It also protects against heartworm disease. Revolution is a good option in dogs, but it is not an "all-in-one." There are no true "all-in-one" medications, we feel that there are some better options for our canine friends.

Felines

Revolution is our top product for monthly parasite control in cats. Like dogs, Revolution protects against these parasites: Heartworms, fleas, flea eggs and ear mites. In addition, Revolution covers roundworms and hookworms, two of the most common internal parasites in cats. The reason for the increased protection is that cats are finicky groomers. They are meticulous in keeping their hair coats clean, so much so that a poor haircoat in an cat is sign of many potential diseases. Since cats groom so effectively, they ingest some of the product into their intestinal tract, resulting in the untimely demise of the internal pests.

Produced for Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. by Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

For use by Orrville Veterinary Clinic and our partner clinics: Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic and Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis 2014

Mon, 06 Oct 2014 13:35:00 GMT

2014 Eastern Equine Encephalitis Update

The Ohio Department of Agriculture recently confirmed several cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis in horses living in Northeast Ohio. The horses were located in Ashtabula and Trumball counties and tested positive for the EEE virus in late September. Dr. Tony Forshey, the state veterinarian of the ODA and Dave Daniels, who is the director of the ODA; issued a press release in late September to notify horse owners. The press release emphasizes the importance of prevention of this often deadly disease. The virus is spread by mosquitoes and can affect horses, poultry, people and deer. There are several steps that a horse owner can take to prevent this disease. One is to eliminate as many mosquito breeding grounds as possible. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so any longstanding puddles and pools of water should be eliminated. This includes water the sits for long times in buckets that are left out and things such as old tires that trap water. Another step is to ensure that your horse is properly vaccinated. The vaccine is very effective and requires an initial two shot series. The vaccine is then given once a year to booster your horse's immune system and antibodies.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis affects the horses central nervous system (Brain and spinal cord). As a result, many of the clinical signs are those that you would expect with a brain or spinal cord disorder. These include ataxia, incoordination, wobbling, a generalized depression, lameness, wobbling when walking, generalized weakness, and lack of appetite. Horses can also demonstrate erratic behavior, aggression and seizures. Unfortunately, many horse die after contracting the EEE virus.

At the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, we strive to stay on top of various disease situations as they arise within the state and our region of Ohio. We feel that vaccination is the key to this disease and recommend the vaccination for EEE annually in our area. It is part of our main vaccination line (currently Vetera Gold), which we recommend and provide to each of our clients that participate in our equine wellness program . Please give us a call if you are uncertain whether or not your horse is currently protected. It is often a good time of year to vaccinate your horse for rabies and other preventable diseases.

2014 Wayne County Fair

Fri, 29 Aug 2014 15:51:00 GMT

2014 Wayne County Fair

It is that time of year again, time for the Wayne County Fair. The Wayne County fair is one of the largest fairs in the state, something for which our area can be extremely proud. Our doctors and staff really enjoy the fair and look forward to seeing many of our clients and patients succeed. We are also proud to be a supporter of the fair and local 4H groups and FFA chapters within the community. As the fair approaches, we though it would be good to focus on animal care as it relates to the fair. The fair presents unique opportunities us to experience new things along with our animals that are entered for the various shows and categories.

Along with these unique opportunities, come some unique risks. For the majority of the fair animals, especially the farm animals; they reside on a farm and travel very little from location to location. This means that they are not exposed to stresses and potential contagious diseases as much as if animals traveled from place to place. So as we think about the beginning of the fair, we focus on disease risk. The best prevention against contagious disease is a well rounded vaccination protocol. Many of the diseases that can be spread at the fair are respiratory in nature. This means that the virus or bacteria is spread within the air. The contagious disease can travel rapidly throughout the barn, sometimes exposing every animal in that barn to the disease. In addition, the many people that travel from barn to barn can spread diseases in other ways, such as through manure on boots.

There are many animals at the fair, representing a wide variety of species. These include dairy cattle, beef cattle, draft horses, show horses, pigs, goats, sheep, miniature horses, dogs, rabbits, chickens, and turkeys. Cattle should at least be vaccinated for respiratory diseases, such as Bovine Respiratory Synchitial Virus, Bovine Parainfluenza 3 and Bovine rhinotracheitis. We recommend that horses be current on at least Equine Influenza and Equine Rhinovirus. Dogs should be up to date on all core vaccinations, as well as Bordetella Bronciseptica (Kennel Cough) and parainflueza. We feel that protection from kennel cough and parainfluenza are especially important this year due to the recent increase in dogs with contagious repiratory disease in and around Wayne County. Sheep and Goats should be current on "overeat vaccine," which covers the clostridial diseases and tetanus. Though we do not do a lot of swine medicine, pigs should probably be vaccinated for parvovirus, swine influenza and PRRS.

Another risk associated with leaving the farm for the fair is stress. Animals can get stressed from simply the trailer ride from the farm. They may also get stressed from the many sights, sounds and smells of the fair. The constant flow of people in and out of the barns is something that most farm animals are not used to. The commingling with other animals can also be stressful, as there is not an established herd order among this new grouping of animals. Prior to the fair, you can expose your show animal to as many things as possible to try to keep them calm during the fair. Playing loud music or talk radio in the barn can help acclimate them to the various noises that they may see at the fair. Exposing your pet or livestock to various people can also help with the changes.

Of course, animals should be well taken care of at the fair. This means having fresh water and good food available to them at all times. Therefore, many animals will need clean feed and water buckets. Some owners are required to bring their own bedding (straw, sawdust, wood chips, etc), while some others will have straw and mulch provided due to support from the various fair boards. In addition, animals will likely need to have a good supply of fresh air. At the Wayne county fair, this may mean supplying your own fan to keep you animals cool. Since the fair is in early September, it can get very hot. Animals are very subject to heat stress, as well as the other potential issues that are listed above.

If you have any questions about what to do now to best protect your animal while at the fair, please call our office and we will try to provide as much information as we can. Keep in mind that you may need to check fair regulations to see if your animal will need a health paper or vaccine certificate to attend the fair. Horses may require a valid Coggins test, which is typically good for one year.

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is a proud supporter of the fair and many local farms. We really look forward to seeing you and your pets and farm animals at the fair this year!

By Dr. Jeff Fink

Coughing Dogs

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 14:18:00 GMT

Coughing Canines

August 2014

In Wayne County and and the surrounding counties, there has been a recent outbreak of a cough going around among dogs of our area. The affected dogs break with a cough and upper respiratory signs shortly after coming into contact with other contagious dogs. Fortunately the clinical course appears to be short, with no dogs displaying severely concerning signs. It has been limited to a mild to moderate cough for the most part. Dogs have developed this cough from many local boarding and grooming facilities, as well as local dog parks and other areas where dogs often come into contact with one another.

Orrville Veterinary Clinic has taken a lead role in attempting to discover the reason for this most recent outbreak. Dr. Judy Jackwood has been at the forefront of this investigation. We have submitted some respiratory panels in an attempt to determine the causative agent of the contagious cough. Unfortunately, a cause has not been determined at this time. The possibilities included a strain of kennel cough, parainfluenza virus and canine influenza. Most of the dogs that we encountered with the cough had been vaccinated for kennel cough. Most are also protected against canine influenza. Parainfluenza is typically considered to be a secondary invader, rarely causing clinical signs on its own.

Orrville Veterinary Clinic has partnered with our vaccine manufacturer to not only discover the cause, but to develop a solution or action plan. Boehringer Ingelheim supplies the majority of our canine vaccine, so they have assisted in the investigation. Though parainfluenza is rarely a clinical disease, Boehringer Ingelheim has stepped up to the plate to provide us with a combination vaccine that protects against both kennel cough and parainfluenza. At this point, it does appear that the mild scare is behind us, but we want to protect our patients to the best of our ability. We will begin vaccinating many of our regular day care dogs at the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort with this combination vaccination very shortly.

We pride ourselves on going above an beyond for both our patients and their owners. This is just another example of us delivering on our promise: "For the excellence you've come to expect, we've grown to provide."

Please contact our office at (330)682-2971 if you have any further questions or concerns.

Article and information written by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Cat Winners

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 14:05:00 GMT

2014 Bring Your Cat to the Vet Week

Here are the winners from last week's Take Your Cat To the Vet Day celebration!

Cat's Meow Toy - T-Bone
Cat Treat Maze - Albert
Light-up Speed Circuit Toy - Sasha
Massage station and Laxatone gel - Angel
Water Fountain and Laxatone gel - Tommy
Hammock with Scratching Post - Wyatt
GRAND PRIZE 6 months of Revolution and a $25 credit to account - Beijo

Congratulations to all of our winners!

Bravecto: Oral Flea and Tick Control

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 16:45:00 GMT

Bravecto: Oral Flea and Tick Control

Introducing Bravecto!

We are excited to announce the arrival of a new product for prevention and control of fleas and ticks: Bravecto ! Developed by the Merck Co. this novel unique for flea and tick control was released for dogs at the end of June 2014. This is a product that is unlike any other and provides long-lasting protection against both fleas and (most) ticks for 12 weeks!

Bravecto is a pork-flavored, chewable tablet and is readily eaten by most dogs. It is similar in taste to previous chewable heartworm pills that are availalble on the market. Providing 3 months of protection for fleas, as well as 3 months of protection for most tick species that we encounter in our area; Bravecto is the only pill that can claim such results. The American Brown Dog Tick and the Black legged Tick (Ixodes/ Deer tick) are both controlled under this 12 week duration. The Lone Star Tick, which is present in low numbers in Ohio, is only controlled at effective levels for 8 weeks. That being said, 8 weeks is a long duration of protection for ticks. At this time, the Lone Star tick is not a major species in Ohio.

There has yet to be a flea and tick product that eliminates the biting of the flea or tick. All products that are currently on the market do not offer a rapid enough kill to prevent these parasites from biting. The good news is that a tick need to be attached for 24 hours or longer in order to transmit disease. Bravecto kills fleas within 2 hours and ticks within 4 hours. As you can see, this is fast enough to prevent disease transmission.

Bravecto fills a much needed niche within the flea and tick control market of products. There has never been an oral tick control product, nor has there been a product that lasts for 3 months for flea control. That has changed with the release of Bravecto! There are a certain population of dogs that react negatively to topical medications. Bravecto helps to alleviate this concern.

As with everything, there are side effects that have been reported. These include vomiting and diarrhea. One advantage to Bravecto is the product support that is offered by Merck. If you give your dog this treat and he vomits within 3 hours, Merck will replace the tablet free of charge. If the vomiting occurs after three hours, the product has already been absorbed and is guaranteed to be effective.

Written for Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic, by Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

Bravecto: Product Spotlight

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 16:33:00 GMT

Bravecto: Oral Flea and Tick Control

In 2014, the Merck Co. released this novel product for flea and tick control in dogs and cats. This is a product that is unlike any other and provides long-lasting protection against these annoying parasites.

Bravecto for dogs is a pork-flavored, chewable tablet. Providing 3 months of protection for fleas, as well as 3 months of protection for most tick species that we encounter in our area; Bravecto is the only pill that can claim such results. The American Brown Dog Tick and the Black legged Tick (Ixodes/ Deer tick) are both controlled under this 12 week duration. The Lone Star Tick, which is present in low numbers in Ohio, is only controlled at effective levels for 8 weeks. That being said, 8 weeks is a long duration of protection for ticks. At this time, the Lone Star tick is not a major species in Ohio.

Bravecto for Cats is a topical product, similar to Frontline Plus or Revolution . It is applied to the skin and will also last for 12 weeks, just like the product for dogs.

There has yet to be a flea and tick product that eliminates the biting of the flea or tick. All products that are currently on the market do not offer a rapid enough kill to prevent these parasites from biting. The good news is that a tick needs to be attached for 24 hours or longer in order to transmit disease. Bravecto kills fleas within 2 hours and ticks within 4 hours. As you can see, this is fast enough to prevent disease transmission.

This product truly fills a much needed niche within the flea and tick control market of products. There has never been an oral tick control product, nor has there been a product that lasts for 3 months for flea control. That has changed with the release of Bravecto!

Written by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Product Spotlight: Bravecto

Fri, 11 Jul 2014 16:17:00 GMT

Bravecto

The Merck Corporation recently released a novel product for flea and tick control in dogs. This is a unique product that provides extended protection against these pesky critters.

Bravecto is a pork flavored, chewable tablet that is labeled for control of fleas and ticks. It provides 3 months of protection for fleas, as well as 3 months of protection for most tick species that we encounter in our area. The American Brown Dog Tick and the Black legged Tick ( aka Ixodes/ Deer tick) are both controlled under this 12 week duration. The Lone Star Tick, which is present in low numbers in Ohio, is only controlled at effective levels for 8 weeks. Though this tick is important, it is not the most common tick in our region.

There has yet to be a flea and tick product that eliminates the biting of the flea or tick. All products do not offer a rapid enough kill to prevent these parasites from biting. The good news is that a tick needs to be attached for an extended period of time to transmit disease. This is often 24 hours or longer. Bravecto kills fleas within 2 hours and ticks within 4 hours.

We feel that this product fills a much needed niche within the flea and tick control market of products, as there has never been an oral tick control product, nor has there been a product that lasts for 3 months for flea control

Article written and published by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Fear of Fireworks in Dogs

Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:58:00 GMT

Canine Firework Phobia

With the Fourth of July holiday upon us, we thought it would be a good time to discuss the fear of fireworks when it comes to our dogs. The fear of the loud noises and flashes in the sky is a common one among dogs. If you think of it from your dog's perspective, the loud noises and bright lights are random, unpredictable and scary. Hopefully this article will provide a few good tips to helping your dog cope with this fear.

We realize that each dog is unique, and each situation presents its own challenges. This article offers several methods to try to help your dog relax. No single one of these options is 100% effective. Oftentimes, it is necessary to combine several of these methods and techniques to help alleviate anxiety in your pets.

Though it may be to late for this year, desensitizing your dog to the sound of fireworks is one of the more practical methods. This can be done by setting off smaller home fireworks, such as bottle rockets, for a time period leading up to the larger 4th of July celebrations. Other things that work well are the cap guns that are commonly loved by young American boys and the small "poppers" that are available for purchase this time of year. Another good idea is to find a video or recording of fireworks. This video can be played at a low level several times. After a few times, the volume can be turned up. As you play the video, offer your dog positive reinforcement, including treats an praise. Throughout this process, you need to monitor your dog's response. If he or she becomes afraid and anxious, you may need to turn the sound back to a more comfortable level.

On the night of the firework display, there are ways to help your dog cope. One of the most important things if for you to remain calm, cool and collected. Your dog looks to you as the leader and thinks that you are the smartest person in the world. If he or she sees that you are anxious and worked up, he/ she will get worked up as well. (This also applies to many other anxiety behaviors that dogs exhibit). Many times, it is your body language that feeds your dog's anxiety. The tendency is to "baby" your dog by petting and codling them prior to, and during, the fireworks. Do not tense up or jump during the fireworks, as this will continue to fuel your dog's fears.

It is a great idea to try to drown out the sound or muffle it by providing some background noise. This can be a fan, a radio, a T.V. or other source of "white noise." Perhaps it goes without saying, but keep the windows closed as to seal off some of the sound with a physical barrier.

If your dog wants to hide, allow him to hide. Do not try to force him out of his comfort zone. Sometimes a crate acts like a comfort zone, or "cave," for a dog. Placing towels over the cage may provide an additional sound barrier to muffle the loud noises.

Another way to deal with the phobia is to provide a distraction. One such distraction is the Kong Toy. Many dog owners will use the Kong toy in the following way:

1) Stuff peanut butter inside the Kong, preferably in the smaller end of the Kong.

2) Freeze the peanut butter and the Kong toy for 6-8 hours prior to wanting to use it

3) About 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the fireworks, give the Kong toy to your dog. Typically, this will provide a distraction for 30 minutes to one hour.

You may find that simply playing with your dog provides enough distraction. If your dog like "Tug of War," play Tug of War. If she like to play fetch in the house, get the ball out and play with her.

The "Thundershirt" provides yet another option. While it is not the answer for every dog, it works well on some. The concept is that the tighter, compression clothing offers comfort and support to your dog. Of course, this should be used off and on prior the the need to calm your pet. If he/ she is always placed into the shirt at the time of anxiety, they begin to associate the Thundershirt with the anxiety, rather than allowing it to have a calming effect.

If none of these tactics work, there are some anxiety medications and sedative that are available by prescription from your veterinarian. Obtaining the prescriptions will often require a physical examination to ensure the overall health of your pet. At this time, your vet can talk to you about the several options. The sedatives are a short term solution, while some of the anxiety medications can help to facilitate the desensitization to the adverse stimulation that the loud, noisy fireworks provide.

Written and published by Dr. Jeff Fink

Lyme Disease In Horses

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 18:15:00 GMT

Lyme disease in Horses

You may be hearing about Lyme disease becoming more common in Ohio this season. There has been a significant increase in the population of deer ticks in Ohio since 2009. The spread of the Black Legged tick has followed a general trend from Southeast to Northwest, with most of our area affected. This are includes Wayne County, Stark County, Summit County, Holmes County and the surrounding areas.This expansion has brought with it the risk of Lyme disease to not only your canine family members but to your equine family as well.

We would like to bring to your attention and hopefully educate you about the basics of Lyme disease as it pertains to your horse. So what is Lyme disease? It is a tick-borne illness named after the town in Connecticut, Old Lyme, where it was first discovered. It is caused by a bacteria, Borellia Burgdorfei. Lyme disease is most common in the Eastern United States, with alarming increase for many states. Unfortunately, Ohio is one of the states that has seen a tremendous increase in the incidence of Lyme disease

.
Signs of Lyme disease in horses may be vague and intermittent in the early stages of infection. Often, Lyme disease symptoms can be mistaken for joint or muscle pain or even symptoms of equine protozoal myelitis (EPM). This is why prevention is key. Some of the signs associated with an infected horse are:

Lyme disease is diagnosed with a blood test to identify antibody levels in horses suspected with the disease. Unfortunately, testing for antibodies can be fairly inaccurate since it is possible for a horse to test positive (having been exposed and developing antibodies) but not yet developed the active disease. There is a newer Lyme multiplex PCR test that is sensitive to the DNA of the disease causing organisms. This test is much more accurate and Lyme disease can be detected as early as 2-4 weeks following infection.

The treatment for Lyme disease in a horse involves oral doxycycline or intravenous tetracycline. The longer that treatment is delayed, the less likely the infection can be cleared. Treatment may be required for months to resolve the infection.

How can we prevent Lyme disease in our horses? There is currently no Lyme vaccine labeled for horses. Although the canine Lyme vaccine has been used it horses, it is not approved for equine immunization and is considered off-label. Using insect repellent is your best defense against ticks on your horses. Use products containing permethrin and cypermethrin which will serve as a repellent and also prevent them from attaching to your horse for several hours.

Another important part of tick prevention is maintaining areas of tall grass and over-growth in pastures and around barns. These areas are favorable habitats for ticks and by clearing these areas you are reducing the risk of ticks on your property. It is advised to check your horse daily during tick season. Be sure to check areas of sensitive skin. Areas such as groin, girth, along the legs and under mane and tail area all places ticks are likely to be found.

If you do find an attached tick, removing it as soon as possible will help lessen the chance of disease transmission. Always take precaution when removing and handling a tick. You should wear gloves to avoid getting blood from the tick on your skin. Grasp the tick at the base of the head, as close to the horse’s skin as possible. Slowly pull the tick out without squeezing the main body. Removing the tick too quickly can leave parts of the tick embedded in the horse’s skin.

This Article was composed by Samantha Wenger, R.V.T.

Edited and published by Dr Fink on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Top Ten Cat Medical Conditions 2013

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:35:00 GMT

2013 Top Ten Medical Conditions in Cats

It is interesting to note a few things that are different than the top 10 dog diseases :

First, allergies come in at number ten. In dogs, allergies are responsible for 3 of the top 4 conditions. 3 of the top ten cat issues are actually chronic disease processes (#3, #4, #6). For cats, the top ten incorporates several diseases that highlight the importance of annual blood work (CBC/ Profile/T4). In dogs, this blood work is important, though many of their top ten issues do not require blood work for a definitive diagnosis.

We have recently become a certified Cat Friendly practice. In conjunction with that, we are one of only 6 clinics in our territory to be participating an a nationwide initiative called: "Have we seen your cat lately." The importance of this initiative (and the relevance to this posting) is that many cat diseases come on slowly and subtly. This make the importance of annual and semi-annual physical examinations more important. For more information, please check around on our website and click on the various hyperlinks that are imbedded above.

Written and published by Dr. Fink

Top Ten Dog Medical Conditions 2013

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 16:21:00 GMT

Top Ten Medical Conditions in Dogs

2013

It is interesting to follow industry trends. By staying current, we are able to monitor disease trends in our clinic and our region of Ohio. Veterinary Pet Insurance has recently released its top ten list for 2013.

As I look through the list, it is interesting to note that 3 of the top four conditions are actually related directly to allergies. Allergies in dogs show up as licking of the feet, skin infections and ear infections. 2 of the top ten diseases (Gastropathy and enteropathy) are typically preventable, as the number one cause for these two conditions is a change in diet. # 8, Periodontitis, is a major issue in dogs and is typically preventable by brushing your dog's teeth daily. These are just a few, quick observations from the list.

Another intersting note is that these conditions vary widely from the top 10 cat medical conditions of 2013 .

Written and Published by Dr. Jeff Fink on behalf of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic

Online Appointment Scheduling

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 16:22:00 GMT

Orrville Veterinary Clinic

Online Scheduling System

On June 1st, Orrville Veterinary Clinic launched our newest client-friendly system: Appointmaster Online Scheduling System. As far as we can tell, we are the only local clinic that offers easy, online scheduling capabilities. We have elected to do this in an attempt to make getting your pet to the vet as easy as possible. You will now be able to schedule an appointment when the office is closed. This makes it easier to do whenever you happen to think about it, especially in the late evening when the hustle and bustle of the day have finally subsided.

To access the online scheduler, click HERE .

The system is easy to use once you get set up. You can elect to see a particular doctor or schedule for the first available appointment time. You will have various options to select the reason for your visit, such as a wellness examination, vaccinations, a sick pet or a new family pet coming for their first checkup.

We hope that this adds to the excellence that we try to achieve in everything that we do.

For the Excellence you've grown to expect, we've grown to provide

Online Medical Records Coming Soon

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 14:49:00 GMT

Online Medical Records

Orrville Veterinary Clinic prides ourselves on continuous excellence. We pursue this in all that we do in order to provide the best care and support for our patients and our clients. We are always reevaluating what we do and how we do it. We value client input at all times.

It is in this light that we are pleased to announce that we have a better "pet portal" system coming soon. A "Pet Portal" is the current industry term for online access to your pet's medical records. The portals allow you to access various information and easily print out things like vaccination records. Our previous "pet portal" system was nice and many of you may have used it. With our many updates to our operating systems and client management software, it became evident that we need a newer format that integrates better with our system. This system is provided by Appointmaster, the same company that now provides our online scheduling capabilities. Please check back on the website periodically, as we hope to have the new system up and running within the next several weeks.

Until that time, you will be directed to this article when clicking on the link on our homepage.

Cat Friendly Practice

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 18:26:00 GMT

Cat Friendly Practice

Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to raise the standard once again by achieving certification as a Cat Friendly Practice by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. We are one of the only practices in the area to be certified as "Cat Friendly." This program was launched in an attempt to help alleviate stress in cats during their visit to the vet. We hope to better serve you and your kitties by incorporating better practices for our feline friends.

Wadsworth Blue Tip Parade 2014

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 15:05:00 GMT

2014 Blue Tip Parade

Wadsworth Ohio

Tuesday June 17th, 6:00 P.M..

Tomorrow night, Wadsworth will host the 2014 installment of the Blue Tip Festival Parade. Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to once again participate in this large event. We have been entering a float or several veterinary trucks for the past 6 years. It is one of the fun events that we look forward to each and every year. Look for us along the parade route. We will feature two of our veterinary clinic trucks, one red and one white. We will also likely have many staff members, several of whom will be bringing their dogs to walk the route. We hope to see you there!

Tramadol becomes a controlled substance in Ohio

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 15:00:00 GMT

Tramadol

Now a controlled Substance in Ohio

One of the more commonly prescribed medications for pain management, Tramadol, is now considered a controlled substance in Ohio. This means that the supply of Tramadol is now being closely monitored due to the potential for abuse. This means that we will need to be even more strict with prescribing guidelines for this commonly used pain medication.

Fortunately, you will not notice much of a change. Our inventory and controlled substances department anticipated change about two years ago. As a result, we have been treating Tramadol as a controlled substance since that point.

This is just another example of how we remain vigilant and on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine.

Heartworm Testing

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 19:49:00 GMT

Screening Your Dog

Heartworm testing is a much needed screening test in our region of Ohio. Not only are we less than 30 miles from Shreve's wetlands, but there are many creeks, rivers and ponds in the Orrville, Smithville, Rittman and surrounding areas of Wayne county. The reason that location to water is so important is that heartworm disease is carried by mosquitoes, who lay their eggs in stagnant and slow moving water.

So what exactly is heartworm testing? A heartworm screening involves a small sample of blood from your dog, most likely drawn from one of his or her front legs. This blood is then tested for the presence of adult female heartworms. The test is a simple, 10 minute test that is performed in the office. The current test also screen your dog for Lyme Disease and Canine Ehrlichiosis, which are both transmitted by ticks.

Why test my dog?

We recommend testing your dog either every year or every other year depending on whether or not he or she is given a monthly heartworm preventative. We test every year in unprotected dogs. This is important because early detection results in a much better cure rate than diagnosing once clinical signs are observed.

What if my dog is on prevention all year round, do I still need to test?

Yes. We still test every other year. This is actually a alight deviation from the recommendations by the Council for Animal Parasite Control (CAPC), who recommends testing every year in every pet. We strive to provide the best care for your pets, while still remaining practical. For this reason, we have elected the every other year schedule. It is important to screen dogs to check for several things including: product failure, resistant heartworms and the possibility that the preventative was either not given or was not ingested properly.

How much does the testing cost?

While we don't publish our fees and pricing online, the in clinic test is a little less than $45. This price can shift due to the cost of the test and other factors, but $45 is a rough indication.

How can I protect my dog against heartworm disease?

There are several ways to protect your dog. These include a 6 month injectable and various monthly pills. There are also some topical preventatives available. Click Here for a link to the article about preventatives. (No article is linked at this time, but please check back as the article should be ready soon)

By Jeffrey R. Fink, D.V.M.

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Hyperthyroidism

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 15:28:00 GMT

A Common Feline Disorder

Definition

Hyperthyroidism - and overproduction of thyroxine by the thyroid gland. This disease mainly affects our feline patients.

What does a cat with hyperthyroidism look like?

Clinical signs include:

How is this condition detected or diagnosed?

The most common test for hyperthyroidism is the Tyroxine test, often referred to as a T4 screening . In some cases, a thyroid panel may be necessary. This tests not only T4, but free T4, T3 and TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

Can overactive thyroid in cats be treated?

The simple answer is yes. The more difficult response is that it requires effort on the part of the cat owner. Twice a day medication is necessary for life. The medication is least expensive in a pill format, but specialized pharmacies can compound a medication that can be rubbed onto the ear flap (A transdermal gel). Other options include diet therapy (Hill's y/d diet), removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) and administration of radioactive iodine (I131). It is recommended to try the medication for at least a month and then to retest both a biochemical profile (to retest kidney function) and a T4 (to monitor the response to therapy).

What does the long term look like for my cat?

Long term therapy is generally successful, but each patient is an individual. Some cats have underlying kidney damage, which is masked by the overactive thyroid hormone. Once the thyroid gland is regulated, the renal failure becomes more apparent. Cats that do not have underlying kidney disease seem to do very well with therapy.

For more information, please contact us at (330) 682-2971

Dr. Jeff Fink composed and published the information above on behalf of The Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Hypothyroidism

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 14:21:00 GMT

Low Thyroid Hormone in Equines and Canines

What is hypothyroidism?

Let's start with the basics. The prefix "Hypo" means low. Perhaps obvious, but the thyroidism refers to the thyroid gland. So putting the two words back together, yields the definition of hypothyroidism- low thyroid hormone.

Hypothyroidism is a condition that is mainly seen in dogs and horses. The opposite condition, hyperthyroidism, occurs in cats. (Incidentally, both conditions can occur in humans. I believe that hypothyroidism is more common in people, but we are not a human medical resource)

What are the clinical signs and symptoms?

(Note that the clinical signs that are in italics apply to both species, equine and canine)

How is this condition detected or diagnosed?

The most common test for hypothyroidism is the Tyroxine test, often referred to as a T4 screening . There are additional tests that may aide in the definitive diagnoses. This includes a thyroid panel; which tests T4, free T4, T3 and thryois stimulation hormone (TSH)

Can it be treated?

Since hypothyroidism is a very common condition that we see in everyday practice, it is very fortunate that most dogs and horses respond really well to thyroid supplementation with levothyroxine. This is a twice a day pill for dogs, or a twice a day granule for horses. Animals that respond to treatment typically have a very good quality of life, with most clinical signs resolving completely.

For more information, please contact us at (330) 682-2971

Article written and published by Dr. Fink

(Please note that hypothyroidism in horses is not as common as many would think. the most common screening test, the T4, is a decent screening test. Oftentimes, a more thorough thyroid panel is required)

The T4 Test

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 13:35:00 GMT

Thyroxin (T4) Testing

One of the more common tests that we run is the Thyroxine (T4) screening test. This test is a generalized screening for both hypothyroidism (in dogs and horses) and hyperthyroidism (in cats). Oftentimes, the T4 testing is paired with a complete blood cell test and the biochemical profile. These three tests are often considered a baseline screening, especially in senior pets.

A low value on the T4 test usually confirms hypothyroidism . Occasionally we see a low value in debilitated animals. In this case, the low value may be a condition called Euthyroid Sick Syndrome. This is a condition in which the Thyroxine (T4) levels are low due to the other disease process that is ongoing within the pet. Animals with low thyroid levels can be easily supplemented and typical respond favorably to treatment.

A high value is a confirmation of hyperthyroidism . This condition is common in cats. Cats can be treated with medication to counteract the elevated thyroxine levels. There are several methods to treat and each can be discussed with you, should you cat develop overactive thyroid disease.

For more information about the two conditions, please click on the embedded links, or search our website.

Using Our Online Store

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 17:57:00 GMT

Using our Online Store

By Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

June 3rd, 2014

Why should you use our online store:

1) Buy buying from our online store, you are supporting your local veterinary clinic, not a distant group of investors.

2) You will receive Trusted, Manufacturer guaranteed products (Not always that case with other online retailers)

3) You can take advantage of Easy Dose It, which allows you to purchase single doses of various preventative medications.

4) Sign up for AUTOMATIC delivery of medications

5) Free Shipping on orders over $38

6) Eligibility for manufacturer rebates on many products (These are not offered through other online pharmacies)

Today is the day that we launch our new online store . We are excited that we can expand the number of products that we offer to you and your pets.

Here are the details on How to use the online store:

Please keep in mind a few things:

How to Shop our New Online Store

Tue, 03 Jun 2014 17:05:00 GMT

How to Shop Our New Online Store

Published June 3rd, 2014

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic has evaluated our online purchasing store for our clients. Through this process, we have discovered some inconveniences in the process. As a result, we have elected to change the format and provider of our online store. We feel that this is in the best interest of our patients, their families and our staff in general. Through this change, we are able to provide an expanded selection of products. These include items for horses, dogs and cats. We are not able to offer online products to our dairy clients at this time, but we do still offer our convenient "drop ship" program for those clients.

So, how do you use the online store?

This process should be relatively easy to use, but it does require some registration. So here is a step by step process:

Please keep in mind a few things:

If you have any questions about the process or need any assistance, please call us at (330)682-2971

By Dr. Jeff Fink

Online Store

Wed, 28 May 2014 16:27:00 GMT

New Online Store

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is excited to announce the launching of our new online store. This store is a vast improvement over the previous setup. Through the use of the new online store format, we are able to offer a wider variety of products for your pets. Through this store, we are able to offer many products to our feline, canine and equine patients. This means that you can visit our online store for many of your dog, cat and horse needs. This includes things such as leashes and collars, as well as common monthly preventatives for heartworm disease and flea and tick control. We also offer hoof picks, horse dewormers and other items for our horses. We encourage you to check out our online store before buying elsewhere. Not only are our prices very competitive, you are choosing to support your friends at The Orrville Veterinary Clinic rather than some large, far off corporation.

Click Here to enter the store

Online Scheduling System

Wed, 28 May 2014 15:31:00 GMT

Appointmaster Online Scheduling

At the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, we are constantly trying to make owning a pet as easy and convenient as possible. We belief strongly that we are here to provide the best possible care to our dog and cat patients, as well as their human parents/ families. It is that light that we are excited to be partnering with Appointmaster Online Scheduling system. Appointmaster is a program that has been designed to partner closely with our electronic medical record system, Clientrax. We will have several other new capabilities through Appointmaster, but we want to focus on the online scheduling portion for the moment.

We feel the allowing our clients the capability to schedule an appointment from their computer or smartphone is just another way in which we can make pet care as easy as possible. This system allows you to schedule at any time of day, whether the office is open or not. To access our online scheduler, click HERE.

Once you have scheduled the appointment for your pet, you should receive a confirmation e-mail. We will also likely give you a call to confirm the appointment, or may call if the proper amount of time has not been allotted to properly assess and care for your pet in the most thorough manner possible.

May is Heartworm Prevention Month

Wed, 21 May 2014 19:18:00 GMT

May 2014 is Heartworm Prevention Month

"My pet is not at risk for heartworms?"

"He or she is not around other pets, so I don't have to worry about heartworms, right?"

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ. Do you hear that? It is a pesky old mosquito.

Ouch, did you just get bit by a mosquito taking out the garbage or while camping with your pet?

Fortunately, you are not at risk of contracting heartworm disease, but any one of those nasty mosquitoes could be carrying Heartworm Disease. Mosquitoes are the only way that pets get heartworms. An infected mosquito carries the larvae. When that infected mosquito bites your pet, the heartworm larvae is then transferred to the blood of the pet.

Heartworm prevention is one of the most important thing that you can use to protect your pet's health. It is considered a common prevention, as important as annual vaccinations. It's not just dogs; cats can get heartworms, too. Using Heartworm preventative does not stop the mosquitoes from biting your pet, but prevents the Heartworm larvae from growing into mature adults. The mature adults travel to the pulmonary artery, causing increased stress on the heart. Once at this level, the heartworms eventually lead to congestive heart failure. Some common signs of heartworm disease are coughing and exercise intolerance.

The best way to protect your pet from Heartworm Disease is to keep him/ her on prevention all year long. Since most preventative medications have risk of breakthrough, we also recommend testing for heartworm disease annually or biannually. We have a few different options for protecting your pet here at Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic;

For dogs, there are a number of options that we recommend:
1) Trifexis – a chewable tablet that prevents Heartworms, fleas, roundworms, whipworms and hookworms.
2) Interceptor Plus– a chewable tablet that prevents Heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms.
3) Proheart 6 and Proheart 12 – a 6 month or 12 month injection for heartworm and hookworms.

For cats, we recommend:
Revolution Plus– a topical medication that prevents Heartworms, fleas, ticks, roundworms and hookworms.

If you have questions about Heartworm Disease, please contact our team and we would be glad to assist you in protecting your family pet against this potentially serious threat of heartworm disease.

Edited by Dr Jeff Fink. Original content written by Robin Evans.

Dog Behavior, with Dr. Roadruck

Thu, 15 May 2014 16:43:00 GMT

Dog Training

A Story by Dr. Greg Roadruck

When I first started at Orrville Veterinary Clinic, there were five Veterinarians. At that time, only one veterinarian split their time evenly between small and large animal. The other four veterinarians primarily spent their time with large animals out on the farms of Wayne and Holmes counties. We would do around 15-20 calls per day, often treating one animal per call. This made for a lot of driving. At the veterinary clinic, there was no technician to help hold animals, so we would ask an owner to restrain their dog. Too many would say, "No he'll bite me." That's when I said somebody's going to get hurt, and decided to stay out in the country.

Along comes Dr. Gabe Middleton who loved large animal work, especially dairy and equine medicine. I was afraid he'd leave if not given more large animal work, so I volunteered to move to more small animal medicine. Due to my past experiences, I had visions of hooks in the walls to tie aggressive dogs for restraint. Luckily, some Caesar Milan DVDS were lent to me and my thought processes changed. Some of my associates may admit they thought this behavior training was, "kooky talk."

Canine behavior has become my passion, so I can talk 24/7 about it. A lot of this you may already do by instinct, so hopefully I will just reinforce what you already do. Be aware I am certainly not an expert and am learning very single day. Below are 5 quick tips that I find helpful as I continue to focus more and more on canine behavior:

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Roadruck's behavior training, please check around on our website. Dr. Roadruck can be contacted via the email" o2becalm@gmail.com . He is very interested in helping people and their dogs in the Orrville, Rittman, Wooster, Kidron, Dalton and surrounding areas.

Article was written by Dr. Greg Roadruck for use in the Orrville Veterinary Clinic's internal newsletter.

The content was modified from the original article for our websites by Dr. Jeff Fink.

Ohio Dairy Health and Management Program

Thu, 15 May 2014 16:27:00 GMT

Ohio Dairy Health Certification

Orrville Veterinary Clinic is very proud to be one of four veterinary clinics across the state to join together with several practices across the country to participate in the Ohio Dairy Health and Management Certificate Program (ODHMCP). The Ohio Dairy Health and Management Certificate Program is a program sponsored by The Ohio State University. The ODHMCP brings experts from across the country to lead education in 10 major areas of dairy production medicine. There are 11 modules in total, with each module lasting 3 days. There are 3-4 modules/year and therefore the program lasts for 3 years. By participating in all modules it allows the dairy veterinarian to be eligible to sit for the board exam to become board certified in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners with a specialty in dairy practice. Drs. Wenger and Yost will be taking the modules that interest them and Dr. Middleton will be taking all 11 modules (he will take some on-line since he can’t attend them all). Once Dr. Middleton has completed them all, he will then be eligible to sit for the board exam. When he passes the boards, it will mark first time we will have a specialty board certified veterinarian at Orrville Veterinary Clinic. The first module was last weekend, with a specialist from Cornell University Presenting the material.

May is Heartworm Prevention Month

Wed, 14 May 2014 16:53:00 GMT

May is Heartworm Prevention Month

"Heartworms? My pet won't get heartworms!"
"I take care of my pet; it stays home with me and in my yard!"

You know that annoying mosquito flying around in your living room? Did you see the pesky one that got you when you took out the trash? What about the one you just slapped on your arm?

Any one of them could be carrying the potential for Heartworm Disease. Mosquitoes are the only way that pets get heartworms (humans do not get Heartworms). The infected mosquito carries the larvae (A little baby worm) and when the mosquito bites the pet, the heartworm larvae is then transferred to the blood of the pet.

Heartworm prevention is one of the most important tools that you can use to protect your pet's health. It's not just dogs; cats can get heartworms, too. Using Heartworm preventative does not stop the mosquitoes from biting your pet, but can prevent the Heartworm larvae from thriving, becoming adults, and traveling to the heart. Once at the level of the heart, the worms begin to cause damage. This damage will eventually lead to congestive heart failure.

The best way to protect your pet from Heartworm Disease is to keep him or her on prevention all year long. Since most preventative medications have risk of breakthrough, we also recommend testing for heartworm disease annually or biannually. We have a few different options for protecting your pet here at Orrville Veterinary Clinic;

For our canine patients, we recommend:
Trifexis – a chewable tablet that prevents Heartworms, fleas and intestinal parasites
Iverhart – a chewable tablet that prevents Heartworms and intestinal parasites
Proheart – an injectable medication that prevents Heartworms for 6 months

For our feline friends, we recommend:
Revolution – a topical medication that prevents Heartworms, fleas and intestinal parasites

If you have questions about Heartworm Disease, feel free to contact our experienced medical team and we would be glad to assist you in your choice of Heartworm prevention

Article Written by Robin Evans, edited and published by Jeff Fink, D.V.M. for use on the websites of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic and Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic.

New Allergy Medication: Apoquel

Wed, 14 May 2014 16:44:00 GMT

There is a new drug available for the treatment of allergic skin disease in dogs. The drug is named Apoquel (oclacitinib). Apoquel works faster than a steroid, with most patients showing some improvement in their itching the very first day. It is better tolerated with fewer side effects than either steroids (prednisone, Depomedrol) or Atopica (cyclosporine). These are examples of two other classes of drugs that are commonly used to help allergic dogs. Another class of medications that is commonly used is Antihistamines. These can often be ineffective.

We envision this drug being helpful in several different scenarios:

Apoquel should not be used in dogs less than 12 months of age or in dogs with serious infections. Apoquel may increase the susceptibility to infection and demodicosis (A type of skin mite) and may exacerbate neoplastic conditions. Apoquel has not been evaluated in combination with systemic immunosuppressive agents such as glucocorticoids or cyclosporine, though its use is thought to be safe. However, the efficacy and safety of Apoquel should make the need for combination therapy a lot lower in these chronically allergic patients. Apoquel should not be used in breeding dogs, or pregnant or lactating dogs. (On a side note, allergies do tend to have a genetic component. This means that these dogs are not likely the best breeding candidates in the first place.)

The most common side effects seen in dogs administered Apoquel were vomiting and diarrhea. Apoquel has been safely used in conjunction with other common medications including antibiotics and parasiticides and with vaccinations.

If you think your dog is a candidate for this new medication, please call (330)682-2971 to schedule and examination and consultation with one of out veterinarians.

Written by Jenn Brown, R.V.T.

Edited by Jeffrey R. FInk, D.V.M.

Product Spotlight: Recuvyra

Wed, 14 May 2014 16:24:00 GMT

Earlier this year, Elanco Companion Animal Health released a revolutionary pain medication called Recuvyra. This is a topical solution that provides post-operative pain control via its new transdermal (through the skin) delivery system. A single dose (1.2 mg/lb) applied behind the shoulder blades of a dog prior to surgery is designed to control pain for four days. Elanco says its new-patented drug delivery technology will reduce the need for home administration of analgesics, misuse and abuse of potent drugs and concerns with client compliance.

Recuvyra has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the control of post-operative pain associated with surgical procedures in dogs. The formulation contains the active ingredient fentanyl, a Class II controlled substance. In clinical trials, 98.4 percent of dogs treated with Recuvyra received effective pain control in orthopedic and soft tissues surgeries.

However, Elanco says dogs treated with Recuvyra should be isolated from children for 72 hours from the time of application. If contact occurs, the exposed area of the child’s body should not come in contact with the child’s mouth or eyes and the exposed area should be washed with soap and water. Adults are also advised to avoid contact with the application site for the 72-hour time span. If exposed to Recuvyra, the area should be washed with soap and water. Most of this is of no concern as a lot of patients that require Recuvyra also require multiple recovery days within the hospital.

Elanco says the use of Recuvyra is not advised for dogs with diseased or injured skin near the application site, dogs expected to have mild or absent perioperative pain, dogs with paralytic ileus and dogs with known hypersensitivity to fentanyl. The most common side effects seen following surgery in dogs were frequent or constant sleepiness, diarrhea, vomiting, low body temperature, abnormal heart rhythms, fever and lack of appetite. The most serious, but rare, potential side effect is gastrointestinal stasis with an increased risk of bacterial overgrowth.

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is once again proud to be on the forefront of veterinary medicine. As a result, we have begun to use Recuvyra on every serious soft tissue surgery, as well as on every orthopedic surgery that we perform. This is part of our commitment and goal of being the best veterinary clinic in the Orrville, Wooster, Dalton, Rittman and surrounding areas. If you have questions about this medication or its use on your dog, we encourage you to contact our office at (330)682-2971

Article by Jenn Brown, edited by Dr. Jeff Fink

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis

Wed, 14 May 2014 16:10:00 GMT

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) is a genetic disorder originating from the quarter horse breed. The disease is linked to the bloodline of the famous American quarter horse stallion, Impressive. This disease was once primarily limited to the American Quarter Horse and closely related breeds, such as the Appaloosa and American Paint; but cross-breeding has begun to extend this disorder to other breeds as well as to grade horses. The spread of the disease was perpetuated by the favorable placing given to affected horses in halter competition at horse shows. The reason that "Impressive" genetics became so popular is due to a secondary characteristic associated with HYPP: heavy, bulky muscling that is favored by judges.

HYPP affects the sodium channels in muscle cells and the ability to regulate potassium levels in the blood. In the presence of high potassium levels, including those induced by diet; sodium channels fail to inactivate properly. HYPP is characterized by muscle hyper excitability or weakness which is exaggerated by potassium or cold. This can lead to uncontrolled shaking followed by complete paralysis.

Some horses are more affected by the disease than others. Therefore some attacks will be more severe than others, even within the same horse.

Symptoms of an HYPP attack may include:

HYPP attacks occur randomly. The is no rhyme or reason if an attack will occur while a horse is standing calmly in the stall or during exercise. Following the resolution of an HYPP attack, the horse appears normal and is not in any pain.

Horses with HYPP are usually fully conscious during an attack. Horses may suffocate during an HYPP attack due to paralysis of the respiratory system. Horses that collapse during an episode appear clearly distressed as they repeatedly struggle to get to their feet. If this occurs while the horse is being ridden or otherwise handled, the human handler or rider may be at risk of being injured by the movement of the horse.

Horses with HYPP can be treated with some possibility of reducing clinical signs, but the degree that medical treatment helps varies from horse to horse.

Cattle Breeding Protocols

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:16:00 GMT

At our annual Northwest Dairy Producer's meeting, we discussed breeding protocol. A lot of data and research were presented by our featured speaker, Dr. Stevenson. I will review a few of these protocols and try to sum up what he was presenting as far as conclusions and recommendations. The very first disclaimer that I have iseach and every herd is different in terms of management, facilities, nutrition and many other factors. This makes no one breeding system ideal for every herd. It is always the best idea to talk to your specific herd veterinarian, as he knows your herd very well. He will be able to give you breeding protocols that may work within your herd and an with your management system.

Dr. Stevenson basically was stating that a lot of the success of breeding success comes down to management style. The overriding reason that we rely on timed artificial insemination protocols and programs is due to the inability to adequately detect cows in estrus (Heat). If our heat detection capabilities were 100%, there would be no need for timed AI protocols.

...>TO Be Continued.........

Hookworms

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 17:07:00 GMT

Hookworms are one of many types of intestinal parasites that your dog or cat can contract. These worms are in the category of nematodes, a classification of worms. The scientific name of the main dog hookworm is Ancyclostoma caninum. The main hookworm of cats is called Ancyclostoma tubaeforma. There are two others that affect both dogs and cats: Ancyclostoma braziliense and Uncinaria stenocephala.

Okay, so enough of the big terms. Here is what you need to know about hookworms:

The good news is that hookworms are easily treated. We recommend standard deworming of puppies and kittens starting at 2 weeks of age. The mother should also be dewormed along with the newborns. The dewormer should be given every two weeks of age until and appropriate preventive can be given.

Hookworms are also easily prevented through the use of a monthly heartworm and intestinal parasite product. There are many out there, including Trifexis , Proheart 6, Iverhart Max, Revolution (cats only), and many others. These monthly products do not actually prevent the hookworms from getting into your pets, but rather kill the adults off. This leads to lower numbers of worms, eventually eliminating them altogether.

By Jeff Fink D.V.M.

Orrville Veterinary Clinic

1665 N. Main Street

Orrville, Ohio 44667

(330)682-2971

Trifexis

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:27:00 GMT

There are a lot of products on the market available to prevent heartworm disease in dogs. Many of these also combine intestinal parasite control. In this article, we are going to highlight Trifexis, a combination product that we highly recommend.

What does Trifexis actually cover?

In order to be effective, Trifexis should be administered once a month, all year round. This is due to two factors. The first is that the weather in Wayne County and Northeast Ohio is so variable that parasites remain active longer than we would like to think. The second reason is that some of the parasites have an extended life cycle. This means that simply "deworming" at the sign of the first frost is not enough to keep the parasites at bay. For more information, please feel free to call one of our staff members at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic. Our phone number is (330)682-2971 and our email address is info@orrvillevetclinic.com . We will also try to have links to other products that are similar to Trifexis.

Article written and submitted by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Whipworms

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 15:59:00 GMT

Whipworm (Tricuris Vulpis) is an intestinal parasite that affects various species of animals, including dogs and cats. The cat form is rather rare in the United States, but the canine form is commonly found in our region of Ohio. This parasite can result in subclinical infections, as well as debilitating disease.

Like many intestinal parasite, the whipworm is transmitted by ingestion of eggs via the feces. Contact with the eggs can be subtle, such as your dog walking through a dog park that had small amounts of residual fecal material scattered around. Once your dog contacts the eggs and picks them up on his or her feet, their grooming behaviors make it easy to ingest. Your dog simply needs to lick his or her feet to ingest the eggs. These eggs then mature into adult worms in the intestinal tract.

Once the worms mature, they infect the cecum (think appendix) of the dog. The irritation can lead to blood in the stool and weight loss. Mucus in the feces is another common clinical sign. Affected dogs can remain subclinical and continue to shed the Whipworms, while other dogs can get debilitated from rapid dehydration.

The scary part of the story is how long that the eggs can live within the soils of Orrville and the surrounding areas. These eggs can live for up to 9 years, NINE YEARS! This is without a dog to contract the parasite and continue the life cycle. When a dog is present in the environment, the parasite will continue to re-infest that dog, leading to more eggs in the environment. This means that the lifecycle can last literally forever.

The good news is that Whipworms can be both treated and prevented.

Updated Cat Vaccination Guidelines

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 14:55:00 GMT

AAFP Vaccination Guidelines

As with everything in medicine, there are new discoveries that occur as the result of ongoing research. One of the newest changes in veterinary medicine revolves around cat vaccination guidelines. The American Association of Feline Practitioners ( AAFP) is conducting ongoing research looking at the duration of immunity (how long the vaccinations protects against disease) of the most common cat vaccines. They are also looking at the most important vaccinations and risk factors for cats. It is through these efforts that the AAFP has recently announced new vaccine guidelines.

These new guidelines are designed to best protect your cat against various diseases, while at the same time giving them the fewest amount of vaccinations as possible.
To begin with, the AAFP has identified three groups of cats and designed vaccine protocols for each group. These groups are low risk, medium risk and high risk. There are not exact black and white lines to identify these groups, which makes a thorough history during the annual physical examination all the more important. Here is a general description of each group:

• HIGH RISK: This group includes any cat that spends extended time outside. These cats can be exposed to other cats in the area, making them prone to various diseases. They also tend to fight more often, which makes them vulnerable to additional diseases, such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.

• MEDIUM RISK: This is probably the hardest area to identify and classify cats. These are cats that have a moderate risk of exposure. They include multiple cat households, cats that are outside for short periods of time with their owners supervising them and cats that have access to screen doors and screened in porches/ windows. These cats are not likely to get into fights, but can come into contact with stray cats through the screens. Cats that often board during family vacations are also in this category.

• LOW RISK: These cats are the ones that have extremely limited access to other cats. They are at a very low risk for contracting diseases. The easiest example is a spayed or neutered cat that has been declawed on all four paws and lives in a single cat household within an apartment building.

The AAFP still feels that the most important aspect of feline care and preventive care is the comprehensive medical examination. This is in agreement with our practice philosophy of emphasizing the physical examination above all other aspects of care. The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to be a trendsetter for animal care in the Orrville, Kidron, Apple Creek, Rittman, and Wooster areas. We are constantly remaining on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine and are looked to with respect by other veterinarians in the area. Please check out our additional articles that further explain the new guidelines.

Writting by Dr. Jeff Fink on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Why buy from your veterinarian

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 05:00:00 GMT

Have you ever thought to yourself: "I can buy this medication online for less money?" While we all seek to save money at any point possible, these are our thoughts on why you should purchase your medication directly from your veterinarian. Let's first start by looking at the cost of medications in general. Most likely everyone understands that purchasing in bulk allows the purchaser to save money on their product. This is what larger retailers do when they buy their products.

2013 Top Ten Dog Breeds

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:15:00 GMT

2013 Top Ten AKC Breeds

We recently received our latest copy of Trends magazine, a publication of the American Animal Hospital Association. One of the articles that drew our attention lists the top ten dog breeds for 2013 according to the American Kennel Club.

Here is the list:

Interestingly enough, coming in at #11 is the French Bulldog. This breed has had a dramatic increase in registrations since 2003.

Another interesting fact is that the Labrador Retriever tops the list for the 23rd consecutive year. One other trend of note: large breed dogs have experienced a rise in popularity over the past 5 years. The article cites an improving economy as the possible reason for this increase.

Article adapted for Orrville Veterinary Clinic and Published by Dr. Jeffrey Fink

This article is based upon an article published in Trends Magazine on page 15 of the April 2014 edition.

Horse Botulism

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 18:39:00 GMT

Botulism in Horses

Written By Dr. Bill Yost

With the recent interest in botulism in horses generated by the article in the Wooster newspaper: The Daily Record (March 24, 2014), I thought it would be of interest to review what I have experienced and learned about botulism. I saw my first case of botulism at least 20 years ago in a Belgian horse. Like many practitioners unacquainted with the disorder, I diagnosed the horse with colic because she was acting as if she was in pain and wanted to lie down a lot. She was listless and was not passing much fecal matter. A second horse on the same farm began showing similar symptoms a day or two after the first horse began with symptoms. Dr. Paul Masters looked at that horse and after consulting with veterinarians at Ohio State concluded that this horse had botulism as did the other horse that I had seen. Both horses ended up dying. Since then, I have seen at least 2 other cases, one as recently as last fall. This diseases is not very frequent, but many horses die from this difficult to treat disease.

Dr. Amy L. Johnson, D.V.M from New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine at U Penn presented a session on botulism at the 2013 NAVC in Orlando FL. Most of this report is taken from the proceedings of that meeting.

Botulism is caused by the neurotoxins of Clostridium botulinum, a spore-forming bacterium. There are 8 different known types of C. botulinum, each producing a unique neurotoxin. Though the toxins my be different, each produces the same symptoms as it blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the site where the nerve ending interacts with muscle fibers. Blocking at this junction produces a progressive muscular weakness. Adult horses most often acquire botulism through the ingestion of preformed toxin in forages. (I have seen it most often in wet-wrapped haylage or “baylage” as it is commonly called) The suspect forage usually is found to contain some kind of carrion or dead animal that was wrapped up in the bale at the time of harvest.
Three types of botulism toxin have been reported in the United States; Types A and B are found in soil and Type C is associated with dead animals. Type B is endemic east of the Mississippi, especially in Kentucky; Type A is often seen in the western part of the country; Type C is seen sporadically across the country.

Initial signs of botulism often mimic colic or esophageal obstruction. Affected horses may not finish their feed (especially grain), will act lethargic, want to lie down frequently or for long periods, will have a nasal or oral discharge of feed and water, may have muscle tremors, and may have poor tone in their tail and anus. To be differentiated from colic these horses usually act quite comfortable while lying down and usually won’t try to roll. Early signs may also resemble episodes of choke.

Two clinical tests will usually help to diagnose botulism; the tongue stress test and the grain test. In the tongue stress test, the tongue is gently pulled from the horse’s mouth. Normal horses will quickly retract the tongue inside the mouth. Horses with botulism will be very slow to retract the tongue and may even chew on their tongue. The grain test simply involves feeding the horse 8 ounces of grain and timing how fast they consume the grain. Normal horses will easily consume 8 ounces of grain in 2 minutes; affected horses will chew and chew but seemingly be unable to swallow. Grain often just falls from their mouth.

Confirmation of botulism may be made in the laboratory but there usually is not enough time for testing. Instituting early treatment is critical, so a diagnosis of botulism is primarily made on clinical signs. The mainstay of treatment is to administer botulism antitoxin as quickly as possible and then to offer supportive care. Anti-toxin is seldom kept on hand at most veterinary clinics due to expense so it must be ordered and shipped. There are two types of antitoxin available in the US, either specific Type A, Type B or Type C antitoxin or a polyvalent antitoxin that contains all three types commonly found in the US. Most clinics in our area would use the polyvalent antitoxin because Type B or Type C would be the most prevalent here, but testing for type requires more valuable time. For best chances of survival antitoxin should be administered immediately. Treatment costs are very expensive with one dose of anti-toxin for an adult horse running in the $800 to $1000 range. Antibiotics are usually of little value because the neurotoxin is pre-formed in the bad/ rotten/ spoiled food and the bacteria itself does not colonize the horse’s body. Supportive care of soft bedding, adequate hydration and nutrition are imperative. Nutrition must be administered by a nasogastric tube so most horses will be best off in a hospital situation, further adding to the cost of treatment. Horses need to be hospitalized for 7 to 14 days. Full recovery is possible but few horses can receive the kind of care necessary to achieve satisfactory results. Most affected horses, especially if unable to stand, should be euthanized.

Type B botulism can be prevented by vaccination but there are no licensed vaccines for either Type A or Type C botulism. Vaccinating for Type B will not cross-protect for Types A or C.

Article written by William Yost, D.V.M. and edited by Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

All Creatures Great and Small

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 17:39:00 GMT

All Creatures Great and Small

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc. is a mixed animal veterinary clinic serving Orrville and the surrounding areas. Being a mixed animal veterinary hospital, we have the privilege of treating nearly every type of animal. This brings to mind the "All Creatures Great and Small" series of books by James Herriot. Herriot was a veterinarian in Britain, who began practicing veterinary medicine in 1939. His books have become a mainstay series of animal lovers everywhere and likely inspired many to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

While we do not truly treat and examine all creatures, we are one of very few animal clinics in the Orrville, Dalton, Rittman and surrounding areas who treat more than just cats and dogs. We evaluate the following species: Dogs, cats, horses, sheep, dairy cattle, beef cattle, goats, llamas, alpacas and white-tailed deer. We also perform the occasional (limited) service on chickens, pet birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, pot-bellied pigs and other "exotic" species. When we encounter a species that we are not highly familiar with, we often refer to a local exotic veterinarian, located in Wadsworth and Barberton.

James Herriot was a very skilled writer and story teller. We have many stories to tell as well. Many of our vets have treated farm animals that were down in the frozen creek, helped deliver calves and foals, spent the night in the clinic with sick patients and many more stories that we could share. We will try to include many of these on our interactive website, so please take a look around to see our "tails." Here is a list of stories that we hope to tell to help index them a bit.

Below is the poem that Herriot based the titles of his books upon. We love that it is not only the basis for the series, but also a beautiful poem regarding our Creator.

Maker of Heaven and Earth

By Cecil Frances Alexander

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset, and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
We gather every day;--

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Article composed by Dr. Jeffrey Fink

Staff Training: Wendy S. Myers

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 16:28:00 GMT

Wendy Myers Visits Orrville Veterinary Clinic

March 26th, 2014

Orrville Veterinary Clinic prides ourselves on being one of the best veterinary hospitals in the Orrville, Wooster, Rittman, Dalton and surround regions of Wayne county. We know that our best assets are our highly skillful and caring staff members. Many of our staff members have been with us for 10 years or more. It is our group of receptionists, registered veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, client care specialists and practice manager that help to make our veterinarians and our entire clinic shine above and beyond. We elected to achieve voluntary accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association , which helped to emphasize our dedication to staff training and continuing education of all of our staff, the vets included.

On March 26th, 2014; we were fortunate to be able to welcome in Wendy S. Myers of Communications Solutions for Veterinarians, Inc. Wendy is known as one of the best in the veterinary business in terms of staff training and client services. She was able to spend several hours with us in continuing education regarding the best practices that we can add to our clinic to serve our pets and their families in the best possible manner. Some of these ideas are simple thinking, such as being able to block out time slots in our schedule to better accommodate same day emergencies. In the past, we have always "squeezed" these appointments into our already jam packed schedule. Now we will have more time to better focus on theses cases without interrupting the previously scheduled appointments throughout our day. Wendy also helped us focus on ways to better improve our communication with owners through several tips and tricks. She was able to help us modify our check in procedure, which should help getting new patients registered and checked in a lot faster than in the past.

It was a great time and a joy to host Wendy. We want to thank her for helping us take our services up to the next level. We also want to thank Vetstreet for sponsoring Wendy at no cost to the clinic. We are so glad to be able to partner with such great partners in the veterinary industry.

Article written and edited by Jeff Fink, D.V.M.

April is Lyme Disease Awareness Month

Wed, 02 Apr 2014 19:04:00 GMT

April is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Is your dog at risk?

Lyme disease is a debilitating disease in dogs that, if not treated, can lead to chronic arthritis, neurological symptoms, cardiac problems, and possibly even death due to kidney failure. If there were a way to keep your dog safe from these scary possibilities, wouldn’t you want to do so?

The truth about Lyme disease is that it has been found in our area of Orrville, Rittman, Wooster, Dalton, Marshalville as well as the counties that surround Wayne county. Lyme disease is carried by a particular species of tick, called the black legged deer tick. This tick can be about the size of a poppy seed. The prevalence of this disease has increased in our area by close to 50% from 2012 to 2013, and this number is steadily rising.

Lyme disease is a scary problem to deal with! Fortunately, it can be prevented. There is a vaccine specifically for Lyme disease prevention. We are now offering this vaccine and urging all of our dog owners to have their dogs vaccinated. Ticks are not only found in wooded areas; they can be found almost anywhere in the county. You should remain extra careful in wooded areas, as the prevalence of these and other ticks is much higher.

The Lyme vaccine has two parts. Your dog will come in for a first vaccine and come back for a booster 3-4 weeks later. After this booster, he or she will be protected for a year, regardless of if it is bitten by a tick. Lyme disease is not a disease usually found in cats, so they do not need to be vaccinated.

As scary as Lyme disease is, it can be treated with antibiotics if caught soon enough. Unfortunately , in dogs, it can be very hard to diagnose. Blood tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis. This test is combined with our routine heartworm test, which is one reason why the detection of Lyme disease is on the rise in Ohio. It is much easier to prevent the problem than to treat it afterwards, as the antibiotics needed to cure Lyme disease are very expensive, along with the blood work needed to diagnose.

Humans cannot catch Lyme disease directly from their pets; however, our pets can bring these ticks into our homes. This brings the prospect of a family member developing Lyme disease from an attached tick! There are a number of products that we can use to prevent ticks on our pets such as tick collars, which, when applied, can last as long as 6 months and repel ticks as opposed to allowing them to attach. You should also check your dog for ticks daily, especially after the dog has been outside. You can also ask your veterinarian to check for ticks at your visits, and find out which preventatives he or she recommends.

We would be glad to answer any questions that you may have! Please call us at 330-682-2971 or email us at info@orrvillevetclinic.com . We would be more than happy to answer your questions and schedule your pet’s Lyme disease vaccinations.

Article Submitted by Robin Evans

Edited and Published by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Updated Cat Vaccine Protocol

Wed, 26 Mar 2014 13:35:00 GMT

AAFP Vaccination Guidelines

As with everything in medicine, there are new discoveries that occur as the result of ongoing research. One of the newest changes in veterinary medicine revolves around cat vaccination guidelines. The American Association of Feline Practitioners. The AAFP is conducting ongoing research looking at the duration of immunity (how long the vaccinations protects against disease) of the most common cat vaccines. They are also looking at the most important vaccinations and risk factors for cats. It is through these efforts that the AAFP has recently announced new vaccine guidelines. These new guidelines are designed to best protect your cat against various diseases, while at the same time giving them the fewest amount of vaccinations as possible.

To begin with, the AAFP has identified three groups of cats and designed vaccine protocols for each group. These groups are low risk, medium risk and high risk. There are not exact black and white lines to identify these groups, which makes a thorough history during the annual physical examination all the more important. Here is a general description of each group:

The AAFP still feels that the most important aspect of feline care and preventive care is the comprehensive medical examination. This is in agreement with our practice philosophy of emphasizing the physical examination above all other aspects of care. The Orrville Veterinary Clinic prides ourselves as being the trendsetter for animal care in the Orrville, Kidron, Apple Creek, RIttman, and Wooster areas. We are constantly remaining on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine and are looked to with respect by other veterinarians in the area. Please check out our additional articles that further explain the new guidelines.

Written by Dr. Jeff Fink on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Ohio Veterinary Medical Association

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 01:38:00 GMT

OVMA Board of Directors

Dr. Jeff Fink is proud to be a voice to the animals, livestock, pets, owners, farmers and veterinarians within our district. He proudly serves on the board of directors of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association. His duties include attending quarterly board meetings, as well as advocating for the animal industry through various political channels. Dr. Fink has met with several of our areas congressmen, both the area House of Representative and the sitting member of the Ohio Senate. Dr. Fink has also had the opportunity to meet with governor John Kasich, as well as talking with Dave Daniels and Dr. Tony Forshey, who both rank high within the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Dr. Fink was first appointed to this position by former OVMA Board President, Dr. Linda Lord. He has successfully been re-elected to serve another three year term.

As the District 8 representative, Dr. Fink is uniquely positioned, serving as one of the true mixed animal practitioners on the board. He practices small animal medicine, small animal surgery, equine medicine, equine surgery, equine reproduction, small ruminant medicine and surgery, dairy medicine, dairy reproduction and bovine surgery. He is also unique in the fact that he is the owner and operator of a small farming operation, focusing on are breeds of cattle and grass fed beef production.

Canine Anal Gland Disorders

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 17:31:00 GMT

Anal Gland Disorders in Dogs

Anal glands, also known as anal sacs, are present in many animals, including dogs, cats, opossum, and skunk. Dogs have two anal glands, which are located on each side of the rectum. Anal glands secrete a substance with a very fetid odor, which is an oily substance. Anal gland secretions are used to mark territory and identify other dogs. Dogs can spontaneously empty their anal glands, especially if stressed. This secretion leaves a very unpleasant odor. Anal glands normally empty when the dog defecates. Sometimes the glands may become full and not express, especially if the pet has diarrhea or softer stool. When the anal gland becomes full, it begins to push on the rectum, which causes discomfort. The anal sac is also located very close to on small nerve, so extra pressure on this nerve can cause a sharp/ intense pain.

The number one sign of an anal gland problem is evident by the dog dragging its back end on the ground ("scooting"). In addition, dogs may lick or bite at the anus. Affected dogs may also sit uncomfortably, have difficulty sitting or standing, or quickly turn around like something is biting them. Any combination of these signs indicate it is time to have the anal glands evaluated by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will likely need to express, or evacuate the glands to relieve the dog's discomfort.

The most common reasons why a dog presents to the vet are infection, obstruction, impaction (overfilling), and rupture of the diseased anal glands. Diseased anal glands probably need to be expressed when clinical signs This is shown to prevent an impaction or rupture. Anal gland infections show up as pain, swelling, abscesses, and fever. The first step in treatment is expression of the gland. If the gland is not easily expressed, lancing of an abscess may be indicated. This is usually followed with oral antibiotics, an antibiotic infusion into the gland, and an anti-inflammatory/ pain medication.

Anal sac disease is not as common in large breed dogs, which means that infections and impactions are often experienced by small breeds. Overweight dogs are also at an increased risk of being affected by anal sac difficulties. There are several breeds that are more likely to have anal gland disease. These include Beagles, Basset Hounds, and Cocker Spaniels. By keeping your pet at an optimal weight, you can help reduce the chances of an anal gland issue. Some pets are also helped by adding some fiber to the diet to help bulk up the stools. Fiber sources include canned pumpkin, green beans, and Metamucil.

For more on REMEDIES for anal gland disorders, click HERE

Please call us if you have questions or concerns about anal glands and your dog.

We can be reached at (330)682-2971 or via email: info@orrvillevetclinic.com .

Article originally composed by Amande Bell, RVT

Edited and adapted by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

Golden Retriever Lifetime Study

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:28:00 GMT

Golden Retriever Lifetime Study

The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is studying why Golden Retrievers may develop cancer and other health problems. For our beloved Goldens, cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over two years of age. The Morris Animal Foundation Reports that more than 60% of Golden Retrievers will die of cancer. Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular puresbred dogs in the United States, often being utilized as service dogs. Unfortunately, this highly popular breed has a very high incidence of cancer compared to most breeds. This study will not only benefit Golden Retrievers, but all dogs in giving them a brighter, healthier future.

The Golden Retriever LIfetime Study is the largest and longest one ever undertaken to study the health of dogs. Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps animals enjoy longer, healthier lives is the force behind this monumental study.

The study goals are to:

Over the next 10 to 14 years, observational data will be collected from 3,000 Golden Retrievers. This information may help us learn how to prevent cancer and other diseases that take the lives of dogs too soon. Dogs enrolled in the study are examined annually by a participating veterinarian within the local area. According to Dr. Michael Guy, director of the Canine Lifetime Health Project, “Morris Animal Foundation would not be able to complete this study without the participation of dedicated veterinarians and their clinic staff.”

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is participating in the largest study ever conducted in veterinary medicine. We are happy to join our sister practice, Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic, as a participant in this groundbreaking study. We believe in the importance of this study, and we believe that you and your dog would be valuable participants. This is an observational study, which means no experimentation or invasive procedures are required. If you decide to participate, you would provide information annually about your dog’s lifestyle, diet, travel, exercise, and living environment through an online questionnaire. In addition, each year your veterinarian would perform a physical examination and collect blood, urine, feces, nail clippings, and hair samples for laboratory analysis and long-term storage.

Dr. Jeff Fink is our participating veterinarian in the study, while Dr. Marissa Hofstetter is the participating veterinary at our Seville location. Amanda Bell is participating in the study with her 3 year old Golden Retriever, Hanna. Amanda is our head veterinary technician at the Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic and Hannah was the 2nd dog registered in this study! Amanda takes pride in her involvement with Hanna, She is excited about helping out this great breed, as well as optimistic about the positive results this study will bring over the next two decades.

If you have a healthy golden retriever under the age of 2, with a 3 generation pedigree, you are encouraged to enroll in the study. So far 1100 dogs have been registered to participate. Their goal is to reach 3000 participants by the end of the year. For more information visit www.CanineLifetimeHealth.org or call the Orrville Veterinary Clinic at (330) 682-2971.

Article Written by Dr. Hofstetter and edited by Dr. Jeff Fink

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

1665 N. Main St

Orrville, Ohio 44667

Equine Laminitis/ Founder

Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:25:00 GMT

Laminitis is the medical description of the condition that is commonly referred to as "founder." Technically speaking, laminitis is inflammation of the laminae.

The basics

Laminitis, or founder, is inflammation within the hoof of the horse. It can also occur in cattle, but is much less common. The laminae are a series of soft tissue structures that literally adheres the hoof wall (toenail) to the underlying soft tissue and bones of the foot. When these structures become inflamed, there is tremendous pain. This is the same type of intense pain that occurs if you hit your thumb nail with a hammer and get a bruise under the nail. The pain is so intense because there is nowhere for the swelling to go, since it is trapped beneath the hoof wall. If this condition progresses, the laminae can begin to separate to the point that the hoof wall detaches from the underlying bone. (I like to think of this as the same thing that happens when a zipper bursts.) The bone then begins to rotate away from the hoof wall, or fall at the tip of the bone. Eventually, this bone can penetrate the softer tissues on the sole of the foot. At this point, there is not much that can be done other than humane euthanasia.

Causes

While the cause of an episode of laminitis if often difficult to determine, there are many things that can cause a horse or pony to founder. Grass founder is likely the most famous cause of founder. This occurs in the early spring when grasses are growing rapidly. The sudden exposure to large amounts of fast growing grasses is the main factor. To prevent this, we recommend gradual increases in pasture time throughout the day. You should slowly build the amount of pasture that they eat each day. This should be done slowly over a period of weeks. Another cause of founders is called: "road founder." This is likely due to the excessive forces of the hooves on the pavement. "Foal founder" is another cause of laminitis, which is experienced by horses that have just delivered a foal. Horses that get into large amounts of grain can also founder as a result. There are some metabolic diseases that also can cause laminitis. These include Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes Mellitus, Cushings Disease and horses that are insulin resistant.

Signs and Symptoms

The main symptom of founder is tenderness of the feet, which shows up as reluctance to walk. The classic horse looks like they are "walking on eggshells." If laminitis affects the front feet only, the horse may "rock back" to relieve the amount of weight that the front feet are bearing. This limits the pressure on the affected feet and limbs. Likewise, if the back legs are the only ones that are affected, the horse may "rock forward." Other signs may include a decreased appetite and laying down.

Treatment

It is important to treat laminitis as early as possible. If treated at the onset of clinical signs, founder can be very treatable and may even resolve. This depends upon the actual reason for the laminitis episode, as well as the level of damage that has already started within the hoof. The basics of treatment are to reduce the inflammation and decrease the pressure as early as possible. This usually requires a series of intravenous (IV) injections. Oftentimes, one of our doctor will give 4 or 5 injections at the initial examination. We typically treat an uncomplicated founder for 3 days. After the three day point, it is time to consider corrective shoeing and radiographs. A lot can be accomplished through getting the right hoof trimming and the proper therapeutic shoes on your foundered horse.

Cushing's Disease in Horses

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 17:19:00 GMT

Does your horse shed its winter coat slowly in the springtime?

Does your horse have unexplained bouts of laminitis (founder)?

Does your horse have unexplained or excessive sweating?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your horse may have a condition known as Equine Cushing’s Disease. This is a disease that affects the pituitary gland at the base of the brain to secrete excessive hormones. The pituitary gland releases excessive amounts of ACTH hormone, which in turn causes release of cortisol (stress hormone) from the adrenal glands.

What are the signs of Equine Cushing’s?

The two most common signs of Equine Cushing’s Disease are chronic, recurrent bouts of laminitis and a long, wavy hair coat that doesn’t properly shed in the spring. Other signs are excessive sweating, pot belly appearance, increased thirst and urination, and increased incidence of parasitism, dental disease, and other infections.

How is Equine Cushing’s Diagnosed?

A simple blood test can diagnose the condition. Horses are more likely to test positive during the fall months of the year, so a laboratory must be used that adjusts their reference ranges based on the seasons. Up to 60% of horses with Equine Cushing’s Disease also have Insulin Resistance (Equine Metabolic Syndrome). Typically, insulin levels are also tested at the time of the Equine Cushing’s Disease testing.

Is there a breed predilection?

Equine Cushing’s disease is most common in ponies. Other breeds, such as Morgans, are also prone to the disease. Typically, horses 15 years of age or older are diagnosed with Equine Cushing’s Disease.

Is treatment available?

There is currently an FDA approved treatment for Equine Cushing’s Disease called Prascend® (pergolide mesylate). This is a daily pill that is typically given for the rest of the horse’s lifetime. Dietary changes are usually necessary to facilitate weight loss. Treatment doesn’t cure the disease, rather, helps reduce the clinical signs associated with the disease (especially laminitis).

Article Written by Gabe Middleton, D.V.M. on behalf of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, located at 1665 N. Main Street in Orrville, Ohio

Edited and Published by Dr. Jeff Fink

What happens during a spay

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 16:23:00 GMT

Many people own pets and are familiar with the term spay (often mistaken as the word: Spading or spaded). There are some misconceptions about what a spay procedure actually is and what it involves. To begin with, the term "Spay" is the common term for the procedure that is used to sterilize a female pet. This procedure, or surgery, makes it so they are not able to breed and do not go into heat. The procedure is more technically termed and ovariohysterectomy. It is similar to a hysterectomy in women, with the difference that the ovaries are removed along with the uterus.

Here is a description of a spay procedure.

We begin with an injectable anesthetic to get the patient prepped for surgery. Once our patient is anesthetized, we place a breathing tube (intubate). Our patient is then connected to an anesthetic machine and administered oxygen, along with a gas anesthetic. We then clip the surgical site and begin fluids in the vein. Once the patient is prepared and draped, the veterinary surgeon makes a small midline incision just behind the umbilicus (think belly button). The linea alba (a region where the abdominal muscles come together) is also incised to allow entrance into the abdomen. We locate a portion of the uterus, which is shaped kind of like a wishbone. Once we locate the uterus, we trace one of the horns up to the point of the pedicle, which attaches the ovary to the body wall. We then clamp off the pedicle (with its large blood vessel) and place two ties (sutures) on it. We repeat this on the opposite side of the uterus. Once both ovaries have been removed, the surgeon traces the uterus back toward the tail and locates the uterine body and the cervix. A hemostat is placed just in front of the cervix and the uterine body is sutured (ligated or tied off). Once we have removed the uterus and both ovaries, we place sutures on the abdominal wall and muscles. We then close the extra tissues and the skin.

Each spayed female should be confined to limit exercise for about 2 weeks following the surgery. Healing is typically remarkably fast, with 90% of strength achieved at 10 days after the surgery. We usually remove the sutures (aka stitches) two weeks after the surgery. We also inspect the surgery site at that time to monitor the healing progress.

Orrville Veterinary Clinic prides itself in adhering to the most up to date standards of veterinary care. This is reflected in our commitment to the voluntary AAHA standards that we must achieve every year in order to be accredited as an AAHA clinic. Not all clinics administer intravenous fluids and mandatory pain medications to their surgical patients. It is our privilege to serve you and your pets with the best of care in our area or Orrville, Rittman, Wooster, Kidron, Apple Creek and the surrounding areas. We are one of three AAHA accredited veterinary hospitals in Wayne County.

You may click here for another article regarding the Spay procedure. This one is entitled Myths About Spaying and Neutering .

Article by Dr. Jeffrey R. FInk

Colic in Horses

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 18:06:00 GMT

Colic in Horses

Colic is a general term that refers to abdominal pain. Horses are the most common species affected by colic due mainly to the anatomy of their digestive tract. In addition some of the practices that humans impose on horses that don’t mimic a horse’s natural feeding behavior contribute to colic episodes. Colic signs can range from mild stomping or pawing at the ground to severe pain, which is accompanied by thrashing and rolling. Your horse may actually lie on its back to help relieve some of the pain in a severe case. Some cases of colic may resolve on their own, while some may cause death fairly rapidly. It is important that your horse be examined by a veterinarian if they show signs of colic.

Only a veterinarian can determine the true severity of colic by different vital sign parameters.

Colic has many different causes. Here are a few common causes seen in the field:

Despite our best prevention measures, colic can still happen. However, there are some common sense steps you can take to try to prevent colic in your horse:

If colic happens, your veterinarian should be contacted. We will assess your horse and determine the underlying cause of colic. Some cases will resolve shortly after treatment, while some may need surgical intervention. Before your veterinarian arrives, it is acceptable to hand walk your horse. This may help stimulate gut motility. More importantly, it prevents your horse from becoming cast in the stall or sustaining injuries due to rolling and kicking.

Veterinarians consider colic one of the most urgent emergencies. We will make every attempt to arrive quickly and examine your horse thoroughly so a treatment plan can be constructed.

More Common Cents

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 21:03:00 GMT

More Common Cents

By Mel Wenger D.V.M.

This article is adapted from an article written by Dr. Wenger for Dairy Herd Managemnet Magazine

Following my previous article , I learned that I could do a better job of reinforcing some common sense practices. After reading my article, one producer told me I had never shared some of those things with him. I was reminded that even though things seem so common, they aren’t always put into practice. It is easy for us to forget the significant investment that raising a heifer can be. Not unlike any other monetary investment, the more you put into your investment and the more you care for it the greater the return. This brings to mind more common sense management practices as the heifer calf moves from the maternity pen through the next stage of life.

Previously I shared about the management of the newborn calf. The care that the newborn calf receives in its first few hours of life is crucial for its survival. The care this young calf receives in its first two months of its life is also crucial for its survival in the future milking herd. This period of care is the most labor intensive and, often times, not given the amount of attention that is needed. It is a good management practice to give this task to a dedicated person who knows their calves and recognizes minor changes in each individual calf. As a veterinarian, I am often asked how we diagnose problems when the animals cannot tell us what is wrong. My answer is that animals do tell us, just not by speaking to us. By having a person dedicated to being around the calf and understanding their temperament, slight changes can be detected before they become a problem.

Keeping the calf clean and dry in a well ventilated hutch or pen will prevent many health problems. If you are unwilling to kneel down on your knees in the area the calf is sleeping then it is not clean and dry. While down at the calf’s level, check out the air the calf is breathing. There should be enough air exchanges at that level that no unpleasant odors are detected. I realize it is impossible to always be this clean and dry, but the majority of the time this should be the case. Most viruses, bacteria and parasites require moisture to proliferate. Air that contains high humidity and high ammonia levels will lead to respiratory failures. Many diseases, and subsequent treatments, will be prevented with this common sense practice. Making sure the calf is resting in an environment that you would rest in is ideal for the calf.

The calf should double its weight in the first 60 days of life. Weight tapes can be used to give an estimate of a calf’s weight. The most common reason I see for a calf not gaining enough weight is a combination of a lack of feeding enough milk/ milk replacer and not providing fresh water to encourage more calf starter consumption. Over the past several years, with the new recommendations of feeding higher protein milk replacers and feeding more volume; calf health has increased tremendously. Increasing the amount fed to the calf, feeding the calf three times a day, or utilizing a self feeder has made the biggest positive change in the health of the calf. A healthy, robust calf does not suffer from pneumonia, scours, parasites, or lack of appetite.
Fresh water availability is necessary for grain consumption, which is necessary for continued growth after weaning. Continued growth after weaning is necessary for increased first lactation milk production. A common misconception is that the calf gets enough water in its milk replacer alone. The only way the calf will double its weight and continue growth through weaning is by eating 5 pounds of grain/day by the time of weaning. Fresh water is crucial for this to happen.

Calf survival is one positive change that I have observed over the years. In the past, we were always trying to find the magic scours or pneumonia treatment for calves. I am now convinced that by following these few common sense practices you will no longer need many of these expensive treatments. The next time, before reaching for that bottle of medicine, look over the calves and be sure they have been provided a clean, dry, well ventilated place to rest, given plenty of feed, and that fresh water is always available. I still receive numerous requests for that magic treatment from a bottle. Almost every time it is one or several of these simple management practices that are missing.

If you need to use injections prior to the pre-weaning stage of life check with your herd veterinarian to review your calf raising environment and feeding practices. A calf that weans at 60 days of age and double it's original weight, is destined to lead a productive life in the milking herd.

FOR DR. WENGER'S PREVIOUS COMMON SENSE ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

Article by Melvin D. Wenger D.V.M.

Adapted, Edited and Published by Dr. Jeff Fink

Fecal Egg Reduction Test

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 20:34:00 GMT

This is a test that is most often performed in farm animals. The purpose is to measure the worm burden prior to administering a deworming agent and then again following the deworming agent. This allows the tester to monitor the efficacy of the deworming agent that was used. We are also able to identify those animals (usually 10%) that are the high shedders within a herd. Most farm animals will carry a worm burden all of the time due to the presence of worms in their environment, but some carry a larger burden than others. Pastured animals often pick up immature parasite forms from the pasture itself.

A Fecal Egg Reduction test is actually a series of two tests, performed about 6 weeks apart. A fecal sample is obtained. That sample is tested using a three stage process. First 5 grams of the fecal sample is placed into a special test solution and "mixed up." After being mixed, the sample and solution are strained. The strained sample is then placed in a centrifuge for 10 minutes, where it is spun at a high rate. Once the spinning is concluded, a cover slip is place on top of the sample. This allows the eggs to float to the top of the solution and "stick" to the cover slip. After 10 minutes, the sample is viewed through a microscope and an egg count is performed.

Anal Gland Disorders in Dogs

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 19:59:00 GMT

Anal Gland Disorders in Dogs

Anal glands, also known as anal sacs, are present in dogs, cats, opossum, and skunk. These two glands located on each side of the rectum. They secrete an oily substance that is used to mark territory and identify other dogs. The anal glands can voluntarily empty, especially under times of stress. This creates a very unpleasant odor. Anal glands normally empty when the dog defecates, but can become full and not express if the pet has softer stool. When the anal gland becomes full, it begins to push on the rectum causing discomfort. This is evident by the dog dragging its back end on the ground ("scooting"); licking or biting at the anus, sitting uncomfortably, having difficulty sitting or standing, or quickly turning around like something is biting them. These signs indicate it is time to have the anal glands expressed by a veterinarian.

Infections, obstruction, overfilling (called impaction), and rupture are the most common clinical presentations. It is important to have the anal glands expressed when clinical signs are shown to prevent an impaction and rupture. Anal gland infections result in pain, swelling, and sometimes abscesses and fever. Treatment is by expression of the gland, lancing of an abscess, and oral antibiotics and antibiotic infusion into the gland.

There is no age or sex predisposition to anal sac pathology. Anal sac disease is uncommon in large breed dogs, while infections and impactions are often experienced by small breeds. Dogs that are overweight are at in increased risk of being affected by anal sac difficulties. There are several breeds that are more likely to have anal gland disease, including: Beagles, Basset Hounds, and Cocker Spaniels. Keeping your pet at an optimal weight should help reduce an anal sac problem. Some pets are also helped by adding some fiber to the diet to help bulk up the stools. Fiber sources include canned pumpkin, green beans, and OTC fiber supplements.

If you have any questions about anal gland disorders, please give us a call and we can discuss these concerns. We can be reached at (330)682-2971 or via email: info@orrvillevetclinic.com .

February is Pet Dental Health Month

Fri, 14 Feb 2014 14:45:00 GMT

Every February, the veterinary industry focuses on Dental Health for cats and dogs. This year is no different, as Orrville Veterinary Clinic joins in to promote the health and well-being of our patients (your special pets!).

Why is dental health a focus for the veterinary industry?

We focus on oral health, as it is often one of the more neglected areas of pet care for most of our animals.

The mouth is truly the pathway to the body. The mouth has many defense mechanisms that serve to fight off diseases and bacteria. These include saliva and the relatively tight mucous membranes (gums). The saliva tends to kill off some bacteria, while the tight gums prevent the bacteria from entering the blood stream. Another important part of oral health is the natural bacteria that are contained in the mouth of your pet. These bacteria are good when they stay within the digestive system itself, but when there is a disruption of the mouth's normal defenses, this bacteria can enter the blood stream. Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria travels around the body and deposits on places that it was not intended to be. These bacteria set up colonies (families) at these sites and cause major damage over time. The bacteria tend to stick in the small vascular beds (the places where the blood vessels are smallest for exchanging nutrients). These areas are located in the major organs: liver, heart, lung and kidneys. Once the bacteria gets to these areas, it begins to cause organ damage , eventually leading to organ failure. This is the main reason that dental health is very important. Another reason, or a side benefit, is to improve that bad doggy or kitty breath.

Please call us if you have any questions regarding your pet's dental health. We are always happy to perfomr an examination and make recommendations based upon what we observe.

There are some huge misconceptions out there that dental care is easy:

Unfortunately, the only way to prevent dental problems in cats and dogs is to brush their teeth EVERY DAY!

Coggins Testing

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 20:38:00 GMT

Many people are familiar with the term Coggins Test, but what does it actually mean?

A Coggins Test is named after Dr. Leroy Coggins, who developed the testing methods in the 1970s. The test must be performed by an appropriately certified veterinarian, who participates in the APHIS accreditation program. Most large animal veterinarians are certified, while most small animal exclusive veterinarians are not.

A physical examination is often performed. Following the physical examination, a form is filled out to identify the horse as specifically as possible. This involves a written description, a drawing of various markings, the horse's name, the breed, color and registration number (if available). Once this has been completed, a small blood sample is obtained from the jugular vein in the neck of your horse. This sample is then separated and the serum is sent to an approved laboratory for testing.

We often obtain results in about a week. These results are available via fax at that time and the original is available once the forms are mailed back to the veterinarian.

This actually tests for EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia). This is often referred to as "swamp fever." EIA ia a virus that is transmitted via blood, saliva, milk and other body secretions. The main way that this virus is transmitted is through biting flies. (Horse flies and deer flies). It can also be transmitted via shared needles, which occurs when somebody does not use a new syringe and needle to adminster medications. EIA can also be transmitted through "live cover" mating.

Coggins testing is often required for showing and transport. Various regions of the country have various guidleines, with testing required either every 12 months or every 6 months. Breeding facilities may require negative testing prior to approving a mare or stallion for their breeding program.

Intestinal Parasite Testing

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 18:05:00 GMT

At Orrville Veterinary Clinic, we are passionate about the care of our animals. Routine care is vital to the health of each and every patient and animal that is entrusted to our care. One part of the routine animal care is the annual fecal, or Intestinal Parasite Test. Many feel that this is an optional test, but it is very important for many reasons, as you will see within this article.

An Intestinal Parasite Test (IPT) is a vital part of the routine care of a dog, cat, horse, goat, sheep or any other animal. In some animals, it is highly recommended to perform serial testing (testing several times over the course of time) of fecal samples. We often called this paired testing a fecal egg reduction test.

Why is it important?

To begin, parasites often cause clinical diseases. These range from general ill-thrift to more debilitating diseases. Ill-thrift may simply show up as an animal that is growing slowly, is lethargic, or simply one that fails to perform well. Some animals, particularly the younger ones, can carry a large enough parasite load to cause death. Many puppies and kittens suffer from the pot-bellied appearance that is caused by this large worm load. Testing is also important considering the fact that some parasites carry a zoonotic risk (They can be contagious to humans).

Can I just Deworm my animal?

While deworming products are readily available, they are limited in their abilities to treat parasites. There are really only three classes of dewormers available and worms can get resistant to each class over time. For this reason, it is important to identify the specific worms that are present in order to treat them effectively.

What is an Intestinal Parasite Test?

The IPT is a test that we perform on a fecal/ stool sample using a microscope to look for the eggs of each different type of worm. This test involves several steps in order to be performed appropriately. The first step is placing the fecal sample into a special solution. This is often a specialized sugar solution that makes the worm eggs easy to detect once the test is completed. The solution is strained to eliminate larger particles and pieces of debris. Once strained, the solution is placed into a centrifuge and spun at a high speed for about 10 minutes. This helps to separate the eggs from the actual fecal matter (poop). Once the spinning is complete, a cover slip, which is a small piece of glass, is placed on the solution. The parasite eggs float to the top and “stick” to the cover slip. The cover slip is placed onto a slide and then looked at under the microscope.

What Worms do you Detect?

An IPT is a great test to detect several parasites, or worms. For dogs and cats these include Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms , Tapeworms (though it is not as reliable for tapeworms), and coccidia. In horses, we test for small strongyles (roundworms), large strongyles, bots, pinworms, coccidia and bloodworms. In ruminants (Cattle, Sheep and goats), the IPT detects mainly strongyles and coccidia.

Why Perform a Fecal Egg Reduction Test?

This is a test that is most often performed in farm animals. The purpose is to measure the worm burden prior to administering a deworming agent and then again following the deworming agent. This allows the tester to monitor the efficacy of the deworming agent that was used. Most farm animals will carry a worm burden all of the time due to the presence of worms in their environment. Pastured animals often pick up immature parasite forms from the pasture itself. This test is performed as described above, with typically a 6 week gap in between testing.

We believe that yearly testing for internal parasite is very important in our area of Orrville, Wooster, Rittman, Creston and the surrounding regions of eastern Wayne and western Stark counties. By testing and treating for these worms, we can reduce the build up of parasite eggs and larva within the environment. This is very important when we consider common areas such as the Orrville Dog Park and the Sippo Valley Trail. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the importance of the IPT or about routine parasite prevention.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 19:42:00 GMT

Gastrointestinal issues (digestive upsets) are one of the more common reasons that pets present to the veterinarian for sudden onset of illness. These illnesses have a variety of causes and a range of clinical signs and symptoms. Symptoms may include:

Any changes within the digestive system of a pet can impair the animal's ability to digest and absorb nutrients. These changes to the GI tract can be triggered by many factors. Some of these factors include:

The key to determining the reason for GI distress begins with an thorough physical examination. This includes a very in depth dietary history. We also take a history that looks for potential stressors that your pet may be experiencing (new person moved in, somebody moved away, new pet, a party, fireworks, etc). The next step is the actual hands on physical examination. At this point we look for signs of pain, dehydration and try to judge the severity of the situation. We often follow the physical examination with some diagnostics. Oftentimes, this begins with an internal parasite test (IPT). The IPT is an in house test, which we use to screen for intestinal parasites. We may decide that further diagnostics are required. This often includes either imaging (X-Rays) or blood testing (CBC and Chemical Profile).

If a specific cause is identified, we can treat more specifically. This may include medicine to stop the vomiting. We may also need to target the diarrhea, either specifically or non-specifically.

We often have to educate pet owners to withhold food and water for 12 to 24 hours. This sounds concerning to many people, but is necessary to give the GI tract a rest. A lot of times, the stomach and GI tract are irritated, or angry. During this time, the stomach is very sensitive and your pet is likely to vomit anything that enters it. As far as withholding the food and water (NPO), we often explain to people that this is the same process that people often follow themselves, we are just putting the typical plan into words. What we mean by this is demonstrated in the following example: Let's pretend that you contract the influenza virus (the flu). For the first 12 to 24 hours, you may experience GI distress in multiple forms (vomiting and diarrhea). During this time, you do not feel like eating. This inappetance lasts for an additional 12 to 24 hours. This serves the same purpose of resting your GI tract that we talked about with your pet. Once you feel like eating, you begin slowly with either water or another bland drink (Sprite or Ginger Ale). After consuming several small amounts of water, you may proceed to some bland food in small amounts (for people this is often Saltine crackers). Eventually, your diet returns to normal.

An additional key to treating these cases is the feeding of a bland diet. We recommend either a home cooked diet or a specifically formulated diet made by Purina: EN Gastroenteric formula.

Edited on February 27th, 2015. Please Click HERE for information regarding the recent Class Action Lawsuit that has been filed against the Purina brand, Beneful.

Biochemical Profile (Bloodwork)

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 18:57:00 GMT

There are many reasons that a biochemical profile may be recommended for your farm animal or pet. These include:

A biochemical profile supplies us with a "snapshot" of what is going on within your animal's body.

So what is it, exactly?

A biochemical profile is the evaluation of your pet's overall well being. We often combine this test with the Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC). These two tests are the two most basic, but important, tests that we perform on a day to day basis. There are 15 values that are evaluated in the Profile testing.

A basic breakdown is as follows:

Glucose : This is an evaluation of blood sugar, the end product of carbohydrate metabolism and is the primary source of energy for the body. Elevated glucose levels typically indicate Diabetes, but may also indicate stress, Cushing’s disease, pancreatitis, or can be due to certain medications. Low glucose levels may indicate liver disease, insulin overdose, severe bacterial infection, hypothyroidism and Addison’s disease. Low levels can also be due to poor nutrition levels, especially in young animals.

ALT: ALT is most often associated with the liver. High levels indicate liver damage, toxin ingestion, Cushing’s disease and various metabolic disorders. Low levels indicate starvation or malnutrition.

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALKP): ALKP is important in overall metabolism. It is found in liver cells. High levels indicate bile duct obstruction, Cushing’s disease, liver disease, the presence of various drugs(E.G. steroids or phenobarbital). Low levels can indicate starvation or malnutrition.

Total Bilirubin: Bilirubin is a bile pigment and the end product of red blood cell breakdown. High levels of bilirubin are responsible for the yellow. jaundiced look that often accompanies liver disease. High levels can be due to bile duct or gall bladder obstruction, liver disease and rapid breakdown of red blood cells. Low levels are not considered clinically relevant.

Cholesterol: Cholesterol is important in the synthesis of certain hormones. High levels are not as important as in people. Low levels indicate liver disease, starvation, kidney disease, Cushing’s, pancreatitis, diabetes and hypothyroidism.

Total Protein: Total Protein (TP) is an important substance in all parts of the body. High levels can indicate dehydration, inflammation, chronic infection and certain cancers. Low levels may indicate intestinal absorption problems, liver disease, Addison’s disease, severe burns and losses through the kidneys.

Albumin: Albumin is the major protein found in the body. It carries various substances through the blood and is important in maintaining pressure within the vessels. High levels indicate dehydration. Low levels indicate chronic inflammation, liver disease, kidney disease, starvation and blood loss.

Globulin:Globulin is the second of the major blood proteins in the body. It is important for many vital functions. Increases may indicate dehydration, chronic inflammation, chronic infection, an possible cancers. Low levels may be due to poor nutrition, improper absorption (due to intestinal inflammation), or possible kidney disease.

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen): BUN is the major end product of protein metabolism. High levels may indicate kidney disease, dehydration, shock, high protein diet, certain toxin ingestions, poor circulation to the kidneys orurinary obstruction. Low levels indicate liver disease or starvation (low overall protein in the diet).

Creatinine: Creatinine is the end product of phosphocreatine metabolism, which is important in muscle contractions. High levels often indicate kidney disease, dehydration, shock, certain toxin ingestions, poor circulation to the kidneys and urinary obstruction. Low levels indicate liver disease or starvation.

Phophorus: Phosphorus is often associated with calcium. It is important in all aspects of metabolism. High levels can indicate kidney disease, dietary imbalance, excess ingestion of vitamin D and severe tissue trauma. Low levels may be due to dietary imbalance, some cancers, overdose of insulin, diabetes mellitus, eclampsia or an overactive parathyroid gland.

Calcium: Calcium is a mineral found throughout the body. It is the basis for bones, teeth and muscle contractions. High levels indicate certain forms of cancer, Addison’s disease, excess intake of vitamin D and an overactive parathyroid gland. Low levels indicate eclampsia, severe pancreatitis, dietary imbalance, intestinal absorption disorders, low intact of vitamin D, Cushing’s disease and certain toxin ingestions.

Sodium: Sodium works in combination with potassium to maintain the normal function of muscle and nerves. It is truly important to all cells within the body. High levels indicate dehydration, lack of water, diabetes insipidus, Cushing’s and excess salt intake. Low levels indicate starvation, severe diarrhea, vomiting, Addison’s disease, hypothyroidism and metabolic acidosis.

Potassium: As mentioned above, Potassium works in conjunction with Sodium for healthy nerves and muscles. High levels could indicate diabetes mellitus, toxin ingestion, urinary obstruction, acute kidney failure, severe muscle damage and Addison’s disease. Low levels may indicate vomiting and diarrhea, gastrointestinal cancer, insulin overdose, Cushing’s disease, overuse of diuretics and starvation. In addition, potassium supplementation must be performed slowly when giving intravenouse fluids. Too rapid of administration can result in stoppage of the heart.

Chloride: Chloride is important in maintaining the acid balance in the blood as well as combining with hydrogen to form hydrochloric acid for stomach digestion. High levels indicate dehydration, metabolic acidosis, Addison’s disease and kidney disease. Low levels indicate vomiting and metabolic alkalosis

Sometimes we order additional test that can be included in the profile. Often, the outside laboratory is able to test for more variables than an in house laboratory. These tests are:

AST is important in the breakdown and elimination of nitrogen. High levels indicate muscle damage, heart muscle damage, liver damage, toxin ingestion, inflammation and various metabolic disorders. Low levels indicate starvation or malnutrition.

GGT is also important in nitrogen metabolism and is found within liver cells. High levels indicate bile duct obstruction, liver disease, pancreatitis, Cushing’s and can be caused by high levels of steroids. Low levels indicate starvation and malnutrition.

Amylase is secreted by the pancreas and is important in normal digestion of starch. High levels indicate pancreatic inflammation or cancer, kidney disease, prostatic inflammation, diabetic ketoacidosis and liver cancer. Low levels can indicate malnutrition or starvation.

CK is very important in storing energy needed for muscle contractions. High levels indicate muscle trauma or damage such as due to seizures, surgery, bruises, inflammation, nutritional and degenerative diseases. Low levels are not clinically relevant.

CO2 indicates the current acid balance of the body and is the end product of metabolism. High levels indicate an acidic condition and can be due to kidney failure, vomiting, dehydration or overuse of diuretics. Low levels indicate a basic condition of the blood and can be due to starvation, kidney failure (can also cause acidosis), diarrhea and poor liver function.

Complete Blood Cell Count

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 17:29:00 GMT

The physical examination is the foundation of any visit to the veterinarian. After we have assessed your animal, we determine a treatment plan. If your animal's illness is not readily apparent on a physical examination alone, we may be required to perform additional diagnostic testing. One of the main tests that we perform is the complete blood cell count.

A complete blood cell count is an analysis of a patients unclothed blood. In this test, we are specifically focused upon the cells contained within the sample. There are other tests that look at the serum portion of your pet's blood samples. One of those tests is the chemical profile, including electrolytes. Other tests that can be performed on the serum, include many of the hormone tests for thyroid disease, adrenal gland disorders and many others.

The first step in the process is to obtain the blood sample. This is often accomplished by drawing blood from the neck, front leg or back legs depending on the patient's demeanor and size. We then take the sample and place it into a specific blood tube that prevents the tube (Blue top or Purple top) from clotting. Oftentimes, an additional blood sample is placed into a separate tube to obtain the serum portion for various other tests. The unclothed blood is then tested via a CBC machine, as well as having a microscopic examination performed. These two portions of the tests pair to form the complete blood cell count.

We interpret the test by comparing to the normal ranges that have been determined for that breed and species. These ranges include 95% or normal animals, which means a slightly low or high number may be normal for your specific pet.

Red Blood Cell Tests

Within the CBC, we look at the red blood cells. They are evaluated for number, percentage of total sample, size and shape. They are also evaluated for red blood cell parasites. These are often noted on the microscopic evaluation.

White Blood Cells

There are many different types of cells that fall under the category of "White Blood Cell." We are able to get an idea of the immune system/ immune status of the patient. There are roughly 6 types of cells including:

Platelets

Platelets are very important in the clotting process. Their presence is needed to form the initial clot of small and minor disruption of the blood vessels. The platelet count can be elevated due to thrombocytosis and polycythemia vera. A decrease in Platelet numbers can be an artifact due to clumping or an indication of another process. Low numbers are due to either decreased production (due to infection), increased destruction (Immune mediated disease), sequestration (in the spleen), or increased consumption (hemorrhage, DIC).

The Stages of Puppy Socialization

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 21:23:00 GMT

What Age Is Best for Puppy Socialization?

Most behavior experts consider three important time periods when it comes to puppy socialization. These stages are 3-12 weeks, 12-18 weeks and older thean 18 weeks of age.

Here are how the stages breakdoan and what they may mean:

3 to 12 weeks : Puppies are the most accepting of new experiences during this time period. They like to explore their environment. This is the most formative stage.

12 to 18 Weeks : As Puppies enter this new stage, they become much more skeptical of new experiences. This includes new pets, people and places. At some point during the time period from 12 to 18 weeks of age, the opportunity to socialize your puppy ends. With each passing week, it becomes more and more difficult to get him or her to accept new experiences. He or she becomes more wary with time.

Older than 18 weeks : It may be difficult to teach a dog to like something new, or help him become comfortable with something he finds frightening.

Within the entire socialization period, your dog will have periods where they appear fearless, yet others times he or she may be very cautious at other times.

If you look closely at the time period above, it is interesting to note that puppies easily accept all new experiences when they are around their mother and littermates. As time goes on, your puppy ages, gets bigger and is often moved into a new home; they tend to be more cautious.

Dr. Gregory Roadruck is very interested in behavior and training. He can be contacted via the following email address: O2Bcalm@gmail.com .

Written for the Orrville Veterinary Clinic.

Pet Food Recall

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 16:13:00 GMT

Some Red Flannel Cat Food Recalled

Released on January 30th, 2014

As always, the Orrville Veterinary Clinic is passionate about you and your pets. In that spirit, we try to update you as much as possible about potential problems that may exist. There have been multiple food recalls in the past several years. The most recent is in regard to Red Flannel Cat Formula, made by PMI Nutrition.

Pet food maker PMI Nutrition on Saturday voluntarily recalled selected 20-pound bags of Red Flannel Cat Formula cat food because of possible salmonella contamination.

The recall involves food manufactured for PMI by another company and distributed in 23 states. The affected states are Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

The recalled food has a best-buy date and lot number of 05 06 14 096 13 SM L2 1A . The code is printed on the lower back side of the bag in a white box on the right-hand side. The product’s UPC code is 7 42869 00058 5 .

No pet illnesses have been linked to the Red Flannel food, which the company reported was recalled "out of an abundance of caution” after routine testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed possible salmonella contamination.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning in pets include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. People who handle contaminated pet products may exhibit similar symptoms.

PMI Nutrition, which is based in Arden Hills, Minn., urged customers to stop using the recalled food and to return it to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement.

The company is answering customers’ questions at 800-332-4738 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.

Click Here for the company's website: http://www.pminutrition.com/rf_cat.html

Zoonotic Disease

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 22:01:00 GMT

I can get what from my pet?

It is common knowledge that rabies virus is transmittable from animals to humans, but not everyone is aware there are many other diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Zoonotic diseases can be transmitted from pets to people. There are many ways in which an animal can transmit a disease or infection to a human. These include: Bite wounds, through the skin, via the urine or the feces.

A few examples of these diseases include: roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm, ringworm, whipworm, Toxoplasmosis, Giardia, and mange. It is important to take preventative measures to prevent this from happening. Regular veterinary checkups and intestinal parasite tests are important in detecting intestinal parasites affecting your pet. Not all over the counter dewormers are effective, so it is suggested to only use prescription dewormers from your veterinarian.

Preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases often includes simple, sanitary procedures. The most effect prevention is to wash hands for 30 seconds to one minute with a soap. This removes any potential eggs, bacteria, mites and other contagious particles from your skin.

One area to be cautious with is your cat’s litter box. It is important to not let children touch the boxes. When changing the litter box, you should wear a protective mask and gloves. Pregnant women should avoid changing the litter box altogether. A general rule is to scoop the litter box every 24 hours. One of the zoonotic diseases, toxoplasmosis, is carried by the cat and is contained in the feces. The infective stage of toxoplasmosis requires 24 hours to mature to the stage that is able to infect another mammal.

Another area of risk is your yard, parks, and other areas where animals are present. Parasites can live in sandboxes where your kids may play. If you have a sandbox at home, remember to cover the box when not in use. You should scoop feces from your yard daily and thoroughly clean up any accidents in your home to avoid exposure.

Other preventative measures include not letting your pet drink from puddles, wearing socks and shoes indoors, and not feeding pets raw or uncooked meat.
Most heartworm preventatives treat and control various intestinal parasites, although there are some that are not included in this protection, which is why it is important to regularly check a stool sample.

Written by: Shelby Weeman

Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns. (330)682-2971

Supporting Future Veterinarians

Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:06:00 GMT

Orrville Veterinary Clinic

Support of the Veterinary Profession

We are proud to be a partner with many veterinary students, as well as other aspiring veterinarians who may be yet to enter the formal schooling process. You may see people around our clinic from time to time that you do not recognize. A lot of times, students from veterinary schools come to shadow our unique practice. The number of mixed animal veterinary clinics is decreasing across the country. The size and scope of our practice allows these veterinary students the ability to see both companion animal medicine and farm animal medicine. Our doctors are a great resource to discuss the unique challenges that are presented when being a mixed animal practitioner.

We typically sponsor a veterinary student each summer in a partnership with Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health). We also partner with the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association to sponsor a summer large animal internship.

Please welcome these students to your farm and into the exam room when you see them. They are the future of our profession!

Supporting FFA

Fri, 24 Jan 2014 18:00:00 GMT

Our clinic is heavily involved in supporting the community, as well as up and coming veterinarians. One local group that we support is the Future Farmers of America (FFA). FFA is a nationwide group, that was organized in 1928. Their goal had always been to prepare future generations for the challenges of supplying food to an ever expanding population. They focus on farming as a business, an art and a science. We are proud to partner with our local FFA groups.

Water For Cats

Fri, 24 Jan 2014 17:44:00 GMT

The Importance of Water for Cats

Water is one of the most important substances on earth. It is vital for the life and health of every person and animal. As we research more and more, we find that water is especially important to our indoor feline friends. Cats seem to live on the least amount of water necessary, which can lead to many problems down the road. It is for this reason that there has been a tremendous shift in the thinking about how we feed cats. We have changed more and more toward incorporating canned food into the diet of indoor cats, simply for the benefit of the water that is contained within the canned food. We even recommend adding a little bit of extra water to the canned food to trick your cat into "eating" a little more water than they would normally. Water is never a bad thing to encourage, as the worst thing that can happen is the production of more urine.

Increasing water intake is one of the best preventions for urinary tract issues in cats. These pesky UTIs and the associated cystitis are one of the more common medical conditions that we treat in cats. It also helps to prevent bladder stones, by continuously "flushing" the system. By increasing the amount of water that your cat consumes every day, you also decrease his/ her risk for chronic kidney disease. This is a condition of older cats, which is manageable, but not treatable. It is much better to prevent these two conditions than to have to treat them. Another tip for both involves litter box management . We have covered that topic in another article, which is available on any of our websites.

Over the past few years, there have been even more developments in the attempt to get cats to drink more water. A lot of these involve running water, often in the form of a fountain. Other methods that may help with water intake is to allow your cat to drink from a running faucet. Many cats like to get up on the sink to drink. Other cats are also the type that like to get into the bathtub following a shower and begin licking the water that is left around the bottom of the tub.

We often recommend the use of tuna into the diet of a cat. This should be on a somewhat limited basis, but cats love tuna. We like to recommend offering your cat some tuna juice with some water added to it. You can also add water to the tuna itself and offer that to your feline friend. This brings out the tuna flavor into the water, encouraging your cat to drink.

Ever hear the term meniscus? That is a scientific word to describe the slight "dome" that forms on the top of a very full water dish. To make a meniscus, slowly add water to your cat's water dish. You should continue to fill it up to the point that it looks like it should be overflowing, but not quite to the point of actual overflow. This will create the dome, which is another slick technique or trick to get a cat to drink more water.

Hopefully, you find one or two tips to help encourage your cat to take in more water every day. If you have any further questions, or thought, please contact our office.

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Fink

2014 Horse Owners Meeting a Success

Fri, 24 Jan 2014 15:14:00 GMT

2014 Horse Owners Meeting

We are excited to report the last night's Third Annual Orrville Veterinary Clinic Horse Owners Meeting was a great success. We had approximately 50 in attendance. A special thanks goes out to Todd Rediel, who joined us to discuss foot care and shoeing. He addressed many topics, includes natural shoeing, laminitis/ founder and the history of the farrier trade. Todd and his wife, Emily, are clients of ours, who run a farm where they currently care for 21 horses. They mainly breed, train and raise Shires, but also have a few other rescue horses and one Percheron.

We also would like to thank our sponsers, who provided a lot of support to make our meeting a success. In attendance last night were Liz Myers of Midwest Veterinary Supply. Liz has been a great friend to our clinic for many years. She helps to support by supplying a lot of our veterinary needs, as well as a lot of information regarding ne products and therapies. Also in attendance was Lauren Pfister, our Zoetis equine representative. She recently moved to the area after focusing on horses in Kentucky. In addition, some door prizes were provided by MWI, who is yet another veterinary distributor that we often use. Finally, Boehringer Ingelheim provided financial support, as well as some door prizes. They are currently the manufacturer of our horse vaccination line.

We also want to thank our staff, who came through in a big way. Without them, our doctors would be lost. We have such a great team, that words can not express. It was also great to have Dr. Paul Masters in attendance. Dr. Paul retired from practice about 4 years ago. Prior to that time, he was our main equine veterinarian. It is upon his shoulder that we stand. All of our doctors have trained under Dr. Paul. He is one of the original owners of The Orrville Veterinary Clinic, working at the clinic for over 30 years!

Thank you to all who attended. Keep the 4th Thursday evening of January 2015 open. We will likely try to hold our Fourth Annual meeting that night!

Obese Pets

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 21:02:00 GMT

Pet Obesity: Tips For Weight Loss

As many as 53% of adult dogs and 55% of adult cats are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. With this growing trend, we want to discuss the risks of pet obesity, including: osteoarthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory disease, cruciate injuries, kidney disease and cancer. One of the most important risks is a decreased life expectancy. Purina conducted a 14-year study and dogs fed to a lean body condition throughout their lives had a median life span nearly two years longer than overweight dogs.

We recommend judging body condition by using the Body Condition System (BCS) instead of body weigh, which is just a number. The rating system is based on a 1-9 point scale. On this scale, a body condition score of 1 indicates that the pet is too thin and a 9 indicates that the pet is too heavy. A BCS of 5 is ideal, as the ribs are easily palpable with little fat covering. An ideal pet will have a normal hour glass waist line from above. In addition, their abdomen is tucked upwards as the pet is standing. It is ways important to monitor your pet’s body condition to ensure your pet is as healthy as they can be. If you think your pet may be at a BCS of a 6 or higher, they are considered overweight. It is important to talk to your veterinarian about ways to lower their score.

If you believe that your pet needs to lose weight, it is not always recommended to decrease the amount of food you are feeding because this can also lead to a decrease in important vitamins and minerals that are included in your pet’s balanced diet. This will cause malnourishment over time. Though there are a lot of weight loss and weight management diets on the market, it is still important to make sure you are measuring the food with a proper measuring cup. We can provide an 8 ounce measuring cup at our office free of charge. We recommend that you follow the back of the food label for instructions and amounts to feed your pet. You should make sure that you are feeding toward the lower end of the range, with the total amount split into two feedings daily. OM is a prescription, weight management diet that can be purchased at our office that is designed for weight management. Purina OM has been tested and approved for proper weight loss. The OM diet provides balanced nutrition, ensuring accurate and effective weight loss for your dog or cat. A proper feeding guide and nutritional plan can also be provided by one of our trained staff members. This plan will show the projected weight loss per week and list healthy treats with their caloric content.

Decreasing or eliminating high caloric treats can also improve the success of weight loss. Instead of giving treats, you may reserve some of the kibble to use as treats. You may also supplement something healthier, such as baby carrots, green beans, apples, canned pumpkin, and cauliflower or broccoli as replacements. Purina also offers Lean Treats, an alternative to the high calorie milk bone treats. Allowing your pet to eat twice daily vs. only once daily will help with increase your pet's metabolism, leading to weight loss. If you are switching your pet’s food, it is always important to slowly mix the old food in with the new diet, slowly transitioning in a week’s span, to prevent digestive upset. To accompany the diet changes, we recommend increasing your pet’s exercise at least 15 minutes daily.

Another area that is often overlooked by pet owners is that of "people food." We all love our pets and want to treat them in the best manner as possible. Unfortunately, or pets are not geared to handle the types of foods that often accompany the American diet. These foods tend to be too high in fat and other nutrients that may be harming your dog. Some people foods are even toxic. In order to help your pet lose weight, it is vital to discontinue any and all people food that they are receiving.

A weight loss percentage of 2% weekly is ideal. If your pet loses weight at a faster rate than 2% per week, he or she may be at risk in other ways. Regular weigh-ins are also recommended. These weigh-ins should be performed every 3-4 weeks to show progress and indicate a change in feeding plan or exercise. Once you’ve reached your weight loss goal for your pet, it is important to continue to use the low calorie treats and scheduled feeding to prevent your pet from regaining weight.

Article Submitted by Amanda Bell, R.V.T.

Running with Your Dog

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 18:32:00 GMT

Running with Your Dog

Many runners spend a lot of time out on the trails, and many have dogs. This leads them to wonder about running with their dog in order to spend extra time with their canine friend. Running with a dog can provide many benefits, some as simple as the companionship along the way. Running is obviously beneficial exercise for us, but it is also beneficial to our dogs. This benefit comes with some risks, so there are many things for us to consider before taking our best friend for a run.

AGE:

It is not a good idea to run with a puppy. Did you know that many marathon races have a minimum age requirement of 18 years old for people? The longest competitive race distance for high school track competitions is the 5k (3.1 miles) This may seem odd, but there is an increased risk of injury to younger runners. The impact of running is high, which can lead to injury. In the young, growing population; this can lead to excessive joint pressures. This is all the more important to consider when active growth plates are involved. This same principle applies to our dogs. As they grow, the growth plates are very sensitive to damage, which can lead to abnormal growth patterns. Premature closure of part or all of the growth plate, can lead to bowed legs. These bowed legs often lead to further orthopedic problems as time goes on. For these reasons, we recommend waiting until a small dog is at least 12 months old. Larger dogs continue to grow, so should be eased into running at a higher age. Giant breed dogs, who are probably not the best running candidates, continue to grow until 24 months. During these younger ages, it is very important to teach her how to be obedient when on a leash (teach her leash manners). You will want your dog to be obedient and easy to control when you decide to begin your canine running plan.

Just like it is not a good idea to run with a dog that is too young, it is advisable to retire your dog from running once he or she is 7 years old. Once a dog hits this magical age, he or she is considered a senior pet. Many larger breeds will start to experience osteoarthritis as they age. This condition worsens over time. It is true that some exercise is beneficial for arthritis, but too much running can be detrimental. Avid runners log enough miles that taking their older dog a long my overwhelm their dog's heart.

TAKE IT SLOW

The next thing to consider can also be adapted form human running circles. That is the rule of the "toos." This rule of "toos" states that doing TOO much, TOO Fast and going TOO far will lead to an increase in the likelihood of injury. Many runners need to start out with the run/ walk method. This is good for our dogs as well. Simply taking a dog and going for a 10 mile run is TOO much for them to handle. Dogs do tend to get better exercise on a routine basis than we do, so they may be able to start out at a half of a mile, up to about a mile in distance. Taking it slow, allows their body to slowly adapt to deal with the increased forces and demands of running. It is not a good idea to start with your dog on your weekend long run. Most runners who are training, will perform their long runs over the weekend. Perhaps, you could get your long run in and then return home to get your dog. He or she can then go with you for a 10 minute cool down period. Another god idea is to simply incorporate some running into your pets daily walk. You may even begin with on or two blocks at a time.

Most runners tend to follow (or at least have heard of) the 10% rule. This rule leads you to only increase weekly mileage by 10% per week. This is another a good rule of thumb for our canine athletes out there. Again, their bodies need some time to adapt to the increase in activity. It is best to run with your dog 3 or 4 days a week, as consistency is the key to increasing the exercise levels and the development of all of the support structures within the body. The cardiovascular system will need to time to adapt to the increased demand for blood. The respiratory system needs time to learn to capture more oxygen in order for the heart to move that oxygenated blood around the body.

Your dog does not have to worry about buying running shoes every 300 miles, but he does have to worry about the effects of his minimalist running style. The pads of the feet are the main surface that contacts the ground directly when your dog runs. This contact causes friction and the potential for small abrasions. This is yet another good reason to start out slow to allow your god's body to adapt to the rigors of running.

SAFETY CONCERNS

Do not run with dogs on blacktop or pavement in the summertime. Their paw pads are very delicate and can easily get burned on the hot surfaces. There are some dog boots and shoes that are commercially available to help limit the risk of burnt and scalded pads. It is also a good idea to avoid trails that have small, potentially sharp, gravel. This gravel may cut the pads, but is irritation at the very least when landed upon by your dog's sensitive pads.

Another thing to consider is that of safety. Dogs should always be kept on a leash. This will prevent him from running off, possibly into the road. It also keeps other runners safe. Other runners may not be comfortable with a loose dog running around. It is a good idea to be courteous to your fellow runners. There are several leashed available that are an expandable leash, which is contained on a belt to keep your hand free. The expandable, bungee-like, rope allows your dog some freedom without pulling you over if he or she decides to suddenly pick up the pace. Having your dog on a leash also helps you to guide him/ her where to run on the trail. This is most beneficial if there is broken glass or other debris on the trail or path. The final reason is that in most areas there are leash laws. Following the law for local areas is always the best advice.

In addition to keeping your dog on a leash, it is a courtesy to clean up after him if he happens to go to the bathroom along the route. It is very easy to carry a baggie along for this purpose. Many trails have garbage cans at the beginning and end. Some even have them along the route.

Do not run in high traffic areas. This is a good tip for all runners, as the more traffic there is, the higher the risk of getting injured by a car or other debris being thrown up from a moving vehicle. Dogs may experience a lot of anxiety by running with a lot of traffic around. They are also more likely to get injured if they tend to run on the side of traffic.

What about hydration? Unlike you, your dog is not able to hydrate over the days preceding a race or a run. This means that he or she may get dehydrated faster than you may think. There are various options for you to provide your pet with a drink on the run. There are some water bottles for dogs that are similar to the ones that we carry, yet modified for your dog. These often have a ball valve in the end, similar to the water bottles that are often seen in gerbil and rabbit cages. By licking the ball valve, the ball is elevated. This allows some water to flow to the end, where your dog is licking. Short runs on cool days do not require water. Runs that are longer in duration than 45 minutes require water. These longer runs also require extra fuel for the body. There are some treats that are higher in protein and contain much needed fat for energy.

If you are considering running with your dog, be advised that you need to watch for signs of overexertion. The first sign may be that your dog simply begins to lag behind. A fit dog that is in no distress will be panting steadily, with his tongue mostly inside his mouth. Excessively heavy panting often with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. He may also have the corners of his mouth drawn up tight. If you notice any of these signs, slow down or begin to walk. Even 30 seconds to a minute of walking can help to cool you and your dog down a little bit. This allows the heart rate to begin to slow as well.

BREED CONSIDERATIONS

One additional point to consider is the breed of your dog. Many brachiocephalic dogs (those with the shorter noses) are not good candidates for running. These breeds, such as the Pug and Bulldog, are very susceptible to heatstroke/ overheating. They also can easily get oxygen deprived during any strenuous exercise. Any dog that has ben diagnosed with a heart murmur should not be taken along for a run. The heart murmur indicates abnormal bloodflow, often the result of an underlying heart condition. Some of our smaller breeds are also not the best of candidates. For example, Miniature Dachshunds are great dogs, but their short legs make running excessively difficult on them as they try to keep up.

It is important to point out that there are exceptions to every rule. These are simply the most reasonable rules and guidelines to follow when running with your dog.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 17:34:00 GMT

Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Weight Management

Do you have any overweight horse?

Does your horse have a cresty neck and fat deposits around his or her tail head?

Having an overweight horse has the potential to cause several health issues. The first reason to keep your horse at a healthy weight is that it puts lets stress on their joints over time. Another reason to manage your horse’s weight is to prevent the occurrence of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (Insulin Resistance). Overweight horses that have EMS are not able to handle high sugar levels in their diet. High sugar levels can cause dangerously high spikes in insulin. High insulin levels are blamed for the common finding of laminitis (founder).

What horses are at risk for EMS associated laminitis?

While ponies, Morgans, Paso Finos, and Warmbloods are predisposed to EMS; any horse that is overweight can potentially develop the condition. In rare cases, horses that are at an appropriate weight can develop EMS associated laminitis.

What can be done if your horse has EMS?

This is not a disease that we can medicate our way out of. There are currently no medications available to help with this condition. There are several supplements that claim to decrease blood insulin levels, but none have been evaluated in scientific studies. The key factors in EMS control are diet and exercise. Reducing the level of simple sugars (non-structural carbohydrates – NSC) in the diet is the key. Testing your hay for NSC levels is very important. If your hay levels of NSC are high, you can either attempt to find hay that tests lower, or soak your hay in water to reduce the sugar content. You should also pay close attention to the grain you feed your EMS horse. Typically the safest grains for EMS horses are alfalfa pellets or commercially available grains for horses with EMS. Oats are actually quite high in NSC, therefore, a bad choice for a horse with EMS. During pasture season it is imperative that your EMS horse has a grazing muzzle or is only allowed a dry lot for turnout.

Exercise can be anything from hand walking to trail riding to round pen work. A program should be implemented and exercise should be consistent. Research shows that exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity in horses.

Orrville Veterinary Clinic can tailor a nutritional and exercise program for your horse if you are concerned about EMS. We can also definitely diagnose the condition through specific blood tests.

Body Condition Scoring

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:47:00 GMT

Body Condition Scoring for Dogs

Unfortunately, we see a lot of dogs that are in need of weight loss. Sometimes, but on rare occassion, we examine dogs that are actually in need of gaining weight. One of the tools that we use to determine your dog's status is the body condition scoring system. This system uses a grading scale of 1 to 9, with 5 being ideal.

The picture shown within this article is that official body scoring system, as demonstrated by the Purina company. The overall scoring system is based roughly on the concept of BMI (Body Mass Index), which is commonly used in people. Unlike the BMI system, we do not use calipers or a percentage of body fat, instead relying on our observations of sight and touch. We begin by looking at your pet from a distance and developing a rough idea of a body condition score. This is based upon the ideal score of 5, meaning that your dog or cat has "waistline" and a "tucked up" abdomen. Essentially, the area behind the ribs should be taperded in an hour glass shape when viewed from above. Likewise, the abdomen should be tucked up in relation to the deeper portion of the chest when viewed from the side. If we can count each and every rib from a distance, the score is low. If there is no evidence of a waistline and tucked up abdomen, the score is a higher number. This first estimate is usually very accurate, although long hair coats can make the initial score inaccurate.

We then place our hands on your pet to try to confirm or adjust our visual findings. Gentle palpation over the ribcage should allow us to easily feel the ribs by using light pressure. If heavy pressure is needed, the body condition score is adjusted to a higher number. If we are able to easily palapte (feel) each and every rib, as well as the regions in between the ribs, the score will be adjusted down.

We are able to use the body condition scoring system to assist us, and you, to getting your pet to the ideal body condition. We take the body condition score and make recommendations on feeding for weight loss (at least in most cases). We also recommend increasing exercise to increase the amount of calories that are utilized every day. This is relatively easy to do with dogs, as they can be taken on walks. Fortunately, there are many convenient places to walk your dog in the Orrville, Wooster, Dalton, Rittman and surrounding regions. These include the many paved sidewalks, dog parks, several wilderness trails and the Sippo Valley Trail.

In those very few cases, we advise adjusting the amount of calories that are being consumed, as well as the amount of protein. Oftentimes, pets with a body condition score of 3 or less require a further workup. There are many disease processes that can cause a body condition score to be too low. These include parasites (worms), thyroid disorders, kidney disease, heart disease and many other chronic conditions. If a disease process is identified, we can treat your pet accordingly.

You may often hear us say that you should take a mental picture of your pet when he or she is in for one of their puppy or kitten visits. We do this because Puppies and kittens are often at an ideal body condition. It is once their metabolic needs decline that we often see them on the heavier side, or higher on the body condition scoring system.

Please note that up until this point, we have not talked about your pet's weight. We look at weight as just a number, so we place the emphasis on the body condition of your pet. We try to give you a guideline as to your pet's ideal weight once a body condition score of 5 has been achieved.

Overweight Management: Purina OM

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:37:00 GMT

Pet Overweight Management

Unfortunately, we see a large number of cats and dogs that are in need of weight loss. A lot of pet owners rationalize their pet's obesity to just being fluffy or having his or her "winter weight."

Weight loss for pets can be a very daunting task for many owners. Added to the difficulty of trying to get their pet to lose weight is the need for changing our own habits. Along with this comes some guilt that we are not giving our pets our full love because we have to cut out various foods, such as treats and table scraps.

To try to make weight management as easy as possible, we recommend Purina OM diet. This is a weight reducing diet sold through our clinic. We have several weight management counselors on our staff to help customize a feeding plan for your pet's diet.

If you would like to have us design a customized diet plan for your pet, please give us a call at (330)682-2971 or email us via info@orrvillevetclinic.com .

You may also click here to access our contact page.

Bland Diets: Purina EN

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:36:00 GMT

Purina EN is one of our featured diets, both at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic and the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort. Purina EN is the main diet that is fed to dogs and cats who chose to board with us within the hospital or at the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort. Boarding and extended stays create two increased risks for possible gastrointestinal problems: stress and diet change. The stress is due to the change in environment and the lack of familiar routines. The diet change is from their normal diet at home, to our main diet of choice: Purina EN. We chose EN because it is a bland diet. While we don't recommend any abrupt diet changes, it is generally okay to change a pet more abruptly to a new diet that is bland, just like Purina EN. There are a variety of other reasons that we recommend Purina EN, which we will outline below.

Purina EN is specifically designed as a bland diet to assist in recovery of intestinal distress. While EN is not the only treatment for GI distress, it does aide in the recovery process. Oftentimes further therapies and treatments are required. The main principle behind EN is that a bland diet is easier to digest than some of the main commercial pet foods that are available at local pet stores and retailers.

Here is some more detail about the benefits of EN Gastrointestinal Formula:

If you have questions as to why we select EN for any reason at all, do not hesitate to ask us. We can be contacted via phone at (330)682-2971 or via email at info@orrvillevetclinic.com .

Probiotics in Dog (Canine FortiFlora)

Fri, 17 Jan 2014 16:53:00 GMT

Probiotics in Dogs

Canine FortiFlora by Purina

Many people are familiar with the concept of probiotics. Probiotics have been in the forefront of nutritional supplements in recent years. The most common form of probiotic for people is the common bacteria that is found in yogurt, Lactobacillus Acidophilus . Let's answer some common questions about probiotics:

What is a probiotic?

Probiotics are living organisms, oftentimes bacteria. This may seem odd, but a probiotics are a "good" form of bacteria that have health benefits within the body. The most common area that probiotics are used is to benefit gastrointestinal (digestive) health and to support a healthy immune system. These "friendly" bacteria occupy areas within the intestinal tract, aiding in the normal digestive process. They also help to balance out or prevent the establishment of "bad" (pathologic) bacteria, which oftentimes can cause disease symptoms. These symptoms include cramping, vomiting, diarrhea and a general feeling of being overly run down. Probiotics are labeled in units of CFUs, or colony forming units.

What is FortiFlora?

FortiFlora is the main form of probiotics that we recommend for use in dogs. FortiFlora comes in a convenient once a day packet containing a powder. It is very easy to just sprinkle over the food. Like many of Purina's products, FortiFlora has gone through many palatability studies, to see if dogs will prefer the taste. In addition to a guaranteed level of viable colony forming units, FortiFlora contains antioxidants. These antioxidants are beneficial to the body in other ways, providing another benefit in addition to the probiotic content. Many people recognize these antioxidants, which include Vitamin E, Vitamin C and beta carotene. Purina has also added in several trace minerals, such as selenium, Magnesium and Potassium.

Why should I use it?

There are many reasons to consider using probiotics in your dog's diet. These include:

Can I just give my dog Yogurt, or Lactobacillus tablets, like I take?

As noted above, the main probiotic that is used in people is called Lactobacillus Acidophilus. This comes in many different forms and is also the main beneficial bacteria that is contained within yogurt. One simple reason to not give yogurt is that some dogs can actually have an allergy. Others have a hard time digesting the lactose that is in the yogurt. This can actually lead to, rather than prevent, many of the signs that FortiFlora benefits. The other, perhaps more important, reason to use FortiFlora is that dogs do not utilize Lactobacillus Acidophilus. Though this common probiotic will not hurt your dog, it will have no benefit. When we take our veterinary oath, we vow to "above all else, do no harm." This principle applies to the use of Lactobacillus in dogs. FortiFlora contains the beneficial canine bacteria, Enterococcus faecium .

2014 Dairy Producers Meeting

Mon, 13 Jan 2014 16:54:00 GMT

15th ANNUAL NORTHEAST OHIO REGIONAL DAIRY CONFERENCE

Come join us for the Killbuck Valley Veterinary Medical Association's 15th annual Northeast Ohio Regional Dairy Conference. The conference is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15th from 9:00 AM. to 3:30 PM. We will once again host the event at the Buckeye Events Center, located in Dalton. Our Meeting features Dr. Jeffrey S. Stephenson. He will be discussing reproductive issues facing today's dairy farmers. We will provide breakfast and lunch. There will also be many booths, featuring various supply companies and displays. We are also having a Dairy Farmer Panel to discuss the practical application of reproductive success.

Here is the proposed agenda:

9:00-9:55 AM Registration, Continental Breakfast, Visit with Exhibitors
9:55-10:00 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks - William Yost, D.V.M./KVVMA President
10:00-10:45 AM Speaker
10:45-11:15 AM Break & Visit Exhibits
11:15-12:00 PM Speaker
12:00-1:15 PM Lunch (provided) & Visit Exhibits
1:15-1:30 PM Speaker
1:30-2:15 PM Speaker
2:15-2:45 PM Break & Visit Exhibits
2:45-3:30 PM Dairy Farmer Panel - How we achieve reproductive success
3:15-3:30 PM Questions from Producers
3:30 PM Adjourn

2014 Horse Owners Meeting

Mon, 13 Jan 2014 14:29:00 GMT

Come Join us for our Third Annual Horse Owners Meeting. We will meet at 6:30 P.M. on Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 at Heartland Point in Orrville, Ohio. Please RSVP if possible.

2014 Horse Owners Meeting

Wed, 08 Jan 2014 17:49:00 GMT

3rd Annual Horse Owner's Meeting

Cold Weather Tips for Pets

Thu, 02 Jan 2014 17:56:00 GMT

COLD WEATHER TIPS FOR PETS

When the weather turns cold, our pets can be at risk for additional cold weather related issues. Here are some practical guidelines to keep your pet safe during this cold weather in Northeast Ohio.

Click HERE for Thanksgiving tips for your pets.

Click HERE for cold weather tips for Horses

Tips for Winter Horse Care

Tue, 24 Dec 2013 16:53:00 GMT

Winter Horse Care

In Northeast Ohio, winters can be rough. The Ohio counties of Summit, Stark, Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas counties can have some nasty stretched of winter. These winters can produce bitterly cold temperatures, heavy snow, rain, ice and other conditions that present challenges to outdoors animals of all sizes and species. While we have some articles that highlight our companion pets, we feel that it is important to focus on our equine friends. We help horses ranging from Wooster to Massillon, Creston to Winesburg and many points in between. Horses are well adapted to live outside, even in the colder temperatures that we see during Ohio winters. The care for your horse does change with the seasons. Here are some guidelines to help with horse care during these winter months.

Shelter
There are many types of shelter for horses and livestock. These vary from a nice stall to a simple lean to. It is important to provide an area that is out of the wind and out of the rain. We recommend a three sided shelter with a roof. Most of these small shelters in Ohio face toward the east, as our predominant winds tend to come from the north and the west. Horse can even seek refuge from the wind by ducking in behind trees and other obstacles, such as bushes and even round bales. The shelter should be large enough to accommodate all of your horses comfortably. In larger herds there is a pecking order, therefore more than one shelter may be required.

Blankets
Horses that are raised outside year round prepare themselves for the cold months by growing a longer hair coat. With many show horses and other pleasure horses, their hair coats are clipped to remain short or they don’t grow out their hair coats due to being inside the warmer barns. For this reason, many horse owners choose to blanket their horses during the winter months. Horses that don't have enough access to shelter also benefit from a proper turnout blanket during inclement weather.
As noted above, make certain that your horse is clean and dry before applying a blanket. There are various sizes and weights of blankets. Some are rated at 40 degrees, whereas thicker blanket are required for sub-zero temperatures. Keep in mind that a turnout blanket is water proof/ water resistant and a stable blanket is not. This is important for horses that are turned out. A stable blanket will get soaked if placed on a horse that is out in the rain or snow.
It is a good idea to check the blankets over periodically. Check for rips and other damage once a week. It is also recommended to double check all snaps and fittings to make sure that they are in good repair and in good order.

Mud, Mud Everywhere
Frozen ground is nice, but there are days where mud is a big issue on every farm in the Wayne county area. Ohio is known for our freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow and variable amounts of rain. Areas that tend to be muddy include around water sources, around feeders and near gates. We advise keeping horses inside if there is not an adequate area form them to get out of these muddy regions. In general, horses will avoid these muddy areas for prolonged periods of time, but only if provided with adequate space for the number of animals.
Obviously, this mud can build up on your horse’s legs and inside their hooves. This excess mud can lead to bacterial and fungal infections such as “scratches” and “mud fever” and should be removed as soon as possible. We recommend “picking” your horses feet out at least twice a day.

Ice
Just like humans, horses can slip on icy patches. It helps to sprinkle these areas with sand or gravel to provide extra traction. These areas can also be broken up with a shovel, a spade, or any other tool that is suited to this task. If you have an extremely icy area, we recommend fencing that area off to prevent access.
As with the mud issue above, ice should not be allowed to build up on your horse’s hooves or lower legs. Again, “picking” the hooves twice a day will help to prevent issues. Always check for small lacerations on the lower legs that are often caused by ice in the field.

Feed Modification
When we talk about metabolic rate and basic needs, the average horse requires roughly 2% of his body weight in feed per day. Some horses will require more, including stallions, pregnant mares and some older horses. A 1,000 horse will eat about 20 pounds of hay per day (the average square bale is roughly 40 pounds, but varies depending upon the type of hay and the density.) During the colder temperatures, horses need a larger amount of hay because their body has the increased demand for energy to keep warm. The same 1,000 horse may need 30 or 35 pounds of hay per day during extreme cold.
Horses are hindgut fermenters. This means that a large amount of digestion takes place in the intestinal tract, which is highly modified to accommodate their dietary needs. Fiber digestion results in excess energy production (energy equals heat). So when bad whether comes, your horse will benefit from additional hay meals throughout the day.
It is actually recommended to feed low nutrient grass hay during the winter months. The reason for this is that the increased amount of hay will not result in extra calories. By utilizing the low nutrient grass hay, the bacteria in the digestive tract are forced to work harder. This results in excess heat production, keeping your horse warm.

Water
One potential problem that could develop with the increase in hay consumption is the risk for impaction colic. The most important prevention for this is simple water. We advise checking the water sources several times per day to make certain that they are not frozen. Heated water sources are best, but even these can fail. The heated water also provides the horse with a little extra internal warmth.

Salt
We recommend free choice access to trace mineral salts. These can be in the form of additives and/ or salt blocks or bricks. The trace minerals are important, as our grasses in hays in Ohio are deficient in vitamin E and selenium. The trace minerals help to balance out these deficiencies, and the salt helps to increase water intake.

Other considerations
There are a few things that are easy to do, but often forgotten during the winter months. If you are riding your horse, or using him for work, plan for a little extra time for proper care. One easy thing to do is to warm the bits prior to placing them in your horse’s mouth. You can either warm the bit in your car, in a heated tack room or place it inside your jacket. Once it is not cold to the touch, it is warm enough.
Any horse that has been worked to the point of sweating, should be dried as soon as possible. Once the horse is dry, fluff up his or her haircoat. A blanket can then be placed on your horse, but only after he is completely dry. A thick, bulky coat will actually hold moisture, rather than keeping a wet horse warm.

Summary

Click HERE for a link to our cold weather article for dogs and cats

Preventing Unwanted Pets

Thu, 19 Dec 2013 19:53:00 GMT

Stopping Pet Overpopulation Starts With You!

Written by Tara Monohan

For The Orrville Veterinary Clinic

Whether you have recently added a furry friend to your family or you are considering it, one of the most important health decisions you will make is to spay or neuter your cat or dog. As animal lovers who value our pets, it is important to understand the impact of this decision.

In every community, in every state, there are homeless animals. Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U.S. and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. As long as these birth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all of the animals. As a result, millions of healthy, loving cats, dogs, kittens and puppies face early deaths as a form of animal control. Others are left to fend for themselves against automobiles, the elements, other animals and cruel humans. What can you do to stop the suffering? Spay and neuter your pets!

What is spaying and neutering? Spaying is a surgical procedure where the ovaries and uterus are removed from a female pet. Neutering is a surgical procedure where the testicles and spermatic cord are removed from a male pet. When done by a licensed veterinarian, routine spay/neuter surgery is actually less dangerous than the stress and complications possible in pregnancy.

Not convinced yet? Besides preventing unwanted litters, here are some more benefits of spaying/neutering your pet. The number one benefit is that your pet will live a happier, longer life. Spaying your female helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer. Spaying your pet before the first heat cycle offers the best protection from these diseases. Neutering your male pet eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and greatly reduces the risk of prostate cancer, prostatitis and perianal tumors. Altered pets have less desire to roam, therefore making her/him less likely to be injured in fights or auto accidents. It also eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in males neutered before six months of age or before the onset of these behaviors.

Contrary to popular belief, spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat. With the right amount of food and exercise, your pet will not become overweight. He/she will require fewer calories to maintain a proper weight and should be fed less meaning he/she will be less expensive to feed! Altered pets are still good watch dogs. If anything, they are more content with home and family and are more devoted. An altered pet does not feel deprived by being spayed or neutered but an unaltered pet when in heat or when they sense a female nearby will feel extreme frustration. This frustration often leads to behavior problems and aggression.

Think it is too expensive? The cost of spaying or neutering is minor compared to the cost of feeding and raising litters. In addition, problems during labor and delivery could lead to a costly Caesarian section. An altered pet often requires fewer veterinary bills. The capture, care and eventual destruction of unwanted animals costs taxpayers and private humanitarian agencies over a billion dollars a year.

At the Orrville Veterinary Clinic our staff members can answer your questions about spaying or neutering your pet or any other procedure your pet may undergo at our clinic. Please don’t hesitate to ask. Contact us at (330)682-2971 or orrvet@earthlink.net . For more information, visit our website at www.orrvillevetclinic.com

Heartworm Disease: Answers to Common Questions

Fri, 06 Dec 2013 20:19:00 GMT

Article submitted by Tara Monahan

Written for Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic

In our area of Ohio (Akron, Barberton, Norton, Wadsworth, and the surrounding areas of Summit and Stark counties), insects can be both a nuisance and a problem. Though these insects have a purpose, they can be very annoying and harmful to people and animals?

When we think of common insects in our ares, it does not take long to focus on that annoying little bug, the mosquito. Mosquitoes are carriers of heartworm larvae. When transmitted to your pet, heartworm can cause serious complications and eventually results in death of your dog or cat.

When a mosquito that is infected with the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, bites your dog, the infective larvae enter your dog’s bloodstream and grow into adult heartworms. More than 20 species of mosquitoes are known to spread heartworm. These mosquitoes carry the infected larvae for miles, even transmitting the disease from wild animals (such as coyotes) to dogs and cats. It takes a little over six months for the infective larvae to mature into adult worms that may live for five to seven years. Heartworms live in the right side of the heart and the arteries of the lungs, causing inflammation and interfering with blood flow. This leads to blood clots in the lung and congestive heart failure.

Here are the answers to questions that we commonly hear about heartworm disease:

Is heartworm contagious from dog to dog?

No, heartworm can be transmitted from dog to dog only by the bite of a mosquito carrying the infective stage of the larvae.

Can my cat get heartworm disease?

Yes, but for once it is a benefit to be imperfect. Cats are susceptible but are imperfect hosts to heartworm. This makes cats more resistant to infection than dogs.

My dog only goes outside to go to the bathroom, is he/she still at risk?

Yes, your dog can even be infected indoors. Mosquitoes frequently follow us indoors or squeeze in through cracks in doors or windows.

Do I need to worry about heartworm disease during the fall and winter months?

Yes, mosquitoes infected with heartworm can still be found when the weather becomes colder. In addition, Ohio is prone to mild winters, which allows mosquitoes to be more prevalent.

How do I know if my dog has heartworm disease?

A simple blood test can be done at your veterinarian’s office with results in about 15 minutes. The test that we use also tests for some tick-bourne diseases, such as Lyme disease.

When should heartworm testing be done?

Annual testing is the best way to have peace of mind that your dog is heartworm free. Testing should start when your dog goes to the veterinarian for their one year wellness exam. Any adopted adult dog should be tested right away. Even if your dog is on heartworm prevention every month, it still needs to be tested at least every other year. Testing is also important because giving heartworm preventives to dogs having heartworms can lead to severe reactions that could be harmful or even fatal to the dog.

Can heartworm disease be treated?

Yes, heartworm disease can be treated. The outcome of the treatment depends on the overall health of the dog and the stage of the heartworm disease. The treatment involves a series of injections which kill the heartworms. Cage rest or limited exercise is vital during treatment to prevent injury to the heart and lungs. Repeat heartworm testing and blood work are required to monitor the dog’s progress and health. This treatment is painful for the dog and very costly for the owner.

How can I prevent my dog from being infected with heartworm disease?

Giving your dog monthly heartworm prevention all year round and testing for heartworm disease are the best ways to keep your dog heartworm free. Heartworm prevention is a prescription medication that comes in oral tablets (Heartgard Plus, Iverhart Max, Trifexis, Interceptor and various others) that are given monthly or an injection (Proheart 6) that is given every 6 months. Giving the heartworm prevention on the same day every month is best, so make sure to mark it on your calendar. A single missed dose could put your dog at risk. Injectable heartworm prevention must be administered by a veterinarian. Prevention is a fraction of the cost of treatment and is much easier on your pet. Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic carries several of the more commonly recommended heartworm preventatives, including the 6 month injection (Proheart 6).

Why do I need a prescription for heartworm medication?

Heartworm preventives are “legend” drugs, which by federal law require a prescription. A veterinary-client-patient relationship must be established before a prescription can be written.
For more information, check out our links page or click on the hyperlinks that we have embedded above. You may also search "Heartworm disease" in the search tab.

Only a veterinarian can truly ensure that your pet is getting optimal protection from heartworm disease. Call our office if you have further questions or concerns about your dog’s heartworm testing and prevention needs. The Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic is here to help prevent illness in your pets. We are always available and happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have about your pet. Please call us at (330)753-4114 if you have any questions or concerns.

This article was modified and adapted for the website www.abvetclinic.com by Jeff Fink DVM Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

Protect Your Pet from Heartworm Disease

Fri, 06 Dec 2013 19:13:00 GMT

Protect Your Pet from Heartworm Disease

Insects have a purpose, but can be very annoying and harmful to people and animals. One insect that causes us concern in regards to our pets is the mosquito. Mosquitoes can be carriers of heartworm larvae. When transmitted to your pet, heartworm can cause serious complications and eventually results in death of your dog or cat.

When a female mosquito that is infected with the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, bites your dog, the infective larvae enter your dog’s bloodstream and grow into adult heartworms. More than 20 species of mosquitoes are known to spread heartworm. These mosquitoes carry the infected larvae for miles, even transmitting the disease from wild animals (such as coyotes) to dogs and cats. It takes a little over six months for the infective larvae to mature into adult worms that may live for five to seven years. Heartworms live in the right side of the heart and the arteries of the lungs, causing inflammation and interfering with blood flow. This leads to blood clots in the lung and congestive heart failure.

Here are the answers to questions that we commonly hear about heartworm disease:

Is heartworm contagious from dog to dog?

No, heartworm can be transmitted from dog to dog only by the bite of a mosquito carrying the infective stage of the larvae.

Can my cat get heartworm disease?

Yes, but for once it is a benefit to be imperfect. Cats are susceptible but are imperfect hosts to heartworm. This makes cats more resistant to infection than dogs.

My dog only goes outside to go to the bathroom, is he/she still at risk?

Yes, your dog can even be infected indoors. Mosquitoes frequently follow us indoors or squeeze in through cracks in doors or windows.

Do I need to worry about heartworm disease during the fall and winter months?

Yes, mosquitoes infected with heartworm can still be found when the weather becomes colder. In addition, Ohio is prone to mild winters, which allows mosquitoes to be more prevalent.

How do I know if my dog has heartworm disease?

A simple blood test can be done at your veterinarian’s office with results in about 15 minutes. The test that we use also tests for some tick-bourne diseases, such as Lyme disease.

When should heartworm testing be done?

Can heartworm disease be treated?

How can I prevent my dog from being infected with heartworm disease?

Giving your dog monthly heartworm prevention all year round and testing for heartworm disease are the best ways to keep your dog heartworm free. Heartworm prevention is a prescription medication that comes in oral tablets (Heartgard Plus, Iverhart Max, Trifexis , Interceptor and various others) that are given monthly or an injection ( Proheart 6 and Proheart 12 ) that is given every 6 months or 12 months depending on which product is utilized. Giving the heartworm prevention on the same day every month is best, so make sure to mark it on your calendar. A single missed dose could put your dog at risk. Injectable heartworm prevention must be administered by a veterinarian. Prevention is a fraction of the cost of treatment and is much easier on your pet.

Why do I need a prescription for heartworm medication?

Only a veterinarian can ensure your pet is getting optimal protection from heartworm disease. Ask your veterinarian about your dog’s heartworm testing and prevention needs today.

May 2014 has been designated as Heartworm Prevention Month . Please get your pets protected.

Thanksgiving and Your Pet

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 20:46:00 GMT

Thanksgiving is a time of family, feasting and festivities. We celevrate this time with you and your pets! At the same time, we realize that trips to the emergency clinic tend to increase at this time of year. The main problem associated with Thanksgiving and pets shows up in the form of vomiting and diarrhea.

The AVMA’s top tips for keeping pets healthy on Thanksgiving are:

Quick action can save lives. If you believe your pet has been poisoned or eaten something it shouldn’t have,
call Orrville Veterinary Clinic for 24 hours emerencies:

(330)682-2971

We hope that you find these tips to be beneficial. It is our desire to prevent illnesses in animals, which allows them to live longer, more productive lives!

Father/ Son People First Meeting

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 16:28:00 GMT

PeopleFirst™ Father/Son Informational Luncheon
When: December 13th 10:00am - 1:00pm
Where: The Barn Restaurant, Smithville
“Increased COMMUNICATION – Consistent PERFORMANCE – High ENGAGEMENT”

A group of interested fathers and sons met at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic last winter to share some concerns about the challenges of working together and transitioning the farm from one generation to the next. From this meeting, PeopleFirst designed a program to meet these challenges in your operation. PeopleFirst understands the generational dynamics and significant changes agriculture organizations have endured the past 10 years and how this impacts the leadership, communication, and engagement of operations.

Join PeopleFirst for an informational luncheon to learn more about their new program specially geared toward your concerns from our winter meeting. PeopleFirst Business Solutions Manager, Charles Contreras, will describe the new 2014 program that incorporates the dynamics and generational differences of father/son organizations. Other topics covered in the program include:

To reserve your place at the luncheon, please call the Orrville Veterinary Clinic by Friday, December 6, 2013.

Contact Charles Contreras, Business Solutions Manager, Orrville Veterinary Clinic, or Tom Esselburn, your local Zoetis Representative with any questions.

Charles Contreras Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc Tom Esselburn
(260) 417 – 7749 (330) 682-2971 (330)201-1318

New Excenel RTU EZ

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 18:34:00 GMT

Excenel RTU EZ

Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Helath) has recently released a new formulation of Excenel. This newer form is called "Excenel RTU EZ." Zoetis has improved the formulation to make the product 40% easier to syringe.

This newly formulated Excenel RTU EZ is still indicated for the same diseases that it was previously approved for use in animals. The major change is to the meat/ slaghter with hold. This with hold time has increased to 4 days (96 hours) from the previous 3 day hold.

Milk hold is still "0" and Zoetis recommends 15ml/inj site.

Christmas Animal Shelter Donations

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 16:26:00 GMT

Christmas Animal Shelter Donation

As Christmas approaches this means time for baking, decorating, spending time with family. It also means SHOPPING! Taking a little bit of time to remember the pets in shelters without homes is important during this season of giving. We are taking donations of supplies at each of our locations in Seville, Barberton, and Orrville for local animal shelters. There is a substantial need for these supplies including food, office and cleaning supplies, litter, trash bags, and detergents. We are also accepting monetary donations to support these shelters. We have had a great response in the past. Please join us in providing area shelters with a Christmas donation this year. You may drop off any donated supplies leading up to Christmas day and they will be taken the week after Christmas. Thank you for your support!

Our offices are located at the following addresses:

(For areas Near Orrville, which include: Rittman, Doylestown, Marshalville, Smithville, Apple Creek, Kidron, Dalton, Wooster, Mt Eaton and many other areas surrounding Orrville in Wayne County)

Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc

1665 N. Main St

Orrville, Ohio 44667

www.orrvillevetclinc.com

(For areas near Seville, which include: Lodi, Norton, Wadsworth, Creston, Rittman, Medina, and many other areas surrounding southern Medina County and northern Wayne County)

Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic

3893 Greenwich Rd.

Seville, Ohio 44273

www.sevillevetclinic.com

(For areas near Barberton, including Norton, Wadsworth, Barberton, Akron, and areas of Summit and Stark County)

Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic

1111 Wooster Rd. N.

Barberton, Ohio 44203

www.abvetclinic.com

2=5 New Math for Mastitis

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 16:02:00 GMT

2=5 New Math for Mastitis

Dairy Vet Meeting

Speaker: Linda Tikofsky, DVM

Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.

Thursday November 21st, 2014

6:30 PM

Hilton Garden Inn Wooster, Ohio

Dinner will be served

RSVP by November 18th

Greg Spear (440)478-1350

gregory.spear@boehringer-ingelheim.com

Calf Barn Tube Ventilation

Fri, 15 Nov 2013 15:12:00 GMT

Tube Ventilation in Calf Barns

Calf hutches remain the gold standard for providing optimal environment for calf health. Recently, calf barns have been gaining popularity, mainly because they provide a much more comfortable working environment for humans. Ventilation can be a challenge in calf barns and respiratory disease can be a result. Respiratory disease has several effects on the calves and dairy herd as a whole. These include death in calves, higher drug costs, and reduced milk production in the coming years.

Supplemental positive pressure tube ventilation systems are designed to provide fresh, outside air at the level of the calf. Multiple studies have concluded that fresh air, with a lower bacterial count, will result in a lower incidence of respiratory disease in calves. The dairy veterinarians at Orrville Veterinary Clinic can design these tubes specifically for your calf facility so that your calves receive fresh air without a draft. These systems are also very inexpensive given the costs of respiratory disease in calves. There is no calf facility that wouldn’t benefit from supplemental tube ventilation systems. Don’t let respiratory disease hold back the profitability and health of your dairy calves.

Why Choose an AAHA Accredited Practice

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 21:03:00 GMT

Why to choose a veterinary clinic that is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association

The American Animal Hospital Association ( AAHA ) was established in 1933 as the only accrediting body for veterinary clinics within the United States of America and Canada. Accreditation by AAHA is on a voluntary basis, with over 3,200 clinics participating. In order to qualify, a veterinary practice must go through a series of evaluations, in which they are evaluated based upon roughly 900 standards that have been established by AAHA. In addition, a veterinary clinic must be reevaluated every two years and consultants from AAHA regularly perform visits to ensure compliance with the standards.
How does a veterinary clinic that is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association benefit you? Here are a few examples:

AAHA Accreditation helps veterinary hospitals stay on the leading edge of veterinary medicine. We also provide the quality and range of services you and your pet deserve.
By participating in the voluntary accreditation program, the Orrville Veterinary Clinic is in an elite category of veterinary clinics in the United States. We were the first in Wayne County, Ohio to undergo the initial AAHA accreditation process and are one of three accredited Hospitals in our area. We are proud to be the first Wayne county practice to undergo evaluation, setting the example for the other two local AAHA practices, which are located in Wooster and in Rittman. We are proud to be a standard bearer as advocates for the human animal bond by providing the best of care to you and your pet.

Lyme Disease on the rise in Ohio

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 17:48:00 GMT

Lyme Disease on the Rise in Ohio

According to a release from the Associated Press, the State of Ohio is seeing a shocking increase in the number of deer ticks that can carry Lyme disease. It is unclear what has caused this increase, though researchers suspect one factor is favorable weather conditions that helped more of the tick population survive. Another, more likely reason, is the overpopulation of the white footed mouse in the state, which is also a result of the unusually warm winters of 2011 and 2013. More than 1,800 black-legged ticks were found on deer heads collected from hunters last year, and 183 more submitted to the state for identification were confirmed, compared with 29 found on deer heads the year before and 45 that were submitted and confirmed, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The ticks, some carrying Lyme disease, have especially shown up in eastern and southern Ohio.

Ticks are small, eight-legged parasites that must drink blood in order to survive and reproduce. Ticks don’t fly and they can’t jump (unlike fleas). In fact, ticks are more closely related to spiders and mites than to “insects” like fleas. Ticks can feed on a variety of hosts including birds, dogs, cats and people. Despite a very popular myth, ticks do not fall or jump out of trees onto a host. However, ticks can climb, and they tend to attach themselves to shrubs and blades of tall grass. When a host walks by and brushes against the grass or shrub where the tick is waiting, the tick climbs onto the host. Once on a new host, the tick eventually finds a location to attach and feed.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread through the bite of a black-legged tick. The black-legged tick picks up the bacteria when they bite mice or deer that are infected with Lyme disease. In most cases, a tick must be attached for 24-36 hours to spread the bacteria to the blood of the host. This means that if you check your pets and yourself daily, you have a chance of finding and removing any ticks before they can transmit Lyme disease. However, the black-legged tick is so small that detection within this time period is highly unlikely.

Do’s and Don’ts of tick removal:

What do I do if my pet or I have been bitten by a tick?

Call your healthcare provider if you have: a large, red, expanding rash that may look like a bull’s eye or develop weakness, numbness, or tingling, or heart problems. Call your veterinarian if your dog exhibits the following symptoms: lameness, a stiff walk with an arched back, sensitivity to touch, difficulty breathing, fever, lack of appetite and depression.

How can you keep yourself and your pet(s) safe from ticks?

Keeping your pet out of wooded or bushy areas, tall grass and leaf litter is a good way to reduce the exposure. Spraying all exposed skin and your clothing with insect repellant and walking in the center of trails can reduce the risk. However, this can be difficult for many pet owners, especially if they share an active outdoor lifestyle with their pet. Effective flea and tick control products can be used on pets to help protect them from ticks. Your veterinarian can recommend a safe and effective product for your furry friend. Some of our favorite products are Bravect, Credelio , Simparica, and Vectra 3d. If you feel that your dog is at significant risk talk to your veterinarian about including a vaccination for Lyme disease to your dog’s annual preventative vaccinations. If you are not sure if your dog is at risk, talk it over with your veterinarian who can do a risk assessment and recommend the best preventive care for your dog.

What about cats?

Cats are less likely to be diagnosed with Lyme disease. However, there are still reasons to be concerned about your cat coming in contact with ticks. If a cat is heavily infested with ticks, the parasites can drink enough blood to cause anemia (severe blood loss). Keeping your cat indoors reduces the risk of your cat bringing ticks inside to you and your family.

Be cautious but do not be alarmed, most people who are bitten by a tick do not get Lyme disease. If diagnosed in the early stages, Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotics. Without treatment, complications involving the joints, heart, and nervous system can occur. However, these symptoms are still treatable.

Article by Dr. Jeffrey R. Fink

3rd Annual Horse Owner's Meeting

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:13:00 GMT

3rd Annual Horse Owner's Meeting Veterinary Wellness Partners Thu, 11/14/2013 - 11:13am The veterinarians at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic strive to practice medicine using the most current research and information. We also strive to pass this information onto our equine clients through our annual Horse Owner’s Meeting. We have previously covered topics such as deworming and nutrition with guest speakers who are considered experts in their fields. We also have refreshments, informative pamphlets, and door prizes which include a free power float for your horse! The meeting takes place in late January at Heartland Pointe in Orrville. Watch our Facebook page and website for more information. You do not need to be a current horse client to attend. We look forward to seeing you there. Tags Horse Care Horse Health Horse Owners Horse Information

Sarah's Pause Paws for a Cause to the Rescue!

Fri, 08 Nov 2013 16:53:00 GMT

Sarah’s “Paws for a Cause” to he Rescue

On September 17, 2012, Max Brumfield found himself in a situation where he needed help from Sarah’s “Paws for a Cause” fund. Max was going on a car ride with his pal Abe. Max got a little over excited and decided to try and jump in the car window. Max fell backwards landing on his hip. Max was taken to a satellite branch of The Orrville Veterinary Clinic, the Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Marissa Hofstetter, DVM examined Max and took x-rays of his hip. The x-rays showed that Max’s hip was displaced. Dr. Hofstetter was able to put his hip back in place but because of a shallow hip joint it was not likely to stay in place. The next step for Max was a surgery called a femoral head osteotomy. This is when the head and neck of the femur are removed and a new false joint is formed. Max’s family was not prepared for the cost of such a surgery. Thanks to a generous private donor and multiple donors at Smith Dairy in Orrville, Ohio, in remembrance of a beloved pet named Murphy Holmes, there were funds available in Sarah’s “Paws for a Cause” Fund. The orthopedic surgeon at OVC, Dr. Melvin Wenger, DVM, was able to proceed with Max’s surgery.

Max Brumfield is a three year old, German Shepherd and Husky mix. Max lives in Medina, Ohio with his family, Robert, Sara and Jennifer Brumfield. Max was rescued as a puppy with his brothers and sisters who were found in a dumpster. The Brumfield family fell in love with Max right away. His family was especially taken by the fact that his one eye is half brown and half blue. Max is a very special dog. He is not only a loving member of his family, he can also detect when his owner is going to have a seizure. One day, Sara was home alone and she started seizuring. The police arrived at her house and said they had received a 911 phone call and all they could hear was a dog barking. When the police went into the house to investigate, they found the phone off the hook and chewed up. Since Max’s amazing ability was discovered he has been training with Angela from Canine Social Time to further develop his skills.

Max’s surgery was a success and after weeks of resting as much as possible he is back to using his injured hip. Now Max can get back to his important job of alerting his owner of an oncoming seizure. The Brumfield family is so thankful that Sarah’s “Paws for a Cause” Fund was available to help finance Max’s surgery. The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is thrilled to be able to help Max and honor their beloved Sarah. If you have a special friend that you would like to remember by donating to Sarah’s “Paws for a Cause” Fund you can do so by contacting the Orrville Veterinary Clinic by phone (330)682-2971, email at orrvet@earthlink.net or mail to c/o Sarah’s “Paws for a Cause” Fund 1665 N. Main St Orrville, Ohio 44667.

Care of Newborn Foals

Fri, 08 Nov 2013 16:36:00 GMT

By the time that your mare goes into labor, you have a lot of time, money, and emotion invested. The doctors at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic realize how important the first 24 hours of life are to the future health of your foal, as well as the current health of your mare. We have designed new foal injections that supplement necessary trace minerals and provide a preventive vaccination. In addition to these foal injections, the physical examination of your foal is very important. Perhaps just as important is a complete examination of the placenta and that is why we recommend that you save the placenta as soon as possible after it has passed from the mare. We will also examine the mare to ensure she has a sufficient volume of colostrum (first milk) in her udder.

Most horse owners know how important colostrum is to the foal’s well being in the months to come. Foals are born with no immune system and rely on colostrum to provide them with immunity from the mare. How do you know if your foal nurses enough colostrum? A blood test can tell you what the blood level of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is in your foal. A low IgG level indicates your foal did not nurse enough colostrum or the colostrum may have been too dilute. Low IgG predisposes your foal to future diseases such as diarrhea or pneumonia or even weakness, septicemia, and death.

Before 24 hours of age your foal’s gut can still absorb immunoglobulins from the colostrum. If the foal is not nursing well we may decide to tube feed the foal several times to optimize immunity transfer from the mare. After 24 hours of age, the foal’s gut cannot absorb any more immunoglobulins. If IgG levels are low in the foal’s blood at that time, we recommend intravenous administration of hyperimmune plasma to your foal. Plasma provides very immediate immunity and prevents weakness and death in the short term as well as provides immunity to fight off diseases in the months to come.

We are as passionate about foal care as you are, and we look forward to working with your mare and foal to ensure health and wellness for years to come. If you are new to breeding and are expecting a foal, we also provide consultation in regards to nutrition, vaccinations for your mare, and what to expect in the foaling process.

Flea Control and Prevention

Fri, 01 Nov 2013 21:02:00 GMT

At Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc; the ordinary cat flea is the leading cause of itching and scratching in dogs and cats. Fleas survive by jumping onto a host animal, biting their skin, and feeding on the blood. As a result you will observe the animal scratching and chewing causing irritability, hair loss, and skin infections. If the pet has a hypersensitivity to the flea saliva there can be a dramatic difference in appearance from one that does not. Often there can be large amounts of hair loss, severe skin infection, and the pet may be itchy and irritable from only a few fleas. We recommend checking your pet for fleas, which is done by buying a fine tooth comb and combing the pet well. It is important to focus around the ears, neck, and tail head. If there are any black specks that turn red when sprayed with water this is flea dirt that is the digested blood of your pet defecated onto the skin. Live adult fleas are only 5 % of the problem, with the rest of the stages including eggs, larvae, and pupae. One adult flea can lay 500 eggs in its lifetime. The pupated stage is essentially a cocoon and can live in the environment up to a year. It is stimulated to hatch if it is interrupted by movement, heat, and carbon dioxide indicating the animal is in the vicinity causing it to hatch into an adult flea.

Animals get fleas from other flea-infested animals. These include stray dogs or stray cats, some other neighbors’ dog or cat, urban wildlife (mainly opossums and raccoons). At some point, a contaminated went through your neighborhood, your yard, and the female flea is laying eggs and the eggs fall off into the environment your pet walks through. The best way to manage fleas and ticks is go to your veterinarian and find out what products they recommend for your area. The issue with many of the over-the-counter products is that many are what we call pyrethroids, or synthetic pyrethrins. Fleas are commonly resistant to this class of insecticides, so one of the reasons over-the-counter formulations don’t work very well. Be sure to use the correct size made specifically for your pet, as your pet can have a serious reaction to an overdose. Never use dog flea prevention on a cat, as a cat's nervous system can only handle feline flea preventative.

Proper ways to prevent fleas are to keep your pet on a monthly preventative that is recommended by your veterinarian and using the product according to their recommendations. It is important to use a recommended preventive every month during flea season. Flea season is typically when the temperatures are above 50 consistently with 50% humidity. This allows them to breed and for the adult fleas have a blood meal. Because of climate-controlled homes, fleas easily breed inside all year long if homeowners don't eliminate fleas, flea eggs and flea larvae.

The best way to treat a flea infestation is by starting with a monthly preventative recommended by your veterinarian. Of course, the product should be used product according to the recommendations. Giving flea prevention once monthly for a minimum of 3 months is required for full kill of the flea life cycle. This also includes vacuuming your home, washing all bedding in hot water, and using an approved flea insecticide spray or bomb in the home. This environmental treatment should be repeated in two weeks. It is important to remove all animals, including fish and birds, from the home while using any insecticides. Spray your carpets, rugs, furniture, baseboards, along walls and on your pet's bedding. Make sure to follow the directions on the can. It is important to make sure that you don't forget door edges, corners, floors with cracks and underneath furniture and furniture cushions. Flea larvae love to hide in dark places even if your pet is too large to crawl under your furniture. If you use a fogger, you still need to spray the areas that the fogger can't reach. Be sure to throw away the vacuum bag or all contents of the container if the vacuum is bag less. This should be disposed of immediately after vacuuming. If your pet goes outside it is recommended to continue to use the flea preventative monthly during flea season. If your pet spends more than 5 percent of its time outdoors, it may be necessary to treat the yard as well. You should remove debris like fallen leaves, grass clippings or other organic items before treating your yard. Also, mow your lawn before you spray. Make sure to spray all shaded or partially shaded areas; such as inside dog houses, beneath trees, shrubbery and bushes or beneath your deck or porch.

There are many myths about the use of natural or organic flea preventatives and how they work. There really aren’t any that work from a natural standpoint. Many people resort to using garlic and/or brewer’s yeast, yet the research shows none of that stuff works. If these home remedies have worked for you, then there are likely no fleas in the environment your pet has been in. At our full service animal hospital, located south of Ritmman along S.R. 57 in Orrville, Ohio; we carry a full line or recommended and effective preventives. But remember, the way animals get fleas is by some other flea-infested animal - a stray dog or stray cat, or some other neighbors’ dog or cat, or urban wildlife coming into the environment and leaving flea eggs, larvae, pupae, or adult fleas behind. It’s better to protect your pet the correct way and safe way the first time, as this will save you and your pet a lot of headache and save you a lot of money in the long run.

Article Submitted by Amanda Bell, R.V.T.

Holiday Safety for Pets

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 18:07:00 GMT

Holiday Safety for Pets

As we turn the calendar from October to November, our thoughts turn to the upcoming holiday seasons. Within a few weeks, it will be Thanksgiving, followed by Black Friday. We then enter the Christmas season, along with other religious holidays that are celebrated. These holidays are exciting and a great time of spending time together as a family. We are excited about the decorations and the celebrations that will occur. It is our desire to keep all pets safe during this time period. The following article was written by our own Tara Monahan for the Orrviews.

Dangerous Plants

Poinsettias, once the poster plant for toxic holiday decorations, are still considered poisonous, but are probably not deadly in most cases. Other plants and flowers that should be kept away from pets include mistletoe, some evergreens, holly bushes and berries, aloe, and some plants that are commonly found in floral arrangements, such as lilies, baby’s breath, bird of paradise, daisies and chrysanthemums. You can decorate with these types of plants, just be sure they are out of your pet’s reach.

Dangerous Foods

Chocolate is quite dangerous for pets and should be avoided, but the good news is most people already are aware of that. Just remember that darker chocolate is more toxic than milk chocolate or white chocolate. Also, the smaller the dog and the larger the amount of chocolate, the more likely there will be problems.

Other potentially hazardous foods include sugar-free candy or gum (which may contain xylitol), raisins, macadamia nuts, grapes, bread dough, coffee and alcohol.

Regular Foods

Yes, even chicken, turkey, beef, ham, and other “regular” foods, including those containing onions or garlic can cause illness in pets. Bones are a very dangerous thing to give to pets. However, your pet does not have to eat bones or get into the garbage to be in trouble. Often, well-meaning guests give your pet table food, thinking that sharing is a good thing. Unfortunately, even a small amount of table food can cause vomiting or diarrhea, and some foods can cause pancreatitis (a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas). If your pet is a food beggar, consider keeping him or her in a separate room when everyone is eating.

Decorations

Tinsel, angel hair, tree ornaments, ribbons, string, garlands, and other decorations can be irresistible to pets, but very dangerous. Intestinal damage and blockages are among the potential problems if your pet eats something in one of these categories. Even Christmas trees can pose a danger. Pets may eat the needles (even from artificial trees) or drink water from the base of the tree, which can be toxic (especially if there are preservatives in it). Make sure your tree is secured to a wall to prevent tipping over. Also, do not decorate your tree with food such as cookies, candy canes, cranberries and popcorn these can be too tempting for a pet to resist.

Electrical Cords, Heaters and Open Flames

A pet can suffer electrocution, mouth burns, and life-threatening injury to the brain and lungs if he or she chews on an electrical cord. Keep cords out of the way and cover unused electrical outlets. Also do not leave batteries on a table or counter where “counter surfers” can find them. Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, candles, and portable heaters are just a few hazards to keep your pets away from (or at least monitor when they are nearby). Not only can pets be burned, but candles and heaters can be knocked over and start a fire. Also, don’t forget to check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are functioning properly.

Cold Weather

Even pets that are used to being outside are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. Pets that live outdoors need adequate shelter from wind, rain and cold. If it is too cold for you to be comfortable outside then it is too cold for your pet as well. Fresh, unfrozen water must be available at all times. Heated water bowls can be purchased at pet supply stores or online. If your pet has a dog house or igloo, make sure that the inside is insulated. Heated pet mats, along with a good layer of straw, are an option to keep your pet warm and comfortable. It is important to use heated products that are approved for pets. Old or sick pets should be kept inside when possible and monitored closely for signs of illness. If weather alerts are issued in your area recommending that humans stay indoors, it is a good idea to bring your pet indoors too.

Antifreeze, Windshield Wiper Fluid and Alcohol

Also known as ethylene glycol, antifreeze is probably one of the most common and dangerous toxins. Antifreeze has a sweet smell and taste which can attract pets. Once the pet drinks antifreeze, the toxin is rapidly absorbed. Clinical signs of antifreeze toxicity include vomiting, loss of coordination, and depression. These clinical signs can develop rapidly, often within 1 hour. The kidneys are the most severely affected by antifreeze, and even if signs start to improve with treatment, the kidneys may have already started to shut down. It is important to take your pet to the vet immediately if you suspect he or she has drunk even a small amount of antifreeze. Methanol, found in windshield wiper fluid, is also toxic to pets. So is isopropanol, commonly found in hand sanitizer, windshield de-icing agents and rubbing alcohol.

Salt and Chemical Ice Melts

Pets that walk on sidewalks that have been de-iced can have chapped, dry, painful paws. Also because pets tend to lick their paws, they can be exposed to toxic chemicals found in some ice-melts. Pet-safe ice melt products can be purchased at most home improvement and pet stores. However, not everyone in the neighborhood may use these products, so it is important to wash your pet’s feet with a warm cloth after he or she have been outside.

Giving a pet as a gift is not recommended. Although this seems like the perfect festive gift, it should be avoided. The holidays are not ideal for introducing a new pet into a family. New pets require a stable environment and plenty of extra attention and time to bond with their new family. The bustle and travel associated with the holidays does not provide the sort of environment a new pet needs to succeed with a new family. If a new pet is part of the family plan, give a variety of pet toys or books on pet care.

By all means, go crazy sprucing up your home and wrapping presents. But make sure you do it in a way that is safe for your pet(s) this holiday season. The holidays are both a wonderful and a stressful time. The constant stream of visitors, parties and traveling can take a toll on both you and your pet. Make sure to spend quality time alone with your pet every day. This will allow you to observe your pet for any unusual behavior or symptoms, as well as to enjoy the tranquility the season can bring. Happy Holidays!

Additional tips to keep your pets safe when friends and family come to visit:

Orrville Veterinary Clinic offers after hour emergency services on an as needed basis. We provide support for minor emergencies prior to 10:00 P.M. Major emergencies and those after 10:00 P.M. are referred to local 24 hour veterinary emergency clinics that are fully staffed a prepared for such emergency situations.

Please call the clinic at (330)682-2971 if you are experiencing and emergency with your pet.

This article submitted by Jeff Fink

Litter Box Management

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 15:22:00 GMT

Litter Box Management to Prevent Problems

One of the more common problems that we see with our feline patients is that of urinary tract issues. Whether the issue is simply stress, a urinary tract infection, or bladder stones; many conditions can be prevented with proper litter box management. A lot of urinary tract conditions are the result of prolonged retention of urine (holding it too long). This is often the result of the cat not wanting to use the litter box. Below are some guidelines to properly managing your cats litter box to give him or her the best chance to avoid urinary tract issues.

Keep it Clean :

It is best to scoop the litter box at least once a day. The odors from the urine or feces will invade the rest of your house the longer that it sits in the box. If you are able to smell any odors, your cat has been smelling them for a longer time and at more intense levels. To avoid the build up of odors, scoop your litter box early and often. We recoommend that our cat owners scoop the litter box at least once a day.

A general guideline for replacing clay litter is once a week. You should scrub the litter box every time that you change the litter, using a mild dish detergent to clean it. Other cleaning products that contain ammonia or citrus oils can make the litter box undesirable to the cat. In addition, some cleaning products are toxic.

Replace the litter box once a year. Over time, your cat’s claws and your scooper can make small scratches in the bottom and sides of your litter box. These grooves are harder to sterilize and can hold onto odor. Avoid this by donating your used litter box to a shelter or rescue group yearly and treating your cat to a new box. Avoid covered litter boxes, not only are they more expensive, but they serve as another method to trap odors.

Scented Litter vs. Unscented :

Scented is not as it seems. Many people used scented litter to mask litter box odors, but those scents can put off many cats. For the same reason, it's not a good idea to place a room deodorizer or air freshener near the litter box. Placing a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the box will help absorb odors without repelling your cat. In addition, if you scoop the box daily, and replace the litter once a week, the litter box should not smell.

If you find the litter box odor offensive, your cat, with his keen sense of smell, probably finds it even more offensive and won't want to use the litter box. Try to find a brand of litter that smells best to you (and your cat). To do this, try using a different litter in each litter box in your home and seeing: (a) which litter your cat prefers and (b) which litter controls the odor the best. You might just find that you and your cat have a litter preference in common.

Where to Place Litter Boxes

Keep the litter box in a well-ventilated area. One of the biggest mistakes cat owners make is putting the litter box in a tiny, dark and hidden space. This allows the odor to build up. Plus, if it’s unpleasant for your cat to use, he’ll be more likely to find somewhere else to go — perhaps on your clothes. Keep your litter box in a well-ventilated spot where the scent can easily disperse. There should also be enough room for your cat to get in, move around and come out comfortably.

For kittens or senior cats. Avoid locations requiring stair access or litter boxes with higher sides. Arthritis is very common in older cats and owners may not be aware of the arthritis in their cats. Arthritis pain can show up as unwanted urinations next to the litter box or around the house.

Avoid noisy areas. Avoid placing litter boxes next to noisy or heat-radiating appliances, like the furnace or the washing machine. The noise can make a cat nervous, while the warmth of a dryer or furnace can magnify the litter box smell, which could make him stay away from it. Cats may also not want to travel through certain areas in order to use their litter box. These areas may be louder areas or high traffic areas within your home, such as the living room or family room.

Avoid food sources : Put the box far away from his food and water bowls. Cats don't like that smell too close to their food and may not use the box.

Avoid Dog areas : Many cats can be scared away from the litter box by the presence of a dog. Dogs sometimes will get into the litter box to eat the cat feces, which is a problem in and of itself. At that time, the dog may scare your cat, making her less likely to want to return to the litter box.

How many?

The rule of thumb: It is recommended to have one box for each cat plus one more. This avoids a situation with a pre-occupied litter box and a cat with nowhere to go.
It's not possible to designate a personal litter box for each cat in your household, as cats may use any litter box that's available. That means a cat may occasionally refuse to use a litter box after another cat has been in it. In this case, you'll need to keep all of the litter boxes extremely clean, and you might even need to add additional boxes. It is not recommended to place all of the boxes next to each other or in one single room because your cats will think of them as a single litter box.

Covered vs. Uncovered

Covered : Covered boxes can decrease the amount of litter that flies from the box when your cat scratches the litter. A covered litter box may also provide some privacy. For these reasons, people prefer to provide their cats with a covered litter box, but doing so may introduce some potential problems. These issues are listed below and can lead to medical problems that result from urine retention.

Uncovered : With the cover removed you are able to see if the litter is dirty and needs changed. If the cover is present the dirty litter is "out of sight, out of mind." A covered litter box traps odors inside, so you'll need to clean it more often than an open one. A dirty, covered litter box is to your cat what dirty a port-a-potty is to you! A cover may not allow a large cat sufficient room to turn around, scratch, dig, or position himself in the way he wants. Lastly the cover may make it easier for another cat to lay in wait and "ambush" the user as he exits the box.

Solving problems

If your cat begins to go to the bathroom outside the litter box, your first call should always be to your veterinarian. Many medical conditions can cause a change in a cat's litter box habits. If your veterinarian examines your cat and gives him a clean bill of health, your veterinarian can discuss a behavior problem that needs to be solved.

Hopefully you found this article to be informative and helpful to preventing urinary conditions in your cat. It is our goal to continue to provide the best information to our pets and their owners as possible. Please look for more articles over the course of time. If you have any suggestions for topics, we are always open to hearing from you. You can email us at info@orrvillevetclinic.com or contact us on the contact page .

Submitted by Amanda Bell, R.V.T.

The Flea Life Cycle

Thu, 24 Oct 2013 19:14:00 GMT

The Flea Life Cycle

Did you know that the most common flea problem in our area is actually the cat flea (Cetenocephalides Felis)? The cat flea is responsible for approximately 80% of the flea outbreaks in Ohio. The adult fleas tend to spend their mature lives on the host, although adult fleas can survive for several days in the environment. Survival in the environment is dependent upon the relative temperature and ambient humidity. After emerging from the pupated (think cocoon) stage, adult fleas migrate toward light and locate hosts through visual cues. The pupae are stimulated to hatch by the presence of vibrations on the ground and carbon dioxide.

Once on the host, adult fleas begin to feed on blood very rapidly (seconds to minutes). They begin to lay eggs within 1-3 days of the first blood meal. Female fleas can lay 50 eggs per day, and may continue to lay eggs for up to 100 days. Flea eggs fall into the environment, with the highest concentrations being found where the dog or cat spends the most time. These areas include bedding and play areas.

Flea eggs will hatch staring at 24 hours and continuing over a period 10 days. Once they have hatched, they enter their larval stage. These emerging larvae feed on flea feces and organic debris. They also migrate away from sunlight, often into carpets and soil. Flea larvae will go through 2 molts over the next 5-11 days before entering the pupae stage. While the flea larvae are quite susceptible to heat and desiccation, flea pupae are relatively resistant. Likewise, there are many available products to target the larval stage, but not the pupated stage.

The adult fleas begin to emerge from pupae in 5-9 days, contributing to the viscous cycle. If they fail to hatch, these pupae can remain dormant for several weeks to months until a host is found. Once again, these pupae emerge when they sense vibrations and carbon dioxide (two of the cues that a blood meal is in the area). A main reason that flea infestation can be difficult to control is due to the persistence of these dormant pupae in the environment.

The entire life cycle, from egg to adult flea, is completed in 3 to 8 weeks in most cases. In certain instances, the life cycle may extend to nearly 6 months if the temperature and ambient humidity are ideal. In our area, we do benefit from the cold season. These extreme temperatures help to control the flea life cycle because none of the flea life stages can survive prolonged (greater than 10 days) exposure to freezing temperatures. Unfortunately, this only extends to the environment, as it is thought that fleas can "over-winter" on urban wildlife (opossums, foxes, skunks, raccoons) and feral cats in northern climates. These pets then serve as sources of re-infestation for pets.

Here is a scary thought: the adult fleas that you can see only represent 5% of the entire problem. The breakdown of the life cycle is as follows:
Adult fleas: 5%
Pupated Stage: 10%
Larval Stage: 35%
Eggs: 50%

With the addition of our new veterinary website, we are striving to provide as much information to our clients as possible. We suggest using the search function to look for other informative articles within out website. We also suggest looking at the " News and Articles " section to see more information and to check on upcoming events. For an additional article discussing the prevention and control of fleas , please click here .

Our Akron Barberton Veterinary clinic was one of the first to see a heavy and persistnet resistance to many of the more common and popular topical flea control products. For that reason, we have transitioned to new, more effective flea control products. There are topicals and oral pills that now last up to 30 days to kill and prevent fleas. Please call us to discuss these options, as many are not as familiar with the product names as they were with many of the past products.

This article was adapted from a variety of sources, though it is based upon and article about “FLEA BIOLOGY”
by Christine L. Cain DVM, Diplomate ACVD University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine.

Article published and editied by Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.

Common Sense Makes Good Sense (Calf Care)

Tue, 22 Oct 2013 19:27:00 GMT

COMMON SENSE MAKES GOOD CENTS
The following is an article written by Dr. Wenger for the magazine: Dairy Herd Management

As a new contributor to this column allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mel Wenger DVM, a dairy practitioner from Ohio’s #1 dairy county, Wayne County, in northeast Ohio. I am a co-owner of the Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc., a seven-doctor mixed animal practice. It will be a pleasure for me or my partners to share some thoughts on a regular basis.

We often think there is more value and comfort when we purchase a preventative product than there is when we use common sense management practices. There are many management practices we can do that cost nothing or very little. All we have to do is pay attention to details. There are numerous companies trying to sell us antibiotics, vaccines, or products and convincing us that the only way to improve management is by using these products to solve a problem. But there are many small things we can do ourselves to improve management and it doesn’t cost us a thing. In fact it will often pay a huge return.

The care of the newborn calf comes to mind. The calf is born into a strange environment, often times with no assistance. The calf is then left for several hours for the mother to take care of all its needs. It is not uncommon for a newborn calf to be ignored for many hours until the other cows are milked or other chores are finished. Some calves are ignored by their mothers and will lay in a corner shivering until someone decides to care for it. These first few hours are some of the most important hours of a calf’s life. Whether it is a bull or heifer calf, all calves need similar attention in these first few hours.

It only makes common sense and costs very little to make sure the calf is delivered into a clean, dry, sheltered environment. Unfortunately this is not always the case. It is acceptable to allow the mother to lick dry the calf and the calf should be sitting with its head up in 5 minutes or you should intervene. If necessary, intervene by using clean, dry towels to vigorously dry the calf. Use a handheld hairdryer to dry and warm the calf. The sooner the calf is warm and dry the sooner it will be ready to drink. The licking action of the mother or the vigorous drying of the calf with towels will stimulate and encourage deep breathing, defecation, and sucking.

After the calf is dry it should be standing within one hour and ready for some nourishment. If the mother’s milk is used for the calf’s first feeding there must be one gallon of high quality colostrum milk available and it should be taken from the mother within 1-3 hours of giving birth and immediately fed to the calf. Feed the milk by allowing the calf to nurse from a bottle if possible but esophageal tube feeding is an acceptable method of delivering the colostrum milk to the calf. Use a thermometer to be sure the colostrum is warmed up to 102 degrees. Many times I observe stored colostrum removed from the refrigerator or freezer and warmed in hot water. It is almost never warmed enough to reach body temperature and is often fed lukewarm. Even colostrum milked from the mother often sits around and cools until it is fed. Properly warm the colostrum and feed a gallon within 1-3 hours of birth and then another 2 quarts within 8 hours. This will ensure adequate antibodies and nutrition and will give the calf a great start in life. The calf is now ready for a clean straw bedded hutch. In cold temperatures below 30 degrees a calf blanket is a real plus to keep the calf nice and warm.

These are some simple common sense practices that are often ignored but will do wonders for the calf. And it costs next to nothing. Trust me; you will be purchasing many fewer health products for the calf and have a much healthier and robust calf as it moves on to the next stage of life. Ask your veterinarian to help write a protocol and provide worker training for each calf that is born. Your veterinarian is not on your farm to sell a product but there to help you improve your management.

Each area of the calf’s life has common sense management practices that make huge differences in the growth and productivity of that calf. In future issues we will look at a few more of these “cheap” ideas.

FOR MORE COMMON SENSE, CLICK HERE

Mel Wenger DVM, Orrville, OH

Edited for Orrville's Websites by Dr. Jeff Fink

New Facebook Page

Sat, 12 Oct 2013 15:20:00 GMT

Orrville Veterinary Equine Services

We recently decided that it is important to continue to focus on our equine clients. Beginning four years ago, we began to focus on horses by developing our Equine Wellness Program. A lot of thought, effort and research went into to designing and implementing that program. Our next step was to host a horse owners meeting . In January 2014, we are hosting our third annual horse owners meeting. Due to many requests from our clients, we created a new Facebook page that is focused upon horses and their owners. We hope that you find the content on this page informational, educational and entertaining. Please let us know how we can help continue to provide information and services to you and your horses.

Bovine Reproductive Protocols

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 19:11:00 GMT

Bovine Reproductive Protocols

Our veterinarians realize that without a successful reproductive program, a dairy cannot be profitable. We will tailor a reproductive program for your dairy based on your individual needs. We follow the latest research on estrus synchronization and reproduction to determine how to choose the appropriate protocol for your farm. This program might involve the use of a synchronization protocol or simply using a prostaglandin and heat detection techniques.

Examples of estrus synchronization protocols are:
Ovsynch 56

Day 0 GnRH

Day 7 Prostaglandin

Day 9 (56 hours later) GnRH

Day 10 (12-18 hours later) AI

This protocol is the basis for many other synch protocols, including Presynch, G6G, Double Ovsynch, CIDRsynch, and Cosynch.

We also provide dairy records consulting services for your farm to determine the current state of your reproductive program as well as set goals for future improvement. Even if you are not enrolled in DHIA testing services and PCDART, we provide excel spreadsheets to gather reproductive data for your herd.

We also offer ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis, ovarian structure determination, and fetal gender determination to add value to your reproductive program. This technology will help open cows be enrolled in a program to help get them pregnant on the next service. After all, a “pregnancy check” should really be called an “open check.”

Dispelling Myths about Spaying and Neutering

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 18:14:00 GMT

Myths Answered About Spaying and Neutering Your Pet

Myth #1: It is better for my female dog to have a litter before I spay her.

This is an absolute no, absolutely not. All the medical evidence suggests a dog should be spayed before her first heat. To begin with, it is much easier for her to undergo this procedure at a younger age and it is an easier surgery at that time. A second reason to spay or neuter your pet is due to the #1 problem in nationwide shelters is overpopulation. By spaying or castrating you animal, you have chosen the responsible thing to do, given the magnitude of the problem in this country. A third reason to spay your pet is to limit the incidence of mammary gland cancer. Research shows that spaying prior to the first heat cycle virtually eliminates the risk of you dog developing mammary cancer at an older age.

Myth #2: I should I let my dog have a heat before I spay her.

Medically, it’s better to spay your dog before her first heat. It greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors. With every heat cycle, the chances of developing mammary tumors increases to one out of four. Another health risk is a pyometra, which can happen at any age, whether she has been bred or not. With a pyometra, the cervix closes after the heat cycle. At this point, any bacteria that has migrated into the vagina begins to overgrow, filling the uterus with infection. Pyometra is an important disease to be aware of for any dog owner due of the sudden nature of the disease and the deadly consequences if left untreated. It is often compared to acute appendicitis in humans.

Myth #3: Dogs and cats get lazy or gain weight once you spay or neuter them.

The truth is that pets gain weight because their owners feed them too much or don't give them enough exercise, not because they are altered. The weight gain that people may witness after a spay/neuter surgery is most likely caused by continuing to feed a high-energy diet to a pet that is reducing its need for energy as it reaches adult size. It is true that a pet's metabolism will slow a bit after being spayed or neutered, but this is anticipated and can easily be accounted for when figuring out how much to feed your pet. Exercise, in the form of play, can help encourage activity to keep the weight off and the muscles strong. Exercise can increase the quality time spent with your pet along with socialization. This helps to develop a calmer, more assertive dog. There is some medical evidence to show that a dog's metabolism will also slow down once he or she is altered. To account for this, it is recommended to feed approximately 80% of the recommended amount on the packaging.

Myth #4: My pet needs to be at least 6 months old to be spayed or neutered.

We recommend spaying and neutering dogs and cats at 4 ½ months of age, once they are fully vaccinated. Puppies and kittens recover a lot faster than adults. The procedure is also easier to perform and carries slightly less risk when performed in younger animals. There is no medical evidence to support waiting until the animal is 6 months or older to alter. The six month age was an arbitrary number that was followed as a guideline many years ago and is no longer the recommended standard.

Myth #5: My pet will have a behavioral change once spay or neutered.

Spaying or neutering is not going to affect your dog’s desire or ability to protect your home or protect you. Guard dogs are trained to be guard dogs. Their behavior is a function of genetics, instinct, environment, and training. Male pets do not have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. One thing that is true in regard to the decreased hormone levels is that neutered pets have less desire to roam, mark territory, or exert dominance over other pets. Sterilized pets are proven to have negative behaviors eliminated such as: roaming, irritability, aggression, frequent urinations, and bleeding.

The facts are simple—spaying and neutering saves lives.

There are just too many pets and not enough homes. It is one of the most important decisions you can make for your pet. Not only does it help him or her live a happier, healthier life, it will save the lives of many others.

This article was submitted by Amanda Bell, R.V.T.

edited by Jeffrey R. FInk D.V.M.

On behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, Inc.

In addition, you may click on the embedded hyperlink to read more about " What Happens During a Spay? "

2013 Wayne County Farm Tour

Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:50:00 GMT

2013 Wayne County Farm Tour Veterinary Wellness Partners Thu, 10/03/2013 - 3:50pm 2013 Wayne County Farm Tour Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to once again be a featured stop on the annual Wayne County Farm Tour. Along with the Orrville Pet Spa and Resort, we were a featured stop several years ago. This time around, we are excited to highlight many new programs, as well as our newest veterinary clinics: Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic and Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic. These additional small animal hospitals have allowed us to expand our tradition of veterinary medicine to the areas of Seville, Wadsworth, Medina, Lodi, Creston, Rittman, Akron, Barberton, and Norton. The Wayne County Farm tour is traditionally heavily attended, with over 10,000 people participating in 2012. The 2013 edition begins on Saturday, October 12th from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and continues on Sunday, October 13th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We hope to see you there! The Wayne County Farm Tour features farms and agriculture ventures from in and around the Wayne County region. Sites that are featured this year include the following: Rittman Orchards, 13548 Mount Eaton Road, Doylestown, 44230 Bauman Orchards, 161 Rittman Ave, Rittman, 44270 Bristol Dairy, 14981 Foxlake Road, Marshallville, 44645 Legend Dairy, 8121 Fox Lake Road, Sterling, 44276 Zimmerly Club Lambs, 6696 Rohrer Road, Wooster, 44691 Marshallville Meats, 15126 Fulton Road, Marshallville, 44645 Orrville Vet Clinic, 1665 North Main Street, Orrville, 44667 Smith Dairy, 444 Hostetler Road, Orrville, 44667 Ramseyer Farms, 3488 Akron Road, Wooster, 44691. Tags Wayne County Wayne County Veterinary Events Farm Tour 2013 Farm Tour

Canine Influenza

Wed, 02 Oct 2013 17:35:00 GMT

Canine Influenza (H3N8) An Emerging Canine Disease

First isolated in 2005 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.

In 2008, the virus entered into Ohio. At that time, we did see several cases that we believe to be caused by this new flu strain. Of these dogs, all recovered after 3 to 6 weeks of therapy and treatment. The initial death rate in Florida was as high as 8%, but that appears to be high. There are many factors why the initial death rate was that high. Of those factors, many believe that the high rate was due to the fact that this first crossed from horses to racing dogs at the race track. This was a specific population of dogs that were all of one breed that may have had some weakened immune system due to their use as racing dogs.

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.

Article written and published by Dr. Jeff Fink

Please note that this article is from 2013, prior to the canine influenza outbreak being reported in the media during the Spring of 2015.

A Dairy Cow's Blog

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 15:05:00 GMT

By Dr. Gabe Middleton

Hello! I am a newly formed bovine embryo inside my mother. I was created as a result of artificial insemination using the very popular Holstein bull named Advent. I will move into my mother‘s uterus around 4 days after conception. When I’m 40 days old, a veterinarian will sweep an ultrasound over my mother‘s uterus and tell the farmer the good news: his cow is pregnant. One month later, the same veterinarian will ultrasound my mother’s uterus again, and the news will be revealed that I am going to be a heifer (female) calf. The farmer is thrilled when he hears this, and he also knows that I might be a red and white Holstein, which is a rare recessive trait. Around 280 days after I was formed, I am born into the world at a hefty 110 pounds. I am indeed a red and white Holstein heifer calf, and everyone jumps for joy because I am a rarity in cow circles.

After birth, I am taken into a clean, dry calf hutch that I have all to myself. I am fed one gallon of my mother‘s first milk (colostrum). Pretty soon I start growing like a champ. I’m getting milk replacer and starter grain to eat. At this point, I am gaining over 2 pounds per day. When I’m 2 months old, I am placed in a pen with 10 other calves my age. I like the socialization time with my peer group. We aren‘t fed milk anymore, but I’m ok with that, since I was starting to get a little bored with the kiddy diet. Instead, we are fed grain and hay. A few months later, I will be taken to another barn.

The farmer gives me and my friends specific vaccinations that will prevent illnesses like pneumonia and ensure my reproductive health. I don’t really like needles, but the shots were quick and painless. Before you know it, I‘m over a year old, I weigh 800 pounds, and I’m moved to a different barn with a large group of heifers. I‘m given my yearly vaccinations by the farmer. Soon, I’m artificially inseminated just like my mother was. A few weeks later, the veterinarian discreetly uses that high-tech ultrasound machine and tells the farmer that I‘m pregnant.

Fortunately, since I’m a cow, I don‘t really get mood swings, morning sickness, and cravings. I just go about my business for the
next 9 months. I’m starting to feel big as a cow (ha ha) when I‘m moved to a bigger barn with a group of other expectant mothers. Finally, the big day comes, and I have my first calf. It seems like my baby was born on the clean straw before I could blink. The farmer takes my beautiful heifer calf into a clean dry pen and feeds it my first milk. I’m happy to know she will be well taken care of.

Soon they take me into the milking parlor for the first time. Being a little nervous, I kick the milking machine off because it is a very unusual, although painless, sensation. In a few days, I‘m used to it and I won’t kick the milker off anymore. I‘ve heard through the grapevine that not getting milked in a timely manner feels a whole lot worse! I’m placed in a big pen with 80 other cows. I‘m given my yearly vaccinations again. We are given big clean stalls to lie down in. I get all the water and feed that I care to consume. In just a few weeks, I’m
milking 85 pounds of milk every day. I‘m happy and fulfilled, because that is what I was born to do.

After I’ve been milking for 3 months, I get pregnant again. They keep on milking me until I‘m 7 months pregnant. At that time, I get to relax for 2 months without getting milked. After the two months is up, I have another calf and I’m getting milked again. It‘s a good thing, because I was starting to get tired of just lying around all day like a barn potato. This time around, I’m milking over 100 pounds per day. I‘ve never felt better.

The farmer takes very good care of me, because his family depends on me to provide their livelihood. I have a pretty good life. I even get to go to the Wayne County Fair once a year where I dazzle the crowds and win a ribbon or two. People come from Wooster, Orrville, Rittman, Seville and even as far as Columbus and Cincinnati to see me at the fair. Too bad they won’t let me eat any of those Lerch‘s Donuts.

Mystery Canine Illness Update

Wed, 25 Sep 2013 22:21:00 GMT

Mystery Dog Illness in Ohio

Many people have called with concerns about the "mystery dog illness" that has been reported in the state of Ohio. Please read the following information to better understand the state of the investigation at this present time. We have placed some key points in bold lettering to highlight some important areas. Fortunately there have been no new cases within the past four weeks as of the publishing of this article. Hopefully the scare is in the past.

Here is the latest information on the recently reported "Mystery Illness" that was seen in 8 dogs in Ohio. This information comes directly from the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association and the Ohio Department of Agriculture:

We feel that routine, common sense should prevail in this case. Perhaps the media, in an attempt to inform people, has created a panic that is premature and unnecessary. We are of course concerned about any and all animals that become sick. Preventive measures include keeping your pet out of unsanitary conditions and away from the excrement (feces) of other animals. Many infections can be contracted from direct contact with the fecal matter of other animals. This includes canine parvovirus and intestinal parasites, some of which can also be spread to humans (zoonotic disease).

We recommend that any animal that is experiencing signs of illness be evaluated by one of our veterinarians as soon as possible. Early detection and early treatment always provide your pet with the best chance of recovery. As always, we are proud to offer the best in veterinary care to our patients and their owners in the Orrville, Dalton, Marshallville, Wooster, Rittman and surrounding areas. We look forward to helping you and your pet.

For the Excellence You've come to Expect, We've grown to Provide

People First - Staff Training and Education

Wed, 11 Sep 2013 15:42:00 GMT

People First - Staff Training and Education Veterinary Wellness Partners Wed, 09/11/2013 - 11:42am The veterinarians and staff at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic have a deep love and appreciation for the animals we work with. We have increasingly come to realize how important the people who work in our organization are for providing the top quality veterinary services that you have come to expect. That is why the Orrville Veterinary Clinic has taken part in an ongoing human resources training program called People First®. A renowned human resources expert visited our clinic several times over the past year to provide avenues for improvement in the areas of leadership, recognition and feedback, teamwork, communication, and direction of our company. We have begun trying to live the People First® principles that we have learned through this experience. We hope that our investment in this process provides you with an even friendlier staff, better communication, and better care for your animals at the Orrville Veterinary Clinic. Tags People First Veterinary Staff Training Orrville vets Rittman Vets Seville Vets

2010 Wayne County Farm Tour

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 19:36:00 GMT

At first he was not interested in participating, but at the urging of his veterinarian, Stan Carmony agreed to open his dairy farm up to participation in the Wayne County Farm Tour, held Saturday and Sunday in the northwestern region of the county.

With much negative publicity falling on farms and alleged mistreatment of animals, Carmony said he was worried participation in the tour would focus unnecessary attention on his farm. However, he said, he was encouraged to participate for that very reason. "There's been a lot of bad publicity (generated by non-industry watchdog groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Humane Farming Association), but he said it was a way to open up farms and show them what the truth really is," Carmony said.

Carmony and his wife, Karen, began farming in the early 1970s, when both were still in high school. Over the years their farm has increased to include nearly 1,500 acres of cropland and 1,000 head of cows and heifers. They operate one of the most up-to-date dairy farms in the area, with the milking parlor in operation 24 hours a day, according to information distributed to visitors.

On the farm, located at 8573 Canaan Center Road, visitors were invited to check out the milking parlor, calf hutches, heifer and horse barn, two cow barns, feed storage silos and two manure storage ponds. "I think people want to come in, see the place is clean, well taken care of and the animals are well treated. We do care. What we see on TV disturbs us, but we're being set up," he said. Visiting the farm also helps people realize the process by which milk makes its way to the public. "Milk does not come from the grocery store," Carmony said.

The cows are milked three times a day, and each cow produces 10-12 gallons of Grade A milk every day, according to the information, which also notes, "Carmony Farms is known for producing some of the highest quality milk which is highly desired by the milk processing companies."

"We've had a lot of families," Carmony said. The kids like to see the baby calves. Others have grown up on the farm and come to impress on the younger generations the life lessons and work ethic learned on the farm.

Art and Jennifer Carr, touring with their children, Rebekah, 7, Cameron, 4, and Kaitlyn, 2, live not far away from the Carmony farm. "We don't have a farm, and we want them to see where food and milk come from. We have a lot of friends in the farming industry," Art Carr said. By late Saturday, they'd visited three of the seven stops on the tour and expected to hit three more on Sunday. Rebekah said she enjoyed seeing the cows and the milking process. Earlier in the day, while visiting Hartzler Dairy and Cafe, she learned about pasteurization and homogenization. "Pasteurization is when they heat the milk to very high temperatures to kill the germs, and homogenization is when they get the clumps (of fat) out of the milk," she said, adding at Hartzler's they also learned about how ice cream is made. Cameron, who often makes his parents swing through the parking lot at Shearer Equipment was excited the farm tour actually gave him an opportunity to climb atop some of the big John Deere tractors he only has a chance to observe. While he's not necessarily interested in farming when he grows up, "I want to own a big tractor to mow my yard," Cameron said.

Bryan Pepper and Sharon Bahl stopped by to "just see the farm," he said. "It's nice because people can actually see where their food comes from. This is a nice farm right here," he said. "We came just to see ways other farms operated and different ideas and methods. You could sit down with 10 different farmers and they all do the same thing, but they all do it a different way," said Pepper, who maintains his own small farm. "We make hay and Sharon has horses."

Doug Besancon is an animal tech at Orrville Veterinary Clinic. He was at Carmony Farms answering questions about milk quality services and the milk culturing program, as well as reinforcing the value of a good relationship between farmer and vet. "They want to have quality milk, and in order to do that, they have to have healthy animals," he said, noting the vet clinic provides routine herd health checks, tends to pregnant and sick cows, and helps dairy farmers evaluate farm practices to attain the greatest productivity. Of the farm tour, sponsored by the Wayne County Farm Bureau, Besancon said, having an educated public helps farmers, so watchdog groups come in, they are held more accountable for their allegations, and the public can better digest when an allegation of animal abuse has substance.

Although Carmony said he has full faith in his employees and their treatment of animals, he recently installed a closed circuit video monitoring system that feeds directly into the veterinarian's office, where the animals and employee practices can be observed 24 hours, seven days a week.

Also participating on the 2010 Wayne County Farm Tour were New Pittsburg Veterinary Clinic, DeChant Farms and Excavating, Tegtmeier Cropland and Town and Country Cooperative

By Christine Pratt, Staff Writer, The Daily Record
330-674-5676 or e-mail cpratt@the-daily-record.com

Prepare for the Perils of Spring

Thu, 22 Aug 2013 18:05:00 GMT

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.

Dental Health and Your Pet

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:26:00 GMT

Dental health is an integral part of overall pet care. It is recommended to brush your animal's teeth once a day, using a pet-approved toothpaste. We recommend C.E.T. brand toothpaste because it contains an enzyme that helps by cleaning the teeth even after you have completed the initial brushing.

Unfortunately, only 2% of pet owners brush their animal's teeth. This eventually leads to tartar, plaque and gingivitis. The earliest sign is usually halitosis (bad breath). This odor comes from the buildup of bacteria in the mouth. Once the gums become irritated (gingivitis), this bacteria can enter the blood stream and settle out in regions where vascular beds exist. Vascular beds are common in most of the major organs of the body, meaning that the bacteria eventually settle on the heart, in the liver, in the kidneys or within the lung tissue. This can lead to multisystemic organ failure if left untreated.

We emphasize the importance of dental and oral health during our examinations. Many times, the tartar and gingivitis have progressed to the point of requiring a complete dental prophylaxis and cleaning. During this procedure, we scale the teeth, probe the periodontal pockets, polish the teeth and extract any teeth that have deteriorated to the point of requiring extracting. We can also use the newest dental technology to evaluate the tooth root (that portion located beneath the gum tissue). Our dental x-ray unit produces the highest quality images and guides us in the decision of the best care for your pet. Please call our office if you have noticed a bad odor to your pet's breath or if your pet is either losing weight or not eating well. We would be happy to perform an examination and consultation. At that time, we can recommend the optimum care for your pet.

Orrville Veterinary Clinic is expanding

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:27:00 GMT

Orrville Veterinary clinic was able to expand to include three different locations to better serve your pets needs. In 2007, we were able to purchase two veterinary clinics from the late Dr. Thomas Saurer.

The Seville Wadsworth Veterinary clinic is located at 3898 Greenwhich Rd. in Seville, Ohio. We are glad to serve Seville, Wadsworth, Rittman, Lodi, Creston, Medina and the surrounding areas. Please visit our new location's website at www.sevillevetclinic.com . You may also reach us by calling (330)336-5823.

The Akron Barberton Veterinary Clinic is located at 1111 Wooster Rd. N. in Barberton, Ohio. We provide services for pets located in the Akron, Barberton, Norton, Wadsworth and surrounding areas. For more information, please call (330)753-3114 or visit our website at www.akronvetclinic.com .

Our Orrville Veterinary Clinic is located at 1665 N. Main St. Orrville, Ohio. We have proudly served the Orrville, Wooster, Rittman, Kidron, Apple Creek, Marshalville and surrounding areas for over 50 years.

The Orrville Veterinary Clinic is proud to be able to expand our ability to better serve you and your pets, living up to our high standard of care:

"For the Excellence You've Come to Expect, We've Grwon to Provide."

Canine Allergies

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 05:41:00 GMT

Did you know that your pet can experience allergies to many of the same things that you do? Atopy is the veterinary medical term that is used to describe the allergic response to environmental allergies. Dogs can also experience food allergies. Some dogs are even allergic to insect bites and bee stings. An additional cause of allergies, which is called Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) , is due to those pesky fleas!

Allergies in dogs show up in different ways than allergies in people. People often experience respiratory and periocular (around the eyes) signs when reacting to allergens. Allergens are the substance that triggers the allergic response by the body. In dogs, allergies typically show up as skin infections, licking at the feet and recurrent ear infections.

Allergies in dogs are often treated using a corticosteroid, such as prednisone. While diagnostic and treating your pet, we also need to try to determine exactly what is triggering the allergic response by your dog. This is often the challenging part. Allergies are acquired to substances that the body has seen before, meaning that it is not a new substance that is triggering the allergy, but rather something that is likely

We see a lot of allergies, especially this time of year. There are many allergens present in the air in the areas surrounding Orrville, Dalton and Wooster. The agricultural activity also serves to stir up many pollens, as farmers plow their fields throughout Wayne County. Call our office for an appointment to discuss your pet if he/ she is itching or scratching.

Celebrating Pet Wellness Month: July 2013

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:26:00 GMT

July is National pet wellness month

Every year for a dog or cat is equivalent to five to seven human years so it is important that your pet receives a wellness exam every year. Similar to people, pets need to visit the veterinarian more often as they get older in order to prevent and treat illnesses that come with age. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends that a healthy pet should visit the veterinarian once a year for a complete physical examination and any relevant laboratory testing. During the wellness visit, we will review a complete history of your pet’s health. This is the perfect time to discuss any concerns about any unusual behavior that you have noticed in your pet such as coughing, diarrhea, change in appetite, excessive drinking, panting, scratching or urination, vomiting, and weight gain or weight loss. The veterinarian will also perform a complete physical examination, reviewing many of your pet’s body systems. Your veterinarian will feel your pet’s abdomen for abnormalities, including enlarged organs, masses or painful areas, to detect problems with the stomach, intestines, kidneys, liver and other organs. Through this examination many disease can be detected earlier in their course, resulting in a better quality of life for you and your pet. Depending on your pet’s lifestyle and age, we may also ask about your pet’s exposure to fleas, ticks, heartworms and intestinal parasites. Our veterinarian and staff will develop an individualized treatment and/or preventative plan to address these issues. Vaccinations are one of the most important preventive measures you can take for the health of your pet. Dogs can be immunized against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus, bordetella, rabies, and lyme disease. Cats can be immunized against feline panleukopenia (distemper), rabies, feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and feline leukemia. Do not underestimate the importance of taking your pet to the veterinarian for regular wellness examinations. These regular examinations will help your pet live a longer and healthier life, so do your part to care for your furry friend!

For More details, visit www.healthypet.com