LEPTOSPIROSIS OUTBREAK

On August 23, 2010, Channel 4 News announced that there is an outbreak of Leptospriosis in Warren, Eastpointe, Saint Clair Shores and Roseville.

About the Diagnosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease. An important cause of acute and chronic disease in dogs, leptospirosis can cause disease in other animals including humans. Leptospirosis in cats is very rare. Transmission of the disease can also be contracted from contaminated environments. Leptospira bacteria can penetrate intact or broken skin and mucous membranes. The organisms can persist in soil and standing water, especially in warm, wet climates. A variety of symptoms, including fever, stiffness, sore muscles, weakness, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, cough, excessive thirst and urination, yellow mucous membranes, and death. In animals with leptospirosis, the bacteria spread throughout the body, invading and multiplying in the liver and kidneys. Acute kidney failure and liver disease (leptospiral hepatitis) are common in dogs that become ill.

Treatment

Dogs with symptoms of illness caused by leptospirosis generally need intensive in-hospital treatment for dehydration, kidney failure, and other symptoms. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. Dogs which are treated early and have a mild case of the disease do well and regain a normal life after treatment, severely affected dogs may develop irreversible liver and/or kidney failure and die or are euthanized as a result of this disease. Antibiotic treatment is necessary to eliminate the bacterial infection in apparently healthy carrier dogs.

ONCE A DOG HAS CONTRACTED LEPTOSPIROSIS, THE DISEASE CAN MOVE FROM BEING CURABLE TO BEING POTENTIALLY FATAL IN A MATTER OF DAYS.

Please contact our office to find out if you pet is at risk for this disease

PET FOOD RECALL

Iams Veterinary Diet Dry Formulas

On July 25, 2010, Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) voluntarily recalled two specific lots of its therapeutic renal dry cat food in North America as a precautionary measure, as it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.  No illnesses have been reported.  The health and welfare of pets and their owners is P&G's top priority.  P&G Pet Care is working swiftly to minimize any potential health risk to pets and is working closely with the FDA to resolve the issue.

On July 31, 2010, as a further precaution, P&G is voluntarily expanding its recall to include additional veterinary formulas and some specialized Eukanuba dry pet foods.

These products are made in a single, specialized facility. In cooperation with FDA, P&G determined that some products made at this facility have the potential for salmonella contamination. As a precautionary measure, P&G is suspending operations at this facility and recalling all dry pet food products manufactured at this plant.

None of the canned Iams Veterinary Formulas are involved in this recall.

How do I know if the food I have is being recalled?

Only dry food with the following "Best-By" Date is affected:

Some of the Eukanuba dry foods sold in stores are also being recalled, please contact the store that the food was purchased from for further details.

What should you do?  

If your pet is on any Iams Veterinary dry diet with the affected "best-by" dates, please contact the Iams Customer Hotline at 877-340-8823 for handling instructions and a return credit.  Since it is extremely important that your pet remain on a special veterinary  diet, an alternative prescription diet will be dispensed for your pet's health needs At this time we do not know when manufacturing will begin again on the Iams Veterinary Formulas. We will post updates as we receive them.

MVH NEWS

Dr. DerKervorkian - welcome letter

Dr. Blackwell - retirement letter

On June 14, 2010, we welcomed our new owner and veterinarian, Dr. Michael DerKervorkian (Dr. Mike).  Dr. Mike, Dr. Smith, Dr. DiBenedetto, and the licensed veterinary technicians and hospital support staff whom you've known over the years will continue to provide you and your pet with the quality of care and medical expertise that you have come to expect from Maple Veterinary Hospital. 

On June 12, 2010, we said a fond farewell to Dr. Blackwell who has retired after 30 years of practice.  Dr. Blackwell purchased Maple Veterinary Hospital on December 1, 1994 and guided the practice as it grew through the years into the premier veterinary hospital it is today.  He leaves us with fond memories and a legacy to always be "Putting your pet's healthcare first!!!"  We wish Dr. Blackwell and his wife, Cathy, many happy and healthy years of retirement.

NATIONAL PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Dental Health Information

February is

National Pet Dental Health Month

At Maple Veterinary Hospital,  our veterinarians

think every month should be Pet Dental Health Month

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 SWINE INFLUENZA CONFIRMED IN

CATS & DOGS

12/21/09 New York Dog confirmed with 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus

12/8/09 Oregon cat confirmed with 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus

13-Year old cat in Iowa confirmed with  2009 H1N1 Flu Virus

Frequently Asked Questions About 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus

Swine Flu - CDC Website

Swine Influenza & You

Maple Veterinary Hospital doctors want to remind our pet owners that it is very important to watch your pet for signs of upper respiratory illness, especially if anyone in the household has been sick with flu-like symptoms or recently diagnosed with the H1N1 Influenza Virus.  Early diagnosis and treatment of upper respiratory illnesses are important to your cat's health and recovery.

To date, animals infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus have shown the following clinical signs: lethargy, decreased appetite/anorexia, coughing and difficulty breathing. Some of the animals have developed pneumonia. Any animals showing these signs of disease should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

There is no evidence to suggest that pets have or will spread the virus to humans or other animals. To date, all of the sick pets became ill after a person in the household was ill with flu-like symptoms.

For more information please click on the American Veterinary Medical Assocation (AVMA) and Center For Disease Control (CDC) links provided.

FDA Investigation into the source of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak

FDA Peanut Butter Recall List

Pet Food - Peanut Butter Related Recalls

Jiff Peanut Butter Safety Statement

Skippy Peanut Butter Safety Statement

 

From time-to-time, our veterinarians will advise clients that peanut butter is an affective way of camouflaging medications.  The FDA is investigating peanut butter as the source of a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that has been reported in the news.  The links provided here will take you to websites that

1. Explain the FDA's investigation in detail

2. Provide a list of all recalled products

3. Provide a list of pet food-specific recalled products

4. Provide safety statements from the makers of Jiff and Skippy peanut butter.

If you are accustomed to using peanut butter as a delivery method for your pet's medication, the manufacturers of Jiff and Skippy peanut butters are reporting that their products are safe for consumption.  If you prefer an alternate delivery method until the peanut butter recall is resolved, you can use the following food products:

1. cheese

2. liverwurst

3. bread

4. lunch meat

2008 LIST OF RECALLED PET FOOD   

   

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.  Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.  Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms.

Maple Veterinary Hospital patients who are on prescription diets are not at risk. 

Clients who feed their pets store food products should check to see if their pet's food is on the recalled pet food list by clicking on the link to the left.

2008 PROHEART 6 HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE

REINTRODUCED

PROHEART 6 IS BACK

P r o H e a r t  6   i s   b a c k ! ! !

Clients who liked the injectable heartworm preventative will be glad to know that ProHeart 6 is now available for their dogs.   

ProHeart 6 is the only option for heartworm prevention in the United States that helps ensure dogs are continuously protected against this potentially fatal disease for six months following a single dose.

Cold Weather Checklist

Flea Tips

Halloween Safety Tips

Tips for Spring

Thanksgiving & Christmas Safety Tips

2008 PET FOOD LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT

PET FOOD LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT

Under the terms of the deal, pet owners could be reimbursed for all reasonable expenditures, including veterinarian bills.

For more information link to http://www.petfoodsettlement.com/

CDC RAISES ZOONOSIS AWARENESS

History of Rabies In Michigan

About Rabies

How To Reduce Your Pet's Risk of Exposure to a Rabid Animal

Maps of Rabies Positive Animals in Michigan

• History of rabies In Michigan
• General information about rabies
• What pet owner's should know about keeping their pets protected from rabies
• 2006 and 2007 Rabies incidence maps of reported cases in Michigan; plus more

MICHIGAN Dept. of Natural Resources  - discusses Canine & Feline Distemper

MICHIGAN Dept. of Natural Resources  - discusses West Nile Virus

ASPCA Poison Control Center

May 6, 2004—Veterinary toxicologists at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center have reviewed the claim described in a widely distributed email alleging a relationship between the use of Swiffer Wet Jet and liver failure in a dog. The email alleges that exposure to the ingredients in Swiffer Wet Jet caused a dog's death.