CJ & Rex Talk About Lepto Vaccination

Woof, woof, welcome to another riveting discussion with CJ and Rex! Today, we will be ruff-flecting on a disease that affects dogs across the country. Leptospirosis, Lepto for short, is a disease that can be easily spread between dogs – and eventually to people as well! My friend and I will break down the details of this serious illness in our discussion below.

CJ: Thanks for paw-nciling me into your busy schedule, Rex!

Rex: Oh, gosh...

CJ: Puns aside, what is leptospirosis?

Rex: woof, woof - Lepto is a bacterial infection that is often sourced to soil and water. This disease is
often more common in areas with a warm client and lots of rainfall.

CJ: Interesting; that makes sense considering dogs often contract this disease when they drink water from rivers and streams.

Rex: Exactly, CJ! While dogs that like to play outside in woodsy or rural areas are at a lot of risk, so are all dogs. The disease can easily spread from dog to dog, as vomit, urine, and saliva can all carry the bacteria to a new host.

CJ: Gross, but good to know! So, what happens if a dog catches this disease?

Rex: Part of what makes this disease so unnerving is how much the effects can vary. Some dogs with the disease show no signs of infection, while others can develop severe illness and death! Common symptoms include fever, shivering, tender muscles, lethargy, increased thirst, changes in the frequency or amount of urination, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

CJ: Woof! is it treatable??

Rex: If caught in its early stages, Lepto can be knocked out with antibiotics and supportive care. Unfortunately, however, if the disease isn’t treated soon enough, which can happen when no symptoms are presence, there can be permanent kidney and liver damage.

CJ: Sounds like we need to prevent catching this disease then. Tell me there’s a vaccine!

Rex: There is! While it is categorized as a “non-core” vaccine by the American Animal Hospital Association, it’s recommended that dogs who are at risk of catching this disease get vaccinated.

CJ: As a reminder, a dog can be considered at risk if they explore the outdoors, hunt, participate in dog shows, play in bodies of water, goes to doggie daycare, or even drinks from puddles in the city.

Rex: That’s right! You should always converse with your veterinarian before making any decisions about vaccines, but we encourage all owners to ask about the Lepto Vaccine.

CJ: Right! Current vaccines can prevent Lepto for at least 12 months, making this a worthy annual vaccination for at-risk dogs.

Rex: That reminds me, I have a veterinary appointment today – gotta’ run!

CJ: See ya, Rex!

That about does it for this discussion! We hope that this information was helpful to you and that you’ll consider getting your dog vaccinated. Please reach out to Bulverde Animal Hospital to learn more about your dog’s risk of Leptospirosis!

Toxic Blue-Green Algae

During the dog days of summer, a common threat to animal safety is from overheating and dehydration since the weather causes health risk. There’s another threat to dog safety, however, and it may not be one that you would expect.

CJ here, joined by my friend Rex! Today we’re talking about a shocking threat to canine health that you may not be aware of; toxic blue-green algae. Dogs have become fatally ill after swimming in freshwater lakes and ponds after ingesting water that is laden with this stuff.  Because of that, these intense blooms have led to swimming bans from lakes in the Pacific Northwest to the entire Mississippi seacoast, to Lake Hopatcong. This alga is a very serious threat to us dogs.

Rex: Toxic blue-green algae sounds so scary, CJ… Can you tell me more about it? I don’t want to go swimming anymore; even though it’s one of my very favorite activities.

CJ: It is incredibly scary, Rex – and it’s in your best interest to take up a new hobby! Woof, woof! This stuff is known as cyanobacteria and this type of algae that is often found in lakes and ponds. Algal blooms, which are common this time of year, are a big cause for the presence of aquatic plants.

Rex: BARK. I don’t like this stuff; what does this alga do, exactly?

CJ: This alga is deadly to animals because they ingest large amounts of water, unlike humans. These algal blooms release toxins that take on a wide variety of effect such as causing liver damage, seizures, panting, excessive drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, respiratory paralysis, and even untimely death.

Rex: Death?! This is awful!

CJ: It absolutely is; WOOF. Unfortunately, there have been several reported cases of death in dogs after they’ve been swimming in contaminated water – there have even been a few reported cases in our area.

*CJ & Rex take a moment of silence*

Rex: So, what should owners look out for next time they go to a river, pond, or lake?

CJ: Some people have described these blooms as foam-like or similar to spilled paint. Despite the name, the color of this algae can also appear as red or brown, in addition to the more common blue-green color. These blooms give off a smell that is pungent to humans, but us dogs don’t really mind it.

Rex: I see… So, if we don’t see this green or red layer on the surface of our favorite place to swim, does that mean we can still swim in it?

CJ: I wouldn’t be so sure – woof! Sometimes, algal blooms can appear to have dissipated, but the harmful toxins are still present in the water.

Rex: That’s frightening… what can our parents do to protect us?

CJ: For starters, dogs should never be allowed near any water that is clearly contaminated with algae since drinking or swimming in it puts them at immediate risk. So immediate, in fact, that the dog may not make it to the vet without experiencing serious symptoms.

Rex: woof, woof – sounds like we shouldn’t be swimming in any bodies of water unless we’re sure that it’s safe; I know I don’t want to take the risk!

CJ: That’s exactly right, Rex! There are health departments that do perform testing to be sure about the safety of the water and will post signs of caution when the test shows positive. But if you’re not able to be certain, avoid that water completely! Also, dogs should always be rinsed off well after a swim, just to be super careful.

Rex: I’m glad I now know more about this! I think I may take up more games of fetch in my backyard where there isn’t any water.

CJ: Good idea, Rex – and for dogs that do have ponds in their backyard, this deadly algae can also grow there too, so their parent should keep a close eye and even block off the area for safe measure.

Toxic blue-green alga is very serious, but the more you learn about this threat and how to prevent it from affecting your dog, the safer your family will feel. If you feel that your pet may be at risk, or if you have any questions, contact the professionals at Bulverde Animal Hospital today.

Importance of Heartworm Prevention

We like to have fun when we write this blog, but today we want to get serious about a disease that affects thousands of dogs and cats every year. If this is you first time reading this blog, my name is CJ, and I’m one of the canine co-authors here at the Bulverde blog! I’m joined by my fellow dog pal, Rex, as well as our feline friend, Whiskers. And, we’re all here to talk about why it’s so important to prevent Heartworm!

CJ: Woof, woof! So Rex, maybe we should start with the basics. What is heartworm?

Rex: Heartworm Disease is a very serious, sometimes fatal disease in pets in the United States and other parts of the world. Pardon our squeamish readers, but it is caused by foot-long worms, known as heartworms, that live in the heart, lungs and other blood vessels of animals that are affected. This can cause severe lung disease, heart failure and damage to organs in the body. WOOF.

CJ: Yuck! And how do those heartworms enter the infected host in the first place?

Whiskers: Meow; Mosquitoes are the culprit here. When a heartworm lives in an infected animal, it releases baby worms that circulate around the host’s bloodstream. A mosquito that sucks the blood out of the animal will carry these baby worms, which turn to larvae, and drops them off to a new host when they bite again. It then takes about 6 months for those babies to turn into adult heartworms.

CJ: Hmm… So what are the signs or effects of Heartworm Disease?

Whiskers: Well it’s different for cats and dogs.

Rex: That’s right, Whiskers. Dogs will show no signs of infection in the early stage of Heartworm Disease. Give it more time, and owners should notice a mild persistent cough, an aversion to exercise, fatigue after activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss.

Whiskers:The effects that Heartworm Disease has for cats can go from 0-100. Cat owners should look out for asthma-like attacks, vomiting here and there, lack of appetite, fainting, seizures; heartworm for cats can even sudden death.

CJ: WOOF. This disease seems scary!

Rex: It’s definitely a cause for concern, but there are ways to stay on top of this infection. One of them is through annual testing at the veterinarian. Heartworm Disease is something that gets worse over time, so even getting it diagnosed within the first year will save your pet from a lot of pain.

Whiskers: Testing in cats can be a bit more complicated because it’s harder to tell whether or not they have an infection. This is part of the reason why prevention is so key.

CJ: It sounds like prevention is important for both species. So how can an owner prevent the spread of heartworm from getting to their furry best friend?

Whiskers: In addition to annual testing, owners should talk to their pet’s veterinary care provider about taking a monthly heartworm preventive. Meow. These two strategies are the most recommended method of heartworm prevention.

Rex: Couldn’t have said it better myself – woof!

CJ: To learn more about what you can do to protect your pets against Heartworm Disease,
contact the professionals at Bulverde Animal Hospital. They can talk you through preventive care as well as testing – so call today! Woof, woof!

Helpful Knowledge Regarding Therapeutic Laser

While the words “Laser Therapy” may have you think of some super-futuristic way of taking away pain, it’s actually a viable option of veterinary treatment today! CJ here, with my pal, Rex; and our favorite feline friend, Whiskers! We’re back in the writer’s room this week to talk to all of the Bulverde-San-Antonio area pet owners about the possibilities of Therapeutic Laser. While we may not be certified practitioners of veterinary medicine, we do have some general information that we’d like to share with you on this topic!

CJ: Woof, woof! So, furry friends, what exactly is a Therapeutic Laser?

Rex: Well, CJ - the Therapeutic Laser itself comes from professional, medical equipment at a veterinarian facility. The deep-penetrating light allows for the relief of pain, and this method of therapy has been cleared by the FDA.

Whiskers: I must say I find it disappointing that it is not the type of magical laser you’re able to catch – meow –   much like the one I often see crawling up my wall when my owner is home! I never seem to be able to catch that thing… but little does it know; I’m coming for it next time it creeps up on me… 

CJ: You’ll get it one of these days, Whiskers! The Therapeutic Laser is definitely different than the magical one you’re speaking of, though – this one is not magic, it is science.

Rex:Woof; science indeed! Therapeutic Lasers are used to target areas on the body that are experiencing pain. The light itself stimulates the release of endorphins, promotes freer blood flow,
and stimulates injured cells to heal at a faster rate.

CJ: Interesting! What sorts of things can Therapeutic Laser help to treat?

Rex: Lick Granulomas and chronic ear infections are great for Laser Treatment, as the laser can provide almost instant relief from the discomfort that these afflictions cause.

Whiskers: Other good uses for Therapeutic Laser include treating the pain of wounds, fractures, infections, inflammation and post-surgical procedures!

Rex: Not to mention, it can also be an alternative treatment to pharmaceuticals if you have a pet in your life that doesn’t take medication easily! For them, laser treatment may be a better option. Woof, woof.

CJ: Wow, and all this time I thought lasers were just a weapon in space… So is there a certain kind of pet that Laser Therapy is recommended for?

Rex: Therapeutic Laser can be used for all kinds of dogs, but it’s most typically used for geriatric dogs with arthritis. Some older dogs have livers that are unable to process pain medication, so Laser Treatment is a much more viable option.

Whiskers: Meow. This method of pain relief is also great for kitties! A lot of pain control options are not considered safe for cats, but Therapeutic Laser is definitely a suitable alternative. Birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, ducks, and more are also candidates for Laser Therapy!

CJ: It sounds like everyone is invited to this laser show! Rex, Whiskers, I appreciate your seemingly endless supply of relevant veterinary information. Thanks for letting the readers know more about this emerging trend in pet pain relief. If they want to find out if Therapeutic Laser is right for their furry friend, they can contact the experts at Bulverde Animal Hospital to learn more!

Why Cats and Dogs Don't Always Get Along

Are you all having a ruff day? Don’t worry – its CJ here, with Rex and our feline pal, Whiskers; we’re here to make it better! While we three may be close friends, we know that other cats and dogs are the reason why humans have the expression, “fighting like cats and dogs.” Though we may compete for food scraps, leftovers and attention, we also can live in perfect harmony. Right, Rex?

Rex: Exactly, CJ - woof! It all starts with humans understanding where our personality differences lie and how we essentially speak two different languages.

CJ: Couldn’t have said it better myself – woof, woof! I mean, come on, what does “meow” mean anyway?

Whiskers: *eye roll* I think Rex was referring to our body language differences, CJ. For example, you two love to run around and wag your tails where I run away when I’m scared and only wag my tail when I’m feeling a tad aggressive. Meow.

Rex: Ah, that helps explain your reaction to me playing with your yarn ball the other day.

CJ: Woof! Even I know, as close as we all are, you don’t touch Whiskers’ yarn ball. Anyway, it’s obvious that cat and dog communication styles are complicated. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t train and teach your cats and dogs to understand each other and get along better.

Whiskers: It starts with territory! Us cats, we need our protected space – a territory that is just ours. Make sure this space has tall surfaces as us felines are pawfectly natural climbers.

Rex: And while your cat is romping around, make sure your dog has had lots of stimulation! If we’re able to run around or play with toys then we will be less likely to chase things (or cats!) in the house.

CJ: Let’s not furget to mention that this process takes time! While it starts with a first impression, it needs to be a process that gradually takes place overtime. Schedule your cat-dog meetings during mealtime, because who doesn’t love food, but keep your dog on a leash and both animals on opposite sides of a closed door.

Whiskers: Then, once you, the human, feel comfortable, you can continue feeding them separately, but on either side of a gate or screen, before finally removing the barrier all together.

Rex: Let’s be honest though, sometimes, cats and dogs are just not going to be friends. We come from different descendants and all have different backgrounds. However, that doesn’t mean you should listen to the stereotypes and not at least try to have us cohabit!

CJ: Well said Rex! Jeez – this talk has me grateful that I have you two as my best friends furever.

Whiskers: Purrr – you’re too sweet! Now come on CJ and Rex, I believe I have a yarn ball that’s calling all our names.

CJ and Rex: Bark, Bark, let’s get to it!

If your humans ever have any questions about pet care, just have them contact Bulverde Animal Hospital.