Let's Talk About Lepto

Let’s Talk About Lepto

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can infect both people and animals- including your pet.  The bacteria that causes the disease is spread by the urine of carrier animals such as raccoons, skunks, rodents, and deer.  Lepto infections peak in the fall, often after periods of heavy rainfall or flooding.  When dogs come in contact with infected urine in the environment or stagnant water, the bacteria will quickly travel through their bloodstream and cause fever, lethargy, anorexia, and joint pain.  Within a week, the bacteria can infect their internal organs and lead to acute kidney and liver failure; your pet may show clinical signs of excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, and yellowing of the skin

.

Treatment for Leptospirosis infections requires aggressive fluid support to maintain blood flow to the kidneys and antibiotics to kill the bacteria and eliminate it from the bloodstream.  Some patients are hospitalized for a week or more while they receive treatment.  The survival rate following infection with Leptospirosis is 70-80%, however some patients may have long-term kidney or liver damage.

Fortunately, there is a vaccine available to help protect your pet against this dangerous disease.  Capitol Illini Veterinary Services carries a 4-Way Lepto vaccine that induces immunity against the four most common strains of Leptospirosis.  While no vaccine will be 100% effective in preventing disease, the vaccine plays a major role in reducing the risk of infection and also largely reduces the severity of the disease if your dog is infected.  Other ways you can help protect your pet is by removing rodents from your pet’s environment and avoiding stagnant water.  People can also be affected by Leptospirosis so vaccination is important to also keep you safe at home.

It is important to remember that best chance for a positive outcome is related to early diagnosis and treatment- if your pet isn’t feeling well, have them in for an exam so they can be evaluated for early warning signs.  If you have questions or concerns about Leptospirosis and your pet, call and speak to one of our veterinarians about what you can do to keep your pet safe!

                                                                                                                    

                                                                                           -Dr. Colleen Helgen

Sniff It Out Fundrasier Was A Great Success!

 Capitol Illini Veterinary Services and The Sangamon County Sheriff's Department K9 Unit would like to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the Sniff It Out Fundraiser such a success! We had perfect weather and a great turn out. Our lunch and our raffle ticket sales exceeded our expectations! With the help of our clients, the public, Phillip Jensen-DMD PC and the Illinois Capitol Kennel Club, we were able to exceed our fundraising goal!  

       

   

 

  

 

National Take Back Initiative Medication Collection Day

DEA's National Take Back Initiative Collection Day

 The DEA, along with an environmental protection group, are urging us to tell people not to flush medicine down the toilet.  Instead there is a nationwide program to "take back" medicines at various locations certain times of the year.

Use the link below to find local places you can drop off unwanted, unused, and expired medicines to on Saturday, September 27th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/NTBI/ntbi-pub.pub?_flowExecutionKey=_cE8CF02DE-3C25-7E55-6673-14852AD77B06_kC23DAD42-2183-3F35-FA43-BAC8C9295843

The Chatham Police Department on Mulberry St and the Springfield Police Department on Montvale Dr. will both be collection sites for September 27th, 2014.  

Inquiries can also be made at 1-800-882-9539

Sniff It Out Fundraiser

 Sniff It Out Fundraiser

Benefitting the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit

K9’s : Zaso, Rajah and Nika

Don’t miss  K9 demonstrations by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Dept @ 12 and 2   

   Join us for Lunch $7 plates

                        (Burgers/hot dogs, potato salad, chips and a drink)

                                  POLICE OFFICERS EAT FREE

                                                       Win with our RAFFLES

                                                      1 ticket = $1

                                                     6 tickets = $5

       Raffle items will include a training package with dog trainer, Joe Blankenship, flea and tick     

                                              preventatives and Capitol Illini gift certificates!

All proceeds from lunch and raffles will go to purchasing the K9 Unit devices for basic training and the

                                                      narcotic detection course.

 

                            Capitol Illini Veterinary Services

                                1020 Jason Place, Chatham

      Saturday, September 6^th         

                               ^{11 am – 3 pm}

                                      For more info or videos of the devices go to

                              http://www.elitek9.com/k-9-proLaunch/productinfo/sd504/

Attention Scottie Owners

 Tackling the Beast Head-on!

 
New TCC Screening Study Announced

Marcia Dawson, DVM, Chairman HTF

 

For those who have never known a Scottie afflicted with bladder cancer, you can count yourself fortunate.  In a breed estimated to be 16-20 times more at risk for Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) than other breeds, any effort to tackle the disease is indeed welcome news. Now, with the STCA’s endorsement and approval of HTF funding for a new screening study to be conducted by Dr. Debbie Knapp at Purdue University, the news could not be better.

Dr. Knapp is already well known to Scottie owners and the STCA for her tenacious, long-term research and clinical trials on TCC, a cancer that far too many of us have experienced in our dogs. Thirteen years ago, she and Dr. Larry Glickman conducted the first epidemiological study to characterize this disease in Scotties. Six years later, Dr. Knapp joined forces with Dr. Elaine Ostrander at the NIH to research the genetics of TCC in Scotties and other high-risk breeds, a project of major significance that is still underway. And now, in her study entitled Screening and Early Intervention to Positively Transform the Management of Urinary Bladder Cancer in Scottish Terriers, Dr. Knapp plans to follow a population of 100 Scottish Terriers over a 3-year period with twice-a-year screenings.

The ultimate goal of this study is the development of a successful and routine screening protocol for Scotties and other high-risk breeds, leading to early intervention when needed using a relatively low risk medication. This protocol may ultimately save the lives of thousands of dogs, while avoiding the side effects from traditional cancer treatment and helping to lower health care costs for the owners.

The screenings will consist of a physical exam, ultrasound of the bladder, urine collection by free-catch for specialized urine assays and urinalysis, blood collection, and paperwork to be filled out by the owners. The screenings will take place year-round at Purdue and also in the fall and spring at two off-campus locations: Louisville, KY (Rose Shacklett, coordinator) and Chatham, IL (Lisa Hills, coordinator). There will be no cost to the Scottie owners for the screenings. If abnormal lesions are discovered in the screening, follow-up diagnostic work will be offered at Purdue, also at no cost to the owner.

Dr. Knapp’s new study is an innovative approach in veterinary medicine in that it focuses on the prevention, early detection and early intervention of TCC in Scotties. In human medicine, we know that routine screenings and early diagnosis of disease can result in more successful treatment outcomes. But this is not a typical course of action in veterinary medicine. Too often the diagnosis of TCC in Scotties is made too late, when the cancer is too advanced and often has already spread to other areas, making treatment much less effective. Dr. Knapp is taking a proactive approach in that she wants to screen apparently healthy dogs starting at the minimum age of 7 years and then follow these dogs carefully over 3 years. This will allow Dr. Knapp and her team to detect the earliest, pre-cancerous changes in the bladder wall, even before there are any symptoms in the Scottie. If abnormalities are found on screening and a diagnosis of TCC is then confirmed, Dr. Knapp will be able to intervene earlier than ever before with Deramaxx®, a drug similar to piroxicam. It is expected that this early intervention with a pill taken every day will result in regression or long-term control of the disease in the majority of affected Scotties.

Weighing the importance and the potential benefits of the study for our Scotties, the HTF and the STCA Board agreed to help fund the project to the level of $30,000 per year for a 3-year period. The sponsor agreements with Purdue University are now officially signed, and the project has the green light!

There is no question that this study is a big commitment for the HTF, one that we enter into with consideration and care. Yet, we firmly believe that this project has the potential to provide the tools to routinely screen for, diagnose early and manage this terrible disease in our beloved Scotties, both now in the future. In fact, the study is already having an impact! In a practice run at Purdue on June 18th, TCC was discovered in Barb Zink’s 11-year-old Rita, one of 7 Scotties screened. After confirmation of the diagnosis with a biopsy via cystoscopy, Rita is now the first case on Deramaxx, and so far, she is doing well.

In the ultimate analysis, the success of this important study can be achieved only through the participation of Scottie owners. If you are able and willing to enter your Scottie(s) in this study, please contact the individuals listed in the accompanying fact sheet for more information and details. For those unable to participate, and for all Scottie owners who understand the ravages of this disease, please consider contributing to this cause, in memory of so many beautiful dogs that we have lost and for the future of so many Scotties to come.

Marcia Dawson DVM ©2014

Chairman, STCA Health Trust Fund
hijinkscot@hughes.net

The Screening Study is scheduled to start September 1st 2014 and will span the next 3 years. All appointments for screening clinics will be schedules in advance. Times and dates to be announced.

For information about the study and to enroll your Scottie:
Patty Bonney, BS, RVT
Clinical Trials Coordinator
Purdue Comparative Oncology Program
College of Veterinary Medicine
625 Harrison St.
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907
(765)494-1130
bonney@purdue.edu

Springfield, IL Contact:
Lisa Hills
Kinross@comcast.net

 

"Cancer in man's best friend"

“Cancer in man’s best friend” 

 An article by Dr. Blake Marcum

Did you know that animals get cancer? As technology in veterinary medicine advances, we are seeing increasing numbers of pets who are diagnosed with cancer. Fortunately, options for treatments have increased allowing us to treat many of these animals. Treatments for cancer, similar to humans, can involve surgery, chemotherapy, or ra...diation. For example, lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes, is a systemic disease that often responds well to chemotherapy; but sarcomas, which are tumors of the connective tissues, may have a better response to surgery or radiation. Unlike their human counterparts, treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy are incredibly well tolerated in dogs and cats. This allows us to prolong the lives of our patients without compromising their quality of life.
As human medicine has evolved, chemotherapy has become much more accessible and affordable. Previously, an owner would have to travel to the nearest metropolitan area or veterinary teaching hospital to find an oncologist to treat their dog or cat. Today, with increasing awareness of chemotherapy and the safety of the products, many general practitioners are able to provide chemotherapy to their clients. At Capitol Illini in Springfield, IL, we are able to provide treatment for patients for the more common diseases like lymphoma and mast cell tumors with the convenience of treating locally; but we also have options to send patients to nearby teaching hospitals at the University of Illinois and the University of Missouri for advanced or rare cases when needed.
For years animals have been used as models for many diseases, and this is true for cancer as well. Clinical trials with animals for treatments have not only benefited veterinary medicine, but also human medicine, because many of these cancers have similarities across various species. These studies have allowed for advancements that may save human lives in the future.
It is important to know that even if an animal is diagnosed with cancer – it does not have to be a death sentence. There may be options for treatment, and if we keep an open mind, maybe one day we can find a cure.

Blake A. Marcum, DVM
Capitol Illini Veterinary Services
Springfield, IL

Official Sponsor of 2014 Springfield Sliders "Bark In The Park "

                                                           

    Capitol Illini Veterinary Services was the official sponsor of the Springfield Sliders "Bark In The Park" game on July 13th.

Bark In The Park is a dog friendly day @ the Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield.  

We gave away coupons for FREE nail trims, had a canine friendly giveaway basket, and free promo items! In the 7th inning stretch, our doctors took the mic for "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" and Dr. Holbrook even threw out the first pitch!

We had a blast and wanted to thank our clients and canines for coming out to join us!

Bark In The Park Springfield Sliders Game July 13th

Capitol Illini is the official sponsor of this year's Springfield Sliders BARK IN THE PARK baseball game on July 13th, 2014.

  

We hope to see everyone there for a fun day of baseball!

Canines are welcome!

As a way to show our appreciation to our customers we are giving away 2 free tickets per pet family to the game on the 13th!

Ask us for your tickets today!

http://www.springfieldsliders.com/

60,000 People Die Each Year From Rabies.

 A Simple Measure Can Put An End To These Death

The Huffington Post  | By Robbie Couch

         

At the end of a hallway in a clinic in the Philippines, a single bed sits in the center of what has been designated the "Rabies Room." It's a confined area for patients infected with the fatal viral disease.

In a video produced by Al Jazeera, Dr. Betsy Miranda said she has seen hundreds of preventable deaths take place in that room due to rabies, the latest being a young adult male "at the prime of his life." And she's had enough.

Dr. Miranda is being featured as a #HealthHero in Al Jazeera English's Lifeline series, which highlights innovations that help control and eliminate diseases globally. She's part of a campaign fighting back against the virus by vaccinating dogs as a means of preventing viral transmission later. The Philippines' Bureau of Animal Industry launched the 70-day nationwide program in April, hoping to inject up to 9 million dogs with the vaccine, according to the Wall Street Journal.

While several wild animals, like raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes can transmit rabies, dog bites cause more than 90 percent of infections worldwide.

"It's a win-win for the community, for the people, for the dogs as a whole," Dr. Charles Rupprecht of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control said in the video.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rabies virus ultimately causes death once the disease infiltrates a person's central nervous system. About 60,000 people die from rabies each year globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), but death is entirely preventable if the infected patient receives post-exposure injections soon after transmission.

In a map produced by CartoDB using statistics collected by WHO, the Filipino people are at relatively "high" risk of contracting the rabies virus, as are people in much of Africa and South Asia.

In the U.S., where WHO has deemed the risk of rabies infection to humans as "low," dramatic changes have been seen throughout the 20th century. The number of human deaths related to rabies has declined from about 100 annually at the turn of the century, to just one or two per year in the 1990s, according to the CDC. Today, the very few deaths that occur are due to infected individuals failing to recognize they've contracted the disease and not seeking medical assistance.

  To view the video visit the site below :

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/03/60000-people-rabies-worldwide_n_5438501.html

Toxic jerky treats linked to more than 1,000 dog deaths

More than 1,000 dog deaths may now be linked to toxic jerky treats, according to a recent update from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The agency said that since 2007, there have been almost 5,000 complaints of pet illnesses related to the treats. The majority of the symptoms reported include gastrointestinal or liver disease, and about a third were linked to kidney and urinary disease.  

About 10 percent of the illnesses included other signs such as neurologic, dermatologic, and immunologic symptoms, and about 15 percent of the kidney and urinary disease cases also tested positive for Fanconi syndrome – a rare kidney disease also associated with the pet deaths.

The FDA is still unsure of the specific cause for the reported illnesses and deaths, but most cases reportedly occurred after the pets had eaten chicken, duck or sweet potato jerky treats imported from China.

No specific brands were recalled in the FDA's latest release, but Dr. Jonathan Levine, an associate veterinarian at Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in New York City, said owners should always check the labels of whatever foods they give their pets.

“Always be aware of what you're buying and where it's coming from,” Levine said.

Yet that may not always be enough to keep pets safe; products stamped “Made in the USA” could still contain ingredients sourced from China or other countries, the FDA warned.

In 2007, some pet food companies voluntarily removed some jerky treats from the market. But, at the time, the FDA said it didn't want to issue a recall without a definitive cause. Those products included Milo's Kitchen Chicken Jerky Treats and Chicken Grillers, made by Del Monte, and Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats, made by Nestle Purina.

The FDA has partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to figure out what foods may be contributing to pet disease.  The study will compare the foods eaten by sick dogs to those eaten by dogs who haven’t gotten sick, in order to determine if the jerky is really the culprit.

So far, testing of jerky pet treats from China revealed low levels of antibiotics as well as the antiviral drug amantadine in some chicken samples.  Although FDA-approved for pain-control applications in humans and in dogs, the agency prohibited its use in poultry in 2006 to help preserve its effectiveness.  

The FDA does not believe amantadine contributed to the illnesses, as the side effects of the drug do not correlate with the symptoms seen in the pets; however, amantadine should not be present at all in jerky treats.

Chinese authorities have agreed to conduct additional screenings and follow up with jerky treat manufacturers, and the FDA has notified U.S. treat makers of the presence of amantadine in some jerky products. The agency will also continue testing these products for drugs and other antivirals.

The FDA cautioned pet owners that jerky pet treats are not required for a balanced diet. If your pet experiences any sign of illness, including vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy, contact your veterinarian right away.

For more information visit the links below:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/05/19/toxic-jerky-treats-linked-to-more-than-1000-dog-deaths/

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm397713.htm

Top Ten Toxins

         Top Ten Toxins

      The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

       has issued its top ten toxins for 2013.

                              

           1. Prescription medication for humans: the worst are heart medications, antidepression medications and pain medications.

2. Insecticides, especially for cats, who lick themselves all over.

3. Over the counter medications, such as aspirin products , fish oils, herbal medications.

Ibuprofen medications are particularly dangerous. 

4. Household products, such as cleaning solutions or powders.  

5. People food, including onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, and sugar substitutes. Don't forget chocolate, which when eaten in large enough quantities may cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, elevated heart rates and even seizures. The darker the chocolate, the worse the effects.

6. Veterinary products, which often have been flavored to appeal to pets.

7. Rodenticides, intended to kill mice and other rodents. Make sure they are well out of reach of any dog or cat, or any other animal you don't wish to kill!

8. Plants. Particularly lilies. When ingested they can quickly cause kidney failure.

9. Lawn and garden products such as fertilizers and bone meal.

10. Any type of household cleanser, used to mop floors or dust furniture.

 For more information visit the sites below.

 Knowledge is power and in some cases could save your pet's life!

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

 http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/top-pet-toxins-2013

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

Vestibular Disease

 Vestibular Disease

     “Luther’s Strange Problem:  A Case of Vestibular Disease"

                Luther  is a nine year-old Beagle cross that came into Capitol Illini Veterinary Services on a hot July day last summer.  Luther was in a foul mood.  He could not walk straight and when he attempted to do so, he turned in a tight circle to the left.  He couldn’t feel the left-side of his face or blink his left eye.  His nausea was so profound that he vomited numerous times.  Luther’s owners were concerned that he may have had a “stroke?”

                We often see geriatric K9 patients that are examined for what owners believe to be a “stroke.”  Fortunately, not all of these patients have suffered a true vascular accident (“stroke”).   Vestibular disease looks similar to some of the same abnormalities that we see with vascular accidents.  The vestibular apparatus is located within the inner ear.  The function of the apparatus is to provide spatial awareness and aids in keeping a patient oriented and coordinated in movement.  The inner ear is a highly complex space with many nerves and nerve roots in close proximity.  The health of the middle and external ear canals can have a direct influence on vestibular function because all of these structures are linked together.  With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the other things that were noted during Luther’s initial exam.

                Luther had extremely painful ears.  The external ear canals were very red and irritated.  Ear cytology (looks at different cell populations contained within the ear canals) was performed and it revealed that a very large amount of bacteria was present.  The left and right tympanic membranes (ear drum) appeared to have large amount of debris behind them (this debris was most likely pus).  So how could an ear infection lead to Luther’s condition?  Luther’s ear infection was so severe that it involved all parts of his ear (external/middle/inner).  Not only were the canals affected but a very important nerve, the facial nerve, and his vestibular apparatus were as well.  The facial nerve helps to coordinate movement of the eyelids and other associated facial movements.  The damage to the facial nerve was severe enough to produce Luther’s inability to blink the left eye.  His inability to walk in a coordinated fashion (ataxia) and vomiting (result of motion sickness) was produced by the disruption of the vestibular apparatus by the infection.

                Luther was placed on many types of antibiotics (systemic and topical) for several weeks.  His head-tilt and ataxia resolved relatively quickly.  However, at this writing, his left eye is only able to partially blink.  His owners medicate that eye so that he does not develop a condition known as “dry eye.”   Luther has not had any other complications since the treatment.

                Luther’s vestibular disease had a direct cause- a severe middle/inner ear infection.  There are some cases of vestibular disease that have no discernible cause.  This condition is known as idiopathic vestibular disease (aka “old dog vestibular syndrome).  Idiopathic vestibular disease can begin acutely with clinical signs such as:  ataxia, vomiting, nystagmus (irregular eye movements), circling and a head-tilt.  With appropriate treatment, the condition can resolve within a few hours to weeks.   The bottom-line is this; If your dog or cat (cats can suffer  from vestibular disease too) exhibits any type of neurologic dysfunction bring them in for veterinary care as soon as possible!

Thanks for reading,

Tom Antonini,  DVM

Capitol Illini Veterinary Services