Blue-Green Algae toxicity is dangerous to your dog

BY MARYAM SALT, DVM, CVA, SEATTLE VETERINARY ASSOCIATES

Green Lake Closed Last Year Due to Blue-Green Algae Bloom

Last October Seattle Parks and Recreation officials closed Green Lake to wading, swimming, and certain boating activities due to a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

Dog owners were also warned to not allow their dogs to drink from or swim in the lake.

Similar closures of Green Lake occurred in 1999, 2002, and 2003, and some other area lakes, such as Lake Sammamish have been affected at other times also.

What Causes Blue-Green Algae?

So what is this “Toxic Blue-Green Algae” and how can it harm our dogs and us?  

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can be found in any aquatic habitat but are often found in lakes, streams, ditches, and livestock ponds. Small numbers of the algae are present in many bodies of water, including Green Lake.

However, a “bloom” of the algae can grow under the appropriate climate and nutrient dense conditions causing an accumulation of scum on the water surface and shore edges.  

The bloom gives the waters surface a blue-green appearance. Here in the Northwest this may be seen during the late summer and fall months after we have had warm dry weather, although the bloom will dissipate as colder weather arrives.

Small Exposure Can Be Fatal

It should be noted that not all blue-green algae blooms produce toxins, however those that do cause liver toxicity (Microsystis sp. andNodularia sp.) and neurologic toxicity (Anabaena sp., Aphanizomenon sp., and Oscillatoria sp.).

These toxins are very potent and a very small exposure can cause fatality.

Both of these groups of toxins are rapidly absorbed from the intestine after ingestion and symptoms can be seen within 60 minutes of exposure. Clinical signs of the liver toxin include sudden lethargy, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, pale gums, and death within 24 hours to several days.  

The toxin essentially causes rapid necrosis (killing off) of liver cells. 6 of the neurologic toxin symptoms include tremors, weakness, drooling, paralysis, muscle rigidity, involuntary urination and defecation, and seizures.

Treating Green-Algae Exposure Quickly is Critical

Death from respiratory paralysis can occur within 30 minutes from the start of these symptoms.

If you are suspicious your dog has been exposed to blue-green algae it is vital to rush him or her to the nearest veterinarian immediately as time is of the essence.

There is no specific antidote for these toxins so your vet will have to treat your dog supportively, which means to provide decontamination procedures and medications to minimize the symptoms as necessary. These may include oxygen, IV fluids, anti-seizure medication, and liver protectants.

King County Lakes and Streams Monitoring Group and Friends of Green Lake take water samples and collect information on water conditions at Green Lake.

However, blue-green algae blooms can be very patchy and many areas are not this closely monitored, so if you notice a suspicious area you are advised keep yourself and your dog away from the area and contact the environmental health section of your local health department or the Washington State Department of Ecology.  

Dr. Maryam Salt earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree with honors from Washington State University. She then completed an internship at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital. She earned her B.S. in Zoology and Anthropology from the University of Washington. In 2010 Dr. Salt also completed Certification in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture through Colorado State University.

Her professional interests include internal medicine, emergency and critical care, geriatric pet care, and pain management. She also enjoys volunteerism in the veterinary field locally and spent time in the South helping the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Dr. Salt lives in North Seattle with two Basset Hounds (Henry and Cooper), a mixed breed dog (Mugsie), an Old Dog Haven foster dog (Granny Franny) and Ollie the cat. In her free time she enjoys swimming, hiking, camping, jewelry making, photography, and spending time with friends.

Source: http://www.seattledogspot.com/blog/dog-blog/post/blue-green-algae-toxicity-is-dangerous-to-your-dog

Time to Clean Your Pet's Ears?

Veterinarians see a lot of patients with ear infections. In fact, it's the second most common reason for a client visit, according to pet health insurer, VPI Pet Insurance. With ear problems prompting so many trips to the vet, should ear cleaning be a necessary part of grooming your pet?

Generally, cleaning a dog's ears on a routine basis is not necessary, according to Leonard Jonas, DVM, MS, DACVIM, a veterinarian with Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colo. That's because animals have a naturally occurring self-cleansing process.

"I've had pets my whole life," Jonas said. "I don't remember ever routinely cleaning out their ears."

However, that doesn't mean pet owners should never take notice of their dog's ears. Certain breeds, lifestyles and physical characteristics will make a dog more prone to what Jonas calls "abnormal situations," in which the pet's normal homeostasis is disrupted. This is when something, either systemically or locally in the ear, interferes with the normal surface barrier defense system and the normal cleaning process that keeps bacteria and yeast under control.

There are signs to watch for if your pet is having an issue with its ears. These, according to Jonas, include:

• Shaking its head
• Flapping its ears
• Rubbing at its ears, either with a paw or by rubbing against furniture or carpet
• Self-massaging the ear to ease itch, pain or irritation
• Debris and/or redness inside the ear
• Sores inside the ear
• Odor in the ear due to abnormal oils and bacteria

"If you [the pet owner] look in the ear, you can see sometimes a lot of debris," said Jonas, explaining what an ear with an infection or problem may look like. "Then [you] see redness on the ear flaps (inside) or sores developing. And then there's also odor that occurs when you have an abnormal ear."

Breeds to watch
There are certain breeds of dogs—such as Shar Peis, bulldogs and poodles—that have narrow ear canals and have a higher chance of incurring ear issues. Poodles, especially, have more hair in the canals, Jonas explained. "The hair itself is not a problem, but if they've got something abnormal with their whole defense system, all that extra hair in there makes it difficult."

Cocker spaniels are notorious for ear problems, Jonas added.

When to clean your pet's ears
According to Jonas, it's best to consult your veterinarian before going forward with an ear-cleaning regimen. Unlike cleaning the teeth, cleaning the ears does not need be done regularly. If a pet owner suspects that something may be wrong with the ear, it's advised to visit the veterinarian and establish whether the dog's ear needs to be cleaned by the owner either routinely or for an instructed period of time.

Cleaning the dog's ears without first seeing a veterinarian is not a good idea, Jonas said, "because you don't know what's going on inside. You don't know if there has been a ruptured ear drum; you don't know if there's a stick or a stone or something stuck down inside the ear that needs to be fished out by a veterinarian."

A veterinarian can diagnose the problem and make the proper recommendations, which may be cleaning and/or medication.

Typically, there are two situations for which a dog's ears would need to be cleaned regularly. The first is when a veterinarian instructs for it to be done, and the second is when the dog is frequently in water. "Water in their ears disrupts the normal defense barrier system in that ear, and can make them prone to getting infections and irritation and inflammation," Jonas said.

If there needs to be ear cleaning
A veterinarian should show the owner how to properly clean the dog's ears because "there are a lot of different techniques, and it depends on what the problem is," Jonas advised.

There are a couple of precautions to always remember, according to Jonas. First, never use a Q-tip, because it tends to push the wax and debris further into the ear. Second, be sure a groomer does not pluck the hair out of the dog's ears, unless that hair is contributing to an ear problem; Jonas believes that doing so may cause irritation.

One thing pet owners should also consider is that if the dog has an ear infection, it could be very painful for them. Forcing the dog to get its ears cleaned or putting medication in them can be a dangerous situation for the owner and the dog.

"If your pet doesn't want you to do it, don't, because it hurts," Jonas said. "You're just going to create a problem, and you need to look to alternatives."

Originally published by Healthy Pet.

ASPCA Guide to Pet-Safe Gardening

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) experts field tens of thousands of calls each year involving animal companions who’ve had potentially hazardous contact with insecticides, weed killers and pet-toxic plants.  

"Keeping animals safe from accidental poisonings should not end once you've stepped outside," says Dana Farbman, APCC pet poison prevention expert. "Protecting your pet from potential hazards in your yard is just as critical."

While gardens and yards are lovely for relaxing, they can also prove dangerous for our animal companions.
Our experts recommend you watch out for the following:
Poisonous Plants
When designing and planting your green space, it's a good idea to keep in mind that many popular outdoor plants—including sago palm, rhododendron and azalea—are toxic to cats and dogs. Sago palm and other members of the Cycad family as well as mushrooms can cause liver failure, while rhododendron, azalea, lily of the valley, oleander, rosebay, foxglove and kalanchoe all affect the heart. Please visit our full list—and pics!—of toxic and non-toxic plants for your garden. 
Fertilizer
Just like you, plants need food. But pet parents, take care—the fertilizer that keeps our plants healthy and green can wreak havoc on the digestive tracts of our furry friends. Ingesting large amounts of fertilizer can give your pet a good case of stomach upset and may result in life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction. Be sure to follow instructions carefully and observe the appropriate waiting period before letting your pet run wild outside. 
Cocoa Mulch
Many gardeners use cocoa bean shells—a by-product of chocolate production—in landscaping. Popular for its attractive odor and color, cocoa mulch also attracts dogs with its sweet smell, and like chocolate, it can pose problems for our canine companions. Depending on the amount involved, ingestion of cocoa mulch can cause a range of clinical signs, from vomiting, diarrhea and muscle tremors to elevated heart rate, hyperactivity and even seizures. Consider using a less-toxic alternative, such as shredded pine, cedar or hemlock bark, but always supervise curious canines in yards where mulch is spread.
Insecticides
Like fertilizer, herbicides, insecticide baits, sprays and granules are often necessary to keep our gardens healthy, but their ingredients aren't meant for four-legged consumption. The most dangerous forms of pesticides include snail bait with metaldehyde, fly bait with methomyl, systemic insecticides with the ingredients disyston or disulfoton, mole or gopher bait with zinc phosphide and most forms of rat poisons. Always store pesticides in inaccessible areas—and read the manufacturer's label carefully for proper usage and storage. 
Compost
You're doing the right thing for your garden and Mother Earth—you're composting! Food and garden waste make excellent additions to garden soil, but depending on what you're tossing in the compost bin, they can also pose problems for our pets. Coffee, moldy food and certain types of fruit and vegetables are toxic to dogs and cats, so read up on people foods to avoid feeding your pet.
Fleas and Ticks
Since fleas and ticks lurk in tall brush and grasses, it's important to keep those lawns mowed and trim. Fleas can cause excessive scratching, hair loss, scabs, hot spots and tapeworms as well as anemia from blood loss in both cats and dogs. Ticks can cause similar effects and lead to a variety of complications from tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Babesia.
Garden Tools
Unattended garden tools may seem like no big deal, but rakes, tillers, hoes and trowels can be hazardous to pets and cause trauma to paws, noses or other parts of a curious pet's body. Rusty, sharp tools caked in dirt may also pose a risk for tetanus if they puncture skin. While cats don't appear to be as susceptible as dogs to tetanus, care should be taken by storing all unused tools in a safe area, not haphazardly strewn on the ground.
Allergy-Causing Flora
Ah-choo! Like their sneezy human counterparts, pets have allergies to foods, dust and even plants. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats can even cause life-threatening anaphylactic shock if the reaction is severe. If you do suspect your pet has an allergy, please don't give him any medication that isn't prescribed by a veterinarian. It's also smart to keep your pet out of other people's yards, especially if you're unsure of what kinds of plants or flowers lurk there. Keeping your pet off the lawn of others will make for healthy pets and happy neighbors.

Originally published by the ASPCA.

How to Identify and Treat Stress in your Dog

Seattle Dogs are Vulnerable to Heat Stress

Seattle’s temperate weather provides the perfect environment for our pets to have a very comfortable summer.  However, when things start to heat up, pets have the potential for developing life-threatening heat stress – otherwise known ashyperthermia.

Cats and dogs lack the ability to effectively sweat and thus their only method of regulating body temperature is through breathing off the heat through panting or finding an environment that helps them maintain a proper body temperature (water, shade, etc.).

Signs of Heat Stress in Your Pet

Normal body temperature for cats and dogs can vacillate between 99-102.5 degrees.  When temperatures exceed this norm, pets will begin to pant, act lethargic or become restless.

As temperatures continue to elevate things can progress to the pet becoming unsteady on its feet, abnormal gum color (purple to bright red), abnormal stools and if untreated  - multi-organ failure and cardiac arrest.

Dogs are More Vulnerable to Heat Stress

Dogs are markedly more prone to heat stress due to the fact that they have more exposure to the outside and are also more likely to be riding with their owners in automobiles. Automobiles are a significant source of heat stress and can be a concern on a relatively cool day (70°F). 

A study from Stanford University Medical Center found the temperature within a vehicle could increase by an average of 40 degrees Fahrenheit within one hour regardless of the outside temperature.

Predisposing Factors to Heat Stress in Pets

• Exposure to hot/humid conditions without adequate shade
• Exercising in hot/humid weather
• Obesity and/or diseases affecting a pet’s airway
• Brach cephalic (short-nosed) breeds such as Pekingese, Pugs, Lhasa apsos, Boston terriers and Bulldogs have an anatomic predisposition based on a narrowed airway
• Age and hair coat

What to Do if Your Dog has Heat Stress

If you have a remote concern that your pet is experiencing heat stress, you need to take immediate action.

• First, remove your pet from the source of heat where the hyperthermia occurred to a shaded and cool environment
• If possible, obtain a rectal temperature and record it.
• Begin cooling your dog with cool water. You can place wet cold washcloths on the footpads, around the head, in the armpits and the groin region.  Remember to also replace them frequently as they warm up.
• Avoid covering the whole body with wet towels, as it may trap in heat. Directing a fan on these wetted areas will also help to speed evaporative cooling.
• Most pets with hyperthermia have body temperatures exceeding 105°F, and a reasonable goal for cooling is to reduce your pet’s body temperature to 102.5-103°F while transporting her to the closest veterinary facility. 
• DO NOT put your pet on ice or in ice water! Extreme cold can cause the blood vessels to constrict, preventing the body from cooling and actually causing the internal temperature to further rise. Over-cooling can also cause hypothermia, introducing a host of new problems.
• Offer your pet small amounts of cool water, but do not force water into their mouth or allow them to drink excessive amounts in one sitting.

Call or visit your veterinarian right away - even if your dog appears to be improving. Internal damage might not be obvious to the untrained eye, so an exam is recommended (further testing may be necessary). For advanced heat exhaustion, the sooner your pet receives medical attention the better its prognosis.

Most pets with hyperthermia have body temperatures exceeding 105°F, and a reasonable goal of cooling is to reduce your pet’s body temperature to 102.5-103°F while transporting her to the closest veterinary facility. 

In summary, heat exhaustion is a significant concern and can happen under what we would consider fairly mild temperature conditions.  If you suspect your pet has had a concerning amount of exposure act quickly and call your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Jeb Mortimer, DVM 
Seattle Veterinary Associates

Dr. Mortimer earned his degree from Iowa State University. He received a B.A. in Biology from Baylor University, and completed an internship in Small Animal Emergency Medicine and Surgery in Rochester, New York. His interests include internal medicine and surgery, including minimally invasive surgery (endoscopy and laparoscopy).

“Above all, I have a strong interest in people and animals. The relationship between my patients and their owners is the reason I am in this profession.”

When away from the practice, he spends most of his time having fun with his family (his wife Kristie, three children, three cats and one “Labrador non-retriever”. Personal interests include fly-fishing, hiking, gardening and travel.

Source: http://www.seattledogspot.com/blog/dog-blog/post/how-to-identify-and-treat-heat-stress-in-your-dog

Fireworks and Pet Safety

Dogs have double the hearing range of humans so the loud noises of the festivities from the fourth of July can be too much for them. Keep them comfortable with be sure to keep giving them positive reinforcement if they become anxious. Drown out the noise by keeping them in a room with a television or radio playing or with a fan blowing so the celebratory noises won't be so overwhelming.

National Pet Preparedness Month

This month is National Pet Preparedness Month. In order to be sure your pet is prepared for a disaster, make sure your safety kit includes food, water, leash and collar, bowls, pet ID, medications, immunization records, pet carrier, first aid kit, and a contact list for all pet emergency contacts.

Parasite prevention for your pets

When thinking of the word parasite, many things come mind.  None of them are good.  No one likes a parasite. Though they have evolved to exist and live besides or within the hosts they plague, they remain unloved and unwanted.  And that is OK by me.

This feeling of abhorrence is as natural as the interactions between these pests and their hosts.  The parasite’s goal is to live in conjunction with the animal they live upon or within.  They must coexist and obtain some benefit from the host organism in order to survive, multiply and procreate.  They don’t wish any major harm to come of the host, as it is often their meal ticket.  After all, the word “parasite” is derived from the Greek word “parasitos” meaning “one who eats at another’s table”.  Nevertheless, I want to focus on how these natural evolutionary companions can be controlled keeping our pets and ourselves as free of them as possible !

marubunnytown.com

It is fairly common for our cats and dogs to become infected with an internal or an external parasite at some point in its lifetime. Parasites can affect your pet in a variety of ways, ranging from simple irritation to causing life-threatening conditions if left untreated. Some parasites can infect and transmit diseases to people.  This type of transmission of a disease or condition from an animal to a human being is a zoonosis.  Some zoonotic conditions can be quite serious public health concerns.

Parasites can infect humans

For many people, pets are an important part of the family circle. Naturally, you want to protect your family and your children in particular, from needless exposure to internal parasites such as worms and external parasites such as fleas. Yes, our beloved pets can harbor zoonotic parasites that may potentially be transmitted to their human family.

Internal parasites such as some intestinal worms are invaders that are often acquired during early life directly from the mother’s body (i.e. via milk or across the placenta) or later from the pet’s environment (e.g. yard, neighborhood, parks, etc.).  They are also acquired if the dog or cat consumes prey that has been hunted down.  Even the lowly common tapeworm is typically contracted when our pets ingest a flea that has been contaminated by a microscopic tapeworm larva!  The life cycles of such intestinal parasites are often complex and unique. Your veterinarian possesses the knowledge and tools to test for, eliminate and prevent many of these type pests from causing problems or harm.

Some important facts about the more common cat and dog intestinal worms:

CDC

- Toxocara (a type of roundworm or ascarid) is a zoonotic parasite that can be acquired from soil/sand contaminated with the feces of cats and dogs. It is of little concern for pregnant women but does pose a potential risk to infants and small children. Roundworm eggs are extremely hardy and remain in the environment (e.g., dirt, sandboxes) for up to several years in the Pacific NW climate. They cannot be decontaminated with bleach or other standard antiseptics.  Prevent with monthly heartworm tablets or topicals.

-Baylisascaris (the raccoon roundworm) can infect people, as well as a variety of other animals, including dogs. Human infections are thankfully rare, but can be severe if the parasite eggs are inadvertently ingested then invade the eye (ocular larva migrans), organs (visceral larva migrans) or the brain (neural larva migrans). In some dogs, ingested Baylisascaris eggs may develop into adult worms and then pass these dangerous eggs in the pets' feces.  Keep dogs away from raccoon latrine sites or nesting areas.  The same heartworm preventative tablets or topicals that block dog roundworms work vs. Baylisascaris worms too.  Cats may be also adversely affected by the migrating larval damage, but never develop or spread the adult worms.

- Dogs and cats with tapeworm infections usually are not sick and do not lose weight from the worms. Contrary to popular belief, dogs that “scoot” on their rear ends are generally doing it for reasons other than having tapeworms, such as blocked or irritated anal sacs (pouches located in your dog’s rear end) or other skin inflammation of the rear.  Tapeworms can reduce the pet’s comfort level, may result in mild diarrhea, and often compromise their nutrition. Furthermore, they are unpleasant and should be treated when identified even if your pet exhibits minimal signs.  Try to prevent your pet from hunting and eating prey to avoid tapeworms.  In addition, you should always use excellent flea control.

Don’t forget about fleas

Providenceveterinaryhospitalblogspot.com

Fleas are insects that parasitize the skin and fur coats of our dogs and cats.  The actual flea species commonly seen on the dogs of our area is really the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. Our flea season can be year round in Seattle due to our mild climate, yet it truly kicks into a higher gear from May through November most years.  It is essential to understand the flea life cycle in order to be most successful at preventing fleas from infesting your pet and your home.  Your veterinary team is the most informed about this important concept and what you can do to control these annoying pests.  The flea is a blood feeder in its adult form, and the females are quite prolific with the ability to lay upwards of 50 eggs per day when feeding consistently.  Very quickly a few fleas can multiply becoming many and thus creating an infestation which is much harder to deal with!

- While fleas are primarily an annoyance, they can carry other illnesses and some dogs and cats may be highly allergic to flea bites.  Dealing with fleas requires both controlling flea populations in your pet's environment and killing fleas on your pet.

Proactive prevention can stop fleas

Suidoo.com

To control fleas well, you must stop them from reproducing and thus break their life cycle. Carpets, pet bedding, furniture, and other indoor areas where your dog spends much time will contain the highest number of developing fleas in their immature stages.  Frequent vacuuming of these areas (throw the vacuum cleaner bag away afterwards) and regularly washing your pet’s bedding can greatly reduce the number of developing fleas inside your home.  In some cases, home premise insecticide spraying or even professional pest control help (e.g. Flea Busters) may be necessary once an infestation has been established indoors.  To avoid fleas infesting your abode, proactive prevention is the best solution, and it starts by directly treating the cat and dog.  Monthly flea treatments are available under the guidance of your veterinarian and should be used regularly.

Check your pet for fleas regularly

Although your pet may be harboring fleas, they are not always easy to find. Waiting for it to become scratchy and itchy is not being proactive. One of the best methods for checking your dog or cat for fleas is to look for flea dirt (actually flea feces) in your pet’s hair coat:

- To check for flea dirt, briskly comb or rub a section of the hair on your pet’s back while they are sitting or lying on a white piece of paper. If your friend has fleas, black flecks that look like dirt (as a result, we use the term “flea dirt”) will fall onto the surface for you to see clearly. If you transfer these black flecks to a damp piece of paper towel or tissue, in a short time they will appear red or rust-colored.

(The red color results because blood sucked from your pet is therefore partly digested and passed in the flea’s waste matter. If the dirt specks do not turn red, then they are probably just plain old dirt.)

Create parasite prevention program for your pet

In summary, each and every pet has a unique and individual lifestyle of its own. Your veterinarian can help you tailor the complete parasite prevention program that best fits you and your pet’s particular needs.  Discuss how to be proactive against all potentially unhealthy parasites with your professional veterinary team and then select what is right for you.

Making sure your pet is on a year-round parasite control program is good health care for your pet and your family!

-Mark Donovan, DVM

Dr. Donovan earned his degree with Honors from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). His veterinary interests include soft-tissue surgery, endocrinology, epidemiology, and zoonotic diseases.

Dr. Donovan enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, hiking and backpacking, snowboarding, playing tennis, gardening, going to Mariners games, and reading.