Fleas: The Constant Threat

During the fall and winter months many people are celebrating the holidays and enjoying the cool weather, but many pet owners don't realize that their pet is still susceptible to the flea.

(SPCA)

Fleas start out as an egg and make their way to an adult. Depending upon the humidity and temperature, the fleas' life cycle will vary. The dog and cat are the main hosts for this external parasite.

A single "female flea can lay several hundred eggs over her life span." (PetMD) She lays around twenty to thirty eggs a day on the host. The eggs will then fall off and hatch when environmental factors are in the fleas' favor. This is when the flea, with it's powerful legs, jumps onto it's host and starts the process again from the beginning.

Flea Dirt
(Google User)

Signs Your Pet May Have Fleas
Itching and hair loss are the two main signs to look for on your pet, if you think he or she may have fleas. The base of the tail and tips of the ears are the places to look for hair loss. Flea combs are very helpful in finding the external parasite as well. Owners can also look for what we call "flea dirt," which is flea feces containing dried blood, that look like small specs of dirt.

Prevention is Key.
First and foremost, prevention is key. It is easier to prevent then treat because fleas breed so fast. There are several flea prevention products on the market that you can purchase at a veterinary office. Your veterinarian will choose the appropriate prevention for your pet based on its' health and environmental needs.

The Flea, Ctenocephalides
(Orkin.com)

My Pet Has Fleas, Now What?
The products available for flea prevention also help in flea treatment. It will seem like the infestation will never go away, but stick with it. Every animal in the household should be on flea prevention in order for treatment be successful. The main thing I think owners do not understand about flea control and treatment is that the fleas are not only on their pet, but also in the environment. While treating your pet, the environment (household, bedding, etc) needs to be treated as well. If the fleas are being treated on your pet, but are still on their bedding the fleas will not go away. There are several products, from an exterminator or your local veterinarian, that you can purchase to help treat the environment. The fleas will eventually be taken care of and from there a rigorous flea prevention plan will have to be put in place.

Bring your pet in today and we'll start he or she on a flea prevention plan! If you have any questions about the flea, call Tenth Street Animal Hospital today!

Please comment and let me know what topics you would love to read about!

Here's to a tail waggin' day!

Noelle

*Information obtained for this blog from: Petmd.com

Mosquitoes Can Give My Pet What?

Living in North Carolina there are a lot of Mosquitoes; with mosquitoes comes heart worms.

(North Concho Vet Clinic)

The picture above shows the life cycle of the heart worm, which takes about 6 months to become an adult. An infected mosquito bites your pet and from there the cycle starts. Heart worms live in the heart but can travel to the pulmonary artery if the infection becomes overbearing.

As a technician, one of the main concerns I have for dogs is heart worms. Surprisingly, it's easily preventable. There are several different options for heart worm prevention. The most common are pill and topical form. Ideally, heart worm prevention is started at your pup's first veterinary check up and continued monthly for the entirety of their life.


(Becker Animal Hosp.)

Should my dog be tested every year for heart worms?
YES, a large dog can live up to 7 years with heart worm infestation without showing any clinical signs. This is why we do a heart worm test on your pet when they come in for an annual visit. The test will let us know if there are circulating and breeding females in the blood. If this test shows a positive result, we will then examine a blood smear under the microscope to see the severity of the heart worm infestation.

Signs of Heart Worms in Dogs
The dog is a natural host for heart worms, meaning these parasites need the dog as a host in order to breed. If untreated, heart, lung and artery damage can occur. Unfortunately there are no clinical signs shown in the early stages of heart worm disease. If persistent and no treatment is given over time, the dog can develop a "mild cough, fatigue, weight loss, and decreased appetite." (American Heart Worm Society) Severe infestations can result in "heart failure, artery blockage, and labored breathing." (AHS) The only way to treat a severe infestation is to surgically remove the heart worms.

(Merck Manuals)

Let's not forget about the cats!
YES, cat's can get heart worms. No, we do not periodically test cats like we do dogs. The way to definitively diagnose heart worms in cats is by radiographic imaging or ultrasound. There is an antigen test, similar to the one used for dogs, but it isn't as accurate as the other methods. Cats with heart worms can only live around 2 to 3 years. Their heart isn't as large compared to a bigger dog, therefore can't handle a tremendous burden. Unfortunately, most cats show signs of heart worm disease when the infestation has become over bearing. "Vomiting, fainting spells, coughing, lack of appetite and weight loss" (AHS) are a few signs cats owners will notice in a cat with heart worms. There are a few products marketed for cats to prevent heart worms. Ask your veterinarian which product would be best for your cat.

Treatment for the Heart Worm Positive Pet
Depending on the severity of the infestation and healthiness of your canine, your veterinary will provide different options for you to choose from. Unfortunately, there is no approved treatment for cats. Keeping them comfortable and monitoring for any respiratory distress is a must for the owner. Providing veterinary supportive care for both, dog and cat, will help treatment or management run smoother.

Heart Worms located within the heart.
(ASAH)

Overall, keeping your cat or dog on heart worm prevention monthly will definitely make for a healthier pet. If you have questions or want to start your pet on heart worm prevention, call and schedule an appointment at Tenth Street Animal Hospital today!

Here's to a tail waggin' day!

Noelle


Information for this post provided by: American Heart Worm Society
Pictures used in this post are can be found with site provided in caption.

Kitten's First Visit: What You Should Know Right Meow!

We've taken an in-depth look at what your first puppy visit entails. But what about the first time kitten owners? This is for you! From vaccinations, fecal flotations and FIV/FeLV testing I hope to break down what all of this means to the first time owner.

Now if you're a pro and have owned a kitten before, you know the purpose of FIV/FeLV testing (hopefully it was explained to you by your technician and/or veterinarian). This is probably the FIRST thing that any clinic will want to do to insure safety for other cats you may have and for your new kitten. It involves collecting 2-3 drops of blood and using a "snap test" that will test for the presence of FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus: comparable to AIDS in humans) and FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus: "named because of the way it behaves in the blood cells" (Cornell University). If you're a first kitten owner, the reason we test for this is because it is highly contagious to other cats that come in contact with a cat that is infected.
*FIV/FeLV will be discussed in depth in a future blog!

As with puppies, vaccinations are of utmost importance when it comes to building your kittens immune system and ensuring quality health. Here is a list of the vaccines that are recommended by your veterinarian:
Age                                             Vaccine
6 weeks                                      Testing for FIV/FeLV
                                                   1st FVRCP (Distemper,
                                                   Rhinotrachetitis, Calici,
                                                   Chlamydia)
9 weeks                                      2nd FVRCP
                                                   1st Leukemia if appropriate
12 weeks                                    Final FVRCP
                                                   2nd Leukemia

As stated, all of these vaccinations are recommended by veterinarians to help ensure quality health of your kitten.

A fecal float would be the final thing we would do to your kitten for this visit. This would test for whipworms, roundworms, and hookworms. As we do with puppies, we would give a basic dewormer to your kitten. After the fecal float has been read under the microscope, the doctor will tell you the results and give you any medication needed.

If you get a new kitten friend, please don't hestitate to call and schedule an appointment with Tenth St. Animal Hopsital. We would love to meet you and your new friend!

I'm talkin' to the doctor lady.

I'm a very adventurous kitty

I came in for my first kitten visit today (11/1/14). I was found underneath my owners car. I am a boy but don't have a name yet. My owners want to get to know me first and see my personality. I have gotten off to a good start to become a healthy adult cat!

Here's to a tail waggin' day!

Noelle



Breed of the Month: Golden Retreiver

Ever wondered where your dog or cat came from? What its "purpose" was when being introduced? How long it's been around? Well this is the post for you, whether you're a cat person or a dog person, I am going to be doing a "Breed of the Month" post at the beginning of every month to teach you more about the breeds you know and love.

My boy at 4 months

It's only natural to kick off the breed of the month with my favorite breed. Which is why I'm going to start with the Golden Retriever. You will learn that I am very partial to Golden Retrievers. Not only because I have one of my own, but because they are really one of the happiest breeds I have ever met- and who doesn't love a happy dog? 

History: If you mix the Irish Setter, Bloodhound, and Tweed Water Spaniel (now extinct) what do you get? The Golden Retriever! It originated in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800's (AKC). It was bred mainly for hunting purposes as it had the nose of a Bloodhound and the speed of an Irish Setter. It's thick, furry, water-repellent coat makes colder weather ideal.

Creo, my fiancé's dog, LOVES to play fetch.

Personality: The Golden is very lovable and in most cases very good with children. A very active and easily trainable breed, the Golden will (in most cases) do well with other animals as well as new people as they are always looking for treats. If bored, the Golden can become destructive so he/she will definitely need an active family to keep the energy level low and boredom at bay.

Grooming: The most common complaint from a Golden owner is hair because trust me, the Golden has a lot. The coat does need to be groomed daily because of it's thickness but in most cases your Golden will come to love grooming and enjoy a relaxing brush on the porch. 

Health Problems: Cancer, hip dysplasia, heart problems, and skin allergies are the most common health problems most Golden owners will encounter as your pet ages. Ayden (my dog) has very bad allergies so he is on a special diet which controls his flare ups. Obesity is another common problem for Golden's, as they love to eat. Your veterinarian can tell you the appropriate amount to feed your pet if you are unsure. The life expectancy for Goldens is 10-12 years.

Ayden!

Did you know? Golden's will darken with age. Their "true" coat color will generally appear around one year of age.
The Golden Retriever is one of America's most popular breed of dog.
Golden's have been trained to detect all types of cancer as well as being introduced to diabetic patients to alert when there has been a change in insulin levels. There are also "seizure watch" Goldens, in which they are able to warn when a seizure is on the merge.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about the Golden Retriever as much as I have enjoyed sharing this information. There are plenty of amazing breeds out there and this is just the beginning. My next breed of the month will be a cat called the "Russian Blue." If you have a Russian Blue, send me pictures through Facebook and your pet could be featured in the next Breed of the Month.

Lucy and Desi, Ayden's parents!

For more information about the Golden Retriever, and to watch videos of Golden's in action- please visit the American Kennel Club. 

Here's to a tail waggin' day!

Noelle

*Information for the blog post was obtained from Dog Breed Info and AKC.
*Pictures used in this post received verbal consent by owner.

The Start to a Healthy Pup

What better place to start then with the FIRST visit, right? Whether you're a pro or a first time owner, the first puppy visit is going to be relatively the same. Vaccinations, fecal floats, heartworm prevention.. oh my! I am going to go through what a routine first puppy visit would contain and what all of the context we throw at you means.

Being a first time owner of a puppy can be overwhelming. When we get you into a room, we ask you a ton of questions; is this the first time he/she has seen a vet? Where did you get her/him? Is he/she eating and drinking okay? I know, I know.. It seems like a lot. When talking to first time owners I try to dial down the questions and start with what I and the doctor recommend for the visit and go from there.

First and foremost, Vaccinations. It seems like a lot of vaccines and a lot of back and forth week after week but I promise once you get over the series of shots your pup will be fully vaccinated and shouldn't have to worry about coming back and getting poked by techs and veterinarians for another year. Here are a list of vaccines that are highly recommended by veterinarians:
Age:                                                Vaccine:        
6 weeks                                          DAPP (Distemper,
                                                       Adenovirus,Parainfluenza,
                                                       and Parvo)    
9 weeks                                          2nd DAPP
12 weeks                                        3rd (and final) DAPP/
                                                       Leptospirosis
                                                       if appropriate
                                                       Rabies 1 year (required
                                                        by law in North Carolina)
16 weeks                                         FINAL Leptospirosis and
                                                        Parvo Booster
                                                        Lyme Vaccination if
                                                        appropriate.

As stated, all of these vaccinations are recommended by veterinarians to help ensure quality health of your puppy.

Vaccinations are not the only thing that your puppy will be getting on this journey. We recommend a fecal flotation. This requires techs to get a small amount of feces and is a simple test we run to test for intestinal parasites such as roundworms, whipworms, hookworms, and coccidia; all of which are common in puppies because of their growing immune system. We will, however, give a basic dewormer to help start the fight against any intestinal "friends" that the puppy doesn't want. If the doctor then finds the parasites mentioned earlier he or she will give you the appropriate medication.
*intestinal parasites will be discussed in depth in a future blog, with pictures!

If you're a pro at this and pretty much know the basics of what/how/where/when etc, etc then this was just to show you an in depth look at what goes on during your visit.

If you know anything about dogs, then you know that heart worms are a major concern especially here in North Carolina. You are probably wondering why I didn't mention heart worms, right? The life cycle of the heart worms takes 6 months for it to become an adult so any testing before this time would give false results. You should get your puppy tested around 7 to 8 months to ensure that your heart worm treatment is working.
*heart worms will be discussed in depth in a future blog, with pictures!

This seems like a lot and to be honest, it is. As always, do not hesitate to ask any and all questions you may have during your visit.

This is Ayden (my dog) as a puppy!

This is Taylor, she came in for her first puppy visit today (10-31-2014)

Call and schedule an appointment today at Tenth Street Animal Hospital, we would love to meet you and your new friend!

The Person Behind the Computer..

Hello and welcome to my newly formed blog. My first post will be about me and then from there you will be able to learn (hopefully) all you can about the animals you love. My plan for this blog is to answer your questions and help you, the pet owner, learn as much as you can about your dog or cat. BUT, to start I figured you would want to know the person behind the computer, am I right? If so, continue reading. If not, completely ignore the next few paragraphs in this blog...

I am an Registered Veterinary Technician at Tenth Street Animal Hospital (hence the name of the blog). I have wanted to be in the "animal world" for as long as I can remember. This sounds cliche but it's true. To be honest, I wanted to be a veterinarian but the schooling for that took wayyy to long. The next best thing? Veterinary Technician! 

I attended Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, NC (about 30 minutes past Raleigh). The program there is a 2 year program with assigned classes per semester. Each and every student receives hands on training as well as assisting in surgery and radiography. I won't gush about the teachers to much, but the teachers there ARE AMAZING. Each and every one of them definitely has your best interest in mind and will help you any way they can. I also made great friends as well throughout the program.

After the program I came back home and job availability was pretty good. I got a job right out of school. I have since then found my way to Tenth Street Animal Hospital. 

People always ask me what my favorite part of the job is; it was even an interview question! I answer the same every time. Growing with the first time pet owners and watching them succeed in caring and treating for their pet. There are several things I love about this job, and could write a book alone with stories and experiences that have contributed to my love for what I do. 

Stick with me through my journey as an RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician), as I hope to educate and entertain you in everything animal!