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With the recent warm weather and the advent of summer, it is important to be aware of the diseases that can be spread by the insect and arthropod vectors like the mosquito, tick and flea. These three parasites carry a lot of diseases that not only affect your pet but also can cause sickness in you.

The mosquito-borne diseases which are spread by a bite from a mosquito include Heartworm Disease, Encephalitis, West Nile, and Yellow Fever. Heartworm disease can be fatal to dogs if left untreated, but it is easier to prevent it than treat it. The other diseases can affect humans as well with clinical signs ranging from fever to headaches to even death.

Ticks carry numerous diseases. The most common is Lyme Disease. Lyme disease presents itself as a high fever, lameness and arthritic. The pets are reluctant to walk and we tend to see some swollen and warm joints. Other tick-borne diseases include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tularemia, Ehrlichiosis, and Tick Paralysis. The best way to prevent these is to use flea and tick collars along with sprays and topicals on the pets back.

Lastly fleas can not only be a nuisance to pets, but also spread disease. They are implicated in spreading the bacteria that caused the Bublonic Plague along with Cat Scratch Disease and tapeworms. These diseases are zoonotic, which means that they can be transferred to people.

The summer is a fun time, but also many vectors are out there. It is best to prevent them by using appropriate flea and tick products, mosquito repellants and heartworm preventatives.

Spring is a time for several chores like planting and caring for your garden and spring cleaning. But we as pet owner’s must be aware that several of the plants, household cleaners, insecticides and other items can cause toxicity to our furry friends.

There are several plants that can cause toxicity to your pet from ingestion. Among these are onions, grapes, mushrooms, dieffenbachia, daffodils, azaleas, and tulips to name a few. Clinical signs range from hypersailivation, vomiting and gastric upset to possible kidney, liver or neurological and possibly death.

Insecticides that we spray on our yards or place on our pets can be toxic. Some flea medications that contain pyrethrins, especially those labelled for dog use only can be toxic to cats. These clinical signs can include hypersalivation, siezures and eventual death. So please make sure that the flea controls are safe for use on your pet before using. If your pet is showing some signs of toxicity from these, it is best to immediately wash the pet off completely with something like “Dawn” dish soap and call your veterinarian immediately.

Household cleaners can cause some irritation and toxicity to your pets. Many owners are not aware that some come surface kitchen and bath cleaners, rug cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and even some laundry detergents can be harmful. Symptons can include profuse salivation,difficulty breathing, vomiting and organ damage. After cleaning your home, make sure that all residues are wiped up and the areas completely dried.

It is best to keep your four-legged friends safe from these poisons. If you think that your pet has ingested something harmful, it is best to call your veterinarian or the pet poison helpline at 1-800-213-6680.

Since spring his here and summer rapidly approaching, many people are gearing up to make that annual visit with their pet to their veterinarian. The trip can be stressful for all pets, but our feline friends may be more affected by this. To make this trip less stressful, here are four tips that may assist on your trek to the veterinarian’s office.

1) Make your carrier your cat’s second home. I know a lot us of store our carriers out in the garage. By sitting out in the garage, the carrier loses the scents from your cat, so bring it inside with the door open and let the cat rub against it. Allow the pet to go inside. Maybe throw in a blanket or something that your cat is accustom to. This will act as a security blanket for your pet. By allowing this, your cat won’t view the carrier as a foreign object and the pet may be less stressed.

2) Turn the carrier into a feeding center. If the cat associates the carrier as where its food is, the cat may go into the carrier easier. It may also work by putting some treats in the carrier, as it will show that the carrier is not bad at all.

3) Try a different type of carrier. Sometimes emergencies happen and there is not time to acclimate your pet with the carriers. So a pillowcase can be a good option by putting the cat on your lap and sliding the pillowcase over the body first and then the head. Other things that may work are laundry baskets or something that your cat is used to sleeping in.

4) Try some synthetic pheramones. There are pheramones that can be purchased and sprayed on the towels and blankets that will help the pet be not as agitated, so it make make it easier to adapt to the car ride and the stress of the visit.

Nothing is foolproof, but these steps could make your trip less traumatic to you and your pet.

It is not uncommon for us to get a phone call from an owner complaining about her pet shaking its head, scratching at its ears, and having a horrible odor. Chances are the pet could be suffering from otitis externa. This is the medical term for an inflammation of the outer ear canal. It is estimated that up to 20% of the dog population is affected by the disease.

The clinical signs may also include but not limited to: discharge from the ears, redness and swelling of the ear flap or canal, pain around the ears and changes in the pet’s behavior. There are many causes of otitis externa. When we see a pet with ear disease, we think of possibly allergies, parasites, infections, foreign bodies, trauma, hormonal abnormalities, the ear anatomy, hereditary conditions, or tumors.

To diagnose the problem, we must look down in the ear with an otoscope. With this we can assess the condition of the ear canal and determine the amount of inflammation present. Routinely, I will take samples to look at under a microscope. This allows me to examine the ear canal debris for bacteria, yeast, and look at the inflammatory cells that are present. Sometimes a culture/sensitivity test of the discharge is indicated to assist in the identification of the microorganism and identify the antibiotic that would be most effecacious.

The treatment of the otitis is determined by what is causing the ear problem and what secondary conditions are there as a result. So the treatment regimen is not always the same for all pets.

Infections left untreated can spread to the middle and inner ear leading to some more serious consequences. Chronic ear infections usually will not bet better by just cleaning the ears, so it may be necessary to incorporate some antibiotics in the treatment.

Regardless of the cause of the ear disease, it is important to keep the ear canal clean and dry. This can be done by applying some ear cleaner in the ear canal and massaging the base of the ear for about 20 to 30 seconds. The cleaner will soften and loosen the debris so that it can be wiped out with a cotton ball or paper towel. The excess fluid can be removed by letting the pet shake its head.

Once the otitis externa is under control, it is best to keep the ear canals clean and dry. Maybe cleaning then once weekly, especially if the dog swims a lot or has a history of the ear disease.

Dental disease affects up to 80% of pets over three and can lead to serious consequences of poor dental health. These consequences can include heart, kidney, intestinal tract and joint infections.

Bad breath is often the first indication of dental disease. You as pet owners, can check your pets teeth by lifting up the lips and checking for tartar, inflamed gums, or missing/broken teeth. Sometimes cats may exhibit excessive drooling. Your pets also may be reluctant to eat or chew. If the clinical signs are caught early, you can prevent further damage.

It is best to start early taking care of teeth as puppies and kittens. It is best to ask your veterinarian to show you how to brush the teeth of your pets. One thing that pet owners must never do is use human toothpaste. When a dental cleaning is done, it consists of tartar removal, checking for cavities, gingival pockets, loose teeth, any growths on the gums or palate, extraction of the diseased teeth and finally polishing. The polishing smooths the teeth to prevent tartar formation.

It is good practice to visit your veterinarian for a dental check up. If cleaning is neccessary, pre-anesthetic bloodwork will make sure there are no underlying health problems.