Animal Health

15 May

Urgent call to vaccinate horses now for West Nile virus protection

wsvma   |   Animal Health

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is urging horse owners to vaccinate their animals as soon as possible to protect against West Nile virus. “Now is the time to vaccinate for this mosquito-borne disease due to our extremely wet winter and Washington’s history of leading the nation with equine cases of the West Nile virus,” State Veterinarian Dr. Brian Joseph said. Washington had 27 confirmed equine cases last year for the virus. Seven horses died or were euthanized. In...

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03 February

Avian Influenza A H7N2 in NYC cats

wsvma   |   Animal Health, Uncategorized

On November 14, 2016, 45 cats in an Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) shelter in Manhattan tested positive for avian influenza. Most experienced mild illness and are expected to recover. One cat died, but was elderly and had underlying health issues. To date, over 100 cats have tested positive for H7N2 in Animal Care Centers of New York City. Currently there has been no documentation that any of the associated NYC cats have traveled to be re-homed in Washington...

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20 January

Together We Can Eliminate Rabies

wsvma   |   Animal Health, Uncategorized

The most deadly zoonotic disease on our planet is one we rarely hear about people dying from in the United States.  Each year more than 59,000 people die from rabies worldwide and about half of those deaths are children under the age of 16.  The WSU Rabies Vaccination Program is working with veterinary clinics and global partners to reduce that number to zero by 2030. Rabies is easily preventable with regular dog vaccinations. But today, in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia where the death...

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20 January

FDA Warns of Illnesses and Deaths in Pets Exposed to Prescription topical (human) cancer treatment: Fluorouracil

wsvma   |   Animal Health, Uncategorized

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting pet owners, veterinarians, health care providers and pharmacists that pets are at risk of illness and death when exposed to the topical cancer medication Fluorouracil Cream USP 5% (5-FU.) intended for use in people. Fluorouracil may also be marketed under the brand names Carac, Effudex and Fluoroplex. People using this medication should use care when applying and storing the medication if they are also in a household with pets, as even...

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04 November

WSVMA reminds veterinarians to be vigilant for Canine Influenza H3N2

wsvma   |   Animal Health, Uncategorized

A dog positive for H3N2 was recently reported to the WSVMA. This thirteen year old FS toy poodle presented to the veterinarian on Whidbey Island for coughing of ten days duration. The dog had been to the groomer several weeks earlier but otherwise exposure to other dogs was limited. Testing for H3N2 was positive on PCR testing. The dog had not been vaccinated for canine influenza but had been vaccinated for Bordetella. The dog’s cough responded to antibiotic therapy. Very few...

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15 July

AVMA launches database for clinical studies

wsvma   |   Animal Health, Uncategorized

The AVMA has developed the Animal Health Studies Database (AAHSD), encompassing prospective veterinary clinical studies in a variety of species and disciplines. The new database will serve as a resource for researchers who seek animals to participate in clinical studies. It will also aid veterinarians and animal owners who are exploring options for treatment. The database already has 145 published studies and new ones are added daily. It will encompass all fields of veterinary medicine and species and will extend...

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03 June

Update on Infectious Disease in Washington State 2016

wsvma   |   Animal Health, Uncategorized

This time of year is a good time to think about infectious disease in Washington State. Tick borne disease is rare here but we do have the Ixodes tick that carries Anaplasma phagocytophilum.  We are starting to see a number of cases of dogs with varying degrees of thrombocytopenia and morulae of the agent Anaplasma phagocytophilum in neutrophils.  Anaplasma phagocytophilum is usually diagnosed on CBC slide review but serology and PCR testing can also be done. Antibody titers rise 2-5...

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13 May

FDA releases guide on pet food diets intended to treat diseases

wsvma   |   Animal Health, Uncategorized

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) that explains the criteria FDA will consider when determining whether to take enforcement action regarding dog and cat food diets intended to treat a disease. The CPG, “Labeling and Marketing of Dog and Cat Food Diets Intended to Diagnose, Cure, Mitigate, Treat, or Prevent Diseases,” outlines to FDA staff and industry that the agency will exercise enforcement discretion over the labeling and marketing of these diets in certain...

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29 April

Banfield’s 2016 State of Pet Health report released

wsvma   |   Animal Health, Uncategorized

Banfield just released its 2016 State of Pet Health Report providing updated information on common and medically important diagnoses that affect cats and dogs across the United States. The report also contains information on how certain diagnoses have changed in prevalence and geographical scope over the last ten years. The diagnoses include diabetes mellitus, heartworm disease, dental disease, otitis externa, fleas, ticks, and internal parasites. The data was pulled from over 2.5 million dogs and 500,000 cats over 10 years...

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22 April

Scrapie in Goats: Isn’t that a Sheep Disease?

wsvma   |   Animal Health, Uncategorized

You have been called out to a local hobby farm to examine a four year-old, thin goat presenting with behavioral changes, loss of coordination, weakness, and lip smacking. Your differential list likely includes infectious or metabolic diseases such as listeria, rabies, or polio. One disease that is likely not on the minds of practitioners when they see a goat with neurological signs is scrapie. Wait, isn’t scrapie a sheep disease?  Scrapie, a prion disease, can spread from infected sheep to goats...

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