Animal Health

25 January

What’s all the hype about grain-free diets and heart disease? WSU/CVM issues recommendations

wsvma   |   Animal Health

Much information has been circulated on the internet and other in sources regarding grain-free diets and associated heart disease in dogs. The recent announcement from the US FDA alerting pet owners and veterinarians about reports of Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or other exotic ingredients has raised questions among the public. We hope to address the most current understanding of the problem and the most commonly asked questions here. While we...

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25 January

WSDA reports cases of equine strangles and influenza

wsvma   |   Animal Health

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has reported positive cases of equine strangles and influenza. Six cases of strangles were reported in Snohomish, Thurston, Spokane and Franklin counties in Washington State. In Snohomish county, one horse tested positive in early January. Two horses in Thurston County, both showing upper respiratory signs, were confirmed on January 18. No quarantines were put in place. A five-year-old mule gelding in Spokane County was confirmed last month and in Franklin County, two horses,...

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18 January

Brucella canis – An infection with public health risk and much unknown

wsvma   |   Animal Health

Brucella canis is a significant cause of reproductive disease in dogs and can result in potentially severe infections in humans. The true incidence in dogs is unknown but appears to be rising, particularly among dogs in the breeding industry. In Washington state, B. canis is reportable by veterinarians to WA State Dept. of Agriculture (WSDA) within 24 hours of suspicion or confirmation of infection. So far in 2018, five cases have been reported to WSDA, higher than the reported 0–2...

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21 September

Potential for Neurologic Adverse Events Associated with Certain Flea and Tick Products

wsvma   |   Animal Health, Medicine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners and veterinarians to be aware of the potential for neurologic adverse events in dogs and cats when treated with drugs that are in the isoxazoline class. Since these products have obtained their respective FDA approvals, data received by the agency as part of its routine post-marketing activities indicates that some animals receiving Bravecto, Nexgard or Simparica have experienced adverse events such as muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizures. Another product in this...

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31 August

Telehealth case studies let you learn from your peers

wsvma   |   Animal Health

Do you have clients who need to bring their animals in more often to follow up on medical issues or for post-surgical follow-up exams, but struggle to fit veterinary visits into their busy schedules? How about clients with pets in hospice care where more frequent monitoring is needed, but travel from home to the clinic can create extra stress for both pet and client? When Dr. Brian Evans’ healthcare team at Coastal Animal Hospital in Encinitas, Calif., recognized they had clients who...

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07 August

Wildtype EHV-1 detected in one Snohomish County horse, quarantine order issued

wsvma   |   Animal Health

  The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has quarantined a Snohomish County facility near Arlington after a single laboratory-verified case of equine herpes virus EHV-1, non-neuropathogenic strain, was detected there. This “wildtype” strain of EHV-1 tends to be less contagious than the neuropathogenic type. On August 3, 2018 one horse at the facility tested positive for the virus.  This horse is isolated on the premises and WSDA has quarantined the facility.  Test results for a second, suspect horse are pending.  The quarantine...

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03 August

Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) outbreak requires vigilance and biosecurity measures

wsvma   |   Animal Health

The Washington State Department of Agriculture asks local poultry growers to be on the lookout for signs of Virulent Newcastle Disease (vND) and to report any unusually large numbers of poultry deaths or the appearance of symptoms of the disease to the WSDA Sick Bird Hotline at 1-800-606-3056. The warning comes on the heels of an outbreak that began this May in Southern California, where the virus appeared and spread through backyard poultry flocks in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino...

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08 June

Number of bats with rabies on the rise

wsvma   |   Animal Health

Virologists at the Washington State Public Health Laboratory routinely test bats for rabies virus if known or suspected contact with people has occurred. Typically, 200 - 300 bats are tested each year. Last month, four bats tested positive for rabies, the highest number identified in the month of May since 1998. In June, one bat has tested positive for rabies so far. During the summer months, when bat encounters typically occur, veterinarians may receive calls from people who have had contact...

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08 June

Food allergies in pets are rarely a thing

wsvma   |   Animal Health

Banfield Pet Hospital® released its 2018 State of Pet Health® Report, which explores the science behind the three most common atopic dermatitis conditions in pets: flea, atopy and food. With food allergies in humans being reported at an all-time high, veterinarians are seeing pet owners become increasingly concerned about food allergies in their pets. However, according to the report, food allergies are diagnosed in relatively few of our patients, just 0.2 percent of dogs and 0.1 percent of cats. More commonly,...

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01 June

Avian infectious laryngotracheitis outbreak alert in King County

wsvma   |   Animal Health

WSDA has received a report of an avian infectious laryngotracheitis outbreak in a small poultry flock located in King County. Avian infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) can be transmitted from acutely infected chickens to the upper respiratory tract and eyes of other birds. Birds that recover from ILT are believed to be infected for life and the avian herpesvirus can be recrudesced when infected birds are stressed, leading to infection of exposed, uninfected/unvaccinated poultry. Gaps in the biosecurity program are responsible for most...

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