Current Topics



Rabies Alert!
Poison Proof your Home
Canine Influenza and Vaccine
Online Prescriptions warning

 

Rabies Alert!

On September 13, 2009, Colorado State University reported a positive Rabies test in a horse from the Black Forest area of North El Paso County.  A couple of months earlier, the owners of the horse noticed a skunk  nearby acting strangely.

  • Since January 1, 2009 their have been 29 cases of verified rabies in skunks in Colorado.  Eight skunks have tested positive for rabies in El Paso County this year.

  • Cats led the list of domestic animals with reported cases in 2008 with 294 reported cases. This is up about 12 percent from reported cases in 2007.

  • Rabies continues to affect wildlife much more than domestic animals.  Wild animals, especially skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes, accounted for 93% of all rabies cases reported in 2008.

  • Rabies is responsible for killing more than 55,000 people every year according to the World Health Organization.

  • World Rabies Day, the third annual, is September 28, 2009.

  • Make certain that your pets' are current on their rabies vaccines.

  • For more information, please visit
    http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/zoonosis/rabies

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Poison Proof your Home

  •     Check out your plants inside and out for toxicity and limit animals access to potentially harmful plants.

  •    Know what food products are toxic to pets such as chocolate, chewing gum, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, onions, and garlic, and keep in area where pets cannot get to.

  •    Keep medications (including inhalers, dietary aids, and supplements) safely stored behind secure cupboard doors.  DON”T LEAVE THEM ON TABLETOPS OR COUNTERS

  •    Never medicate your pets with human products without first speaking to your veterinarian.  Most human products (e.g. ibuprofen) are toxic to animals. 

  •    Keep pets away from cleaning products.  Keep pets out of the room when using them.

  •    Keep toilet lids closed to keep pets from drinking the water, especially if you use automatic chemical bowl or tank treatments

  •    Keep home fragrance products, including potpourri, out of reach and do not spray heavily around birds or other caged animals. 

  •    Keep rodenticides far away from a pet’s access.  Keep in mind that rodents can transfer the toxins to accessible locations.  Best not to use one’s that can be toxic to your pet because some do not have treatment antidotes. 

  •    Do not use insecticides around your pet without knowing their toxicological profile.  Read labels and use only as recommended.  Do not use dog flea and tick products on cats.

  •    Grub or snail killers can be extremely toxic even in small quantities.  Keep these products out of garden or garage if your pet could potentially come in contact with them.

  •    Keep all automotive products, especially antifreeze (ethylene glycol) which can be extremely toxic, away from pets.  If you spill any antifreeze, windshield cleaner, or engine lubricants, clean up immediately and thoroughly by diluting with several gallons of water.

  •    Keep garbage behind closed doors.  Trash and compost bins can contain many toxins to pets such as cigarette butts, coffee grounds, moldy dairy products, and chicken bones.

  •    Don’t leave batteries of any type lying around.  If chewed on or ingested can lead to serious harm.

  •    Keep alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and nicotine replacement products beyond reach.

  •    Glues can be tasty, but can be toxic.  Keep home-improvement and craft projects behind closed doors to avoid accidental harm through curious investigation.


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Canine Influenza Vaccine

     St. Francis Animal Hospital is now offering the new Canine Influenza Vaccine (CIV).  Canine Influenza, also called the H3N8 Virus, is a potentially severe upper respiratory disease specific to dogs only.  It is spread through direct contact with infected dogs, via coughing and sneezing, and by contact with contaminated surfaces.  The symptoms may be hard to distinguish from Kennel Cough disease in it's milder form and dogs without any symptoms can carry the virus to other dogs.  The mortality rate for dogs with symptoms is reported to be 5-8 percent.  There have been confirmed cases throughout Colorado Springs, including the humane society, and certain boarding facilities are now requiring the vaccine for all boarding dogs. 
        The CIV, or Influenza vaccine helps by decreasing the severity of the symptoms, decreases the days that the virus is shed in the environment, and protects the dog against forming lung lesions. The vaccine is given initially as a series of two injections, 3-4 weeks apart, and then it is boosted annually.  The vaccine can be given in dogs older than six weeks. So far we have seen no adverse reactions in pets from the administration of this vaccine. If you have any questions regarding the vaccine or to see if you should consider this vaccine for your dog, please call us.  We also have informational brochures available.

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Online Prescriptions warning

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning for consumers who purchase veterinary products over the internet.   Although there are some reputable internet pharmacies, the FDA indicates there are also many companies that are fronts for unscrupulous businesses.  If you happen to unknowingly choose one of these illegal pharmacies, you could be purchasing products for your pets that are unapproved by the FDA.  Although some of these products may be cheaper, they also could be dangerous or ineffective and/or expired. 
The FDA regulates the distribution of veterinary drugs but the state boards of pharmacy regulate the dispensing of these products.  However, many of these internet pharmacies avoid regulation by operating in different states or foreign countries.  Online pharmacies cannot purchase items from the companies that manufacture them and must acquire them through other means.  The guarantee that accompanies these drugs from the manufacturer only applies if the drug was purchased through the pet’s veterinarian. 
There are also internet companies that indicate they have veterinarians on their staff who will sign a prescription for your pet.  This is illegal. If the pharmacy is doing this illegally, can you really trust them to sell you a safe and effective product?  By law, a veterinarian must personally examine your pet to legally prescribe any prescription drug.  The two most commonly prescribed drugs over the internet for dogs are pain medications for arthritis and heartworm preventives.  It is important for your pet’s health that blood testing be performed before starting your pet on these medications.  Also, dogs on arthritis medications should have their blood checked routinely for side effects.
To protect your pet from potentially harmful medications, the FDA recommends that you only deal with websites that:

ü      Are located in the United States

ü      Are licensed by the state board of pharmacy in the state where the website is operating (visit www.nabp.info for a list of state boards of pharmacy)

ü      Are recognized by the NABP with a Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites Seal, also known as a VIPPS seal

ü      Have a licensed pharmacist available to answer your questions

ü      Require a prescription directly from your veterinarian to fill a prescription

ü      Provide reliable company contact information

Please visit the FDA website at www.fda.gov for more extensive information regarding the concern over online pharmacies.

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