Summer is coming to an end, but Fall is just beginning and so is a busy season here at Pet Dominion!  In this issue, find out about a new policy in our lodging facility designed to keep your pet safer, learn about a parasite that rears its ugly head this time of year, enter your pet into our annual calendar photo contest and more!

But first, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) along with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) have both recently come out and advised against feeding your pets raw or undercooked diets.  Pet Dominion is AAHA accredited, and we have decided to heed this advice. We will no longer accept raw or undercooked diets for pets staying in our lodging facility (with the exception of freeze-dried diets).  Dr Bassett weighs in on the ruling from the AVMA and AAHA and the policy change here at Pet Dominion below.

By Dr. Michael Bassett, Medical Director

Last week, we saw two cases of a lesser-known parasite that can affect dogs and cats in the late Summer/early Fall.

Chula is a healthy 6-year old Yorkshire Terrier that was brought in for a large swelling on his side, a smaller one on his neck and a much smaller one on his scalp. All three of these skin lesions had a small hole in the center. When we looked closely at the larger swelling, we could see something moving through the hole. It became obvious that we were seeing an old adversary that we had not seen for several years. This was a cuterbera, or bot fly larvae. This was quite a surprise, as Chula is mainly an indoor dog. He does, however, go after the rabbits in his owner's yard.  And, that is all it takes. The bot flies (there are several species in our area) lay their eggs in the rodent and rabbit holes, and the tiny first stage larvae enter any body opening that they encounter. This is usually in a rabbit or rodent, but our dogs and cats can acquire these fly larvae through their nasal passages when they sniff down the holes. The larvae then migrate into the victim's trachea, through the lungs and abdomen and eventually out under the skin.  We find them in a swelling under the skin with a breathing hole. We remove the larvae by lightly sedating the pet, widening the breathing hole and pulling the larvae out with a hemostat.

The real problem is, because dogs and cats are not natural hosts for these parasites, the migrating larvae sometimes enter the brain, spinal canal, eyes or other areas where they can cause serious damage and even death. We were able to remove an ugly 1-inch larvae from one site and a tiny one from each of the other sites. Chula is back home and doing great.

We use a broad spectrum anti-parasite medication (ivermectin) to kill migrating parasites. Monthly heartworm preventatives and topical flea and tick prevention are strongly recommended to help prevent cuterebriasis.

 

Any pet with sudden respiratory or neurological symptoms or skin lesions like those described here, should be brought in immediately.

It's that time of year again!  Time to start submitting your favorite pet photos on Facebook for a chance for your pet to be featured in our 2013 Pet Photo Calendar!

We've modified the rules a little bit this time to make sure that all photos submitted are calendar quality.  Here's a closer look at the rules and procedures for getting your pet entered in the contest:

- All photos MUST be in "landscape" orientation (horizontal instead of vertical)
- All photos MUST be from a digital camera (NO cell phone photos)
- You must have permission to use the photo if it was not taken by you

- "Like" us on Facebook (if you haven't already)

- Post your favorite picture of your pet(s) on our Wall between now and October 15th

- After 10/15, visit our Facebook page again to "Like" your favorite photos (including your own) 

- The pets with the most "Likes" will be featured in our 2013 Pet Photo Calendar (depending on photo quality, orientation and Pet Dominion discretion)

Not on Facebook?  No problem, just email your photo to: petdominion@yahoo.com
We'll take care of the rest!  Remember, photos need to be submitted no later than October 15th to qualify for the contest.  Last year we had amazing photos, so we can't wait to see this year's entries!