What Are Ticks?

Ticks are small, eight-legged parasites that must drink blood in order to survive and reproduce. Ticks don’t fly, and they can’t jump (unlike fleas). In fact, ticks are more closely related to spiders and mites than to “insects” like fleas. Of the hundreds of tick species, approximately 80 are found in the United States. Ticks can feed on a variety of hosts

Why Are Ticks a Problem?

If a dog is heavily infested with ticks, the parasites can drink enough blood to cause anemia (severe blood loss). However, ticks are mostly a concern because of the diseases they can transmit to their hosts. Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are among the dangerous diseases that ticks can transmit to your dog. Although people can’t catch these diseases from dogs directly, infected ticks can bite people and transmit them. If your dog is exposed to these dangers, chances are that you and your family may also be at risk for exposure.

How Do Dogs Get Ticks?

Despite a very popular myth, ticks don’t fall or jump out of trees onto a host. However, ticks can climb, and they tend to attach themselves to shrubs and blades of tall grass. They can also live in dens of rodents and other small mammals. One species of tick can even live indoors.

When a host walks by and brushes against the grass or shrub where the tick is waiting, the tick climbs onto the host. Once on a new host, the tick eventually finds a location to attach and feed. For some diseases, like Lyme disease, a tick must be attached for several hours in order to transmit the infection to a host. This means that if you check your dog (and yourself) daily, you have a chance of finding and removing any ticks before they can transmit Lyme disease.

How Can I Protect My Dog From Ticks?

Keeping your dog out of wooded areas, tall grass, and other tick habitats is a good way to reduce the risk of exposure. However, this can be difficult for many pet owners, especially if they share an active outdoor lifestyle with their dog.

Effective tick control products can be used on dogs to help protect them from ticks. There are many options, including spot-on liquid products and collars. Your veterinarian can recommend a safe and effective product for your dog.

Remember that ticks are successful parasites that can be difficult to kill. Even if you are using an effective tick control product, you should still check your dog daily for ticks and remove any as soon as you find them. You should never remove a tick with your fingers. Tweezers work well, but be sure to grasp the tick close to the head and pull gently to avoid leaving the mouth parts imbedded in the skin. There are also tick removal tools that are very easy to use. Avoid using lighter fluid, matches, or other products that may irritate the skin or cause other injuries to your dog. When in doubt, ask your veterinary care team for assistance removing the tick.

Why Are Ticks a Problem for Cats?

It may be tempting to dismiss the importance of ticks on cats, because cats are less likely to be diagnosed with Lyme disease and some of the other diseases that ticks transmit to people and dogs. However, there are still reasons to be concerned about your cat coming into contact with ticks.

If a cat is heavily infested with ticks, the parasites can drink enough blood to cause anemia (severe blood loss). Additionally, if your cat brings ticks into the house, your family members could be exposed to Lyme disease and other diseases that ticks can transmit if they bite people. Ticks can transmit a disease called cytauxzoonosis (pronounced sight-oh-zo-uh-nosis) to cats.

This disease causes serious illness and even death in infected cats. Cytauxzoonosis is actually caused by two parasites. The first parasite, an infected tick, bites a cat and transmits the second parasite, a single-celled parasite called Cytauxzoon felis, to the cat. Once infected with Cytauxzoon felis, the cat may develop severe clinical signs, including:

• High fever
• Lethargy (tiredness)
• Appetite loss

The infection progresses very quickly (over a period of days) and many infected cats die from this disease.

Less commonly, cats can also contract tularemia from tick bites. Signs of this disease include:

• Loss of appetite
• Oral ulcers
• Fever
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Painful abdomen

Humans can become infected with tularemia if they are bitten or scratched by a cat with the disease.

There is a popular myth that cats groom themselves so frequently and thoroughly that they remove all of their ticks. However, ticks can attach to the face, ears, and other areas that are difficult for cats to groom. This means that even a cat that grooms meticulously can still have a problem with ticks.

How Do Cats Get Ticks?

Despite a very popular myth, ticks don’t fall or jump out of trees onto a host. However, ticks can climb, and they tend to attach themselves to shrubs and blades of tall grass. They can also live in dens of rodents and other small mammals. One species of tick can even live indoors. When a host walks by and brushes against the grass or shrub where the tick is waiting, the tick climbs onto the host. Once on a new host, the tick eventually finds a location to attach and feed. Cats that roam or hunt rodents and small mammals are likely to be exposed to ticks, especially if they have access to wooded areas. However, even indoor cats can be exposed to ticks if dogs or humans bring ticks into the house.

How Can I Protect My Cat From Ticks?

Keeping your cat indoors can reduce the risk of exposure to ticks. If you have other pets that go outside and can bring ticks into the house, use an effective form of tick control and check them daily for ticks. If your cat must go outside, limiting exposure to wooded areas, tall grass, and other tick habitats is a good idea. However, this can be difficult if the cat roams freely and has access to these areas.

Safe and effective tick-control products can be used on cats to help protect them from ticks. There are many options, so ask your veterinarian about the best choice for your cat.

Remember that ticks are successful parasites that can be difficult to kill. Even if you are using an effective tick control product, you should still check your cat daily for ticks and remove any as soon as you find them. You should never remove a tick with your fingers. Tweezers work well, but be sure to grasp the tick close to the head and pull gently to avoid leaving the mouth parts imbedded in the skin. There are also tick removal tools that are very easy to use. Avoid using lighter fluid, matches, or other products that may irritate the skin or cause other injuries to your cat. When in doubt, ask your veterinary care team for assistance removing the tick.

Solid Gold is voluntarily recalling the products below, distributed in the United States and Canada. This voluntary recall is being done out of an abundance of caution as these products were produced at the facility that has been linked to recent recalls of Diamond brand pet foods due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. People who believe they may have been exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer.

The products involved in this voluntary recall are:

Solid Gold WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food, 4 lb, 15 lb, and 33 lb, with a best before date of December 30, 2012 and batch code starting with SGB1201A31X.

4 lb identifying UPC 093766750005

15 lb identifying UPC 093766750012

33 lb identifying UPC 093766750029

Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food, 4 lb, 15 lb, and 28.5 lb, with a best before date of December 30, 2012 and batch code starting with SGL1201A32X

4 lb identifying UPC 093766750050

15 lb identifying UPC 093766750067

28.5 lb identifying UPC 093766750081

Best by dates (lot codes) can be found on the back of the bag in the bottom right-hand corner of 33 lb, 28.5 lb and 15 lb bags and the bottom of the 4 lb bags.

Other Solid Gold recipes, sizes or brands of food are not impacted by this voluntary recall.

EDITORS’ NOTE: The production code information has been changed to reflect an update from Diamond. The correct way to tell if one of the listed foods (not including Kirkland Signature food) has been recalled is if it has a production code with the number “2” or “3” in the 9th digit and an “X” in the 10th or 11th digit and “Best-Before” dates of Dec. 9, 2012, through Apr. 7, 2013.

Diamond recalled three brands of dry dog food: Diamond Naturals Lamb and Rice Formula for Adult Dogs, Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula and Diamond Puppy Formula. The company ceased production at the Gaston facility in April after samples from each of the brands tested positive for a rare strain of salmonella, S. Infantis.

Public health officials linked the strain to an outbreak of human salmonella infections, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched an investigation to determine if other brands of food produced in Gaston may be linked to the illnesses.

As a precautionary measure, Diamond expanded the recall to include:

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul
• Country Value
• Diamond
• Diamond Naturals
• Premium Edge
• Professional
• 4Health
• Taste of the Wild

The recalled products are those that have a production code with the number “2” or “3” in the 9th digit and an “X” in the 10th or 11th digit and “Best-Before” dates of Dec. 9, 2012, through Apr. 7, 2013. The products were distributed in the following states and Canada, but may have been distributed further through other pet food channels: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The recall also includes the following Kirkland Signature products:

• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula
• Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula
• Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs

The recalled Kirkland products are those with production codes with a number “3” in the 10th digit and an “X” in the 11th digit and “Best-Before” dates between Dec. 9, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013. The food was distributed in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Pets with salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain, the company said. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. Owners of pets that have consumed the product should contact a veterinarian, the company says.

Owners handling the food can also become infected, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to the affected product. Healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever, the company said. Salmonella can also result in more serious ailments, such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these symptoms after having contact with the recalled product should contact a healthcare provider.

Diamond has set up a website devoted to providing information about the recalls. Diamond states on the site that production and delivery out of its Gaston plant has resumed.

This week gives us a chance to celebrate the bond we share with our pets, and focus on maintaining their health and well-being.

 7 things you can do to keep your pet healthy

1. Keep your pet at a healthy weight;
2. Exercise and play with your pet;
3. Feed your pet a balanced, nutritious diet;
4. Have your veterinarian examine your pet at least twice a year to make sure your pet is healthy and to help detect problems earlier;
5. Vaccinate your pet against potentially deadly diseases such as distemper, parvo, panleukopenia and rabies for dogs, and FVRCP and rabies for cats.
6. Keep your pet free of parasites (fleas, ticks, heartworm, etc.) – consult your veterinarian for the best product for your pet;
7. Spay/neuter your pet.

During this week we are offering $15 off any service! Simply print and bring the coupon below with you to any of our locations.

You can always call or email us  for any questions or information. We are always there for you!

For questions or more information, please contact us at any of our locations.

1. Use Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags

Plastic grocery bags are a terrible bag to use, as they are not biodegradable and are suffocating our landfills.

2. Don’t Shop… Adopt!

Overpopulation – and consequently euthanization – is the #1 killer of dogs in the U.S. Visit your local shelter and adopt, or volunteer to be a foster home for a pet.

3. Replace Old Dog Toys with New, Earth Friendly Alternatives

Replace toys that are in bad shape with an earth-friendly alternative. You can even reuse your old cotton socks with missing pairs by turning them into home-made dog toys!

4. Choose an Earth-Friendly dog bed that is filled with a 100% organic or recycled fiber

Many of the dog beds on the market are poor quality and are made from materials that are not good for the environment or your dog. Donate your old dog beds and linens to the pet shelter.

5. Switch to Organic Dog Treats

Organic dog treats do not use the chemicals and preservatives that are found in store-bought treats. Not only are they are better for the planet, they are better for your pet.

6. Use Earth Friendly Dog Grooming Products

Avoid the chemical laden dog shampoos from the big box chains. Move to healthy, natural organic dog grooming products, and your pet (and the planet) will thank you.

Sometimes studies reveal the unexpected, sometimes they confirm previous findings and sometimes they further prove what we’ve suspected all along. Here are some cat health news items, based on recent outcomes of research studies.

Fat Cats Getting Fatter
Obesity is an epidemic among cats. A report indicates about half of all indoor cats are overweight or obese, though many veterinarians suggest that number is even higher.
Type 2 diabetes in cats (Diabetes mellitus) is associated with defective insulin secretion, insulin resistance and various cell changes, including amyloid formation which occurs. If this all sounds bad, it is, at least without treatment.

A recent study investigated whether a link exists between obesity and many of the changes that occur in diabetic cats.

Turns out that cats with higher body condition scores (looking specifically at obese cats) had significantly higher mean concentrations of glucose. These findings (and research by others) support the theory that obesity does predispose cats to insulin resistance, and therefore diabetes mellitus.

Still, considerable variability occurred in this study. Researchers believe that obesity offers a greater likelihood of type 2 diabetes occurring, along with other factors. No one knows for sure what these other factors are, likely genetics plays a role, perhaps diet, perhaps an individual cat’s lifestyle. And no one knows how these various factors interact with one another to cause Type 2 diabetes in some cats, but not others.

No one is suggesting obesity is somehow acceptable. The reverse is true. Aside from an apparent greater likelihood for diabetes, obese cats are more likely to have myriad other issues, from inappropriate elimination and other behavior problems to arthritis, even some cancers. In fact, veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall has suggested that at least some obese cats may even develop clinical depression.

Bugs Inside More Cats Than Expected
The Winn Feline Foundation sponsored a study for parasite detection. Over a 3½year period, researchers processed fecal samples from 1,322 cats from two shelters and affiliated foster homes in New York. I know what you’re thinking: Fun!

This information is really valuable, though. No study prior to this had been conducted to understand the parasite load of these cats. In slightly over half of the samples (50.9%), at least one parasite was detected upon microscopic examination.

At least 18 different parasites ranging from 0.2% to 21% in prevalence were recovered in the process. The two most prevalent parasites in this study were Cystoisopora species and Toxocara cati (each had a prevalence of 21%). The next most prevalent was Giardia species cysts at 8.9%, followed by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (the cat lungworm) at 6.2%. The remaining parasites were each found in less than 4% of the samples: taeniids, Cryptosporidium species, Ancylostoma species, Cheyletiella species, Dipylidium caninum, Otodectes species, Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis species, Demodex and Spirometra species, Alaria species, and Felicola subrostratus.

Results indicate that the prevalence of parasites in this study alone, based only on fecal exams, probably means a lot more parasites affect the general cat population. Cats get a lot of these parasites through predation – killing – a possibility in owned cats with outdoor access or the potential for visits from mice, voles and other transport hosts, such as fleas.

These findings support the recommendations that all pets, even those under routine veterinary care, should have at least one fecal examination and should be placed on year-around prevention for internal and external parasites. Also, it’s likely indoor only cats (who never get outside to potentially hunt), and cats protected from fleas (with appropriate veterinary suggested products) will be more protected from the bug.

Learn more about pets and parasites through the Companion Animal Parasite Council.

Heavy Breathing: Helping Cats with Chronic Airway Disease
It turns out that Glucocorticoid therapy for cats with feline asthma and chronic bronchitis can ideally be tapered to the lowest effective dose. A retrospective study conducted in 10 cats with lower airway disease evaluated the resolution of clinical signs.

Veterinarians either typically treat airway disease with corticosteroids and bronchodilators while a cat is expressing clinical signs like coughing and wheezing, but once the symptoms disappear – so do the meds. The concern is of potential side affects. So, drugs are stopped.

Other veterinarians prefer to treat with a tapered dose continuing, though symptoms have dissipated. The thinking is to completely resolve underlying inflammation, also to maintain the cats (hopefully making frequent recurrence of symptoms less likely).
According to the study, it turns out the latter approach proved most effective in the study cats. Of course, only 10 cats were used in the study but it’s a start.

1. Regular visits to your veterinarian: Just as the American Dental Association has recommended regular dental check-ups for people for many years, the American Animal Hospital Association – American Veterinary Medical Association Canine and Feline Preventive Healthcare Guidelines recommend veterinary examinations at least annually. For many pets, more frequent visits may be appropriate based on their individual needs. These examinations provide the opportunity for early detection of disease and to prevent illness. Remember that with the shorter lifespan of pets, a year or even 6 months is a much more significant time period than it is for people. In addition, pets can’t communicate directly with us about how they feel or even if they are in pain, so veterinary examinations commonly reveal unseen problems.
2. Mind the temperature: While we aren’t in the hottest period of the year yet, heat stoke is a potential problem year-round in Tampa. Unlike people, dogs can’t control their body temperature by sweating since they only have a small number of sweat glands located in their footpads. Their primary way of regulating body temperature is by panting.  It is important to make sure that dogs have frequent access to shade and water whether they are in the backyard or on a walk with you. Also remember that heavy exercise in any dog and even limited activity in flat-faced dogs such as pugs, boxers and bulldogs can increase that risk of heat stroke.
3. Ask your veterinarian for free advice: In years past pet owners called their veterinarian when they had questions about their pets. These days, pet owners often turn to the internet for pet care advice instead. As with any topic, there is very good information regarding the care of pets on the web, but there is also a lot of misinformation as well. It is increasingly common for animal hospitals to have websites that include lots of great information about general and health care of pets often through subscription to libraries of pet care articles. In addition, most veterinarians and their staff members are still very happy to provide advice and answer your questions over the phone for free.
4. An ounce of prevention….: Prevention of health problems in pets takes many forms. Some of these are pretty obvious like preventing viral and bacterial infections with vaccinations and monthly preventative medications for internal (worms) and external (fleas and ticks) parasites. However, some others are also very important, but less obvious such as preventing behavioral problems (the #1 reason pets are euthanized) with early training and the prevention of stress on the family budget from an unexpected illness or injury by purchasing pet health insurance. You veterinarian is the best source of information on each of these.
5. You are what you eat: This proverb applies to pets too in that diet-related problems consistently rank among the most common reasons pets visit veterinarians each year. These problems include too many calories and less-than-ideal diets which show as most pets in America being overweight and an increase in pet diabetes and osteoarthritis in recent years. Self-proclaimed natural, superior-ingredient diets that are long on marketing and short on science are also a big problem today. Once again, your veterinarian has the information you need to make the best choices for your pet.

Stumped by mysterious illnesses in at least 600 dogs in the U.S., federal health officials have turned to consumers for help investigating problems possibly tied to chicken jerky pet treats made in China.

Of 22 “Priority 1” cases listed by the FDA late last year, 13 cited Waggin’ Train or Canyon Creek Ranch jerky treats or tenders, both produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., the records show.

Another three listed Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp. The rest listed single brands or no brand.

Priority 1 cases are those in which the animal is aged 11 or younger and medical records that document illness are available, an FDA spokeswoman said. In many cases, samples of the suspect treats also are collected.

The report, obtained through a public records request, is the first agency indication of any brands linked to illnesses that have climbed since the FDA warned pet owners about jerky treats in November. That was the FDA’s third caution about the pet products since 2007.

Nestle Purina and Del Monte officials said their treats are safe and FDA regulators said repeated tests have shown no absolute tie to any brand or manufacturer.

“No specific products have been recalled because a definitive cause has not been determined,” FDA officials said in a statement.

The internal report, overseen by the FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak and Response Evaluation, or CORE, group, is one of several ongoing assignments in which FDA regulators are seeking jerky treat samples and medical records of dogs that may have developed kidney failure, liver disease or Fanconi syndrome, which can lead to serious illness and death.

The recent complaints were filed from October through December by people in cities from California to New York, but the agency will continue to accept them.

“We still invite owners and veterinarians to submit complaints and samples,” said Siobhan DeLancey, an FDA spokeswoman. “The more information we have, the more likely we can find a link.”

The move comes as the FDA is under growing pressure from consumers and lawmakers to address rising numbers of illnesses blamed on the China-made treats. Before the warning was issued in November, the agency had logged 70 reports of illnesses tied to the treats last year. Since then, more than 530 additional complaints of illnesses and some deaths have been filed, officials said.

Consumers who say their dogs were sickened or killed have launched at least three petitions demanding recalls of jerky pet treats made in China, including one begun in December that has more than 3,400 signatures from the U.S. and around the world.

“At the slightest doubt, these products should have been recalled, especially knowing there was a link or at the very least a caution/warning label put on the packaging warning the consumers,”.