Equine Herpes Virus Myeloenchpalopathy

The National Cutting Horse Association has notified members attending the Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah on April 30 thru May 8, 2011 of possible exposure to the severe neurologic form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). Horses at that event may have been exposed to this virus and subsequently spread the infection to other horses. Confirmed and suspected cases have been found in Utah, Colorado, Idaho and other states. While the true extent of this disease outbreak is uncertain, there is clearly a very significant elevated risk at this time.

This virus is easily spread by aerosol (airborne) transmission, horse-to-horse contact and contact with nasal secretions on equipment, tack, feed and other surfaces. People can spread the virus by means of contaminated hands, clothing, shoes and vehicles. Continue reading →

Paul M. Tew, DVM

Does your trusty mount “eat like a horse” but still lose weight? Does he slobber his grain all over the ground? Does the bit irritate his mouth? Then he may well need some equine dentistry!

A healthy mouth is crucial to the condition and well being of a horse. Equines are like most of the grazers of the earth: they have very long grinding teeth embedded in their gums that slowly grow down into the mouth as they are worn away by the constant chewing of grass or hay. The wear pattern is not always even, so sharp points, hooks, or uneven alignment often occurs. This makes it difficult for the horse to chew properly and can cause sores on the cheeks, gums or tongue. Continue reading →

Snow and rain causes the coat of your pet to become dirty and matted.  When the fur becomes matted to the skin and tangled tight, it needs to be shaved off.  Regular grooming can uncover skin problems caused by injuries or allergies.  It also uncovers lumps and bumps.  As your pet is brushed and groomed, the shape of their body becomes familiar to the caregiver and potential problems are quickly recognized and can be treated by your veterinarian.

Sometimes a pet owner will ask the groomer to “comb out the mats”.  This is comparable to when you remove excessive “snarls” from your own hair.  It can be very painful to your pet.  Routine brushing by the pet owner removes dead hair, spreads oils and helps keep unpleasant odors away.  Cats that are regularly brushed have less problems with hair balls.  During spring shedding, it is important for the pet owner to brush their pets more often. Continue reading →

Disaster Preparedness for Pets

The key to survival during a disaster, crisis or emergency is to be as prepared as possible beforehand.  Take the time to make a plan and assemble an emergency kit for you and your pet.

Disaster Supply Checklist for Pets

You need to prepare supplies for your pet.  Keep everything accessible and stored in sturdy containers such as duffle bags that can be easily carried. Continue reading →

When is my pet old enough to be spayed or neutered?  Vets are often asked this question, especially when vaccinating puppies and kittens.  No one wants to be surprised with an unexpected litter!  Spay is the common term for surgically sterilizing female animals while the word neuter refers to males.

Many clinics now perform spaying and neutering at about four months (16 weeks) of age.  Newer generations of anesthetic drugs allow us to safely do surgeries at a younger age.  When you spay or neuter while young, it is less stressful to the animal than waiting until they reach sexual maturity.  Many clinics now offer laser surgery which reduces post-surgical pain and speeds recovery time. Continue reading →

A common question often asked at veterinary clinics is “Why does my dog or cat have such bad breath?”  The answer is usually oral disease of the teeth and gums.  Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets, according to Dr. Henry Childers, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Your pet’s bad breath could be more than a smelly annoyance; it might signify a serious health risk with the potential to damage not only the animal’s teeth and gums, but its internal organs as well.  Bacteria combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum can cause plaque formation which can turn to tartar.  The resulting pockets of gum infection called periodontitis can lead to receding gums and early tooth loss.  The resulting inflammation can cause disease of the heart, liver, and kidneys.  According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats develop oral disease by age three, causing bad breath, changes in chewing habits, pawing at the mouth, and depression. Continue reading →

There are many pet safety hazards that Christmas, New Years, Hanukkah and all the resulting celebrations and decorations bring.  Aside from the over excitement and confusion caused by too many guests, there are purely physical problems: A dog can singe a tail on a candle or it can swallow tinsel and wind up with an intestinal blockage that may need surgery to repair. Hospitals often see more cases of toxicity, cases related to an animal’s biting an electrical cord or cases related to a pet eating chocolate or table scraps and developing pancreatitis.

Continue reading →