In the weeks leading up to Christmas 2021, we saved a portion of the revenue generated from dog and cat nail trims and donated this money to the Manna Food Bank. This year we raised $885, which is 50% of what we can usually donate, but given the limitations placed on everyone this year, we are still proud of this accomplishment. Thank you to our clients, as it is your ongoing support that allows us give back to our local charities!
Once again, Centennial Animal Hospital and Gravenhurst Veterinary Services have met the requirements to maintain our AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accreditation! Only 12-15% of clinics throughout Canada and the U.S. are AAHA-Accredited, and we are proud to continue to hold this title.
In July, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a list of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). A graph of this information is displayed below. The investigation began in July 2018 when there appeared to be a drastic increase in reports of DCM in dogs, including in breeds without genetic predisposition. Many of the foods identified were labeled as “grain-free” and contained a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legumes and/or potatoes/sweet potatoes.
Although most commonly reported in larger dogs, some smaller dogs and a few cats have also been affected. Due to the complexity of the issue, the FDA has announced it will continue to investigate the link between pet food ingredients and DCM. To read the full report and learn more, visit the FDA website: True grain allergy or intolerance is rare in the dog and cat. The current recommendation is to transition pets eating grain-free diets to a more conventional alternative. We are happy to provide nutritional advice and diet recommendations for our patients, including those with documented food allergies. For more information on this important topic and others, please visit: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/petfoodology/ A link to one of the many articles on Grain Free Diets and DCM in dogs: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/11/dcm-update/ and this article on the same topic updated July 2019: https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2019/07/dcmupdate/ Unfortunately winter is still here! This article shows some Winter Hazards to keep in mind this season for our furry friends: Winter Hazards - Pet Poison Helpline
With the cooler weather, we humans spend more time indoors in close contact with each other, and this can make us prone to "colds". This is also the time of year when we often visit friends and family and have to board our dogs. When dogs are housed in close quarters, they are at higher risk for contracting kennel cough. Please click HERE for more information about kennel cough. If you think your dog has kennel cough, please CALL US to see if an appointment for an examination is recommended.
If you own or care for a cat and are 18 years of age or older, you are invited to participate in this survey. The study is funded by the Ontario Veterinary College Pet Trust. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. The research is looking into antibiotic use and resistance, and what drives antibiotic prescription use and compliance. This complex subject needs to be approached from a variety of angles. One angle is looking at what pet owners perceive or want. This survey is designed to gather information about pet owners’ perceptions and preferences when treating their pets for an infection.
The survey, along with full details and ethics approval information, are available here: https://uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cMa6oKErbLCZhE9 The study's authors appreciate pet owner's help with this research. The previous study about antibiotic use in dogs (see an earlier post) provided some interesting and useful information. More details about that soon…. There is a study underway funded by the Ontario Veterinary College Pet Trust at the University of Guelph. The study is designed to gather information about pet owners’ perceptions and preferences regarding antibiotic use when treating pets for infections. If you own or care for a dog and are 18 years of age or older, you are invited to participate in this survey by clicking the link below (it is voluntary and anonymous).
Full details and ethics approval information are also available at this link: https://uoguelph.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5uUBn8xoG9kBLeJ We want you to know about a NEW tapeworm of concern in Ontario this year: Echinococcus sp. The concern is that your dog can become infected and pass a very dangerous form of this disease on to you. The tapeworm usually cycles through the fox and coyote population. Talk to us to see if your dog is at risk. If so, we can recommend prevention. Click HERE for more information from the University of Guelph.
When you look outside at all that snow, fleas and ticks are probably the last thing on your mind, but spring is just around the corner! Ticks will begin to become active once we have just a few days above 4 degrees Celsius. Ticks are becoming more prevalent in our area, as is the risk of tick-borne illnesses.
Call us today to plan a prevention strategy for your dog or cat. We will be recommending prevention start earlier this year (March or April), depending on the weather. Find out more about these diseases at http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/6-tick-borne-diseases-you-should-know-about |