July 2005
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Pet Rats
The highly intelligent, clean, and sociable pet rat has suffered much prejudice and misunderstanding. True, they infest the sewers (and some homes) of many cities today. They are often portrayed as quite frightening creatures in creepy movies such as Willard. They were blamed for the bubonic plague which killed millions of people, even though the actual carrier of the disease was the flea that infected the rats (and many humans at that time). And rats are abundant. One successful breeding pair of rats (and their offspring) can be responsible for as many as 15,000 rats in one year! The rat’s prolific breeding capabilities led numerous municipalities to hire official Rat Catchers and the position still exists in many cities today. Actually, there are many species of rats in the wild that are an indispensable part of the ecosystem.

The rats commonly kept as pets today originated from Asia. They traveled to Europe as stowaways in sailing ships. And they thrived! In the 19th century, the busy Rat Catcher made a little profit on the side by supplying rats for ratting contests. Terriers and rats were put into a pit while spectators placed bets on how many rats the terrier could kill in a given period of time. It was also in the 19th century, as rats were being bred for use in research laboratories, that scientists noticed how intelligent the rats were and began taming them. Soon, breeding and keeping of tame rats became very popular.

As pets, rats are easy to care for needing only a chew-proof rodent cage with an exercise wheel, tunnels, safe toys, and nest boxes. Proper bedding and a good low-fat diet such as Regal Rat from Oxbow Pet Products, ensure good health. Regular interaction with the family will ensure a gentle and affectionate pet.

New three-year canine vaccination
Before we get into this article we want to emphasize the importance of annual (or semi-annual) physical examinations. Pets age quickly and change happens very fast. It is not uncommon at the annual exam visit for our veterinarians to pick up on early signs of disease prior to the pet exhibiting any overt symptoms at home. Early treatment of disease processes will reduce their impact on your pet.

For quite a few years veterinarians have been working on a modified vaccination schedule. Fort Dodge Animal Health has developed a new canine vaccine which fits well into the new vaccine protocol being used by veterinarians all across the country. The new Duramune Adult® vaccine has been shown to have a duration of immunity of three years. The licensing of this vaccine by the USDA occurred after a three-year virus challenge by the manufacturer. Their data showed the new vaccine to be safe and effective against three deadly canine viruses, Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus, and Canine Adenovirus type 2. These vaccines, along with the Rabies vaccine, have been identified as “core” vaccines by the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Force. This new vaccine can be administered at the time of the first annual revaccination (after the series of vaccines given as a puppy). There has been a three-year Rabies vaccine available for many years. Local or state law dictates the allowable time frame for re-vaccination for Rabies in dogs and cats.

“Non-core” vaccines will still need to be administered annually to dogs based on their exposure risk. The “non-core” vaccines include Leptospirosis, Lyme, and Bordetella. Geographic location and lifestyle of the dog will determine their exposure risk. The task force also listed three vaccines as “not generally recommended”. These are Canine Coronavirus, Giardia, and Canine Adenovirus type 1 vaccines.

An update on Feline vaccine recommendations
Before we get into this article we want to emphasize the importance of annual (or semi-annual) physical examinations. Pets age quickly and change happens very fast. It is not uncommon at the annual exam visit for our veterinarians to pick up on early signs of disease prior to the pet exhibiting any overt symptoms at home. Early treatment of disease processes will reduce their impact on your pet.

At East Hilliard Veterinary Services our feline vaccine protocol is based on recommendations from the American Association of Feline Practitioners. There are “core” and “non-core” vaccines for cats also. “Core” vaccines include Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calici Virus, Panleukopenia (feline distemper virus), and Rabies. “Non-core” vaccines include Feline Leukemia virus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Feline Bordetella, Feline Chlamydia, and Micosporum Canis (ringworm) vaccines. As with dogs, the cat’s geographic location and lifestyle will dictate whether or not the veterinarian will recommend using any of the “non-core” vaccines. In the early 1990’s veterinarians began to see an increased number of sarcomas in cats. A sarcoma is a malignant tumor. It was believed these sarcomas may be related to vaccinations because they were forming at the sites where vaccines were given. While vaccine-induced sarcomas have gotten a lot of press, they are rare. Research into these sarcomas shows that an adjuvant added to many vaccines to boost the vaccine’s effectiveness, may be the culprit.

Your veterinarian has several options to consider when making recommendations about vaccinating your cat. Studies being done by several academic institutions suggest that the vaccine containing the three “core” vaccines (other than Rabies) actually gives a longer duration of immunity than originally believed. The manufacturers of these vaccines are working toward USDA approval for a three-year label.

Right now there are two Rabies vaccines available for cats. The vaccine labeled for three-year duration is an adjuvanted vaccine. We also have a one-year Rabies vaccine which is non-adjuvanted. Due to the adjuvant link to the formation of malignant tumors at the injection site, many pet owners are opting for the one-year vaccine.

Along with exploring your cat’s risk factors, your veterinarian will discuss the risks and efficacy of the vaccines. Merial, the manufacturer of the non-adjuvanted Rabies vaccine is applying to the USDA for approval of a three-year label on this vaccine. I know it all seems rather complicated but we will work with you to tailor the vaccines to the individual needs of each patient.

Courtney’s Happy Cats
I would like to introduce you to my two cats Maggie and Heather. I just recently joined East Hilliard Veterinary Services as a receptionist in February 2005. In a previous newsletter I told you a little about myself. Now, I would love to tell you about my family. Well, maybe I will let the cats speak for themselves…Heather? Why don’t you go first?

Meow. I’m Heather Bear Johnson. My mom uses my full name when I’m in trouble but, I’m usually a good cat. I was born at a nice shelter near Cleveland, Ohio. Workers took turns taking care of me for six months until my new dad brought me home. I was very happy there until my skin started itching on my back and around my tail. I didn’t know what to do. Luckily, my mom had just started working at the vet. She took me in to see one of the doctors. They were so nice they made me purr. After some allergy testing we found out I was allergic to fleas and dust mites. I couldn’t believe it! I had never seen a flea or felt one dust mite. The doctors went right to work getting me healthy again. I got started on some antibiotics to clear up my skin and now take Frontline® every month for flea and tick prevention. Also, I started eating a new prescription food called Science Diet ZD®. It’s great for my skin problems and has made my fur really soft. Thanks to the Doctors and Staff of East Hilliard for making me happy! Meow! Okay Maggie, now it’s your turn….

Meow. My name is Maggie Lou Johnson and my mom always uses my full name. I have lived with my mom since I was just a baby kitten. She plays with me when she can but since she works all day it’s tough. I used to get really lonely until Heather came to stay with us. Now I have someone to play with all day. I am very active and am always trying to find something to bat around the tile floor - until it goes underneath the fridge. Don’t tell my mom but there are probably hundreds of toys under there! My other favorite activity is grooming myself. That probably makes up 50% of my day. I pay a price for it though; I get hairballs several times a day. My mom hates cleaning up after me especially when I leave a hairball by the bed in the morning. Just like Heather, I had to make a trip to the vet. I really didn’t want to go. I was very afraid. When I got there, the doctors were very nice and gave me some medicine to help me relax. After finding some skin irritation on my back, they came to the conclusion that I needed to try a new food too. The doctors thought I might need a hypo-allergenic food that would be good for my skin and also help with the hairballs. I joined my friend Heather and started eating the Science Diet ZD®. Soon after my office exam at the vet I was feeling much better. Heather and I play together all day now. I haven’t had one hairball since I started eating the new food. Thanks East Hilliard Vet!

Hilliard Police and Fire Departments rescue baby ducks on Memorial Day
Amy Pugh, one of our veterinary students was doing some yard work here on Memorial Day when she noticed a Mallard duck and one duckling hanging around the storm drain cover in the west parking lot. After observing the mother duck for a while Amy was certain that there was something wrong. She looked down the storm drain and saw several baby ducklings down inside. Unsure of what to do Amy decided to call the Ohio Wildlife Center for assistance. When she came in the building to place the call she inadvertently set off the alarm. Within minutes Hilliard Police officers Jon Gleason and Shane O’Conner arrived. Amy explained the situation and they sprang into action. After removing the grate and ushering Mama Duck into the field across the street (she was trying to protect her ducklings), they rescued a couple of the babies. The others scurried up into the drain pipe. An attempt was made to gently flush them out of the pipe using our garden hose placed into the storm drain in the south parking lot. It was soon obvious that was not enough water pressure and the officers called the Hilliard Fire Department. With more water pressure, the rest of the ducklings floated out and the officers pulled them to safety. All ducklings (all 12 of them!) were hand carried back to their mom waiting anxiously across the street. Thanks Hilliard police and fire departments. We love stories with happy endings!

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