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Christmas donation
Planet Dog toys
Dogs trained to alert for low blood sugar
Canine Influenza Virus
Canine Influenza Virus
Most dogs that are exposed to the Canine Influenza Virus (H3N8) will become infected since the virus is relatively new and dogs have no natural immunity to it. First seen in racing Greyhounds in Florida in 2004, the respiratory virus has slowly spread around the United States. The H3N8 virus mutated from a strain that has been known in horses for 40 years. Commonly, viruses do not cross the species barrier but as in the current “swine flu,” it does happen. H3N8 is highly contagious and is most commonly seen in animal shelters, and boarding and grooming facilities, or any place where dogs congregate. The symptoms are nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, and low-grade fever, but if the symptoms are mild, many dog owners don’t realize their pets are sick. Most dogs (about 80%) will get only mild symptoms. In about 20% of the cases, more severe signs occur including high fever and pneumonia. A very small number of dogs infected with H3N8 have died from complications associated with the disease.
The virus is spread by direct contact with respiratory secretions of an infected dog, through  contaminated objects handled by humans who then take the virus to other animals, or through the air via a cough or sneeze. Clothing, equipment, surfaces, and hands should be washed after handling a potentially infected dog. Not all infected dogs require treatment. Supportive care is the primary treatment because the virus must be allowed to run its course. Antibiotics are only recommended for dogs with secondary bacterial infections.
Currently there is no evidence that Canine Influenza Virus can infect cats or humans. The Center for Disease Control will continue to monitor H3N8 very closely. There is a new vaccine available for Canine Influenza Virus. The doctors here at East Hilliard Veterinary Services are currently evaluating its effectiveness versus the severity of the disease but have not yet determined whether we will be using it. We will let our clients know if/when we are recommending this vaccine.
 “Indestructible” Dog Toys
East Hilliard Veterinary Services is now carrying Planet Dog Toys. These toys are advertised as indestructible and Planet Dog has a strength of chewing scale to help you decide which toy would be best for your pet. Their “Chew-O-Meter” rates the toys on a scale of 1-5. Only one of East Hilliard’s toughest chewers has been able to destroy one toy from this new line of toys. These toys are 100%, money-back guaranteed. We have a large selection of small to large bones and balls.
Dogs That Aid Diabetics
You know all about Guide Dogs for the Blind and Canine Companions for Independence. Now there is another condition that can be helped by a specially trained dog. Dogs4Diabetics, a non-profit organization founded in 2004 by Mark Ruefenacht, trains dogs to alert their human partner that they are hypoglycemic (their blood sugar is too low). Mark, a diabetic, was awakened one night by his dog, Armstrong, who somehow could tell that his blood sugar was low. Armstrong probably saved his owner’s life that night. Mark is a scientist and was very interested in determining what caused Armstrong to know that he had to wake Mark up. He designed a method to train dogs to detect the telltale body chemistry that means the person is hypoglycemic. These dogs receive more than two years of training before they are paired with their human partner. Even then there is another six months of training for the dog and their new human partner both. The cost of training these dogs is about $25,000 but the only charge to the new owner is only $65.
Christmas Donation
The staff of East Hilliard Veterinary Services has again decided to make their annual Christmas donation to the Military Working Dogs Cooling Vest Project. Last year, along with donations from our clients, we gave $825.00 to the Project. We will have our collection box in the reception area starting November 1st if you would like to join us in supporting our military working dogs again this year.
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