Hood River Alpine Vet Talk

Veterinary student intern from Spain

2011-07-27T15:28:00.000-07:00

Leyre is a veterinary student intern from Pamplona, Spain studying at the University Alfonso X El Sabio, in Madrid. She is about to begin her second year of vet school. . and is looking to pursue a career working with large animals. She is staying in Hood River for a month at her relative’s house.
She has horses and likes sports such as: show jumping, endurance, western and horseball.
For those who don’t know what horseball is; is a team sport similar to basketball but on horseback, she says is fun!!
She recently went white water rafting in the White Salmon river!

Leyre says that she has realized that vet medicine is an unpredictable job and sometimes hard. She has dealt with “grenade” cats and some naughty dogs but she expects to be a good doctor like Dr. Foss.

Equine Herpes Virus infections

2011-05-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Update; From the Oregon State Veterinarian; May 19,2011

> We now have two confirmed cases of EHM in Oregon. The second case
> occurred in a horse from Umatilla County that was not at the show in
> Ogden but travelled some hours in the same trailer with two horses
> that were returning from the show. As of latest report, the EHM
> positive horse only exhibited a high temperature and not any
> neurological signs.

EHV-1 Infection Risk in Alpacas and Llamas ColoradoState Univ. Veterinary Teaching Hospital News Release

2011-05-20T15:50:00.001-07:00

--General note to Alpaca owners in my area; For the next 3 weeks I suggest you ask visitors to your farm, "Have you visited horses in the last couple of days? If so please do not visit my alpacas."

Mike Foss DVM
May 19, 2011

EHV-1 Infection Risk in Alpacas and Llamas
Colorado State Univ. Veterinary Teaching Hospital News Release
May 17, 2011

An outbreak of neurologic disease in horses caused by Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infections has developed during the past week in the Western US and Canada. This outbreak is linked to horses that participated in a cutting horse show in Utah form April 29 to May 8. Most horses returned to their originating farms before clinical signs developed. It has since spread to most (if not all) of the Western states where there are reports of severely affected horses with neurlogic disease. This EHV-1 outbreak has spread beyond primary cases (those attending the Utah horse show) and is now being reported among in-contact horses from the home premises.

EHV-1 can also affect alpacas and llamas; however, at the time of this writing, there have been no reported alpaca or llama cases associated with the current horse outbreak.

Alpacas and llamas can become infected with EHV-1 following close contact with an infected equine, most likely through exposure to virus that is shed in nasal secretions or through indirect contact (hands, clothing, feeders, waterers, or other equipment). Disease due to Equine herpesvirus-1 infection is uncommon in camelids. Previous reports indicate that infected alpacas develop signs including blindness, changes in mentation and behavior, and other neurological signs. Clinically affected animals often developed severe disease that may result in death or euthanasia of the animal. Confirmation of a diagnosis in alpacas and llamas can be difficult since they do not seem to shed as much virus in nasal secretions or have
virus in the blood like horses. Thus, virus detection in nasal swabs and blood may be negative in infected camelids. Acute and convalescent serology is recommended to help confirm a suspected infection or exposure in an alpaca or llama.

Summary:

· Currently, there is a highly virulent form of EHV-1 virus circulating in horses.
· Alpacas and llamas that have contact with horses or other equids are at risk of EHV-1 infection.
· EHV-1 infection can result in severe and potentially fatal neurological disease in alpacas and llamas.
· The risk of transmission from camelid to camelid is unknown but is likely low since infectious virus has not been detected in nasal secretions of camelids.

Recommendations:

· Minimize contact between alpacas and llamas with horses, donkeys, mules, or other equids. This is particularly important if the horses have recently traveled and were exposed to other horses.
· Minimize movement of camelids and horses on or off home facilities.
· If your alpacas or llamas have had recent exposure to horses, consider isolating them for a period of at least 3 weeks and not participating in any shows or sales.
· Institute a quarantine program for animals entering your herd or returning from show, sale or breeding. A minimum of 3 weeks at a distance of at least 100 feet is recommended. Utilize separate boots, clothing, feed, and equipment for the quarantine area.
· Utilize a thorough biosecurity program in your herd to minimize introduction of infectious diseases to your herd.

Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopath (EHM)

2011-05-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

For information on this disease, please choose the following link:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/equine_herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf

Proposed New Horse Tax

2011-01-29T11:18:00.000-08:00

The state of Oregon has proposed a Senate Bill requiring horse owners to pay a $100 annual tax on their horses. If you would like to learn more and read the proposal, follow the link below.

http://www.leg.state.or.us/11reg/measures/sb0200.dir/sb0262.intro.html

Here is a copy of the letter Dr. Michael Foss wrote to our state senator:

Dear Senator,

I would like to bring to your attention to SB 262. I believe this is a detrimental proposal and needs to be eliminated for the following reasons;

1. It does not address the issue it states as its impetus, horse abandonment. Nothing in the bill suggests a solution to the horse abandonment issue. The only way abandonment will be curtailed is by increasing a demand for the unwanted horse. The main channel for unwanted horses has been through slaughter markets and those markets have been effectively closed by intense lobbying by special interest groups.

2. The Department of Agriculture has historically had poor enforcement of its policies. The Brand Inspection Department has been grossly ineffective for many years and expanding the department is unlikely to make it more effective. Improving enforcement, especially to cover the proposed scale of this bill, would require the addition of many more state employees and training of many other departments (i.e. DOT, State Police, and County Sheriffs). The government grows bigger, not better!

3. This is simply a TAX! The money collected goes into the general fund! Nothing is allocated to help abandoned horses. Voters are telling state and federal governments to quit spending money, not raise taxes.

4. This TAX adds substantial cost to an industry that is already suffering from tough economics and bad politics. One hundred dollars per horse per year is a substantial cost to the livestock owner. This TAX could remove any profit from raising horses. This TAX is high enough to send many people out of the horse business.

5. This TAX will simply shrink the horse industry in Oregon. Serious horse breeders will simply move out of state. Taking jobs, therefore tax revenue, out of Oregon.

6. This is simply a TAX on owning livestock. I think this is a very dangerous direction.

7. The section on equine transport is arbitrary. I have extensive experience in the science of equine transport and feel most of this section is simply someone’s opinion and not based on sound science.

8. This TAX will be a burden on the struggling cattle industry. Horses are often a necessary part of a cattle operation and this will add a substantial financial burden on a marginally profitable industry.

9. Finally, part of this bill will basically give the Department of Agriculture the power to enter a horse property without a search warrant. I think this is a significant loss of a basic American right.

For the listed reasons, I strongly believe this proposed legislation should be killed.

If you have any questions about my interpretation of this bill, please contact me. In addition, if you ever need help with animal issues please contact me. I have talked to several local groups about the Unwanted Horse issue and feel I have some useful information as well as national perspective.

Thank you for your time,

Mike Foss DVM
Alpine Veterinary Hospital
Hood River, OR

World Equestrian Games

2011-01-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

For human athletes, the Olympics are the ultimate goal. For equine athletes—and their people—it’s the World Equestrian Games. Like the Olympics, the WEG are held every four years, and hosting them is a great national honor. For the first time, the Games were held in the United States in 2010 and Dr. Mike Foss was a part of them. He was asked to serve as Team Veterinarian, but not for the U.S. Team as in the past. Dr. Foss was the team vet for Japan’s Endurance Team.
“I met some of the Japanese Endurance Team people when I was at a race in Japan, “he said. “They called and asked me to serve as their team veterinarian at the World Equestrian Games.”
With more than 20 years of experience with endurance racing, where horses and riders compete in races from 25 to 100 miles in length, Dr. Foss has served as an official veterinarian at rides around the U.S. and Canada, and worked on developing the first accredited Endurance Veterinary course in the Americas. He has served as a team veterinarian for the United States Equestrian Endurance Team, and earned certification through the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) (also organizer of the World Equestrian Games) which makes him part of an elite group of race officials whom international organizers can choose to invite to work their events. As a race official, or as a U.S. Team Veterinarian, he has traveled to Germany, France, Spain, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Argentina, and Guatemala. Although he didn’t need his passport for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, for the first time he was a member of a foreign team.
The 2010 Games were held from September 25 to October 10 in Lexington, Kentucky, at the incredible Kentucky Horse Park. More than a ½ million spectators attended. National television coverage was on NBC.
Since 1990, World Equestrian Games have been held in Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Germany, and the United States. Competitors in the Games must be nominated by their home countries, and accepted by the FEI. More than 900 human and 1300 equine athletes were nominated in 2010 to compete in the eight disciplines recognized by the FEI: Dressage, Driving, Endurance, Eventing, Jumping, Para Dressage, Reining, and Vaulting.
Japan had five horses and riders competing in the 100-mile Endurance Race. Dr. Foss’ work with the team began long before the late September race. On Sept. 14, he flew to Los Angeles to meet the team as they arrived from Japan.
The five horses were transported from Japan to the U.S. by air in special stall-crates. Just like human international travelers, horses can suffer from dehydration, stiffness, and jet-lag. With quarantine requirements and the need to coordinate transportation, the horses were in transit 6 days from Japan to Kentucky. Dr. Foss helped them recover from the rigors of travel with rehydration, massage, acupuncture and exercise.

Wellness Plan – Free Vaccines, 50% off Dentals

2010-08-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

We have started a new Wellness Plan. For an affordable annual feel your pet will receive free annual vaccines including DHLP-Parvo with Well Pet Exam, Bordatella (kennel cough), Lyme disease, Rabies, FVRCP(feline distemper), and FELV (feline leukemia). Also included for free is an annual Deworming and fecal testing for parasites.

Other services including dentals, exams, and x-rays are 50% off. Surgeries, medications, laboratory work, and ultrasounds are all 25 % off.

This program has been a great cost saver for a lot of our clients.

Stop by today for more information or to sign up!

Meet Isaiah!

2010-08-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

Isaiah came into Hood River Alpine Veterinary Hospital last month with symptoms including vomiting and an extended abdomen. After a thorough exam and an x-ray, his diagnosis was Gastric Dilation and Volvus Syndrome. This condition is also known as torsion or bloat.
Bloat happen when the stomach fills with food or water. Once the stomach becomes overextended it has the possibility of twisting which can cut off the circulation to the stomach and intestines. This condition can be fatal and is an emergency that should be seen by your veterinarian immediately.
Luckily, Isaiah was a lucky boy, and with Dr. Foss’s help made it through his treatments and surgery to repair the condition.

Foaling pictures - Clarissa and her colt

2010-07-06T11:18:00.000-07:00

Clarissa is a registered Haflinger and was a volunteer at Alpine's open house a couple of months ago. Many of the kids commented that she was very round... we can now see why.

Clarissa was bred with a quarter horse, hoping to have another driving horse who is larger than her.
Here are some pictures of the progression of her foaling:

West Niles News

2010-06-22T08:31:00.000-07:00

The first case of West Nile disease has been found in a mosquito sample taken this 2010 season in Grant county.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has recently come out with the report on the postitive cases of West Nile in the state for last year. Here is the article:

For 2009, Washington had a total of 72 horses confirmed positive for West Nile. Washington has had the dubious honor of leading the nation in cases the last two years. Please urge your clients to consider vaccination especially if they are in the Yakima, Benton, Kittitas or Grant counties. The virus seems to be well entrenched in these areas and with the mild winter, we could have a significant increase without preventative measures. The vaccines continue to show remarkable effectiveness in preventing symptoms of this potentially fatal disease.

This article if a good reminder to get your horse vaccinated against the disease; especially in the state of Washington.

Iams Canned Cat Food Recalled

2010-06-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

Certain batched of Iams canned cat food is being recalled. It has been found to contain insufficient levels of thiamine or vitamin B1, which is essential for cats. Cats that are fed primarily the canned food are those with highest risk.

Early symptoms include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. Advanced thiamine deficiency can lead to more serious symptoms.

Cans affected were 3 and 5.5 ounce cans of Iams ProActive Health Cat and Kitten Food that carry a stamp between 9/2011 and 6/2012.

For further information or a product refund call P&G at 877-340-8826

Open House 2010 was a success!

2010-05-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

Every year in May, Hood River Alpine Veterinary Hospital opens it's doors to local kids and classrooms for tours of our clinic. This
year we had approximately 200 kids come through the clinic to learn the workings of the clinic and to meet a variety of animals.

We had a great crew of volunteers this year who brought their animals to share them with the community. Blonde Velvet Alpacas brought in two alpacas, Julie Harvey brought in her loved cow "Norman" and our favorite dog "Smoothie" who helped patrol the groups. Little Bit Ranch Supply loaned us some chicks and Arlene Allen shared her pregnant pony. Mr. Schreiner of Schreiner Farms brought a baby kangaroo and a two year old camel, which was a hit.

The tours started with meeting our staff members, then a tour of our patient treatment area and a discussion of animal dental care. The next stop was our surgery room set up to demonstrate how it would look for a real surgery, including the instruments used, a "stuffed" surgeon and patient and anesthetic monitoring equipment. The next stop was a presentation by Cats In Action - Skamania County 4H group. They discussed proper grooming and cat care. We also paused in our laboratory to learn about internal and external parasites and the types of test we run to better determine animals' illnesses.

We headed out to the barn next to view our equine surgery area and digital xray system.

The kids' favorite part of the tour was visiting with the animals.

The "chick room" where the kids crowded around to see and pet the baby chicks and a duck.

It was a surprise for the kids to turn the corner and see a baby kangaroo!

John Schriner gave camel rides during lunch.

The kids got squeezed in the cattle chute.

Snacks and Ryan's Juice after handwashing. Yum.

Dr. Foss and one of the classes after the tour.

See you all next May!

Recall Notice on West Nile Virus Vaccine

2010-05-03T14:40:00.000-07:00

Intervet Inc. is conducting a voluntary recall of all serials of PreveNile West Nile Virus Vaccine.

This recall does not include vaccine purchased or given at Hood River Alpine Veterinary Hospital.

Please contact the distributor of the vaccine for more information.

Feeding The Skinny Horse

2010-04-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

Horses can become underweight for a variety of reasons. Some horses are just “Hard Keepers”, others are doing a lot of work. Still others have a problem. The most common problems that I see leading to weight loss are:
1. Parasites.
2. Dental problems.
3. Not getting enough to eat.
4. Medical problems.

If you do not know why your horse is underweight then consult with us. If you and your veterinarian have determined that more food is the next step, the following information is for you. You should see improvement in your horse’s weight within 30 days. If not, then see us again.

FORAGE

Forages are the pasture and hays that you feed your horse. Think of forages as the fiber in a horse’s diet. Horses were made to eat only forage. Forage and fiber is essential in keeping a healthy digestive tract. So start your feeding program with a generous serving of hay.

Usually you will feed your horse as much hay as it can eat. For a thin horse you can feed 2.5% of its body weight in hay every day. That means 25 pounds of hay each day for a 1000 pound horse. This should be a 2nd cutting local grass hay or grass/alfalfa mix. If you are feeding a lower quality hay (mature when cut or stemmy plants) you may not get enough food from this hay. You will need to add more calories through other sources, such as grain, beet pulp, hay pellets and fats.

If your horse has worn-out teeth, hay may not provide much food value and you will have to rely on alternative feeds. Though these are listed separately I usually suggest combining these in a way you and your horse can manage.

GRAIN

There are many grains and grain mixes available. There are a few guidelines that apply to all grains.

1. First you can feed ½ to 1 pound for each 100 pounds of body weight. That means a 1000 pound horse can eat 5 to 10 pounds of grain a day.

2. To prevent colics and digestive upsets, do not feed more than 5 pounds of grain at any one feeding.

3. A quart container holds about 1 pound of grain. The traditional “3 pound coffee can” is about one gallon volume and that is about 4 pounds of grain.

4. If your horse is getting too much grain, the first signs you will see are loose stools or possibly colic. If you notice this, cut the grain amount in half.

5. If your horse is not used to eating grain you need to start gradually. Start with about 2 pounds or 2 quarts of grain twice daily. As long as your horse is tolerating the grain, you can add 1 pound morning and night every 3 days up to the maximum of 5 pounds per feeding.

Choose a grain that is appropriate for your horse. If you feed a straight grain (like oats or corn) you should supplement with vitamins and minerals. If you use a grain mix, most of them will already have vitamins and minerals added.

BEET PULP

Beet pulp is the residue left over from sugar production. Its food value is between hay and grain. It is very palatable (tasty) to most horses. It is a good source of digestible fiber with out the high sugar levels found in grains. Beet pulp should be soaked for 12 hours before feeding.

To feed beet pulp, start with 1pound (dry weight) and add 1pound every 3 days. Up to 3 pounds per feeding is a reasonable level to feed.

FATS/OILS

Fats are a very safe form of food to give a horse. Fats in horse diets should be vegetable oil, not animal fats. Any vegetable oil will do. Fats are very high in calories. A pound of fat will have over twice the calories a pound of grain will and fat will not cause colic or laminitis. It is easy to add fat to a diet when your horse is already eating all the feed you can get into them.

If you are trying to get weight on your horse, set a goal of 2 cups of oil per day for your horse. If necessary you can feed more, as long as your horse will eat it. You would start by giving ½ cup of oil at each feeding. Once the horse accepts the oil, increase it by ½ cup every 3 days until you are at your goal.

Be careful not to let the oil become rancid. Buy only what you will use within a couple of months. Throw out anything that smells bad.

Rice Bran is another form of fat. It is usually very palatable or tasty to the horse. If you are counting calories, 1cup of oil is equal to 5 cups of rice bran. Stabilized rice bran is the best. Unstabilized rice bran is cheaper, but varies on nutritional value and can contain molds and bugs.

Cool Calories is a very palatable granular product. It has the same calorie content as vegetable oil, just more palatable and not as messy.

COMPLETE RATIONS

There are a wide variety of complete rations available to horses. These are designed to be the only feed a horse eats. They are ideal for the horse with worn out teeth. They will be balanced for vitamins and minerals as well as easy to chew and digest. They usually contain a mixture of hay and grain. They are designed to be fed at 1.5% to 2.5% of body weight a day. This means you can feed 15 to 25 pounds of these rations per day as the horse’s only food. Of course you can still feed hay and feed smaller amounts of these rations.

PELLETS & CUBES

Alfalfa and grass hays can be found as pellets and cubes. Realize they are simply small bales of hay. You can feed a horse pellets as its only food. You will need to feed 15 to 25 pounds of pellets daily if you do. Pellets are a good way to get hay into a horse with worn out teeth.

EXAMPLES

The following are examples of how these feeds may be combined to feed a thin horse:

Example 1: 1100 pound Thoroughbred mare in training
18 pounds hay
3 pound coffee can of LMF Showtime twice daily
1 cup of vegetable oil twice daily

Example 2: 900 pound Arabian gelding in training
15 pounds of hay daily
3 pound coffee can of LMF Performance twice daily
3 pound coffee can of alfalfa pellets once daily
8 cups of stabilized rice bran twice daily

Example 3: 20 year old gelding with bad teeth
10 pounds of 3rd cutting alfalfa hay daily
5 pounds of LMF Equine Senior twice daily
3 pounds of beet pulp daily
2 cups of oil twice daily

Example 4: 8 year old QH gelding 4H horse
25 pounds of grass/alfalfa hay daily
3 pound coffee can of COB
1 cup of vegetable oil daily
4 ounces of NW Horse Supplement

For more specific diets arrange a nutritional consultation with Dr. Foss.

Michael Foss D.V.M.

Hood River Alpine Veterinary Hospital
300 Frankton Road
Hood River, Or 97031
(541) 386-6658

This blog has moved

2010-04-28T13:49:00.001-07:00

This blog is now located at http://blog.hoodriveralpinevet.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://blog.hoodriveralpinevet.com/feeds/posts/default.

Come Visit Us For OPEN HOUSE!

2010-04-23T14:47:00.000-07:00

Friday, May 7 th is our annual open house at Hood River Alpine Veterinary Hospital. We have approximately 300 kids pre-school through first grade from the Hood River area coming to tour the clinic, learn about veterinary medicine and visit with a variety of animals from baby chickens to a cow named Norman. The public is also welcome! We will be giving tours 9 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm.

Wisdom DNA Panel Now Available

2010-04-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered about the ancestry of your favorite dog? Does he look like a Labrador mix, but sometimes acts like a herding dog? You can look at the size of the body, the color and length of the hair, the shape of the head and take a good guess. That used to be all you could do, unless you knew the dog’s parents and grandparents.
Hood River Alpine Veterinary Hospital is now offering DNA testing for your dog. How it works: A blood sample is taken and sent to a laboratory for testing. Your dog’s sample is tested for 170 different breeds from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire terrier. The Wisdom Panel will include the three major breeds in your dog’s ancestry. The report will also explain the history, physical appearance, health indicators and behavioral traits common to the breed found in your dog.

Here is a link to an example of a dog who has had the testing. http://www.wisdompanel.com/photos/profile/3759.html

New Benefits When You Microchip Your Pet

2010-04-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

A missing pet causes a lot of worry and anxiety for the pet owner. Microchipping your pet is the best way to ensure guaranteed identification since tags and collars can often fall off during their “runaway adventures”. Placing a microchip can easily be done at an office exam or while under anesthesia for another procedure. All shelters and veterinary clinics have scanners to identify microchips and recognize their individual numbers.

Each individual microchip contains a number that is entered into a national database and then linked to the owner’s or veterinary clinic’s information. Microchip registration is free, but if you wish to take advantage of the benefits below there is a $14.99 annual cost.

HomeAgain has included the following services free with your first year of registration. Benefits include:

-Proactive Pet Recovery- Home Again helps you search – If your pet gets lost HomeAgain sends out Lost Pet Alert to veterinarians, shelters, and volunteer Pet Rescuers in the area where your pet was lost, and provides a ”Lost Pet” poster that you can print and post in your neighborhood.

-24/7 Emergency Medical Hotline – In emergency situations, you can call and speak with a licensed veterinarian. ($60 value)

-Travel Assistance for Lost Pets – Free air travel for recovered pets found more than 500 miles from home.

The Latest Case of Rabies in Oregon

2010-01-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

Last week Oregon had another rabies case. This case was a goat, which is unusual for the Pacific Northwest. Most of the rabies cases in Oregon and Washington can be traced back to bats. Animals like the goat, probably get rabies because they notice the sick bat on the ground and go over to investigate it. They then get bitten in the nose by an other wise peaceful animal and contract rabies.

In Oregon and Washington, bats are the animals most often found with rabies. If you ever find a "sick bat" leave it alone and keep your pets away from the bat. Use a shovel to put the bat into a bucket and consult with your local veterinarian or health department about what to do with the bat. NEVER ALLOW the bat to bite you!

The best protection against rabies is to have your animals vaccinated against rabies. In this area we recommend that all dogs cats and horses be vaccinated for rabies. Dogs and cats have vaccines that are protective for 1 or 3 years, depending on the vaccine. Horse vaccine is protective for 1 year. Check with us if you are not sure if your pet is protected.

Michael A. Foss DVM
Alpine Veterinary Hospital

Treadmills & Dogs!

2009-12-17T16:30:00.000-08:00

I would like to expand a little more on the do’s and don’ts of exercising dogs on treadmill. One thing I like to stress is that I write these ‘rules’ as a guideline for using human motorized treadmill. Though there are basically two types of dog treadmill (animal powered treadmill and motorized), the general rules are almost similar, however it would be your best interest to follow the guideline from the dog treadmill manufacturer as oppose to mine.
Again I stress, do not let these misconceptions stop you from exercising your dog on treadmills.
Treadmills are for the rich.
Treadmills are for the lazy dog owners.
Treadmills are for dogs with active lifestyle.
Treadmills are for large and working dogs.
Treadmills are for show dogs.
Treadmills are for dogs competing in obedience trials.
These are not completely true. As a matter of fact, it is the regular average folks who employ treadmill exercising as an alternative. Only a small percentage of competitive dogs use treadmill to compliment their already rigorous exercise routine.
As with all physical exercises, your goal is to get your dog leading a healthy lifestyle so that he will not be too lazy for his own good. Exercising your dog on treadmill on a regular basic not only helps to strengthen the heart muscle and overall well being, it is also a powerful stress reliever. Ideal for dogs who are cooped up in the house most part of the day.
Bite note: While these rules maybe quite commonsense to many but occasionally they can be overlooked. Always consult your vet before attempting the advance level like jogging. For a slow pace walking, it should be fine with all dogs with a couple of exceptions.

Don’ts
1. Place your treadmill with its back against a wall, door or balcony railings.
2. Strap your dog to the treadmill. Especially using a leash tied to the front bar of the treadmill.
3. Hold any treats in front of him while he is exercising on the mill. You don’t want your dog to leap towards you. Remember, dogs think with their stomachs.
4. Place any tempting treats or toys around or above the treadmill. Animals are the worst judges of vertical distance and they may leap without knowing how high they are. Not very wise to land on a “moving floor”!
5. Exercise after a hearty meal even if it is just a 20-minutes brisk walk on the treadmill. Unlike the outdoor walk, your dog gets to pause occasionally either to investigate other senses or release himself. You don’t want your dog to experience the uncomfortable feeling of holding his bowel during the course of his workout.
6. Exercise right after he woke up from his nap. Cramp usually happens when there is no warm up prior to any exercise.
7. Start with high speed. Of course, your dog can run but it doesn’t mean he knows how to on a moving belt. You want to start slow so you don’t terrify him on his first attempt.
Exercise young puppies under 6 months for small breeds and larger breeds under 9 months.
8. Don’t boost your dog growth rate as rapid growth can give rise to muscle and bone problems in later years.
9. Exercise elderly dogs with existing health issues especially those suffering with arthritis or joints problems.
10. Be too zealous over exercising your toy dogs, they are not “made” to do tremendous “labor work”. Especially dogs with short legs and flat muzzles like Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Dachshund and Pug.
Years ago, I saw a documentary film on television that there is Maltese in China who does 200 or 2000 steps stair-climbing after a tai chi exercise (I know it’s very questionable that dog is able to do tai-chi. The owner never showed how the technique was done as he spoke in Mandarin. Honestly, if this is possible my late dad would have taught our dogs tai chi instead of ‘tormenting’ me for years!) with his master every morning. If I’m not mistaken, I believe they are aiming to break the Guinness Book of World Records (for stairs climbing, of course).

Do’s
1. Place a rug right behind the treadmill. This is for cushioning purpose should your dog pause during the exercise.
2. Place the treadmill in a well ventilated room as dogs suffer heatstroke more easily than humans do.
3. Allow your dog to release himself before the exercise.
4. Start the session no more than 10 minutes and gradually increase by 2 minutes until it reaches 20 minutes. Once he is able to brisk walk for a whole 20 minutes, progress it to a higher speed with a gradual increment between 0.3 to 0.5 mph. And if you would to introduce elevation walking, do it by increasing only 0.5% at a time until 1.5.
5. Stay watchful during his exercise even your dog has been walking on treadmill for ages. If you have been exercising religiously, I’m sure you have days where your regular 5-miles-run is too much to handle and you opt for a 2-miles-run instead. Likewise for dogs, they have days where they are not at their top form even they are physically able. Be flexible to his needs and mood. Gradually shorten the training time when he shows any sign of fatigue after 5 minutes – assuming he does 20 to 30 minutes jog daily.
6. Always check the functionality before letting your dog to do his exercise. What I usually do is to be the first to use the treadmill before my dogs do. That way, I know if the treadmill needs any conditioning that day. Some dogs are hypersensitive to creaking sound made by rusty treadmills; they may refuse to exercise further and begin investigating the source. Some might bark at the machine while exercising! It is a funny sight to watch but your neighbors will not be very pleased with that. =)
7. Give a warm rub down after a hard workout. This helps keep the blood moving and reduces the chance of cramps. A brisk 5 to10 minutes massage works wonders. Also it motivates him to look forward to the next workout session. A treat without calories!

This information was obtained from www.smalldogsparadise.com

Notice to users of Vetsulin Insulin

2009-12-12T11:43:00.000-08:00

Notice to users of Vetsulin insulin:

The FDA has issued a notification that some bottles of Vetsulin may have varying amounts of insulin in them. While the manufacturer is correcting this problem, Vetsulin may become difficult to obtain. To avoid a shortage, please re-order well before your bottle is empty. It is also good to be extra watchful for signs of high or low blood sugar. Typical signs of high blood sugar are increased thirst and urination along with weight loss. Typical signs of low blood sugar are confusion, weakness, lethargy or seizures.

Happy Holidays

2009-11-25T10:16:00.001-08:00

Hood River Alpine Veterinary Hospital wishes you and your family a safe and joyous holiday season. To thank you for your patronage, we are having a free raffle from December 4th, 2009 until December 28th 2009. You will receive a free raffle ticket with every purchase, up to one ticket per household per day. We have a dog basket and a cat basket, full of toys, treats, and other goodies. Greenies are on sale through the month of December! Give your cat or dog a treat for the holidays and help freshen their breath at the same time. Call or stop by for details.

Canine Influenza

2009-11-03T09:38:00.000-08:00

There has been a new canine influenza virus developing in the dog population. In 2005, Dr. Cynda Crawford at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine isolated a new canine influenza virus (CI) that was causing illness in a small amount of the dog population, mainly on the east coast. Canine influenza virus causes upper respiratory illness and high fever and in some cases progresses to a secondary pneumonia. It is estimated that from the time of its identification to present, that there have been approximately 10,000 cases of CI and potentially 20-30 thousand additional cases that may have gone undiagnosed. This is a relatively small percentage of infected dogs when you compare it to the current estimated dog population of 70 million. CI has been reported in 30 states including Hawaii and the District of Columbia. Currently there have only been two cases confirmed in Oregon.

The canine population has not been challenged with this type of virus before, so the dogs that come into contact with this virus will become infected because they lack any immunity to it. With that said, 20% of the dog population won't show any signs of the infection, while 80% will come down with a bad case of coughing, sneezing, runny nose and a fever of 104 or higher. This makes diagnosis a challenge since CI looks a lot like Kennel Cough or other upper respiratory infections. The complication of CI is that a small percentage about 5-8% of dogs that come down with symptoms may develop a secondary pneumonia, which can lead to death in severe cases.

CI is spread by dogs coughing and sneezing, which aerosolizes (tiny water droplets from the cough or sneeze) the virus which can be breathed in by other dogs. Other dogs may also spread the infection through their water and food dishes, and people can spread the infection on their shoes and clothing when moving from an infected area to non-infected areas. Dogs at most risk are ones who board or are in breeding kennels, go to shows or training facilities, dogs from adoption centers or pet shops, and dogs who visit dog parks or the veterinary clinic. This does not mean that these places are centers of disease and should be avoided. What it does mean, for example just like kids going to school in the fall, when you have a large group of dogs in a small area it is more likely that one may be sick and will pass it on to everyone else that is present.

What should you do if you suspect your dog has an upper respiratory infection? First take your dog to the veterinary clinic. Call first and leave your dog in the car until your vet says it's ok to bring them inside. A veterinarian can examine your pet and let you know whether your pet has a serious infection or not. Please remember there are many upper respiratory infections your pet can contract and not all are serious. Some require antibiotic treatment and some do not. Only a veterinarian can diagnose what kind of i nfection your dog has. If CI is suspected, your veterinarian will have a couple of options for testing. Currently Oregon State University has a test available, but in order to be accurate the patient must be tested within two to three days of the onset of the infection. There is also a blood test that can tell the veterinarian whether or not your dog had been exposed to the virus, but it cannot tell if the dog is currently infected. There is currently a plan to offer free testing for patients that the veterinarian suspects may have been exposed to the CI virus. This free testing program is reported to be available by the end of August 2009.

At this point it is recommended by the Oregon Public Health Veterinarian to vaccinate the dogs at most risk. Otherwise, good housekeeping can go a long way in preventing the virus from spreading. Some good housekeeping tips are:

*Make sure you do not share water and food bowls with visiting dogs or other doggy friends.

*If your dog is sick with an upper respiratory problem, keep your dog at home until symptoms are gone.

*If kenneling your dog, make sure the kennels are well ventilated and clean.

*If you think your dog is possibly at risk for picking up CI, call your veterinarian for help in deciding what is the best prevention for your dog.

Halloween Safety Tips

2009-10-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

1. Candy & Chocolate
Keep holiday treats and candies, out of your pet's reach as they can make your pet quite sick. If eaten, candy wrappers can cause an upset stomach.
Chocolate, particularly unsweetened, dark, bittersweet and baking chocolate, can be toxic to pets, especially dogs, who are more prone to eat it. If your dog eats chocolate, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately, as treatment may need to be rendered immediately. Symptoms of toxicity include excitement, nervousness, trembling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst or urination, muscle spasms and seizures.
Keep gum, candy or breath fresheners containing the sweetener xylitol away from your dog. When a dog eats even a small amount of xylitol, it causes a surge of insulin, and the animal's blood sugar may drop quickly and dangerously. Cases of liver damage have also been associated with ingestion of xylitol. If your dog ingest xylitol, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately.
2. Trick-or-Treaters
If you plan to participate in Halloween festivities, such as answering your door to trick-or-treaters, keep pets in a quiet part of the house. Pets can become overexcited, confused or frightened by trick-or-treaters in costume.
Watch for open doors and make sure your pets have ID tags and/or microchips in case they do get out. Remind your guests that your normally friendly pet may want to be left alone. Young trick-or-treaters may be scared of dogs who run excitedly toward them when the owner answers the door.
Outdoor pets, especially black cats, should be kept indoors on Halloween.
3. Halloween Decorations
Halloween decorations such as fake cobwebs should be kept out of reach of pets. Light strands, loose wires and electric cords can be a serious hazard to your pet, especially puppies, who may chew them.
Never leave candles, such as those in jack-o-lanterns, unattended, especially around puppies and kittens.
Never allow your pets to eat a leftover jack-o-lantern, as a rotted, moldy pumpkin can make them seriously ill.
4. Costumes
Some pets might not mind "dressing up" for Halloween, but, for others, it could be a stressful experience best avoided.

-This information was taken from Oregon Veterinary Medicine Association's website.

West Nile Disease Update in Washington State

2009-08-03T15:13:00.000-07:00

from Archives: Local News
Updated: Tuesday, July 28, 2009

West Nile virus surrounds county Horses in Prosser and mosquitoes in Umatilla County tested positive for the disease.

By SHEILA HAGAR of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin

WALLA WALLA -- The first cases of West Nile virus in Washington state horses has been confirmed by state officials.

The state Department of Agriculture announced the findings Friday. One infected horse was found in Toppenish and the second in Prosser. Neither had been vaccinated for the disease.

The animal in Toppenish, an 8-year-old quarter horse mare in foal, was euthanized. The Prosser horse, a 9-year-old quarter horse gelding, is expected to recover.

State veterinarian Leonard Eldridge noted in a release the cases point out the need for horse owners to vaccinate their animals.

The disease is fatal in about one-third of all horses that show clinical signs, although most horses do not become ill and show no symptoms at all. Horses that do become sick display loss of coordination and appetite, confusion, fever, stiffness and muscle weakness, particularly in the hindquarters.

Washington state led the nation last year in confirmed cases of West Nile virus, with 41 horses testing positive, Eldridge said.

The virus has also been detected in live mosquitoes trapped is several locations in Umatilla County, officials there said Monday. Testing at Oregon State University is expected to confirm the results later this week. This is the first detection of the virus in Umatilla County this year.

"West Nile has been detected in our neighboring counties, so we have been expecting to find it here as well," said Ron Montgomery, manager of the West Umatilla Vector Control District. "We have a good surveillance system in place and it worked exactly as it was supposed to.

"The infected mosquitoes were collected from Hat Rock State Park, Cold Spring National Wildlife Refuge and near the Hermiston Wastewater Treatment Facility, as part of the districts routine arbovirus surveillance program. Field tests conducted at the district lab yielded positive results."
Aerial resources are on standby status and will be utilized if widespread detection of West Nile virus occurs" Montgomery said, adding he encourages people to continue submitting dead birds for testing so the district can track the spread of West Nile in Oregon.

West Nile virus is primarily a bird disease. Some birds, including magpies, blue jays and crows are especially susceptible. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on an infected bird and can pass the virus to humans, horses or other hosts when they bite.

"Most people who become infected with West Nile Virus do not become ill," said Genni Lehnert, administrator of the Umatilla County Public Health Department. "Some may develop mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally swollen lymph glands or a rash. In rare cases West Nile may cause encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. Individuals with severe or unusual headaches should seek medical care as soon as possible."

There have been no human or horse cases of the West Nile virus reported in Oregon this year.