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PREVENTION

Category: PREVENTION

June 20, 2022
PREVENTION

Heartworm Disease, Prevention and Treatment

The Importance of Prevention
Preventing Heartworms is easy and necessary year- round here. Prevention acts by clearing the bloodstream of any heartworm larvae, before they mature into adults. We have multiple options available including a monthly tablet that prevents heartworm, deworms for common intestinal parasites and prevents fleas, or a 6 and 12 month injection that makes prevention more convenient. For cats we have topical options that are very effective against heartworm disease.
Ivermectin
Resistance

Ivermectin was the main ingredient in heartworm prevention for many decades. Due to its overuse, this active ingredient is no longer nearly as effective and we have seen several positive cases over the past 5 years despite routinely receiving their monthly Ivermectin based heartworm prevention (example Heartgard®, Triheart®). We do not recommend using Ivermectin based preventatives for this reason.

What is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm Disease is a systemic issue, meaning it affects many systems of the body including the heart, lungs, and kidney. Within 6-8 months of exposure the small larvae develop into worms that are from 6-12” long and clog up the heart chambers, pulmonary arteries, and reduce proper blood flow to other organs. They continue to breed within the heart chamber, creating more and more heartworms. This weakens the heart and can cause respiratory distress, heart failure as well as poor kidney function over time and can lead to death if left untreated.

Mosquitoes – The Flying Disease Vector

Heartworm Disease is carried by mosquitoes. It is transmitted when the mosquito takes a blood meal from a pet that has active Heartworm Disease, and when they take their next meal, they inject a small amount of blood into the new victim, pushing microfilariae (young heartworms) into their blood stream. Because this vector is so common, dogs AND cats can contract this disease.

Why is Heartworm so Prevalent Here?

We have a very large population of roaming stray dogs AND owned dogs and cats that are not routinely on prevention and have heartworm disease. This makes the disease very prevalent here and it is extremely rare that dogs or cats who are not on routine heartworm prevention do not contract the disease.

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Diagnosis

Diagnosing heartworm is simple and inexpensive with a blood test. We require annual testing of all our canine patients receiving prevention, because catching this disease early reduces the cost and time of treatment, as well as prevents long term damage from happening to your pet. In addition, if you are purchasing your prevention from Bark and Bliss, the manufacturer of the heartworm preventative will often cover the cost of treatment when your pet has been tested annually, and has received prevention as directed. Lastly, giving a dog heartworm prevention that already has active disease can cause them to get extremely sick or even die.

Treatment​

There are multiple options for the treatment of moderate to severe heartworm disease in dogs. The fastest treatment
involves a month of antibiotics to render the heartworms sterile and make it safe for treatment, followed by a series of 3 injections given over 3 months. These injections slowly kill off the adult worms. Another treatment option involves the month of antibiotics, and a topical treatment applied monthly for a 10-month period. For more mild cases, we often can
do a 3-month treatment cycle. In cats there are no treatments available, so prevention is key.

Prevention is the Best Medicine​

Heartworm disease kills a great deal of pets in Turks and Caicos. Prevention of heartworm disease has an average
cost of $18.50 or less per month versus treatment which will cost at a minimum $42 per month. We can help you
find the most cost effective and convenient option for your pet, to keep them protected and safe from this common and fully preventable disease.

  • Firstly, when your dog gets worked up give them a verbal cue that works to both catch their attention and provides them with something to do. That cue can be “sit,” “down,” or even “relax.” You just want to make sure you can use it consistently.
  • Secondly, use the word until your dog performs the behavior that you want, such as lying down, sitting at your feet, or even just stopping what they are doing and looking at you. You may have to show them what to do the first few times until they get the hang of it.
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May 15, 2022
PREVENTION

External Parasites

Fleas, Ticks and Mange

The Importance of Prevention

Preventing flea and tick bites
is the only way to reduce exposure to the disease they carry. Bark and Bliss carries a full array of effective preventatives for both dogs and cats.

Damage to the Skin Barrier

Mange, fleas and ticks all damage the skin barrier which results in water loss and can make your pet more susceptible to infection, and allergic skin disease. In addition, they are irritating, cause itching and pain, and often result in a weakened
bond between the pet and owner.

Are Topical Products or Flea Collars for Dogs Effective?

In this environment they are
not effective. Topical treatments, though often less expensive, are a poor choice here as they are very ineffective against our
population of external parasites and are often toxic to the pet. Flea collars are similar, they only affect the parasites that touch the collar and are also frequently toxic to the pet.

Little Bugs – Big Problem

External parasites are extremely prevalent in the Turks and Caicos due to our hot, humid weather. Because of this, fleas and ticks do not die or hibernate and are active year-round. Fleas and ticks transmit several diseases that can be very debilitating and over time can even kill a dog or cat if left undetected and untreated.

Tick and Flea Borne Disease

There are multiple diseases caused by Tick bites that we commonly see in patients on this island. Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Babesia are the 3 most common. These diseases can cause blood loss anemia, loss of ability to clot blood, joint pain, kidney disease and generalized lethargy, fever and poor appetite. The disease occurs secondary to bacteria that the tick has in its system, which is transmitted into the pet when they start feeding on them. These diseases can remain dormant within the pet’s system for weeks, months and even years until the immune system recognizes the issue. Fleas, much like ticks, take a blood meal from their host. In puppies, this can be life threatening as they have limited blood supply in general and can get severely anemic in a short period of time. In adult animals, it can also cause anemia due to the sheer number of fleas, but also causes some more severe illness such as Bartonella, Mycoplasma, Haemoplasma and tapeworm infections.

The Role of Tapeworms

Tapeworms utilize fleas as hosts, which means when a pet ingests a flea, which happens as they clean themselves or eat another animal infested with fleas, they then infect themselves with tapeworms. Tapeworms are an intestinal parasite that utilizes the hosts nutrition to survive, grow and breed. Leading to weight loss, poor haircoat, reduced
gastrointestinal movement and function, and poor condition of the pet overtime.

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Mange

Demodex mange is a mite that is very common, particularly in bully breeds. All dogs have it, but some breeds have a misfunction of their immune system that is inherited, leading to a lack of control of the mange mite. This poor control leads to overgrowth of the mites, and because they live in the hair follicles causes hair loss. It is common to see bully breeds that have poor hair growth, because they came from parents that also had the genetic defect of their immune system. Ideally, dogs that have a history of mange, should not be bred for this reason.

Diagnosis of External Parasite Disease

For patients with suspected tick, flea or mange borne disease there are various tests that we utilize at Bark and Bliss. There is a simple blood test for tick borne disease, that can be combined with a heartworm test that allows us to identify antibody response to Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Lyme Disease. A blood smear examined under a microscope can identify Babesia and flea borne diseases. Mange is often diagnosed with a skin scraping, but given its prevalence in our population of pets it is often diagnosed based on breed, age and hair loss pattern.

Treatments and Prevention

Treatment of tick-borne disease requires, at a minimum, the use of antibiotics for at least a month and can be quite costly. Treatment of Mange is often life long and requires good nutrition, a monthly treatment and sometimes medicated baths. Flea borne disease may require significant medication, testing and blood products, as well as intestinal parasite deworming. Prevention with oral products for dogs and topical treatments for cats is the most cost effective and safest way to prevent disease these diseases.

  • Firstly, when your dog gets worked up give them a verbal cue that works to both catch their attention and provides them with something to do. That cue can be “sit,” “down,” or even “relax.” You just want to make sure you can use it consistently.
  • Secondly, use the word until your dog performs the behavior that you want, such as lying down, sitting at your feet, or even just stopping what they are doing and looking at you. You may have to show them what to do the first few times until they get the hang of it.
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January 28, 2022
HEALTH TIPSPREVENTION

Intestinal Parasites

The Importance of Routine Treatment

Routine deworming removes the intestinal parasites from your pet’s system. Many of the heartworm prevention options for dogs and cats we carry, have broad spectrum coverage against intestinal parasites. So, as you prevent their heartworm disease, you are also doing routine deworming.

Are Humans at
Risk Too?

The short answer is yes! Because we have such a high concentration of parasites in our environment, it is more common for people to get intestinal parasites here. Letting a pet lick your face is a risk as well and should ideally be avoided.

Where do they come from?

Intestinal parasites are extremely common here, due to our roaming domestic animal population. Animal’s that have intestinal parasites, leave deposits of their eggs within their stool, which are then in our soil. All it takes is a pet to lick its paws after being outside, eating food that is on the ground, rolling in the dirt or licking the floor after we walk in with our shoes to get exposed and ingest intestinal parasite eggs. In addition, animals that have fleas or have eaten an animal with fleas, will nearly always have tapeworms as the flea is a common host of tapeworm larvae.

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Why are Intestinal Parasites so Concerning?

Intestinal parasites are detrimental in numerous ways to mammals. Hookworms and whipworms take a blood meal from their host, so they can cause severe anemia and can kill puppies and kittens, whereas roundworms and tapeworms clog up the intestinal tract and take nutrients from the host. This can lead to poor growth and death in puppies and kittens, leaky vessels due lack of protein,  poor body condition, and dull and brittle haircoats in adult animals. In severe cases in adult animals, it can lead to blockage of the intestinal tract as well. It more mild cases, we will often see diarrhea and vomiting. 

The Role of Tapeworms…again.

Tapeworms utilize fleas as hosts, which means when a pet ingests a flea, which happens as they clean themselves or eat another animal infested with fleas, they then infect themselves with tapeworms. Tapeworms are an intestinal parasite that utilizes the hosts nutrition to survive, grow and breed. Leading to weight loss, poor haircoat, reduced gastrointestinal movement and function, and poor condition of the pet overtime. The only telltale sign of tapeworms, other than the changes in weight and haircoat, are often rice like segments you may see on their bedding or in their perianal area. These are living segments of a tapeworm that are ready to infect a new host.

How do Newborn Puppies and Kittens Get Parasites?

They receive these from their mother both through the bloodstream and via the milk they give their young. Routine deworming of the mother should happen daily from 45 days gestation, until 14 days after birth. The puppies and kittens whose mothers have undergone this treatment regimen, are born much larger and healthier.
After that, the pups or kittens should be routinely dewormed every 2 weeks starting at 4 weeks of age.

Diagnosis of Intestinal Parasite Disease

A fecal floatation is the best way to diagnosis hook, round and whipworms. Seeing the segments is the easiest way to diagnose tapeworms. The fecal floatation allows us to visualize the microscopic eggs and then determine based on the distinct look of them and volume of them, what type of worm and how severe the worm burden is. We then have an arsenal of several different dewormers that can target the specific culprit and remove the worms from your pet’s system.

Treatments and Prevention

Treatment is fairly economical and it can come in the form of an oral pill, liquid or injection or some combination thereof. In puppies and kittens, their full potential on growth and size can be significantly affected by having a lack of proper deworming, so prevention and treatment are key for having a healthy, full grown, robust pet.

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January 25, 2022
PREVENTION

Parvo Virus

The Importance of Vaccinations

Vaccination is the only way to protect your puppies and dogs against Parvo Virus. Fully vaccinated pets, cannot get Parvo Virus. It is important to understand a dog is not fully vaccinated, until they have received 2 DHPP vaccines after the age of 12 weeks, 3-4 weeks apart. Vaccinations should start when your pup is 6-8 weeks of age.

Keeping Your
Pet Safe

Quarantining your new puppy is the only way to keep them safe from this disease until they are fully vaccinated. This means no trips to the beach, no walking them outside, no taking them to friends, and only taking them outside the house to their appointments for vaccinations. In fact, unless you have a fully fenced in yard – where no unknown dogs can get, your puppy should not even be allowed in your own yard until they are fully vaccinated.

Parvo – Lurking in Our Environment

Parvo Virus is an extremely contagious virus, that is very common in Turks and Caicos. The virus is shed in the stool and oral secretions of dogs that have been exposed, and therefore it is in our environment throughout the country. It is a strong virus, and sunlight does not kill it – only powerful cleaning agents such as bleach and Trifectant are capable of destroying the virus on surfaces. Because it exists in our soil, dogs are often exposed just by being outside. We also find that there is often a spike in cases after rainfall. 

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How the Disease Presents and Progresses

The first sign of the disease is often a lack of appetite, followed by diarrhea and or vomiting. The combination of the heat here and water loss from vomiting and diarrhea, leads to severe dehydration quite quickly. The virus then destroys the villi of the small intestine, which is where nutrients are absorbed, and also depletes the immune system’s ability to fight infection. As the disease progresses, which is lightning fast, the dogs are extremely painful and can develop bacterial sepsis. Even with intensive therapy, most unvaccinated pets will die within hours to days.

Treatment Options

Treatment is aimed at maintaining hydration, feeding the gut and managing nausea, pain and preventing sepsis. It is often only effective, if the patient is brought in at the first sign of illness.  Hospitalized patients are typically on intravenous (IV) fluids, antibiotics, antinausea and pain medications as they are not able to eat. In addition, many will get a feeding tube to deliver nutrition without them having to ingest it. Because these patients are so very contagious, they need to be kept in an isolation ward and handled very carefully.  Outpatient treatment is possible in some cases, but does not typically have the same outcome. 

Starting Off from the Best Place

Puppies that were born from mothers that were properly vaccinated and current on their DHPP vaccine start out on the right foot. Those that have started their vaccinations series before exposure, and have a properly vaccinated mother will have some immunity against Parvovirus and therefore have a fighting chance of surviving the disease. 

The puppies that come from unvaccinated or limited vaccination status mothers, and or have not been vaccinated themselves have a very poor chance of survival and often succumb to the disease within hours to days of symptoms starting. 

Planning Ahead for Healthy Pets

If you are planning to get a puppy, plan ahead and do your research! Ask the breeder to show you vaccination records on the mother and the pups, prepare an area in the house where the puppy is to stay and quarantine away from the outdoors until they are about 15-16 weeks old, budget for their preventative care to get them fully vaccinated and get them booked in for their first vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age. And if you have questions, give us a call!

Planning Ahead for Healthy Pets

Prevention is fairly inexpensive and should be a planned cost when you choose to purchase a puppy. The initial puppy visit at Bark and Bliss is $105 and includes their first exam by a veterinarian, their first DHPP vaccine, intestinal parasite dewormer and heartworm prevention, as well as flea and tick prevention. Ongoing vaccine appointments are $27 per vaccine. The cost of treatment for Parvovirus is at a minimum $200-300 for mild cases, and $1200-$4000 for the intensive cases with no guarantee of survival.

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