New Vaccine Recommendation -Leptospirosis Alert
● Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can be found in
most animals, including livestock and wildlife (deer, raccoons, opossums,
skunks, rats and other rodents). The bacteria are passed via the urine
into water sources, where they reside and reproduce. It can be present in any
stagnant surface water, moist soil and ponds and lakes. Your dog can become
infected by drinking, swimming in or walking through contaminated water.
The bacteria can enter the bloodstream through a cut in the skin or mucous
membranes (such as eyes, mouth or nose).
● Leptospirosis is a contagious disease that
can be spread from dog to dog and dogs to people. Cats seem to be naturally
resistant to the organism. Last year we began recommending vaccination for
all dogs based on a rise of the disease in dogs in Colorado Springs, most likely
due to the increased rainfall.
● We are now vaccinating all dogs against four common strains of the
organism. Two doses of the vaccine are given three to four weeks apart,
then repeated annually.
● Symptoms of Leptospirosis infection in
your dog can include flu-like symptoms including fever, loss of appetite,
vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, depression and lethargy.
Jaundice is another possible symptom, marked by a yellow cast in the gums of the
mouth and whites of the eyes. In most severe cases, the disease can lead to
kidney failure or liver failure and may be fatal.
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Porphyromonas Vaccine for Periodontal Disease
St. Francis Animal Hospital is now offering a new
vaccine that has become available through Pfizer Animal Health that helps
prevent and slow down periodontal disease in dogs. Periodontal disease is
a chronic, progressive oral disease that causes pain, tooth loss and bad breath
in our pets. It is caused by overwhelming bacterial infections around the
teeth. Certain breeds, for example, Greyhounds, and many small dog breeds,
for example, Yorkies, are very prone to this costly disease.
The vaccine is recommended for all dogs with
periodontal disease and for those breeds that are prone to the disease. It
protects your pet's mouth against 3 of the most common bacteria species known to
cause periodontal disease. The vaccine is given initially as a series of
two injections, 3-4 weeks apart, and then it is boosted annually. If you
have any questions regarding the vaccine or to see if you should consider this
vaccine for your dog, please call us. We also have informational brochures
available.
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Online Prescription warning
The Food and Drug Administration
has issued a warning for consumers who purchase veterinary products over the
internet. Although there are some reputable internet pharmacies, the FDA
indicates there are also many companies that are fronts for unscrupulous
businesses. If you happen to unknowingly choose one of these illegal
pharmacies, you could be purchasing products for your pets that are unapproved
by the FDA. Although some of these products may be cheaper, they also could be
dangerous or ineffective and/or expired.
The FDA regulates the distribution of veterinary drugs but the state boards of
pharmacy regulate the dispensing of these products. However, many of these
internet pharmacies avoid regulation by operating in different states or foreign
countries. Online pharmacies cannot purchase items from the companies that
manufacture them and must acquire them through other means. The guarantee that
accompanies these drugs from the manufacturer only applies if the drug was
purchased through the pet’s veterinarian.
There are also internet companies that indicate they have veterinarians on their
staff who will sign a prescription for your pet. This is illegal. If the
pharmacy is doing this illegally, can you really trust them to sell you a safe
and effective product? By law, a veterinarian must personally examine your pet
to legally prescribe any prescription drug. The two most commonly prescribed
drugs over the internet for dogs are pain medications for arthritis and
heartworm preventives. It is important for your pet’s health that blood testing
be performed before starting your pet on these medications. Also, dogs on
arthritis medications should have their blood checked routinely for side
effects.
To protect your pet from potentially harmful medications, the FDA recommends
that you only deal with websites that:
ü
Are located in the United States
ü
Are licensed by the state board of pharmacy in the
state where the website is operating (visit
www.nabp.info for a list of state boards of pharmacy)
ü
Are recognized by the NABP with a Verified
Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites Seal, also known as a VIPPS seal
ü
Have a licensed pharmacist available to answer
your questions
ü
Require a prescription directly from your
veterinarian to fill a prescription
ü
Provide reliable company contact information
Please visit the FDA website at
www.fda.gov for more extensive information regarding the concern over online
pharmacies.
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