Gazette A newsletter for people and their pets in this issue: 3401 E.P. True Parkway West Des Moines, Iowa 50265 Heartworm Preventatives Arthritis in Dogs Dog Friendly Places Share the Care Pet Portal Hospital News Meet the Editors SPRING 2011 Contact us by calling 515-224-9500 or visit our website at www.jordancreekanimalhospital.com Like everything in life, medicine is constantly evolving. Recently there have been important developments in heartworm prevention that we want to share with you. Evidence now indicates that 100% preven- tion of heartworm disease is best achieved by continuing proper dosing of preventives 3 months past the last day of exposure to mosquitoes. In addition, there are many new heartworm preventives available with improved ability to prevent other parasites, including intestinal worms and fleas. Therefore, we are making the following rec- ommendations before starting your pet on a heartworm preventive this year: 1. Depending on your pet’s risk or exposure to intestinal parasites and fleas, you may want to consider a different product this year. 2. Due to recent studies and the benefit of controlling intestinal parasites, some of which can be transferred to people, the Compan- ion Animal Parasite Council and American Heartworm Society now recommend keep- ing your pet on a monthly heartworm preven- tive throughout the entire year. Introducing a new parasite preventative Heartworm Preventative Updates We now carry a new product called Advantage Multi. It’s a safe, effective topical parasite preventive for dogs and cats. It prevents heartworms and fleas, as well as intestinal parasites that can be transmitted to people (roundworms and hookworms). In dogs, it also protects against whipworms, another intestinal parasite. In cats, it’s an excellent way to protect against ear mites. If your pet used Revolution* in the past, he is probably the perfect candi- date for Advantage Multi. Also, because Advantage Multi is administered topically, it is an ideal product for dogs that can’t take oral heartworm preventives because of food allergies. Ask your doctor or technician if Advantage Multi is the right choice for your pet. *We no longer carry Revolution. We would be happy to discuss what options would work best for you and your pet!
Transcript
GazetteA newsletter for people and their pets in this issue:
Drop below
3401 E.P. True ParkwayWest Des Moines, Iowa 50265
Heartworm Preventatives
Arthritis in Dogs
Dog Friendly Places
Share the Care
Pet Portal
Hospital News
Meet the Editors
SPRING 2011
Contact us by calling 515-224-9500 or visit our website at www.jordancreekanimalhospital.com
Like everything in life, medicine is constantly evolving. Recently there have been important developments in heartworm prevention that we want to share with you.
Evidence now indicates that 100% preven-tion of heartworm disease is best achieved by continuing proper dosing of preventives 3 months past the last day of exposure to mosquitoes.
In addition, there are many new heartworm preventives available with improved ability to prevent other parasites, including intestinal worms and fleas.
Therefore, we are making the following rec-ommendations before starting your pet on a heartworm preventive this year:1. Depending on your pet’s risk or exposure to intestinal parasites and fleas, you may want to consider a different product this year.
2. Due to recent studies and the benefit of controlling intestinal parasites, some of which can be transferred to people, the Compan-ion Animal Parasite Council and American Heartworm Society now recommend keep-ing your pet on a monthly heartworm preven-tive throughout the entire year.
Introducing a new parasite preventative
Heartworm Preventative Updates
We now carry a new product called Advantage Multi. It’s a safe, effective topical parasite preventive for dogs and cats. It prevents heartworms and fleas, as well as intestinal parasites that can be transmitted to people (roundworms and hookworms). In dogs, it also protects against whipworms, another intestinal parasite. In cats, it’s an excellent way to protect against ear mites. If your pet used Revolution* in the past, he is probably the perfect candi-date for Advantage Multi. Also, because Advantage Multi is administered topically, it is an ideal product for dogs that can’t take oral heartworm preventives because of food allergies. Ask your doctor or technician if Advantage Multi is the right choice for your pet.
*We no longer carry Revolution.
We would be happy to discuss what options would work best for you and your pet!
Does your pet suffer from arthritis? About 20% of all dogs suffer from canine arthritis. Arthritis occurs when cartilage between the joints is destroyed and wears away. When an exposed bone touches another bone, this causes pain. The constant rubbing of the bones eventually changes the shape of the joint. The remodeling of the joint causes your pet to change his gait, not only due to the mechanics of the joint but also as he accom-modates for the pain. If your dog is suffering from arthritis you may see signs of:• Slowing down or acting tired, which some attribute to
“he is just getting old”• Decreased activity or reluctance to walk, run or climb stairs• Personality changes like becoming aggressive or yelp-
ing in pain when petted Arthritis can affect all breeds of dogs and cats, but in dogs you will see it most commonly in overweight pets, large or giant breeds, animals over 5 years, breeds with genetic tendencies (especially hip dysplasia), and pets with a his-tory of joint trauma or injury.Although most arthritis is incurable (unless a specific cause is identified), it can be managed. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough examination to identify your pet’s prob-lem and perform necessary blood work to rule out other causes of arthritis including Lyme disease, thyroid dysfunc-tion or other infectious diseases.You can help your pet to manage arthritis by:1. Take off any extra weight - Your veterinarian can help you determine a weight loss program for your pet by re-ducing the overall amount of food fed and/or calories consumed.2. Moderate, low impact exercise can not only help get weight off but also help strengthen joints and keep muscles toned. Short leash walks or swimming are great choices.3. Avoid jumping from high places (especially cats) or in and out of SUV for dogs. A ramp can be used to help your pets.When appropriate your veterinarian may recommend some supplements that may help manage your pet’s ar-thritis:Glucosamine & ChondroitinGlucosamine is probably the most common joint support supplement that contains glycosaminogylcans (GAGs). These GAGs form an important component of connective tissues. Most commercial products for joint support contain both glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. Chemi-cal make-up of the supplements can affect the absorption and bioavalibility. Your veterinarian can recommend the type and quality of the product your pet may need.
MSM & ASUMSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) is a naturally occurring sul-fur necessary for collagen synthesis. It is metabolized into DMSO, which is known for its potent anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties. It also may be beneficial to keep skin, hair and nails healthy. ASU (Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables) are claimed to decrease cartilage break-down in the joint. Omega 3 Fatty Acids The two omega 3 fatty acids most commonly found in fish oils are DHA (docosahexaenioic acid) and EPA (ei-cosapentaenoic acid). These omega 3 fatty acids not only benefit the body in kidney and cardiovascular disease, EPA is important in helping decrease inflammation in os-teoarthritis and other immune dysfunction. A diet high in omega 6 fatty acids can cause more inflammation so all fatty acids are not the same!AntioxidantsVitamin C is known as a potent anti-oxidant and immune booster, but is also required for growth of collagen in the joint and ligament. It helps with repairing tissues and main-taining joints and cartilage.Acupuncture/Chinese Herbal MedicineAcupuncture has been shown to be very beneficial in pain management of osteoarthritis and other musculoskel-etal problems. Along with massage therapy, acupuncture can be used to control painful muscular spasms and pro-vide pain relief to many pets with chronic disorders. Most patients can decrease the amount and/or frequency of NSAID use when acupuncture is used as an adjunct ther-apy. Specific acupuncture points can be stimulated with needles, acupressure or even with different types of laser therapy. The end result does more than just relieve pain but also increases circulation and stimulates the release of endorphins, serotonin and other neurotransmitters.Anti-inflammatory MedicinesNSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) created specifically for dogs can be used to relieve pain and com-bat inflammation in the joints whether acute or chronic. NSAIDs help reduce fever and inflammation by blocking cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) which produce prostaglandins. These are associated with the pain and swelling that cause tissue damage. Side effects can occur with any NSAIDs, including gastrointestinal problems. Talk to your veterinar-ian to see if NSAIDs are right for your pet. Only give your pet NSAIDs intended for veterinary use.Pain ControlSome medications to help your pet with pain relief, includ-ing stronger pain medications like tramadol, may even be used. The pain medications work differently than an NSAID but can be used as an adjunct to other therapies to make your pet more comfortable.
ARTHRITIS AND YOUR DOG
Local Outdoor Dog Friendly Places It’s spring and the nice weather is calling us to get out and get some exercise with our dogs. Here are a few dog friendly places you can enjoy with your pet.Raccoon River Dog ParkLarge and small dogs can enjoy this off-leash, 10-acre fenced play area. The park is open daily, year-round from 6:30 a.m. until dusk and features 2 fenced ar-eas for both large and small dogs. The park is located just to the east of the softball complex near the northeast part of the lake. The four-mile gravel foot and bike trail around the lake ends here.Users are required to purchase a Dog
Park Permit. These permits are available at the Parks and Recreation Administra-tive Office (4200 Mills Civic Parkway, 515-222-3444) or the Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge (2500 Grand Ave-nue, 515-222-3424). Proof of parvo/distemper and rabies vaccinations are required to purchase permits. Residents Permit, $20 per dog• Residents must also purchase a city
animal license which can be pur-chased with the dog park permit
• Proof of current parvo/distemper and rabies vaccinations are required at the time of purchase
• Permits are valid for one calendar year (January 1 - December 31)
Non-Residents Permit, $40 per dog• Proof of current parvo/distemper
and rabies vaccinations are required at the time of purchase
• Permits are valid for one calendar year (January 1 - December 31)
(This and more information about Rac-coon River Park is available online at www.wdm-ia.com )Gray’s LakeGray’s Lake Park is located on the south-west edge of downtown Des Moines at 2121 Fleur Drive. It has a total of 167 acres for you to enjoy. The 2-mile paved trail around the lake is a perfect way to get out and enjoy an afternoon with your pet. Remember to bring a regular leash, though, since this is a very busy trail and can get quite congested with walkers, runners, dogs and bikes!Water Works ParkIf you would like a bit more elbow room, cross over Fleur Drive and enjoy Water Works Park. This park has nearly 1,500 acres of open and wooded areas. The park extends from Fleur Drive directly across from Gray’s Lake to George Flagg Parkway to the south. Remember to use good Dog Fun Eti-quette so you, your pet and others can enjoy a great day outdoors!• Always remember to pick up after
your dog. Bring bags to pick up your dog’s mess.
• Bring water for your dog and a regu-lar leash.
• Don’t bring your dog if he is aggres-sive.
• Don’t forget to apply your dog’s topi-cal flea and tick preventative prior to heading out (and at least 2 days be-fore or after a bath). Heartworm and intestinal parasite prevention should be also given monthly to keep your dog healthy and free of infection!
Do you know a new pet owner or someone who has just moved to the area and is looking for a vet-erinarian? Next time you’re in the office, pick up a “Share the Care” card from the reception desk. Give it to someone you’d like to refer to our hospital. When they present the card on their first visit, they will receive a $25 discount off profes-sional services. We’ll also credit your account $25 – it’s our way of thanking you for referring someone new to our clinic. Don’t forget to write your name on the back of the card so we know who to credit!
Did you know there is a new, easy-to-use way to manage your pet’s healthcare online? With Jordan Creek Animal Hospital’s Pet Portal, you can view your pet’s vaccine reminders and medication history online. You can also use the Pet Portal to update your con-tact information, request an appoint-ment or medication refill, and sign-up for email reminders. The Pet Portal will even help you create detailed instruc-
Dr. Anne Kueter, originally from Il-linois, graduated from Iowa State Col-lege of Veterinary Medicine and joined the Jordan Creek Animal Hospital staff in 1997. Dr. Kueter and her husband have 2 children. Their family also includes 1 dog, Hannah, and 2 cats, Mango and Munchkin. In her free time, Dr. Kueter en-joys spending time with her family. She especially likes being outdoors, whether
camping, hiking, or biking.
Jodi Kincaid, RVT, grew up in the Des Moines area and received under-graduate and law degrees from the University of Iowa before deciding to go back to school to pursue a career with animals. She earned her Associates degree in Veterinary Technology from Des Moines Area Community College in May 2010. She enjoys traveling, go-ing to concerts and movies, and taking walks with her dog, Jazz.
MEET THE STAFF/our editors for this issue of Pet Gazette
Monthly Meetings
The doctors and staff at Jordan Creek Animal Hospital feel that monthly employee meetings are essential to promoting communi-cation and educational oppor-tunities. Because of this, we will be closed from 1:30-2:30 PM on the following Wednesdays: April 13, May 11 and June 8.
LOG INManage your pets
health online
Pet Portal
P E T P O R T A Lw w w. j o r d a n c r e e k a n i m a l h o s p i t a l . c o m
tions for the kennel or your pet-sitter. It automatically uploads your pet’s vaccines and medications onto your instruction sheet! To begin using your Pet Portal, go to our website, www.jordancreekanimalhospital.com, and click on “Pet Portal Log In”. Create a new account or log in to an existing account on this screen. If you have any problems logging in, just follow the links for help!
