Why Dental Care Is Important
Plaque and tartar build-up on your pet’s teeth can lead to gingivitis. Reddened, bleeding gums, difficulty chewing and bad breath are all signs of gingivitis. Gingivitis can cause periodontal disease, a bacterial infection that, if left untreated, can potentially damage your pet’s kidneys, heart and other organs. Regular dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar and prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease.

What Happens During a Cleaning?
Your pet’s dental cleaning is far different than the same procedure you undergo each year at your dentist’s office. Because anesthesia is required to keep your pet safe and still during the cleaning, we perform a thorough physical exam and a series of blood tests to ensure that your pet is healthy enough for this procedure. These tests also help us develop an anesthetic protocol that is specific for your pet.

Once anesthesia is administered, the cleaning begins. We use modern and safe ultrasonic equipment to clean each tooth thoroughly, both above and below the gum line. Our specially trained dental technicians polish your pet’s teeth, which creates a smooth, lustrous surface that is more resistant to plaque build-up. Finally, a fluoride treatment is used to help strengthen the enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity.

Dental Care At Home
Your pet’s dental care doesn’t end after he or she leaves the hospital. Our staff can show you how to brush your pet’s teeth at home. This is an excellent way to prevent plaque and tartar build-up, promote good oral hygiene and, most of all, bond with your pet.

For more information call us at 619-421-1698

Our hospital has achieved referral accreditation from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).  “We are proud to have met the highest quality of care standards in veterinary medicine.”

Dr. Kevin J. Anderson DVM, MPH,DACVPM Owner/Medical Director

Dr. Kevin Anderson DVM, MPH, DACVPM, and his stellar staff recognize how important your pets are to your family! They believe that every pet that comes into the clinic should be treated as if they were their own.  Otay Pet Vets is a unique, customer-service, family oriented veterinary experience, offering varied hours to meet the needs of your busy schedule, and offering excellent board certified veterinary care in the San Diego and southbay area… ” I get to do what I love everyday, fix cats and dogs.” 

 Dr. Kevin J. Anderson.  Medical Director/Owner

www.healthypet.com

For more information on accreditation and pet health care!

“Excellence in eveything we do at Otay Pet Vets.“  Debbie Anderson Owner/ Practice Manager

Dr. Anderson  DVM, MPH, DACVPM

FAQs

What is canine influenza virus (CIV)?

Canine influenza virus (CIV) causes a respiratory infection in dogs that is also known as dog flu. The infection is very contagious to other dogs. Common signs are fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, cough, and runny nose. Most dogs have a mild form of the infection, but some dogs may develop pneumonia and have a more serious course that requires hospitalization.^8,31

How does CIV spread?

Canine influenza is very contagious, meaning that it is easily spread from dogs that are currently infected to other dogs. CIV can pass from dog to dog through virus particles in the air (eg, through coughing or sneezing) or by coming into physical contact with other dogs (eg, touching noses). It can also be picked up if a dog touches or plays with objects that were touched by infected dogs (for example, food bowls, toys). Humans can even move the virus between dogs. For example, they may spread the virus if they pet an infected dog, or even touch a toy or doorknob that a dog has contacted, and then touch another dog before washing their hands.³¹

You can take important steps to minimize the spread of canine influenza:^8,26,31

• Keep your dog at home if he or she has signs of a respiratory infection, and contact your veterinarian regarding appropriate care and evaluation.
• Routinely wash your dog’s food and water bowls and toys with soap and water.
• Sanitize your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and wash your clothes after coming in contact with a dog that has signs of a respiratory infection.
• Make sure the professionals you know who provide care for your dog(s) are knowledgeable about canine influenza and are taking appropriate precautions to minimize its spread.

Can CIV infect humans?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring the situation and keeping close track of all exposures. To date, there is no evidence that CIV can infect humans, and there has not been a single reported case of a human being infected with CIV.³⁰

In general, the canine influenza virus is considered to pose a low threat to humans. The virus infects dogs and spreads between dogs, and there is no evidence that this virus can infect humans. However, influenza viruses can change so that they can infect other animals, potentially including humans.³⁰ For this reason, the CDC and its partners are monitoring CIV (as well as other animal influenza viruses) and any instances of possible human exposure to these viruses very closely. CIV is believed to have originated from an influenza A virus that infected horses, which changed to be able to cause infection in dogs.

How can I prevent my dog from getting CIV infection?

The most important step is to vaccinate your dog, as viral disease is best prevented by effective vaccination.²⁶ There is a new vaccine available to control the spread of canine influenza virus and minimize its impact.³ Just like human flu shots, this vaccine may not completely prevent canine influenza but will make it less likely. And if a vaccinated dog does get the flu, the signs are likely to be milder.

If your dog exhibits any signs of respiratory disease (cough, runny nose, fever, decreased appetite), call your veterinarian 619.421.1698

You should also stay aware of any information related to outbreaks of canine influenza in your area. Knowledge and common sense are your best defenses against canine influenza.

What are the signs of CIV infection?

Dogs with CIV infection often have a cough that may be dry or productive (coughing up yellow sputum). They may act tired and lose their appetite. They may also have a clear nasal discharge that turns yellow or green.^6,8 A small percentage of dogs do not show any signs of CIV, but can still pass the infection to other dogs.⁸ Most dogs have a mild course, but 10 to 20% have a more serious course and may develop pneumonia. These dogs may need to be hospitalized for a few days. Fortunately, few dogs die of canine influenza; mortality rates of 5 to 8% have been reported.² Seeking appropriate care early may minimize this risk.³¹

If your dog has any of these signs, consult your veterinarian and avoid taking the dog anywhere that other dogs may be exposed (other than the veterinarian’s office if so instructed) until he or she has made a full recovery.³¹

What do I do if my dog has signs of CIV infection?

If your dog shows signs of a respiratory infection such as coughing or runny nose, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can determine the cause of your dog’s signs and can prescribe safe medications to help your dog. It is never a good idea to treat your dog at home using human drugs, as many of these drugs have not been studied in dogs and may be harmful.³¹

If your dog is coughing or even just getting over a cough, you should keep your dog home for a couple of weeks. Most importantly, it gives your dog a chance to recover fully. And, in case he or she is contagious, it protects other healthy dogs and prevents spread of disease.³¹

How is CIV infection diagnosed?

Your veterinarian can perform a quick test using a nasal swab in the office to determine if the infection is likely to be canine influenza. To get a definitive diagnosis, blood samples need to be tested for CIV at an outside laboratory. The veterinarian will collect a blood sample when you first take your dog into the clinic, and again in 2 or 3 weeks. It takes about 2 weeks for the results to return. In the meantime, your veterinarian can start appropriate treatment to make your dog more comfortable. At this time, there is no treatment specifically for viral infections.³¹

What are the treatment options for CIV infection?

As with all viruses, there are no available drugs that kill CIV. The illness must simply run its course. Treatment options are focused on providing supportive care and making sure the dog is as comfortable as possible, hydrated, and eating well; those things will help boost the dog’s immune system so it can fight the virus on its own. Dogs that have nasal discharge or pneumonia signs are usually given an antibiotic because they are likely to have a secondary bacterial infection.³¹ Some dogs with more severe illness may require hospitalization for intravenous fluids and antibiotics.⁸ Contact your veterinarian if your dog has signs of a respiratory infection for recommendations regarding appropriate care and evaluation.

Is my dog likely to die from CIV infection?

Fortunately, the mortality rate for dogs with CIV infection is fairly low, about 5 to 8%.² You should be aware that this may change as we learn more about CIV. In addition, it is important to seek veterinary care at the first signs of a respiratory infection in your dog because early treatment can result in better outcomes.

• unexplained vomiting
• difficulty breathing
• unusual drooling
• burns around or in the mouth
• unusual behavior
• convulsions or unconsciousness

Remember it is a race against the clock and the overall goal is to STOP the poisoning from being absorbed into your animals system.  Call us as soon as possible 619-421-1698.  If you call within 5-10 minutes of ingestion, I might direct you to induce vomiting to minimize harm.  But if you wait a few hours to see how your animal reacts, it might be too late.  It is always important to know how long ago the poison was ingested.

Identifying what the chemical is and how much your animal has been exposed to is very important.  Have the product labels handy.  If it was a medication, know the generic name of the drug and how many milligrams (mg) were in each tablet.  Also you should know your pets weight.

After hours you can call K-State’s poision control hot line at 785-532-5679.  The person on the phone might have to page the veterinarian on call, this may take several minutes.

A good rule of thumb is to always have hydrogen peroxide on hand, but DO NOT administer without instructions from a veterinarian or the the poison control center.

Remember to keep all of your gardening supplies, rat poisons, or anything that could cause your pets harm locked up!   And last but not least, a little drooling might just mean your pet is happy to see you!

Any questions, don’t hesitate to call and ask. 619.421.1698

Dr. Anderson

*Dr. Anderson recommends that Military contact the Miramar Veterinary Treatment Facility, for more information and  a cost savings.

When you have a new puppy or kitten, I understand your confusion about your new pet’s needs including vaccinations.  Here is a chart of vaccinations that I commonly recommend to our clients:

Puppy Protocol

DA2PP+C (a 5-way vaccine for distemper, adenovirus, parvo, parainfluenza and Corona in one shot for smaller puppies / under 15 pounds) – this is a booster series given at  6, 9, 12, & 16 weeks

DHLPP+C (a 5-way vaccine for distemper, lepto, adenovirus, parvo, parainfluenza, and Corona for larger puppies/15 pounds and up) – this is a booster series given at 6, 9, 12, & 16 weeks (or on a three week schedule)
Bordetella (kennel cough) – given at 6 or 8 weeks (every 6 months thereafter and is required to kennel your pet, and or grooming).
Rabies – given at 16 weeks, 16 months, and then every 3 years thereafter – Rabies vaccine is a Mandatory Vaccine.
Deworming – 6 weeks or sooner if possible
Fecal Sample Test – 6 weeks or 1st visit

Kitten Protocol

FVRCP is a combination vaccine given as a booster series at 6, 9, & 12 weeks.

Leukemia Booster is given at 12 and 16 weeks (this is for outside cats)
Rabies – given at 16 weeks, 16 months, and then every 3 years thereafter – Rabies vaccine is required by California state law
Fecal Sample test – recommended at 6 weeks or 1st visit
Test for Feline Leukemia and Aids – recommended at 8 weeks and 4 months; and/or before you kennel your pet

2. Does my puppy or kitten have worms?

Unfortunately, internal parasites (worms) are not uncommon in puppies or kittens. A fecal test can determine if your pet has worms within 24 hours and your puppy or kitten can be treated with a wide variety of deworming medicines.  I always recommend deworming as soon as possible, as young as 2 weeks old.

3. When can I spay (female) or neuter (male) my puppy or kitten?

I usually recommend spay or neuter for puppies after they are potty-trained, and for kittens after they use their litter boxes consistenly — an average age is around 4-6 months, but is always determined on an individual basis.

4. Is my pet overweight and what should I do about it?

One way to gauge if your pet is overweight is to see if you can see their back rib; it should tuck in slightly after the last rib; and all their other ribs should be padded with a slight covering of fat. (Or bring your pet to the clinic for weighing and an evaluation based on breed.)  If your pet is overweight, my first suggestion is to reduce the pet’s food intake by 20-25%.  For example, if your dog or cat is getting 1 cup of food daily, then reduce it to 3/4 cup of food daily. This method will usually help your pet loose weight. However, if food reduction is not successful, then I may recommend prescription diet foods and/or supplements.

5. What food should I feed my puppy or kitten?

I recommend 3 top diets: Iams, Royal Canin, and Science Diet.  I have personally inspected the Science Diet factory in Topeka, Kansas, and they scored better and higher than some bakeries in the local area!  These 3 companies produce top-notch, quality food to meet all of your pet’s nutritional needs.  I have been asked about raw diets, and I personally do not feed raw diets to my own pets because of the potential of cross contamination.

6. Does my pet need multi-vitamins?

Multi-vitamins can be very beneficial to sick or older dogs. I do not normally prescribe vitamins to healthy dogs–if you are feeding your pet a healthy diet, then they should not need vitamins.

7. Will my male dog stop marking in my house after I neuter him?

Neutering is one of the best solutions to prevent your male dog from marking in your house.  However, if you are neutering him at an older age, he might not stop the behavior out of habit.  I always recommend neutering at a young age to help prevent this problem.

8. Which flea product do you recommend and how old does my pet need to be?

There are several different flea prevention products on the market, that I can highly recommend and prescribe for your pet depending on your pet’s individual needs/circumstances (pet size, living conditions, etc.) Fleas are a common problem and require attention, especially here in San Diego county.  All of the flea prevention products recommend different ages to begin treatment, but usually 8 weeks is the most common time to start using the products. We can discuss your pet’s individual needs during your first appointment.

9. How long does it take for my female to deliver puppies after conception?

Approximately, the pup or puppies will be delivered in 2 months from gestation.  Puppies can be easily identified after 45 days by ultra-sound or x-rays. Most of the time an ultra-sound or x-rays is not required or necessary unless the owner requests or I feel it is necessary due to medical concerns.

10. After surgery or a dental procedure, how long before my pet can go home?

This is not an easy answer because it totally depends on your pet.  After the pet wakes from surgery, can walk at a normal pace, and seems capable of traveling safely,  we will call the owner. This can take from 1 hour to several hours depending on each pet.  I always like to be conservative before sending your pet home.

These answers are only generalizations and exact answers can only be based upon individual examinations of your pets, however, I hope that they are helpful to you as a pet owner. As your veterinarian, I am always available if you have more questions or concerns.

Until next time,

Dr. Anderson