Mid-Peninsula Animal Hospital™ Blog

It's not every day when human health is potentially impacted by an FDA warning on a pet product. Preface by saying that we don't include these kinds of treats in what we have available for our clients. We do care, however, and recognize that clients may be purchasing them elsewhere.

Pig ear pet treats are making people sick. It's not as if people are eating the treats, but they are touching them. 

According to the FDA, humans are being exposed to several kinds of Salmonella, and that some of the cases are antibiotic resistant. The Salmonella exposure has a surprising link to the pig ear pet treats. The FDA and CDC are working together on this one. The findings show humans have touched the treats, fed them to their pets, became exposed and they got sick, across 35 states, some requiring hospitalization.

The advice is: throw them away. Don't try to figure out which brand or bulk bin. Simply chuck them, in whatever packaging they're in, and wash your hands thoroughly. The precise language is, "FDA and CDC continue to advise consumers to avoid all pig ear pet treats and retailers to stop selling all pig ear treats at this time." In other words: no, just no. Full stop.

But wait, there's more. Since Salmonella can get established in the pet's gastrointestinal tract, and later shed the bacteria to humans, additional transfer methods need to be considered. 1) Thoroughly clean anything that may have been in contact with the treats. 2) Discourage pets from licking you or other family members, particularly in the face. 3) Always clean up the animal's feces at home or when you're out. 

If you have questions, or think your pet may be ill, please contact us. It's not a bother, and we're here for you. In this instance we have to add, if you, yourself, have touched such treats and are feeling under the weather, don't ignore it, and please do contact your doctor.

As if the heat weren't enough to worry about in the summer, now add Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) in streams and lakes where your dogs cool off to the list of worries.  

If your dog likes to jump in a pool of water, don't let them if you see blue-green algae.  It can poison them.  It can kill them.

If you already did let them hop in a pond and you're not sure if blue-green algae was in it, here are the signs and symptoms that they have ingested some: Diarrhea or vomiting, drooling, blood in stool, pale mucous membranes, jaundice, weakness, disorientation or confusion, collapsing or unconsciousness, seizures, and breathing difficulties.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can be found in fresh water or salt water estuaries and it can contain toxins that can be fatal to dogs within minutes, hours, or days of exposure.  So, it's just best to avoid altogether. That is also true for you, but dogs are more likely than people to ingest it when swimming.

Unlike green algae, blue-green algae can be fatal. Blue-green algae is on the rise due to factors like the use of crop fertilizer and rising temperatures due to climate change.  Cyanobacteria can vary in color. Aside from the familiar blue-green, harmful blooms may be blue, bright green, brown or red. They may resemble paint floating on the surface.

The heat is also a good reminder to make sure your pets are never left in cars, or confined spaces where heat can rise dramatically and fast. Aside from these two don'ts, the dos include: do provide shade, do hydrate a little extra and definitely do get out there and have fun this summer. 

We're a little worried. Recent reports of the Canine Influenza (CIV) outbreak coming out of Oakland became locally significant to us with newly confirmed cases in Sunnyvale, Campbell and Mountain View.  

We haven't seen any cases at the hospital here yet. If we we do, we may start conducting Canine Influenza vaccination clinics like we did last winter. 

Winter or summer, the concerns are the same, whether holiday boarding or summer vacation. If you haven't vaccinated before, you need four or five weeks to get your dog ready. If your dog was vaccinated last year, you just need a booster shot.

One thing that matters is 'herd immunity.' Preventing an outbreak locally may be all about 'herd immunity.' The term sounds like it's referring to a cluster of dogs, but it's really the concept that refers to the entire population. 'Herd immunity' (or 'community immunity') is indirect protection from an infectious disease, which happens when a high-enough percentage becomes immune to infection, it provides some protection for those who can't be vaccinated or are not themselves immune. CIV is highly contagious. The more contagious a disease, the higher the vaccination rate needs to be to achieve herd immunity.

So, even if you're not boarding your dog for vacation, or you don't take them to doggie day care, it's likely your dog should still be vaccinated. The visit to the dog park, or walk around the block could expose them. 

As a reminder, Canine Influenza vaccination requires two injections, three to four weeks apart, and an annual booster injection.

Humans don't catch it from dogs. Dogs are shedding the virus before they show any symptoms, which makes Canine Influenza very contagious. It makes vaccination all the more important. The fatality rate is less than 10% and can be quite sudden. Unlike a human 24-hour flu, canine influenza recovery takes two to four weeks, which can be rough.

To learn more, or to refresh your recollection, check out Dr. Janet Lowery's letter at the bottom of the 2018 blog post from when we conducted canine influenza vaccination clinics.  

The current outbreak is confirmed as H3N2 - the same strain we experienced early in 2018. If it spreads our way we will issue an update, however be reminded: immunity takes two weeks after the second vaccination. Also, if your dog was vaccinated last year, it may be time for a booster. Headsup. Pay attention. No need to panic, but you can see why we might be a little worried.

Quick reminder about the 4th of July, which can be scary for dogs in particular, since they hear a greater auditory range. We've posted about the 4th of July before, but it bears repeating.  Here are a few things that you can do:
 
1) If your festivities end before dark, consider hanging out with your animal after dark and keeping them with you. The simple dynamic of your presence in the room can be a tremendous comfort, particularly if you can project calm. Sometimes being with you is all it takes. If you, yourself, get spooked or project your own anxiety, maybe not; and move on to suggestion number two.
 
2) Keep your animals in a location where, if they do get spooked, they can not escape and run away. Use common sense: if you know they can clear the backyard fence, or worry that with some adrenalyn they might be able to, then put them in a location where they simply can't escape.
 
3) Maybe a Thundershirt. A Thundershirt, like swaddling a baby, is a soft compression wrap, shown to help many fearful dogs overcome their anxiety, such as when thunder storms or other loud noises trigger anxiety. Many families find it helpful, and it comes with a money-back guarantee of satisfaction.
 
If this is your first Fourth of July with your animal it is particularly important that you take your animal into consideration. If this is not your first Fourth of July and your animal freaks out enough where a medical intervention is the ticket, you probably have it dialed in with your vet already. If you've been looking for a good deadline to make sure your pet is microchipped as well as having their collar tags, this is a good one. We're open, so you can give us a call and see about availability.
 
As long as you remember they hear more than you do, and take your animals into consideration, we can all have a safe and sane Fourth of July.