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Did you know that up to 80% of dogs and 70% of cats that do not receive proper dental care may show signs of dental disease by the age of 3?

Dental care is important to your pet’s overall health and well-being. Overlooking dental care can result in a range of health issues, from tooth loss to systemic disease and even organ damage. That’s why it is important for your pet to receive dental care at home as well as regular dental examinations from your veterinarian.

Our minimum recommendation is an annual dental exam for your pet. You will notice that your pet’s doctor routinely checks the teeth whenever he comes in for a visit. However, if you notice bad breath, excessive drooling, or pawing at the mouth, you should consider scheduling a visit specifically for a dental exam. Our doctors and technicians will also advise you on the best methods of at-home dental care to keep your pet healthy.

We want to help you celebrate!

Click the image below to print the coupon for a 10% discount on dental exams, routine dental prophylaxis, and digital dental radiographs. The coupon is good from January 16 through February 29. Call for an appointment today!

Dental Health Month Coupon

Looking for more information on oral health?

Visit www.oralatp.com to learn more.

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Services in the 2012 program include:                  

• Spring & Fall Medical Exams
• Vaccinations
• Dentals
• Coggins Test
• Fecal Egg Count
• Weight & Nutritional Consultation (Spring & Fall)
• Eligibility for Additional Discounts On:
  • Lameness Exams
  • Radiographs
  • Blood Work
  • Microchip

Enrollment fee for the 2012 Equine Wellness Program is $310 (a $25% savings!). Multiple horse discounts are available. You never lose with our program, as funds remaining at the end of the year may be applied to the next year’s wellness program or used to pay for other services provided by our clinic.

To learn more about how you can save on the veterinary care that your horse needs to remain healthy, click here.

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Be Strong! You know what's best for your furry friend, and it's not the turkey dinner!

The holidays are a time for feasting on rich foods and drinks. Many of us like to celebrate with our pets and think giving them a few scraps from the table “just this once” can’t hurt. Think twice, however, before sharing your food with your dog or cat and be aware of the harmful effects of feeding “people” food to your pet.

Sometimes we don’t plan to feed the scraps to our pets but our pets have other ideas. Make sure that the scraps and garbage are well out of your pet’s reach so they don’t accidently eat something that would make them sick.

If you suspect your pet has ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call the clinic immediately for assistance.

Below is a list of foods that may be harmful to your pet:

• Rich, fatty foods, such as turkey skins or gravy can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea and pancreatitis, which can be very painful and serious, sometimes leading to hospitalization.
• Bones can tear or obstruct your pet’s intestinal tract. Poultry bones are especially dangerous.
• The strings that are used to tie the turkey during roasting can cause an obstruction in your pet’s intestinal tract if ingested. Pop-up thermometers appear to be tasty morsels to your dog or cat, but can also cause blockages if eaten.
• Onions and foods containing a high amount of onion powder are toxic and can destroy a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia.
• Grapes and raisins can be harmful as well, containing toxins that can cause kidney failure.
• Chocolate, especially baking chocolate, is highly toxic and can actually kill your dog if ingested in large enough quantities.
• Coffee, coffee beans, and alcoholic beverages should be kept away from animals year-round.
• Nicotine is a stimulant that can increase the heart rate leading to collapse.

Still want to give your pet a little something special? There are plenty of high-quality dog and cat treats available at your local pet store or here at the clinic. Another form of treat for your pet could be an extra walk or some extra snuggle or grooming time.

The veterinarians and staff at the Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic wishes everyone and their pet a healthy and happy holiday season and new year!

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Autumn health care is important to maintaining the health of your horse.

There are two very busy times of the year in an equine practice. In the spring we are busy testing for equine infectious anemia (Coggins test) and vaccinating for mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus and Eastern & Western Encephalomyelitis. The semi-annual vaccinations are also given for equine influenza and equine herpes virus (rhinopneumonitis).

With the excitement of warm riding weather and horse show season approaching, most horses owners remember to make their appointments for the spring work. Now that the days are getting shorter and colder, it’s easy to put fall health care on the back burner. Delaying vaccinations and routine care can have negative consequence to maintaining your horse’s health.

Adult horses should receive their semi-annual influenza and rhinopneumonitis vaccination in the fall. A veterinarian should examine the horse’s mouth and teeth. If the horse did not have dental work performed in the spring, he may very well be due for dental work in the fall. Deworming after a hard freeze is recommended for all horses. Additionally, as your horse heads into winter, his nutritional needs may change. Having a consultation with your veterinarian regarding your horse’s weight, ration, and exercise will assist you in keeping your horse healthy and fit throughout the year.

Foals born in the spring should start receiving their vaccinations at 4 – 6 months of age, depending on the vaccine. All vaccinations require a booster in one month. As with adult horses, a medical exam and fall consult regarding nutrition and weight management is extremely valuable in the care of your young horse.

Many of our clients have their horses enrolled in the equine wellness program. This program not only helps our clients’ budget their veterinary care and save money, but also assures them that their horse’s preventive care is complete. If you are unsure which vaccinations or routine care your horse is due, feel free to contact our office. We’ll happily review your horse’s records for you.

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Until further notice our clinic will be open until 7 pm on Wednesday evenings only. We will close at 5 pm on Thursdays.

Currently our clinic office hours are:

8 am to 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

8 am to 7 pm Wednesday

8 am to Noon Saturday

Please call the clinic phone number for assistance if you have an after-hours emergency.

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Fleas may be the culprit with your pets itching, scratching and biting. We can help your friend return to his normal, happy self.

Fleas are a common problem with pets in Wisconsin, especially during late summer and early fall.

Fleas are small, brown or black, wingless insects with flattened bodies. These blood-sucking insects cause considerable irritation and distress to infested pets. The best places to look for fleas on your pet are the hindquarters, base of the tail, stomach and groin regions. Sometimes no fleas are found but only tiny, black granules that resemble black pepper. This material is flea feces and consists of digested blood.

Fleas spread the common dog and cat tapeworm, and carry several viral and bacterial diseases. Severe infestations may lead to anemia from blood loss. The most common health problems associated with fleas, however, are rashes, sores, and allergic skin disease caused by hypersensitivity to the flea saliva.

Allergic skin disease in the dog and cat may present as scratching – especially over the back, licking of the paws, and possibly a red rash that may be easily seen on the abdomen. Extensive skin damage may result from the pets biting, licking and scratching. In dogs, the main signs of flea allergy are excessive hair loss and severe scratching and biting. Skin sores develop primarily around the base of the tail, up the middle of the back, and on the abdomen. Skin infections are common. In cats, the main signs of flea allergy are excessive hair loss and small red papules with reddish-brown crusts. Sores are most prevalent around the neck, lower back, base of the tail, and abdomen.

Flea allergies usually worsen as an animal ages. Signs may begin earlier in the flea season and last longer. Skin reactions may also become more severe with age. Treatment includes flea control on the pet and in the pet’s environment as well as suppression of the allergic reaction.

There are three steps to flea treatment; (1) treat the pet, (2) treat the pet’s environment, such as the house, and (3) prevent the return of the fleas. The Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic recommends several treatment choices, based on the age of your pet, length of required protection, convenience, and safety. If your pet is not already on a flea preventative, please contact our office for recommendations. Our staff of technicians and veterinarians will be happy to discuss flea control and, if necessary, allergic skin disease treatment plans with you.

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The portable digital ultrasound in use by Dr. Leibsle. Digital ultrasound can be especially useful with lameness exams as well as prepurchase exams.

The Elkhorn Veterinary Clinic has added a portable digital ultrasound to its stable of non-invasive diagnostic imaging tools. The new portable unit joins our larger, in-clinic digital ultrasound. The portability of this digital ultrasound allows clients to receive the highest quality diagnostics right on their home premises.

There are several advantages of digital ultrasound to the older analog model; one is the high resolution of the image that is produced. In addition to clarity, the ultrasound image can be easily manipulated, digitally stored in the patient’s file and emailed to the client for their records.  If the patient is referred for further care, the images can be sent to the referral center, reducing the need for duplicate diagnostics.

Ultrasound is used to image soft tissue. In horses, it can be of particular value when evaluating lameness by determining the extent of tendon and ligament damage and by comparing the healing progress during recovery. Ultrasound is used to image eyes, lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen, and intestines. Moving organs, such as the heart, can be examined in real time, complete with blood flow imaging. Ultrasound may also be used to guide procedures such as injections and biopsies.

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Owners need to provide adequate ventilation, shade, and water to their animals. Pets should never be left in hot cars or airless rooms.

Heat stroke is a very real threat to animals, and can be fatal even with prompt treatment. Very young and very old animals, animals with health problems, overweight animals, and those that are snub-nosed are more susceptible to heat stroke as are those animals that have suffered from heat stroke in the past.

Signs of heat stroke in your pet may include:

This pup has the right idea to cool off on a hot day!

• excessive panting
• elevated body temperature
• dark or bright red tongue & gums
• sticky or dry tongue & gums
• staggering
• stupor
• seizures
• diarrhea &/or vomiting

In large animals, signs of heat stress may include:

• restlessness
• stumbling
• increased heart rate and salivation
• panting
• collapse
• convulsions

If you see these signs in hot weather get your animal out of direct heat and get it wet, either with wet rags, a hose, or in a wading pool. Call your veterinarian for further assistance and advice.

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Isolate new horses and those returning from shows or other events where they have mingled with other horses for seven days.

Many of our clients continue to ask questions regarding the recent Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) outbreak centering around the National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championship event in Ogden, UT held from April 29 to May 8, 2011. EHV-1, while not a threat to humans, can cause respiratory disease in horses, abortion in mares, neonatal foal death, and/or neurologic disease in the horse. The neurologic form of EHV-1 is called Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

It appears that the current outbreak is winding down. No horse exposed at the NCHA event in Utah returned to Wisconsin. Currently there are no cases of EHV-1 or EHM reported in Wisconsin. There is no guarantee, however, when commingling horses that all horses are free of contagious disease. We still recommend that horse owners practice good biosecurity measures when traveling with their horses. This includes limiting horse-to-horse contact, keeping horses at the trailer when at a show, and washing hands before handling each horse. Water buckets, feed tubs, grooming equipment and stalls should not be shared between horses.

Foot baths are an excellent means of controlling disease at home. Keep a tub of 1:10 bleach-water solution at the door of the barn. Ask all visitors, including veterinarians and farriers, to step in the disinfectant before entering. Change the solution daily.

For the most current EHV-1 situation report from the USDA/APHIS, click here.

June 8, 2011:  New EHV-1 Cases Being Reported

The Horse recently published an online article outlining the new cases of EHV-1 being reported. These cases are in California, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Access the article here.

June 24, 2011

The USDA released their final situation report yesterday. There are no new cases and no new premises affected with EHF-1

Access the USDA Final Situation Report here.

Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy

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Kelpie's quality of life has improved since she's seen Dr. Schreiner for VSMT.

VSMT is a holistic approach to health care. It involves examining the patient’s joints, especially those of the spine, for decreased mobility, pain, and heat. Sublixation is the term used to describe a joint that is not moving properly. Since the nervous system controls all systems of the body and must be functioning properly for optimum health, subluxation of a joint or joints in the spine can cause pain and illness by affecting the nerves associated with that joint.

Dr. Busalacchi corrects a subluxation on one of her equine patients.

Our two VSMT certified veterinarians, Dr. Tracy Busalacchi and Dr. Terri Schreiner, are available to examine your pet, horse, or livestock. The patient will receive a conformation analysis, gait analysis, and examination of the vertebrae and joints. Based upon the history and examination, the patient will likely receive a series of “adjustments,” or corrections to the subluxations.

Conditions that may benefit from VSMT include:

• Lameness
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Nerve paralysis
• Muscle wasting or weakness
• Behavioral changes
• Some internal medicine problems

Feel free to contact our clinic with any questions you may have regarding Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy and if it may be appropriate for your pet.

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