Canine Heartworm Testing

Entire text is from vetlearn.com, with some modifications.

Heartworm testing is performed to determine if a pet is infected with heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis).

• Many veterinarians use a popular test which can be run in just a few minutes at your veterinarian’s office.
• Sometimes, additional testing is performed to gain more information about the extent of heartworm infection for a particular patient.
• Heartworm testing is recommended before beginning a heartworm preventive program. Periodic testing is also recommended for dogs already on heartworm preventive medication.

What Is Canine Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that affects dogs, cats, and up to 30 other species of animals. It is caused by parasitic worms (heartworms) living in the major blood vessels of the lungs and, occasionally, in the heart. These worms are transmitted (as microscopic larvae) through the bite of an infected mosquito. The scientific name for the heartworm parasite is Dirofilaria immitis.

Heartworm disease can cause a variety of medical problems affecting the lungs, heart, liver, and/or kidneys. Any of these problems, alone or in combination, can lead to death. Although a safe and effective treatment is available, it can be a costly and complicated process depending on how long the dog has been infected and how severe the infection is.

How Is Heartworm Testing Performed?

Heartworms are spread through the bite of a mosquito. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, it withdraws blood that contains immature heartworms (called microfilariae [pronounced micro-fill-air-ee-ay]). These microfilariae mature inside the mosquito to become infective larvae. When the mosquito bites another dog, the larvae enter the dog and (in many cases) mature to become adult heartworms, which produce more microfilariae and continue the heartworm’s life cycle. Current testing practices can detect several stages of heartworm infection:

• Testing blood for microfilariae: Using a small blood sample, your veterinarian can detect heartworm microfilariae in your dog’s blood. Note: Testing for microfilaria alone may produce false negative results.
• Antigen testing: “Antigens” are proteins that the body can recognize as belonging to a foreign organism. By identifying certain antigens that are found in adult female heartworms, researchers have developed tests that can detect these antigens to tell if a dog is infected with adult heartworms. Many veterinarians use a rapid-result test to diagnose heartworm disease in dogs. The test is very accurate, can be performed in your veterinarian’s office using a very small amount of blood, and takes only a few minutes to complete. If your veterinarian obtains a questionable result on the SNAP test, additional testing may be recommended.
• Other tests: Over time, heartworms can start to cause damage to the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels. If this damage has occurred, your veterinarian may recommend additional testing to determine the extent of your dog’s illness. Additional tests may include radiographs (x-rays) to check your dog’s heart and lungs for evidence of damage; ultrasound studies to check for specific injuries to the heart; and additional blood work to check the liver, kidneys, and other major body systems for evidence of damage.

No test is accurate 100% of the time, and sometimes your veterinarian may recommend performing tests more than once, or performing additional tests to learn more about your dog’s overall health.

When Should My Dog Be Tested for Heartworm Disease?

Dogs should be tested for heartworms before beginning a heartworm prevention program, or when changing from one heartworm preventive to another. Dogs that are already on heartworm preventive medication should also be tested periodically.

The “prepatent period” for heartworm disease (the amount of time it takes for microfilariae to be produced) is approximately 6 to 9 months in a dog. During this time, heartworm tests will be negative even if a dog is actually infected. Therefore, puppies younger than 6 to 9 months are generally not tested for heartworms. Instead, puppies should be started on heartworm preventive medication (usually during their puppy checkup visits) and tested when they are older than 9 months.

Ask your veterinarian about the recommended heartworm testing schedule for your dog.

What Are the Benefits and Risks of Canine Heartworm Testing?
There are very few risks associated with heartworm testing. Drawing blood takes only a few seconds, and your veterinary team will take precautions to ensure that your pet is not injured during this procedure. Once blood is obtained, all further processing is performed at the veterinarian’s office or at a diagnostic laboratory, so there is no risk of harm to your pet.

The benefits of heartworm testing are enormous. If your dog is infected with heartworms, early diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to help ensure that the infection is cleared before permanent damage is done to the heart, lungs, or associated blood vessels. Heartworm disease can be fatal if left untreated, so early diagnosis and treatment can literally save your dog’s life! Be sure to keep your dog on heartworm preventive medication and follow your veterinarian’s recommendations regarding heartworm testing.

Transmissible Venereal Tumor in Dogs in Puerto Princesa City

Transmissible Venereal Tumor in Dogs in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

• We see a lot of dogs here in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan that appear to have swollen vulva. Sometimes, it is seen bleeding. 
• Oftentimes, it is seen as a cauliflower-like growth of the vulva or of the penis of the male dog.
• Usually the dog is not fixed and is roaming. It is also seen on improperly fixed females, i.e. those with ovaries left intact.
• The dog-owner usually would first notice the spots of blood in the floor.



Some cases of transmissible venereal tumor in dogs in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Pictures on the left, before treatment. On the right, after. 

• The dog sometimes becomes thin. Sometimes, the dog appears normal, aside from the damage in the genitals.

WHAT TO DO?

• Bring your dog to the vet. An examination would be done. 
• TVT is confirmed by cytology. The cells would be examined to know if it is indeed a case of TVT or transmissible venereal tumor.
• Treatment usually is by chemotherapy. It is given in the clinic, once a week for maximum of six weeks.

Anti-Rabies Act of 2007: Responsibilities of Pet Owners

FYI: The Anti-Rabies Act of 2007 enumerates the following as responsibilities of pet owners:

Responsibilities of Pet Owner. - All Pet Owners shall be required to:

(a) Have their Dog regularly vaccinated against Rabies and maintain a registration card which shall contain all vaccinations conducted on their Dog, for accurate record purposes.

(b) Submit their Dogs for mandatory registration.

(c) Maintain control over their Dog and not allow it to roam the streets or any Public Place without a leash.

(d) Be a responsible Owner by providing their Dog with proper grooming, adequate food and clean shelter.

(e) Within twenty-four (24) hours, report immediately any Dog biting incident to the Concerned Officials for investigation or for any appropriate action and place such Dog under observation by a government or private veterinarian.

(f) Assist the Dog bite victim immediately and shoulder the medical expenses incurred and other incidental expenses relative to the victims injuries.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9482 (2007) AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONTROL AND ELIMINATION OF HUMAN AND ANIMAL RABIES, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Rabies Awarenss Month in Pets United: More on Rabies

March is Rabies Awareness Month. Rabies being a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans is of importance because it's a public health concern. It's so special that there's even a law for the "control and elimination" of this disease here in the Philippines. It's Republic Act 9482 which became a law 2007. At present rabies (in Tagalog, rabis) is still a threat specially here where in not 100% of pets are vaccinated.

What pet owners should know about rabies:

-Rabies is a disease. It is a viral disease. It requires a bite from an infected animal to infect another. The virus is shed via saliva of an infected animal.

-Dogs or cats are not born infected with rabies. Animals with the virus die, because it's a disease.

-Rabies is preventable. Vaccines against rabies is widely available and are highly immunogenic. This means that healthy animals when vaccinated usually produce good antibody response which protects them from the disease. In the clinic, we have sent blood samples to European laboratories and all of them showed good immunity against rabies. (It's a requirement for exporting dogs and cats.)

-Vaccination here in the Philippines is annual. It is every three years in some countries because they are free from rabies.

-Vaccination is usually done beginning 3 months of age, and annually thereafter. It is done to maintain the antibodies against the disease, which provides protection for the entire year.

-Rabies vaccine is safe. (I have encountered someone who refuse to have their dog immunized because their dog died after rabies vaccination.) A requirement prior to the immunization is a health check done by your veterinarian. The temperature is usually taken and a thorough physical examination is conducted including history taking. This is to ensure that the pet is healthy to (1) make sure that the animal would have a good immune response to the vaccine administered and (2) make sure that the animal's immune system would not be suppressed by the vaccine given.

-Rabies vaccine is cheap! Post-exposure treatment for rabies is costlier if you or a family member is bitten by a rabid dog. It could cost you a few thousand pesos but the anxiety and paranoia is much more difficult to handle!!!

And please, tell your neighbors to have their dogs vaccinated too!

What Pets Owners Should Know About TVT

The cauliflower-like mass in a female Labrador.

Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT) of dogs is very prevalent in Puerto Princesa City. It is transmitted by transplantation of tumor cells by intercourse or even by just licking and is usually seen on intact males or females.

Owners would usually see a vulva or penis that is red, friable, and lobulated mass, that resembles a cauliflower. In some it may cause the the inability of the penis to retract after intercourse. Some would have dripping blood.

The appearance is usually diagnostic but in the clinic, we make a smear and examine it for tumor cells.

It is treatable using chemotherapeutic agents.

If your dog would not be used for breeding, better have spayed or neutered. If your pet is intact, don't allow them to roam around specially during breeding season!

Below are more photos:

A disfigured vulva of a Labrador.

An enlarged penis of an Aspin.

Canine Distemper: Cause, Signs, Transmission and Prevention

References:
Tschauner's Guide
Merck Vet Manual
5 Minute Vet Consult

Anemia in Dogs

• Anemia in dogs has many possible causes, and it can range in severity from mild to severe. Severe anemia is life threatening and requires immediate veterinary care.
• Anemia results from a loss or destruction of red blood cells or from a failure of the body to produce enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body; therefore, anemia can cause lethargy (t
  iredness) and exercise intolerance (difficulty exercising).
• Anemia is not contagious. However, anemia can be caused by infectious diseases, such as ehrlichiosis, which is transmitted through a tick bite.
• Immediate treatment of severe anemia may require a blood transfusion to replace lost red blood cells. Treatment is based on the diagnosis of the underlying cause of the anemia.
• Certain causes of anemia may be preventable. For example, to reduce the risk of tick-borne diseases that may cause anemia, regular flea and tick prevention, as recommended by your veterinarian, is advisable.

From: vetlearn.com

Hookworms

Lots of bloody diarrhea lately due to HOOKWORMS in dogs. Make sure to have your pups de-wormed regularly, OR, have their feces checked regularly (monthly) to be sure. The latter is the cheaper option.

Hookworm eggs appear in the feces two weeks after infection. These worms can cause tarry (bloody) stool, anemia, and weakness.

Ehrlichia in Dogs

After the tick season comes the surge in the number of Ehrlichia cases. Here are some info on Canine Ehrlichiosis, also known as:

canine rickettsiosis
canine hemorrhagic fever
canine typhus
tracker dog disease
tropical canine pancytopenia


It is a rickettsial disease transmitted by the brown dog tick, Riphecephalus sanguineus. The tick sucks blood from an infected dog and injects it to its victim.

Ticks need blood meal to live and reproduce.

Among the signs seen are:

• Depression, lethargy, anorexia.
• Weight loss, fever, inflamed lymph nodes, bleeding tendencies (commonly epistaxis or nosebleed), edema of limbs.

Diagnosis: It is diagnosed by antigen testing. A small sample of blood is collected and the test is done in the clinic. Result is ready within 20 minutes.

Prevention: Tick control. There are many options and products for tick control, including collars, sprays, spot on products. Visit us for more info.