Canine Parvovirus Infection on the Rise in Milwaukee Area

 Canine parvovirus infection (also called "parvo") is a highly contagious viral disease that typically affects puppies and young (<18 months) unvaccinated dogs.   The Emergency and Critical Care specialists at the Animal Emergency Center & Specialty Services report that their team of emergency doctors have examined and treated an unprecedented number of dogs with proven Parvovirus infection this summer.  "Over the past two weekends alone, we have examined at least 15 dogs presenting with the symptoms for parvo that tested positive," reports Dr. Linklater.  Emergency specialist Elke Rudloff reports that this current outbreak finds many older dogs now positive for the disease.  "Their vaccination status is not current," she reports. "The signs in the older dog usually start with vomiting and then progresses with diarrhea and gastric stasis."
 Dr. Rudloff emphasizes that early and aggressive treatment is essential for an optimal outcome. "There is no specific treatment that will kill the parvovirus," she explains.   Treatment is aimed at correcting and preventing the life-threatening complications of the viral infection, such as hypovolemic shock, systemic bacterial infection, severe dehydration, malnutrition, and occasionally, intestinal obstruction.  The emergency/critical care specialists at the Animal Emergency Center & Specialty Services are world leaders in the use of colloid fluid support and trickle flow nutrition, both vital to providing cutting edge (state-of-the-art) medical support for the critically ill dog with parvovirus infection. 
 Milwaukee area dog owners need to know that prevention is the only way to ensure that a puppy or dog remains healthy because this disease is extremely virulent and contagious. Recommendations from the American Veterinary Medical Association are that puppies should receive a dose of canine parvovirus vaccine between 14 and 16 weeks of age, regardless of how many doses they received earlier, to develop adequate protection.  To protect their adult dogs, pet owners should be sure that their dog's parvovirus vaccination is up-to-date. Ask your veterinarian about a recommended vaccination program.  Unfortunately, a small percentage of vaccinated dogs do not develop protective immunity and remain susceptible to infection.

Important precautions:

• Until the vaccination series is complete, puppies should not be around other dogs due to the high risk of exposure to parvovirus (eg. pet shops, parks, puppy classes, obedience classes, doggy daycare, kennels, and grooming establishments)
• Do not let your puppy or adult dog come into contact with the fecal waste of other dogs while walking or playing outdoors.
• Prompt and proper disposal of waste material is always advisable to limit spread of canine parvovirus infection.

AVMA brochure on parvovirus:
www.avma.org/animal_health/brochures/canine_parvo/parvo_br

Learn more about Parvovirus, treatment and prevention (click here)

Is your cat a HERO???

Did you know that your cat could save the life of a sick or injured cat?   A blood transfusion can be necessary to save a cat's life that has a critically low red blood cell count (anemia), blood loss, or clotting abnormality.   Just like for people, the summertime brings an extra demand for blood transfusions in cats. 

The AEC&SS Blood Donor Program is one of the first pet blood donation programs created in the United States.  We have over 30 years of experience and the know-how in pet blood transfusion donations and medicine that no other program in the area can match.   We have an immediate need to enroll another 10 cats into our Blood Donor Program to meet the demands of our cat patient population.   Please review the requirements below and see if your pet will be a HERO!!

Cats must:

• be between one and six years of age
• weigh 10 lbs or greater, lean body weight
• have a good temperament
• be healthy and without a heart murmur
• live indoor only and all housemate cats must also be indoor
• be current on vaccinations
• not be receiving any medications other than heartworm, flea, or tick preventatives.
• not have received a blood transfusion

There are many benefits to joining the special group of people and pets that participate in the AEC&SS Blood Donor program.  Cats must donate at least 3 times per year to receive full benefits of the program.   Donors will retire from the program on the month/year that they turn 8 years, or sooner if a problem arises.

If you are interested in having your pet become a donor, please contact our office for more details about benefits to you and your cat at 414-540-6710.   Also, visit our website at  http://www.animalemergencycenter.com/animaledit/home/index.asp?w=pages&r=-1&pid=0

for more information and to download an application form.  

Please help us reach our goal of 10 new feline blood donors!!

Are you going on a vacation??  You will have a much more relaxing time if you are confident that your pet will be cared for according to your wishes while you are gone. 

click here to visit our Pet Travel section on our website.

AEC South Closes

We have closed the Animal Emergency Center South urgent care facility, previously located at 4607 S. 108th Street in Greenfield as of July 19th, 2010.   This facility was necessary to meet the urgent pet health needs of the south Milwaukee area pet owners since 2008.  Since then other urgent care veterinary facilities have opened and we have elected to now dedicate our time and resources to only our central facility in Glendale.  The Animal Emergency Center, S.C. & Specialty Services is  internationally recognized as a leader in providing your pet with World Class Care 24/7.  Our emergency and critical care staff of specialists write the textbooks and set the protocols used around the world by veterinarians to treat  pet emergency/critical care problems.  Our success rates for gastric dilatation-volvulus, feline pancreatitis, and cats in severe shock have been documented and published in peer review journals - and are higher than any previously documented in the literature.  Why would you take your pet any place else??  Call us at 414-540-6710.  If we have determined that your pet requires urgent veterinary intervention, we will refer you to an urgent care veterinary facility in your area. 

Iams Pet Foods has recently announced a voluntary recall of two lot numbers of their dry renal diet food for cats.  Click on this link for further information: 
Click here: PG.com News Release