Raccoon rabies first appeared in New York City in 1992. The virus had been limited primarily to the Bronx and Staten Island until December 2009 when a large raccoon rabies epizootic began in Central Park in Manhattan. With a large, susceptible raccoon population present in and around the Park the virus spread efficiently among the raccoons with over 130 raccoons testing positive for rabies. The City convened a Task Force within days of the start of the epizootic to develop plans to vaccinate raccoons against rabies and conduct outreach and education of the public and the veterinary and medical communities. Representatives from local, state and federal agencies and organizations with expertise in rabies management including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Department of Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH), NYC Parks and Recreation and the Central Park Conservancy participated.

Raccoons were rabies vaccinated through a trap, vaccinate, release (TVR) program in which humane traps were set throughout Central Park, Morningside Park and Riverside Park. Trapped raccoons were vaccinated with a parenteral vaccine, ear-tagged for identification and then re-released at the trap site. Two eight week rounds of TVR were conducted this year; the first from February 16th to April 9th and the second from September 20th to November 15th. Staff from USDA Wildlife Services conducted the operation in the field with the assistance of the City’s Health and Parks Departments and the Central Park Conservancy.

The TVR program successfully vaccinated, ear-tagged and released a total of 404 raccoons. Since the final day of the second round of TVR on November 15th, there have been no raccoons testing positive for rabies in Manhattan. Continued surveillance in the months ahead will help to determine the overall success of the program and whether additional rounds of TVR may be warranted.

Raccoons are the most commonly reported rabid animal in New York City. Vaccinating raccoons in the Central Park area against rabies has helped protect additional raccoons from rabies infection and prevent further spread of the virus in the city. The TVR program has also helped decrease the chance that a person or a pet is bitten by a rabid raccoon. Though these types of occurrences are rare in the city, five people were bitten or otherwise exposed to rabid or potentially rabid raccoons since the outbreak began in December 2009. All persons received rabies postexposure prophylaxis and are doing fine. In addition, two dogs have been exposed to rabid raccoons. Both were current on their rabies vaccines, treated by veterinarians and are also doing fine.

The Health Department’s rabies surveillance reports and information about rabies is updated regularly and available at www.nyc.gov/health/rabies.

Reputable online pharmacies can help pet owners save money when they purchase prescription drugs, just as they can help people get their own prescriptions filled. However, legitimate companies always require a prescription from a veterinarian before filling an order for pet drugs.

The F.D.A. warns that its own investigations have found online companies that sell unapproved drugs or other counterfeit products. Some sites make fraudulent claims about a drug’s effectiveness, while others dispense drugs without a prescription or ship expired drugs to unsuspecting pet owners.

In addition to prescription drugs, Web sites also may sell some products like specialty dog and cat foods that also typically require a prescription. The F.D.A.’s Center for Veterinary Medicine regulates animal drugs, but state pharmacy boards regulate the dispensing of prescription veterinary products.

In its alert, the F.D.A. raised special concern about buying a certain class of pain relievers as well as heartworm medication without a veterinarian’s prescription. Frequent use of the pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause a number of complications in animals and people, including internal bleeding. Heartworm drugs should only be given to dogs who have been tested and shown to be free of the parasites. Giving heartworm medication to a dog that is already infected with the parasite can lead to more serious complications.

The F.D.A. advises pet owners who want to buy online drugs to place orders at sites that belong to a so-called Vet-VIPPS accredited pharmacy. The name, which stands for Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites, is a voluntary accreditation program of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The agency notes that the program only began in 2009, so only a small number of pharmacies are currently Vet-VIPPS accredited.

Another option is to ask your veterinarian or veterinary hospital if it uses an Internet pharmacy service or a prescription management service.

Link to New York Times Article

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is pleased to inform
you that Canine Influenza Vaccine, H3N8 has been granted a full
license by the USDA after a year of safe and effective use in close to
half a million dogs. Now called Nobivac®
Canine Flu H3N8, the vaccine has been proven to reduce the severity
and spread of disease.

This action by the USDA acknowledges the ongoing need to
protect dogs against canine influenza, a serious and potentially fatal
disease, as outbreaks continue to occur. Since the first reported case
in Florida in 2004,1 canine influenza
virus (CIV) has been confirmed in 33 states, and it continues to spread.

Which dogs should be vaccinated against canine influenza?
Consider vaccinating any dog that interacts with other dogs at venues
such as boarding facilities, doggie daycares, breeding facilities, or
dog shows. In fact, all dogs that are vaccinated for
Bordetella should be considered for CIV vaccination since these dogs
are likely to come in contact with other dogs in closed environments.
And, dogs of veterinary staff that may be exposed at home through
contaminated fomites should also be
vaccinated. Dogs have no natural immunity to CIV, so virtually all
naive dogs will become infected.1 Highly contagious, canine influenza
can rapidly infect a large number of dogs in these multi-dog settings.
Nobivac® Canine Flu H3N8 is only available from
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health,
a company with a long history of expertise in veterinaryinfluenza vaccine development.

We are pleased to offer this vaccine at our Paws and Claws location.  Anyone with questions, feel free to call.

Please follow this link to the vaccine manufacturer’s website for more information: http://www.doginfluenza.com/owners/

June 9, 2010

P&G Recalls Specific Canned Cat Foods

Due to Low Levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

CINCINNATI, June 9, 2010 – The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE:PG) is voluntarily recalling specific lots of its Iams canned cat food in North America as a precautionary measure.  Diagnostic testing indicated that the product may contain insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is essential for cats.  Cats that were fed these canned products as their only food are at greater risk for developing signs of thiamine deficiency.

The following Iams canned cat foods are included:

This recall is limited to only Iams canned cat food distributed in North America.  No other Iams pet food is involved.

Early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss.  In advanced cases, signs may include ventroflexion (downward curving) of the neck, wobbly gait, falling, circling and seizures.  Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these signs.  If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible.

Consumers who have purchased canned cat food with these codes should discard it.  For further information or a product refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8826 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST).

What is Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a metabolic disease that is caused by excessive secretion of thyroid hormone. It is most often caused by a benign tumor of the thyroid gland. Weight loss, vomiting, increased appetite, and poor hair coat are the most common clinical signs

How can hyperthyroidism be treated?
• Medical Treatment: This consists of the twice daily administration of a drug called methimazole. This will usually control the disease but is not a cure, and must be given for the rest of the cat’s life.
• Radioactive Iodine: This is a simple treatment consisting of a single subcutaneous injection of radioactive iodine. It carries a 95% cure rate.

Why Radioactive Iodine
• It is curative
• Some cats are difficult if not impossible to pill and Iodine removes the necessity for daily medicating.
• Methimazole can cause systemic reactions in some cats
• Frequent blood tests are no longer required as Iodine cures the disease
• Anesthesia is not required for the treatment
• No surgical complications related to the parathyroid gland

How is the Iodine administered?
• A single subcutaneous injection similar to vaccination

How long will my pet be hospitalized?
Because Iodine is radioactive, the New York State Department of Health requires a period of isolation. Your pet will be cared for in our feline only facility. Large comfortable cubicles with a private bathroom area are provided. There is a wonderful view of the tennis courts behind the facility. Your pet will be evaluated twice daily. Because our iodine facility is located at the Cat Hospital, there is always a doctor familiar with nuclear medicine available to evaluate your pet’s condition.

AFTERCARE
At discharge you will be given an instruction sheet that outlines what precautions you need to take when you bring you pet home. For a period of two weeks the following actions should be taken:

• You should use flushable litter for a period of two weeks
• You should not sleep with your pet for two weeks
• Limit close contact to a few minutes for two weeks.
• You do not need to quarantine your cat from other pets

Success Rates
We expect a 90-95% cure rate with radioactive iodine. This means that you cat is no longer hyperthyroid and does not need medication of any type

Radioactive Iodine treatment for Cats with Hyperthyroidism
Instructions for referring veterinarians

Listed below you will find the protocol and information necessary to refer a cat to the Feline Hyperthyroid Treatment Center. The following is a guideline that we follow to ensure the best success rates possible.

Diagnostic Testing
• Complete Blood Count, Serum Chemistry Profile, Urinalysis (within 30 days of referral)
• Pretreatment Serum T4 level (within 30 days of referral)
• Chest radiographs, echocardiogram, ECG. (only needed if severe cardiac disease is suspected)
• If the patient has been treated with tapazole for some time, please discontinue the medication for one week and collect a serum T4.
The above information, along with the client contact information should be faxed to our office at (516)-746-4813. It will be reviewed by our nuclear medicine staff. At this point one of our doctors will be happy to contact you, or if you prefer the client directly, to discuss the patient’s suitability for treatment.

Follow-up care
At the end of the one week stay in our facility blood will be collected to evaluate thyroid, liver, and kidney function. We will forward a case report and the lab work to your office. The client will be instructed to return to your office in 3 months for follow-up. At that time a serum T4, as well as any other metabolic profiles you feel are appropriate should be submitted to the laboratory. Studies indicate that over 95% of treated cats will have thyroid values that are within the normal range.

If you have any questions about any of this information, or you wish to discuss a particular patient, please do not hesistate to call our office.

Feline Hyperthyroid Treatment Center
2 Hillside Avenue
Suite E
Williston Park, NY 11596
877-228-4131