There are some things you shouldn't share.

A zoonotic disease is an infectious disease that can be transmitted from an animal to a human while the opposite, diseases transferred from a human to an animal, is classified as reverse zoonosis. While not all infectious diseases can be transmitted between species (pets to people, or vice versa), there are some that require special consideration.
Any person in contact with an infected animal may acquire a zoonotic disease, however, certain individuals are more at risk. People with compromised immune systems such as
pregnant women, the elderly, or people undergoing treatment for cancer are much more likely to contract the disease. Children are also more at risk due to immature immune systems and poor sanitary practices.
The following zoonotic diseases are just a few of the many that exist.

Roundworms: Nearly every puppy or kitten is born with roundworms contracted from its mother. These worms can be transmitted to people, especially children. Most infections in people are so mild as to cause no signs at all, but the potential for severe illness exists. Migrating worms may damage the liver, eyes or brain. As the eggs are found in an animal’s stool, sanitation is essential; feces should be removed and disposed of daily and everyone who handles the animal should wash their hands. 

This is especially important in young children, who often put their fingers in their mouths. Also remember to cover all sandboxes when not in use to prevent children from contacting contaminated feces. Protect yourself and your family from roundworms by having your veterinarian do a yearly test on a stool sample from your pet. Some veterinarians prescribe regular dewormings even in the face of negative stool tests because of these risks. 
A very effective way to protect your family from roundworms is to use year ‘round heartworm preventative that also treats intestinal worms. These tablets deworm your pet each month as well as providing protection against heartworms.
Rabies: Anyone who saw the movie "Old Yeller" knows that rabies is a zoonotic disease. Rabies is caused by a virus transmitted through animal saliva. In Iowa, the most common carrier of rabies is the skunk while the raccoon is the most common on the East coast. Signs of rabies include personality and behavioral changes, incoordination, difficulty swallowing, seizures, and death. Rabies is fatal -- there is no cure in man or animals. Protect yourself by not handling wild or stray animals and by having all your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies. 
Bats are also a potential source of rabies infection. While most bats do not carry rabies, CDC guidelines recommend testing of any bat found in a room with a sleeping person, or someone unable to communicate whether they might have been bitten, such as an infant or an incapacitated adult. If you think you, or a member of your family might have been exposed to a bat under these circumstances, call your physician and explain the situation.
Toxoplasmosis: Toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoan, a one-celled parasite. Hunting cats often contract this parasite by eating small rodents, and then shed the cysts in their stool. The parasite is also found in raw meat. Most cats and people show no signs of the disease, or have only mild flu-like symptoms. Those who have a weakened immune system may develop a much more serious infection. Fetal infection, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, can result in blindness, so pregnant women must take special precautions to avoid contacting toxoplasmosis cysts. Protect yourself by not letting your cat hunt and not feeding it raw meat. Pregnant women and persons with compromised immune systems should wear gloves when gardening, wash thoroughly after handling raw meat, and should not change litterboxes. 
Although the chances of getting a zoonotic disease from your pet are slim, you should be aware that it could happen. The most effective way to prevent zoonotic diseases and ensure your good health is to ensure good health for your pets. Contracting a pet-borne disease usually requires very close contact with animals or their excretions, so zoonotic diseases can be avoided with common sense, cleanliness and regular pet examinations and vaccinations. For more information on zoonotic diseases, talk to your veterinarian, your physician, the public health department, or search reputable internet sites such as the CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People.
Chad Smith, D.V.M.

December 2010 Pet of the Month - Chance Lighter

This is the amazing story of Chance. 

 At the beginning of summer, my husband and I wanted to plant some trees on our property. I went out one morning to buy the trees.  My initial plan was to go to Lowe's Garden Center, but for some reason, as I drove by, I was compelled to go to Farm & Fleet. When I arrived, the store was not to open for another 15 minutes. Again I felt compelled to sit and wait rather than just leaving.

I picked out my trees and waited for the girls who worked there to check me out, but they were distracted by something.... One of them reached down into a nursery pot full of rainwater from the night before, and picked up a tiny little 3 week old kitten that had been floating in the cold water. He appeared to be dead, and he smelled terrible, as the water was polluted and foul. There were no other cats or kittens around and it is a mystery why he was there.

"He's still alive!" said one of the girls, "But just barely..." I reached out and took him in my hands and could feel a slight heartbeat, but he was unconscious and cold, and so very tiny. He was so dehydrated that his eyes were sunken in. "I'll take him." I said as I wondered how this was going to work out. We already have quite a large family of cats but I was not about to walk away from this little soul who needed a chance to live.

At home, my husband was as concerned as I was that this little kitten might not survive. We cleaned him up, got him warm and began with drops of Pedialyte on his tongue to get some fluids in him. He remained only semiconscious for the better part of the day and I was sure he was going to die.

Drops of kitten formula were placed on his tongue one at a time and I held him and stayed up with him most of the night and he regained consciousness the next morning and began devouring the formula. Within a few more days he was gaining strength. The rest, as they say, is history.

As for his name, it was "chance" that I went to that particular store that day, "chance that I didn't leave before they opened, and "chance" that he was found at that moment, still barely alive. So his name had to be Chance.

Chance is a very affectionate, playful little guy and is interested in everything! He gets along with all the other cats and loves his teddy bear, which he slept with as a tiny kitten, in place of the mother cat.

Buddy Needs a Home - Can you Help?

Buddy’s owner recently died and he needs a new home. He is a 4-5 yr old Greyhound/hound mix male. Buddy is neutered and current on all shots and vet care. Buddy is social and gets along well with adults, kids, and other animals including other dogs and cats. He has been around kids from infants to teens, lived with a cat and another dog. Buddy is a dog that likes to be outside if his people aren’t home but wants to be inside with people when they are home. He is used to being outside during the day while his owner was at work. Buddy does not tolerate being crated – so do not plan on keeping him in any kind of crate. Buddy does take medication twice a day because he is anxious, though the medication is very inexpensive. If you are interested in providing Buddy a loving home, please contact Barb Lind at 319-504-1489. References will be checked to ensure Buddy goes to a good home. Buddy was much loved and needs a family to continue to give him the home and love he deserves!

Have We Seen Your Cat Lately?

The majority of cats are not receiving the medical attention they deserve. Though cats outnumber dogs as pets in the U.S., fewer cats receive annual veterinary exams. Feline visits fell from 70.8 million in 2001 to 63.3 million in 2006, even as the number of cat-owning households increased.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommend a minimum of one wellness exam per year for cats and more frequent exams for those cats with medical or behavioral issues. Cats don’t always display signs of illness to their owners, and wellness exams and routine blood work can help detect concerns before they become life-threatening problems. Progression of medical conditions like kidney disease or heart disease can be slowed with proper medical treatment resulting in a longer, happier life for your cat.
Of cats that visit the vet at least once a year, only 22% receive vaccinations for any disease other than rabies. With vaccines available to help keep our cats safe and healthy, why take the risk of them getting feline leukemia or distemper? Without a current rabies vaccination, your cat is at risk for contracting this fatal disease from a bat that may find its way into your home. After a potential rabies exposure, your cat may need to be quarantined or even euthanized depending on the circumstances.
Even if your cat is a strictly indoor cat, they can still pick up various parasites such as fleas and intestinal worms. Some of these parasites can then be passed onto the human members of your family. An annual exam and stool sample analysis will help to catch the infestations early and minimize illness to you and your cat.
One reason cats are taken to the vet less often than dogs may be that pet owners feel that traveling is more stressful to a cat. This can be remedied in a number of ways. Start by using a top-loading carrier so the cat can be easily placed into and removed from it. Create a comfortable environment inside the carrier with a favorite blanket and toy. Withhold food before the trip to reduce motion sickness and drape a blanket or towel over the carrier to minimize stress.
It can be very tempting to trivialize the importance of an exam, blood work, vaccinations, and stool sample analysis, but would you consider doing these things to allow your cat to live a longer, healthier life? On behalf of your cat, schedule an annual wellness visit today.
Chad Smith, D.V.M.

Pet of the Month - November 2010 - K8 Rastetter

K8 Rastetter was born on March 14, 2007 in the kitchen of Mark and Donna Rastetter. She was one of 9 puppies that were well loved, even rocked and sang to when they were young. The rest of her siblings were adopted by other families, but K8 worked her way into Mark and Donna’s heart. She loves playing with her tennis ball, and needs her daily walks to use up some of her unending energy. She recently graduated from P.E.T.P.A.L.S. and now is able to provide companionship and therapy to many who need companionship from a pet. P.E.T.P.A.L.S. is a non-profit organization that that has been in operation for 27 years which serves Black Hawk county. They provide volunteer opportunities for animal and human interaction by visiting local nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, schools, and other facilities with approved pets. K8 visited Friendship Village this past month for the first time and loved the attention she received from those she visited. K8 is a special dog who will use her love to impact many lives.

To learn more about P.E.T.P.A.L.S. contact Rachelle Yousefi 277-7418.

Pet of the Month - October 2010 - Rocky Petrucelli

Our first guinea pig pet of the month is Rocky Petrucelli.  He was adopted by Vicki on April 21^st, 2010.  Guinea pigs make amazing pets.  Rocky loves to be held and cuddled.  One of his favorite places to sit is on the shoulder of a trusted person.  He will occasionally get the chance to be out of his cage and run but he would rather spend time being held and played with.  He is able to keep his sleep/awake schedule in sync with Vicki’s, he is usually awake when she is.  Guinea pigs eat many different things, but the staple in their diets is hay.  Rocky also loves green leaf lettuce, kale, parsley and carrots. He will occasionally get some apple for a treat.  One of Vicki’s favorite things about Rocky is all the vocalizations that he makes.  Guinea pigs purr when they are content and happy, can make loud noises when they are hungry or hurt, and other noises when they are scared or nervous.  “Popcorning”, or little jumps in the air, is what Rocky does when he gets excited.  If you haven’t ever had a guinea pig as a pet, give them a chance.  Their personality and love cannot be duplicated. 

MRSA, MRSA, MRSA!



MRSA colonies



There always seems to be one topic that sticks with you and haunts you after attending an informative continuing education meeting. After the fall Iowa Veterinary Medical Association meeting last week in Ames, MRSA was the bug that really had me bugged after the meeting. MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This nasty bacteria has acquired a gene that reduces the ability of our most common antibiotics, penicillins and cephalosporins, to attach to it. This bacteria can roam around and reproduce quite happily and most antibiotics have little or no effect on it! Not only that, but as many as 1 in 3 people are what are referred to as colonized. This means folks with no clinical signs or evidence of disease what-so-ever are carrying this bacteria and can spread it to others. Those people who have active MRSA infections have fever, wounds, high white blood cell counts and a whole host of other severe problems that stem from a bacterial infection gone wild.

Drug resistant bacterial infections seem to come from two main sources or situations.
1.) Bacteria found in the environment, either in a hospital or in the community.
2.) Bacteria that stems from a patient’s own normal flora ( the normal good bacteria that all people and pets have which normally helps to fight off the bad kinds of bacteria) that over populates because of increased and/or inappropriate antibiotic use.
Risk factors for community acquired MRSA, or drug-related resistant infections, are young age, kids participating in contact sports, sharing towels or athletic equipment, having a weakened immune system, living in crowded or unsanitary conditions, and association with healthcare workers. Risk factors for hospital acquired infections are current or recent hospitalization, living in a long term care facility, invasive devices such as catheters, and recent antibiotic use.
What’s the human - animal connection? The most important multi-drug resistant organisms are MRSA as we described earlier, enterococcus species, enterobacter species, and pseudomonas species bacteria. Colonized animals are a concern due to their potential for future development of infection ( especially if they are scheduled for surgery) and the potential for transmission of these drug resistant bacteria to humans. If an animal or human in a household develops illness, it may be very difficult to tell which way the infection was transmitted because it could pass from human to animal or from animal to human. There has been no evidence to show that giving antibiotics to a colonized individual is a good idea. This would just likely make the resistant bacteria smarter and even more resistant to the next antibiotic chosen.
To quote Dr. Jo Ann Morrison, Senior Clinician and Internal Medicine Service Chief at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, broad, non-targeted antibiotic therapy has caused the following:

• Increased pathogen exposure to antibiotics
• Enhanced the resistance mechanisms of bacteria
• Increased levels and rates of resistance in pathogen populations
• Decreased the effectiveness of medications
• Limited future therapy options
• Favored emergence of resistance by eliminating competing normal flora ( the good bacteria that fights off the bad bacteria)



Ruptured MRSA infection



All that being said, what are we to do. Do what your mother always has told you. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Students should never share water bottles or towels in the locker room. Parents need to make their teenagers aware of MRSA and the population of colonized individuals that they are very likely in contact with every day. Disinfecting locker rooms and bathrooms on a regular basis as well as door knobs, locker handles and water fountains is very important. Households should clean bathroom counter and sink surfaces well too. Store toothbrushes upright and away from other toothbrushes and send them through the sanitize cycle in the dishwasher often.

For more information on good disinfecting protocols go to Disinfection protocol.
MRSA Manual I included this just as an example of a management protocol for MRSA because we have used Techni-care at the veterinary hospital for several years with excellent results, but there are many other examples of disinfecting protocol online.
Dr. Elizabeth Bixby