The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE:PG) is voluntarily expanding its recall to include veterinary and some specialized dry pet food as a precautionary measure because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No salmonella-related illnesses have been reported.

http://www.iams.com/iams/en_US/data_root/html/recall_message.html

Dr. Jones summer harvest of sweet corn is here!!!!

Get it while it lasts.  Just ask the attendants at the desk and they will take care of you.

13 ears of corn for $6.00

CHEWIE is a feisty 3 year old Shih Tzu Mix. He has been coming to The Lodge at Shoal Creek since he was a puppy. Chewie has regular spa appointments with Becky the groomer and comes to daycare just about everyday. When Chewie walks into Shoal Creek nothing can stop him! Chewie runs a path from the front door to the daycare door in a hot second. Not even a group of foxy ladies will stop Chewie, he is on mission, a mission for fun!  At home Chewie’s favorite toy is his Freaky Frog. Chewie is a avid snuggler with mom at home, I truley can’t think of a sweeter pooch to cuddle up with. Congratulations Chewie on being Shoal Creeks Pet of the Month! Thanks for steeling our hearts and being such a joy to greet every morning.

Announcing Shoal Creeks Coffee Club. We will have hot and fresh coffee every morning! It will be served in the lobby of the hospital side. For only $12 you get a Shoal Creek bottomless mug. Get your mug today, and let us become a part of your morning routine!

Shoal Creek is offering a $25.00 discount towards all pet dentals.  Here at Shoal Creek we believe that dental care is essential to your pet’s health.  Dentals can be done on an annual basis for optimum care.  Regular teeth brushing and dental chews can be very helpful preventive care.

 Can Dental Disease contribute to Heart Problems?

According to a recent article from VSEC (Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center)….

Human studies have suggested a significant association between the severity of periodontal disease and the subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease.  A recent epidemiologic study (JAVMA February 15, 2009) suggests that a similar relationship exists in dogs.  In a study of 59,296 dogs with various stages of periodontal disease researchers found that the frequency of cardiovascular-related events (infectious endocarditis and cardiomyopathy) increased in direct relation to the severity of periodontal disease.  The risk of endocarditis was 6 times greater for dogs with stage 3 periodontal disease than those dogs with absent or stage 1 periodontal disease.  Similarly, the risk for elevated white blood cell counts increased in direct relation to the severity of periodontal disease.  Chronic inflammation associated with the bacterial flora within the oral cavity was hypothesized to be a contributing factor for the increased cardiac risk.  Radiographs are required to diagnose the advanced stages of periodontitis. 

Bella is a spunky two year old goldendoodle.  She has been coming to Shoal Creek since she was a 6 week old puppy. Bella was very sick when she first came to us. She quickly recovered and in the process quickly stole everyones hearts!  Bella comes almost everyday to play with us in daycare.  She is full of life and energy. You can’t help but smile when you meet Bella with curly golden hair and wet kisses.

Canine Influenza Virus (H3N8) has recently been confirmed in states surrounding Missouri. Here are the facts:

• Where did it originate?: It first presented itself in Florida in greyhounds in 2004 and has now been found in 30 states and the District of Columbia.
• Who is at risk?: One hundred percent of dogs are susceptible and eighty percent of infected dogs will show signs of infection. In about twenty percent of these cases, more severe signs will occur and up to eight percent of clinically ill dogs may die from complications like high fever and pneumonia.
• What are the signs?: The signs of Canine Influenza are similar to kennel cough and can therefore be easily dismissed by a pet’s owner. These include coughing, sneezing, fever, nasal discharge and ocular (eye) discharge. Even dogs that do not show symptoms can still spread the virus. Unfortunately, by the time dogs would show signs of infection, they have unknowingly already been spreading the disease for 7-10 days.
• What do I do if My Dog seems sick?: Please be vigilant and if you notice that your dog is coughing, sneezing, running a fever, has a nasal discharge and ocular (eye) discharge, then immediately isolate your dog from other dogs and call Amity Woods Animal Hospital at 816.880.6650 and arrange to have your dog examined by one of our veterinarians.

The Canine Flu Vaccine

• The best way to protect your dogs from Canine Influenza is to maintain healthy pets, in order to strengthen their immune systems, and to immunize them with the Canine Influenza Vaccine.
• The vaccine has been proven safe and well tolerated in over 700 dogs. The vaccine is initially a series of two injections given 2-3 weeks apart and then annually.
• Shoal Creek Animal Hospital recommends the vaccine for dogs that socialize with other dogs in places such as veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, pet stores, daycares, dog parks and obedience classes. Your dog should be at least 8 weeks old and have no history of vaccine reactions in the past. Our team members are vaccinating their own dogs to demonstrate our confidence in the safety and importance of this vaccine.

• One of the most disturbing things about Canine Flu is that animals that are in the contagious stage and shedding the virus, show no symptoms. Infected dogs may not show signs until after they are finished shedding the virus to other dogs. Infectious dogs may look perfectly normal, and act perfectly normal, while spreading the disease to other dogs. For that reason, vaccination is really the only practical way of preventing severe disease.

We have included the following links to access more information about the disease.

• Washington Post Article
• CDC Center for Disease Control website – Canine Flu
• AVMA American Veterinary Medical Association – Canine Flu
• University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine FAQ’s
• Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health Canine Flu and Canine Flu Vaccine
• Discovery Channel Article
• Baltimore Sun Article

If you have any questions please contact our staff for information on the Canine Influenza Vaccine.