Did you know that you can buy all of your pet supplies including food, litter, toys, leashes and accessories through the Scott Veterinary clinic web store? And even better, you can have them delivered to your door! 

Our web store offers all veterinary approved products and it is a great option for busy lives. Once you have registered, you need only to log in and place your order. You can also opt for auto order so that you don’t even have to do that. The program will place the order for you, at an interval you have selected, then we will email you when your order is available for pick up at the clinic, or it will be delivered to your home. Delivery is free on orders of  $100.00 or more. We have several clients who do not live near the clinic using this service who find it very convenient.

   All of the products, prescriptions and approvals are strictly controlled by our clinic. You are ordering directly from us but with the convenience of ordering “on-line”.

Our Web Store uses secure transaction and encryption technology. Security is immediately activated when you log in. No one can access your personal information transmitted over the web. All names and personal information in our database is encrypted and unreadable without the proper security passwords and is not given out to anyone.

The web store will often have promotions as well. Right now Royal Canin is offering a 10% discount on all auto orders. 

Why not sign up and have a look around? You will be surprised at what is available!    

♪♪♫Summer time and the livin’ is easy…..♫♪♫

Once again the warm weather has arrived. Weather patterns in southern Ontario have changed so much in the last few years. One minute it’s winter and the next minute it’s summer. As we put our winter coats and boots away and get out our summer gear we need to remember that our four legged friends need to be protected from the heat.

Each summer we hear stories in the news about dogs that are left in hot cars. Don’t let your dog become a statistic. It take minutes for temperatures to rise to dangerous levels in a car, even parked in the shade with the windows cracked open and air conditioning running. Dogs that are housed outdoors need to be checked on a regular basis. Make sure they have lots of shade and lots of fresh water. Even a cool bath will help keep them comfortable. Trips to the vet or to the groomer on a super hot day should be avoided as well as stress can add to their body temperatures rising. Wait until the weather has cooled somewhat unless you absolutely have to go.

Dogs tend to be at higher risk than most other animals because we tend to take them with us wherever and whenever we can. Avoid exercise outdoors when temperatures are high. If you must, make sure you have plenty of water on hand and take frequent breaks for your pet to cool down.  When going for a walk remember that the pavement can be very hot and scorch your dog’s feet.

It’s important that you recognize the signs of heat exhaustion. Cats, birds and other small animals are at risk as well. Pet that suffer heat exhaustion may show the following signs:

• Excessive panting
• Pale gums
• Increased heart rate
• Drooling with thick, ropey saliva
• Vomiting

If you notice any of these signs provide emergency care and seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

Move your pet to a cooler place, wrap him in wet towels, or wet him with cool (not cold) water.

Heat exhaustion is life threatening. Your veterinarian will provide life-saving measures such as intravenous fluids, and medications to improve breathing and stabilize shock.

If you discover a pet left unattended in a hot vehicle, call 310-SPCA (7722) in Ontario, call your local SPCA or Humane Society, or your local police department.

Everyone wants to have fun in the sun-just remember to be safe.

This week’s entry is the American Dog Tick, also known as the wood tick. This tick is responsible for spreading several diseases. The American Dog Tick is responsible for spreading Rocky Mountain spotted fever in humans and dogs, and can cause tick paralysis in dogs. It is also responsible for spreading Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. This tick can also be exposed to Lyme disease but generally does not carry or spread the disease.

The American Dog Tick is usually found in areas with long grass, and highly wooded areas. By avoiding areas where these ticks thrive, by checking your dog daily for any ticks that he may have picked up while outside and using tick preventative products, the chances of your dog contracting any diseases from this tick are greatly reduced.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is found in North America, Central America and South America. The disease is not very common here in Canada, but can occur wherever this tick is found. Symptoms in dogs are vomiting, lethargy, fever, abdominal pain, coughing, poor appetite and joint pain. If the disease becomes severe enough the infecting organism can cause damage to blood vessels in the extremities resulting in gangrene (tissue death). It is usually treated with antibiotics and treatment is usually successful if the disease is caught early.

Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial infection that can cause swollen lymph nodes, breathing disorders and joint pain. If caught early it can be treated with antibiotics but if left untreated it can lead to life-threatening bleeding disorders. Anaplasma is also a bacterial infection, causing high fever, joint pain, vomiting and diarrhea and can be treated successfully if caught early.

Tick Paralysis is not caused by an infectious organism but by a neurotoxin that is found in the female tick’s saliva. The disease is spread by the tick latching on for a meal and spreading the toxin into the blood of its host. The symptoms include vomiting, muscle weakness, fast heartrate, high blood pressure, drooling and an inability to eat properly. In most cases removing the offending tick as soon as possible will reduce the symptoms with a full recovery usually within 72 hours. Serious cases, however, can lead to death through respiratory paralysis. The Black-Legged Tick and Lone-Star tick are responsible for tick paralysis as well. Uncommon in our area, tick paralysis is found mostly in the south eastern United States, Pacific Northwest, and Rocky Mountain states.

Annual blood testing with Snap 4DX Plus will aid in screening for exposure to ticks and can also help to rule out any tick-borne diseases if your dog becomes ill. Of course, prevention is the key to keeping your canine companion healthy. By using your prescribed heartworm, flea and tick prevention your dog can have a happy, pest-free summer. Contact us if you have any questions. One our Client Care Representatives will be more than happy to assist you.

This week we’re going to talk about the Black-Legged Tick, also known as the Deer Tick. 

This tick is of particular concern because it spreads Lyme disease. Dogs and humans are both susceptible to this disease.  Cats can get it but it is rare. Lyme disease is a debilitating disease that can be difficult to diagnose.  Early signs of the disease in humans are a rash (sometimes shaped like a target, or bull’s eye which is also known as Erythema migrans), fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and enlarged lymph nodes. If left untreated Lyme disease may have severe symptoms such as severe headaches, additional rashes, Bell’s palsy, intermittent joint, muscle and tendon aches, a heart disorder known as Lyme carditis, neurological disorders and arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling.

The Black-Legged Tick is a well-known vector of Lyme disease.  First discovered in the 1970s in the area of Lyme, Connecticut, this tick was found mostly in the eastern United States. Originally coming to Canada as a hitchhiker on a bird or a deer, the tick has finally taken hold and is now breeding here, no longer needing a mode of transportation. Researchers in Canada are warning that climate change is causing Canada to become increasingly habitable to the Black-Legged Tick and they expect these ticks to continually migrate to regions all across Canada.

A recent article in the Sachem, a Haldimand County publication, stated that Hamilton and a northern portion of Haldimand County (near Caledonia) have been deemed a risk area and have been added to a Public Health Ontario Lyme disease map which health care workers

 can refer to do during a diagnosis. Hamilton and Haldimand County have both launched an active tick surveillance program to track the number of black legged (deer) ticks in their area, and are no longer accepting ticks from the public for identification. Information about Lyme disease in Brantford can be found at the website of the Brant County Health Unit at https://www.bchu.org and the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation at https://canlyme.com/lyme-prevention/risk-areas/.  Please remember that even outside of known risk areas, Black Legged ticks can be found just about anywhere.

Less susceptible than us to Lyme disease, our 4 legged friends are still at risk when bitten by a Black-Legged tick. Just the same as humans, the disease can show intermittent signs and be difficult to diagnose.  Cats are less prone to contracting Lyme disease, or other tick-borne diseases, because they tend to remove ticks through the grooming process. Dogs are not so lucky. Lyme disease can manifest with achy, painful joints accompanied by lethargy and loss of appetite. In some cases signs may not show for months. In severe cases dogs can develop heart disease, central nervous system disorders and kidney failure.

There are four steps that you as a pet owner can take to reduce the chance of exposure to Lyme disease: 1. Avoidance:  Black-Legged ticks live in wooded, brushy areas, waiting for their host on the tips of low-lying vegetation and shrubs. 2. Tick checks and removal: Check your dog daily for ticks. If you find one that has attached itself within 24 hours it will not have had enough time to transmit Lyme disease. You can remove the tick yourself with a pair of tweezers. Grasp the head of the tick as close to the skin as possible and firmly pull straight out. This should remove the mouth parts. Try not to twist or crush the tick and do not try to kill it by smothering it in Vaseline or nail polish. 3. Tick prevention products: Our veterinarians and staff can help with deciding which one is best for your pet. 4. Vaccination: Vaccinating healthy dogs for Lyme disease as early as 12 weeks of age will protect them from contracting the disease.  Two vaccinations are required 3-4 weeks apart, then once a year after that. A physical examination and discussion with your veterinarian can determine if your dog is a good candidate for Lyme vaccine. 

Here at Scott Veterinary Clinic we can test for exposure to Lyme disease with a Snap 4DX Plus blood test. The Snap 4DX Plus test screens your dog for Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma which are all tick-borne diseases and tests for Heartworm disease as well. If your dog tests positive for Lyme disease further tests can determine if he actually has an active infection.

Contact us today for an appointment for your dog’s blood test. We can usually have the results before you leave the clinic, and flea and tick prevention can be started anytime. There are several flea and tick prevention products, some administered orally and some applied topically. During the summer months they can be used in conjunction with Heartworm prevention products. We can determine which product is best for your canine friend depending on his age, health status, and lifestyle. Since most types of ticks become active at temperatures above 3 degrees Celsius we are now recommending year round use of tick prevention products. 

Over the next few weeks we’re going to talk about the different types of ticks that are found in Southern Ontario.

The newest arrival to the area is the Lone Star tick. As a result of climate change they have made their way to Canada, arriving in just the past couple of years.

You have probably already heard that this tick causes a red meat allergy in humans because of their bite. They carry a sugar molecule in their saliva (commonly known as Alpha-Gal) which causes the infected human to respond with antibodies to attack this molecule. This can cause a serious allergic reaction when eating meat, in which the Alpha-Gal sugar molecule is abundant.

Fortunately for our four-legged friends, this meat allergy isn’t a concern, but the spread of Ehrlichiosis is. It’s a bacterial infection spread by these ticks that can manifest with symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy and bleeding disorders.

Fortunately for you as a pet owner, we can screen your pet for two types of Ehrlichiosis when running your pet’s annual heartworm test.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is an old adage that still holds true. We carry flea and tick products that are easy and safe to use. Some are given orally and some are applied topically and can be used in conjunction with your dog’s heartworm prevention.

Please call us if you have any questions about ticks, or preventative products, or to book your appointment for a Snap 4DX plus heartworm test. It’s a simple blood test that is run in-clinic and we can have results within 10 minutes.

It’s never too early to think about tick control, even in the winter! We had quite a few days in February where temperatures were well above 10 degrees C.  Over the past few years we have seen trends where the temperatures fluctuate frequently from cold to warm and back to cold.  Years ago we would typically have a January thaw and then back to steady cold weather until spring. 

Ticks become active as soon as temperatures reach 3 C, which means every time it warms up they’re lurking in all their usual spots waiting for some one to walk by.  There’s been a huge increase in the tick population in the Brantford area in the past few years and we’re also seeing the arrival of ticks that are native to the American south.   So for any of you who are concerned about ticks and the diseases they may spread when they bite we are now recommending year-round control. This way you won’t have to worry if there are sudden and unexpected temperature spikes during the winter.

Exposure to tick-borne diseases can be determined when we run your dog’s 4DX-plus heartworm test in the spring. Not only does it tell us if there’s been exposure to heartworm which is spread by mosquitos, but it also tells us if your dog has been exposed to Erhrlichia, Anaplasma or Lyme, which are spread by ticks.

If you would like more information about ticks and how to protect your pet please call us. One of our Client Care Representatives will be happy to answer any of your questions and can help to customize a tick control program that best meets the needs of you and your pet. 

Beautiful crisp fall days seem to be behind us now and nasty winter days are coming up fast. We have some cold weather tips to help your pets enjoy the winter season a bit more!

1/ Salty toes : Some salt used on streets and sidewalks is very dangerous for your dogs, and cats as well. Boots are an option, however most pets are not pleased to be wearing them. Giving those toes a little wipe with a dry towel each time they come in from the outdoors will keep their feet in good shape all winter long. This will also give you a quick look at their paws to catch any cuts or scrapes they may get from stepping on a sharp piece of ice. You can look for pet friendly de-icing products wherever you buy salt for your own property.

2/ Freezing temperatures: If it is too cold outside for you to stay out, it is too cold for your pet to stay out for extended periods of time, unless they are a breed adapted to cold climates or have a warm winter coat and accessories. Please bring your pets inside and provide them with a bed to sleep on. Pets should have a bed that is up off of the floor supports them and is away from drafts. An appropriate bed will benefit your pet for years to come and also make them comfy and happy.

3/ Reduce bathing: In the dry winter months you should reduce the amount of times you bathe your dog by half. This is to reduce the effects of dry skin. You may also want to find a moisturizing shampoo that reduces dry skin irritation.

4/ Adjust calories: This adjustment can be up or down depending on your pet’s activity level in the winter months. If your pet loves snow and spends a lot of time playing and running outside he may need more calories. If your pet spends the winter lounging in front of the fire they will most certainly need less calories. Remember it takes more calories to keep warm than it does to cool down.

5/ Snowstorms: Did you know a dog can lose his scent trail and sense of direction in a snowstorm? This is a good reason to keep them on a leash if you are walking in a blizzard.

6/ Antifreeze: Antifreeze is extremely toxic to pets and has a sweet taste so they are attracted to drinking it. Please be cautious with its use and never let pets drink from puddles, they may contain antifreeze.

7/ Christmas: At Christmas time we see the most cases of diarrhea cause by too many treats! Christmas in itself is an entire safety concern for your pet! There are dangers lurking everywhere, including, turkey, chocolate, treats, alcohol, tinsel, electric cords and lights! Please keep your pet in mind when you place these items for the season or for the day. Can your pet access it? If so move it! It will make everyone’s holiday much jollier!                           

8/ Emergencies: Did you know that if you have an emergency or a sick pet after hours, that veterinary care is always available? Our patients can be seen at Brant Norfolk Veterinary Clinic located at 155 Lynden road. 519- 720-0753  They have a veterinarian and support staff available overnight, Saturdays and Sundays and holidays. Basically any time that we are closed they are open and prepared to see your pet and they will also notify us of your visit and send us a complete report.

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