Wednesday 15 July 2015

Jean Dodds Rabies Opinion

Rabies: The Science & the Current Law

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There is the science behind having sufficient rabies immunity; then, there is the current United States law on rabies vaccinations for dogs.
To synchronize the law with the science, the Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust (RCF) is financing clinical trials to extend the legally required interval for rabies boosters to 5 and then 7 years. Kris Christine and I are Co-Trustees of RCF and Ronald Schultz, PhD of the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine is the Principal Investigator. The testing is being conducted according to the USDA’s vaccine licensing code, Title 9 Section 113.209, and at the Kansas State University (KSU) Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. My team at Hemopet runs the administrative end at no cost to the RCF.
Over the years, I have written extensively on vaccine issues and have provided more information in the links below. The purpose of this article is to address the common misunderstandings that can lead to concerns and criticisms of the current laws about rabies vaccines.  While I fully appreciate your concerns, the law is still the LAW.
Below is information on rabies laws throughout all 50 states. If you have questions, I recommend that you discuss specific laws that apply to your state or local area (counties and cities can enact more stringent laws that the state or federal government) with your veterinarian or local public health authority.
The Rabies Vaccine
• Rabies vaccines are provided either annually (1-year vaccine) or every three years (3-year vaccine). The one year vaccine is given initially and then is followed up by a booster within 12 months; the booster given is the 3 year vaccine. Thereafter, boosters are required every three years. Please note that some states or locales still allow annual rabies boosters as an option at the discretion of the attending veterinarian.

• Both the 1-year and the 3-year rabies vaccine contain essentially the same amount of rabies antigenic material and adjuvant (potency).

• The law recognizes the label on the vial. So, a veterinarian cannot legally substitute a 1-year rabies vaccine for a 3-year and vice versa.

• The law states that the vaccine must be administered by a veterinarian.

• The whole vial must be administered to have a pet considered “vaccinated” by law. The size of the dog – whether a teacup Yorkie or a 180 lb. Newfoundland – does not matter.

• If a dog misses a 3-year rabies vaccination deadline, some states require a 1-year rabies vaccination as the next dose. This is expected to change in the near future based upon recent published data from the KSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (Moore, MC, et al. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2015; 246:205–211).

• I strongly recommend using the thimerosal-free (mercury-free) canine rabies vaccine (Merial IMRAB TF-1 or TF-3).  
Rabies Titer Test
• A titer test measures the antibodies in the blood as an indication of the level of immunity an animal has to a particular disease or infectious agent such as rabies virus.
 
• The purposes for rabies titer tests are:
   o To ensure an animal has sufficient immunity; and,
   o To be able to transport animals to Hawaii or other countries.

• KSU is the only laboratory recognized by the USDA to verify sufficient rabies immunity. (Note: Hemopet/Hemolife Diagnostics sends the required serum sample to KSU to assay the rabies RFFIT endpoint titer, which gives an actual numerical titer, rather than an estimated titer from a rabies screening test. We report the titer results and our interpretation, but, the interpretation does not supersede the law of the United States or other countries.)
Rabies Medical Exemptions
• Rabies medical exemption laws are available in a number of states and are regulated at the state level.

• 18 states currently have medical exemption laws. To find out your state medical exemption laws, please visit States with Medical Exemptions.

• RCF also helps to introduce medical exemption legislation; please contact us to help with this worthy endeavor.

• Medical exemption laws vary state by state, but the common language invokes that if a rabies inoculation may significantly compromise an animal’s health, a licensed veterinarian can write a waiver exempting the animal from further rabies inoculations.

SUFFICIENT RABIES IMMUNITY PROVEN BY A TITER TEST DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR A MEDICAL EXEMPTION WAIVER. (I wish it were the case, but it is not. Remember the law is the LAW, and veterinarians risk their license to practice if they fail to comply.)
Rabies Quarantines/Isolation Periods
In many states if a dog is bitten by a wild or other animal, the dog may be quarantined or isolated for a period of time regardless of current rabies vaccination status. This requirement will also be changing based upon the published KSU study cited above. Please note that the presence of rabies can only be accurately determined by examination of the brain tissue of a dead animal; no valid test exists for rabies infection in a live animal.  
Positive Things You Can Do
• Please keep your dog up-to-date on his rabies vaccinations, preferably every three years after the initial 2-dose series, or as required by law in your area.

• Request the thimerosal-free rabies vaccine, listed above.

• Contact your state legislators to help pass a rabies medical exemption bill in your state, if one does not exist. Let Kris Christine of the RCF know and we will be able to provide significant assistance.

• Support the Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust.
Resources
Importing and Exporting Animals to the United States
Hawaii Requirements for Importing Cats and Dogs
The Rabies Challenge Fund
Clinical Approaches to Managing Adverse Vaccine Reactions
Mercury Induced Inflammation: Yet another example of ASIA Syndrome
Frequently Asked Questions about Titers and Vaccination Protocol
W. Jean Dodds, DVM

Friday 5 June 2015

Annual Wellness Visits

The importance of annual wellness visits

Your dog isn't sick. He seems perfectly healthy, actually. So why bring him in for a visit?
Wellness visits are when we evaluate your dog's weight, vital signs, and track any changes from previous years. Sometimes yearly changes in these areas are the first signs of potential problems, and early intervention can prevent issues from progressing. Your dog may also require booster vaccines to help keep him or her protected from dangerous diseases. If you don't see us regularly, that protection could lapse, leaving your dog at risk.
Also, remember that many dogs are social and active, spending time in various indoor/outdoor environments and around other animals. Each of these factors introduces different risks to your dog. The more you tell us about your dog's changing lifestyle, the better care we can provide.
Annual wellness visits help us:
  • Monitor weight and vital signs
  • Discuss behavioural changes that may indicate a change in your cat’s health
  • Discuss lifestyle changes that may warrant a change in our care approach
  • Provide any necessary medications and vaccinations
  • Identify medical issues requiring immediate attention
  • Inform you of care advances or changes that may impact your pet
  • Establish a true relationship with you and your cat so you can feel comfortable coming to us with questions or for advice
Help us keep your dog healthy and happy. Call us to schedule a wellness visit today.

Monday 4 May 2015

Cranberry Hill APP



Cranberry Hill Animal Hospital now has it's own APP!!!!

Download for free from the App store on your I phones.  All you wonderful Android people should be able download in June 2015 (we will keep you posted)

How do we download?
                Go to App store and search for Cranberry Hill Animal Hospital
Why should I down load the App?
                Enables you to request appointments directly from phone
                Request food and prescription refills
                Receive wellness and vaccine reminders
                Join our loyalty program
Can we use any cellular phone?
Today the App will only work on the I Phone, however, by June 2015 we are hoping it will be working on all Android phones  - please ask for updates
What are loyalty points?
                Collect 16 paw prints and you will receive a $75.00 credit on your account
How do we earn loyalty paws?
                Down load the app
                Like us on face book
                For every $135.00 spent on one transaction will entitle you to one paw print
How do the paw prints load on my phone?
                When you are in picking up your food etc. the girls will scan a QR code to your phone
What if I do not have my phone?
We will keep a record in your file of any paw prints we may have missed and catch up with the phone the next time you are in


Wednesday 24 September 2014

Neon Nights Run for Cancer

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and in acknowledgement of this, The Canadian Cancer Society is holding a 2km and 5 km walk/fun-run in Kemptville to raise much-needed funds. The event is called Neon Night 5 Km, and takes place at 7:00 pm on Saturday September 27th. Angela Beach (our Veterinary Assistant) will be running, and we are encouraging anyone who is interested to join us or donate to this very meaningful event! Please follow the link below for more information:

">http://www.cancer.ca/en/events/on/2014/september/neon-night-5k-in-kemptville/?region=on

Thursday 18 September 2014

Rabies Requirements

Recently we have had a few inquiries about Rabies Vaccination for our pets.  We would like to clear up a few things.

We at Cranberry Hill will always require that our patients have a current rabies vaccine in order to protect our staff, in case they are bitten by an uncooperative pet.  If you do not wish us to vaccinate your pet for Rabies then you will be denied service at our practice.

Rabies vaccines are not given to pets to protect the animal; they are given to protect humans.  Public health departments, the agencies that determine rabies vaccine protocols, are only concerned about the welfare of humans, hence all of the regulations regarding rabies vaccines, especially in dogs.

There is no legal requirement for veterinary practices to force you to vaccinate your pets for Rabies. HOWEVER veterinary clinics do have the right to deny services to unvaccinated animals in order to protect the health of employees.

We have had many clients report that their pets never go outside so chances of being exposed to a rabid animal is zero.  This is an incorrect assumption.  There have been written articles about bats flying into homes and biting unvaccinated pets.  The bats have then been found to be rabid.  Your pet may not go outside but wildlife does come in without permission.

Controlling the spread of rabies is a shared responsibility of the public, the veterinary profession, public health departments, wildlife departments and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

The public can help reduce the spread of rabies through responsible vaccination of pets, as well as informing authorities when an animal is suspected of having the disease.  Keeping pets under control, teaching children not to play with wild animals or pets they don’t know, keeping a safe distance from wildlife and not trying to raise orphaned or injured wildlife all contribute to preventing rabies.

Friday 5 September 2014

Rehabilitation and Laser Therapy




Carbon modelling laser doggles

Lou having laser










For many pets, the discomfort from a surgical procedure or injury unfortunately does not go away quickly and as a result they live in a great deal of pain and discomfort.
We are now able to offer the use of various rehabilitation techniques to help our patients recover from injury or surgery, increase mobility and improve flexibility.
Therapeutic laser treatments are available for our patients.  The laser helps increase blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain to injured bones, muscles and tendons, including arthritic joints.  The treatment is painless and many pets find it relaxing.
Some of the conditions we can treat: 
Orthopedic Disorders 

  • Ø  Arthritis,
  • Ø  Hip and elbow dysplasia,
  • Ø  Cruciate ligament injury,
  • Ø  Muscle strains,
  • Ø  Ligament and Tendon injuries.
Neurological Disorders

  • Ø  Intervertebral disc disease,
  • Ø  Degenerative nerve problems, injuries
Improvements of Athletic Performance

Benefits of Rehabilitation

  • Ø  enhances performance,
  • Ø  decrease pain,
  • Ø  increase the rate of recovery from surgery,
  • Ø  improves mobility for older dogs,
  • Ø  increases range of motion of joints,
  • Ø  helps with weight management,
  • Ø  increase muscle mass and strength,
  • Ø  improves quality of life

Services we offer

  • Ø  Gait analysis and lameness assessment                         Therapeutic laser
  • Ø  Treadmill                                                                        Heat and Cold therapy
  •        Therapeutic exercises                                                     Home mobility aids

Thursday 21 November 2013

Santa Claus Parade 2013

Santa Claus Parade 2013

Cranberry Hill Animal Hospital were fortunate enough again this year to put a float in the Kemptville Santa Claus Parade held on November 16th.  The theme this year was "A Child's Dream".  We took first place for the commercial float.  We are fairly confident that was due to having such good children with us - Nathan Beach, Logan Lynn, Heather and Michael Droogh and of course Bentley Schouten (Kelly's grandson).  Of course our wonderful pets also aided in the decision - Kaos, Mayhem, Daisy, Lexi, Squish, Squirt, Kona and Mack.  A great day was had by everyone and as always we were pleased to see the Kemptville community out in force.