Pet Health Tip #15- Intestinal Parasites

Several intestinal worms infest dogs.  The most common intestinal worms are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms.  The one most commonly seen by the owner is the tapeworm.  It looks like a small grain of rice.  The dog is not actually passing the whole worm.  It is passing an immature worm that breaks off the mature worm.  The mature tapeworm can be several inches long and is flat.

Occasionally, if the worm burden is high enough, the owner may also see roundworms in the stool, or the dog may vomit up the roundworms.  These are long spaghetti-shaped worms.  However, most of the time the dog only passes the roundworm, hookworm, or whipworm eggs, which are microscopic.  Therefore, you will not see the worms themselves.

Symptoms of intestinal parasite infestation include: weight loss (or failure to gain weight) and loose stools.  Occasionally, in small puppies, high worm burdens can cause vomiting.  Hookworms can also cause bloody stools.

Another common intestinal parasite is Giardia.  This is not a worm, but is a protozoa.  Dogs with Giardia infections usually have very loose stools to runny diarrhea.

Puppies will often have multiple infestations.  It is common for them to have roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and Giardia all at the same time.  Therefore, it is very important to deworm puppies.  Typically, your veterinarian will deworm your puppy at the same time he receives his vaccinations.  Dog breeders will start deworming puppies as early as a couple of weeks of age.

Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and Giardia are all transmitted fecal-orally through the ingestion of the eggs.  The infested dog will pass the eggs in his stool and then the next dog usually picks the eggs up on his feet.  Then, when he groom himself, he ingests the eggs.  The eggs then mature into adult worms.

Tapeworms are transmitted by the flea.  Dogs typically get tapeworms from biting at the fleas that are biting them.  They accidentally ingest the flea, and the immature stages of the tapeworm are released and mature into adult tapeworms.  Cats often become infested with tapeworms by eating a rodent (rat or mouse) that has fleas.

Most heartworm medications also contain medication that will kill roundworms and hookworms.  So, you are giving them a monthly heartworm and intestinal worm treatment with each monthly dose.

Tapeworms are not killed by most heartworm medications.  Also, most over-the-counter medication do not kill tapeworms.  If you see evidence of your pet passing tapeworms, it is important to make sure you are using a deworming medication that kills them. 

Pet Health Tip #14- Ear Mites

Dogs and cats are both susceptible to ear mite infestations.  However, the most common victims are kittens.  Ear mites are microscopic creatures.  Under the microscope, they resemble a tick.  These little creatures will set up residence inside the kitten’s ear canal.  The mites crawl around inside the ear causing the kitten constant irritation.  The most common symptom your kitten will demonstrate is constant scratching and digging at her ears.  She will also shake her head a lot.  Ear mites feed on dead skin, so they don’t cause damage to the ear.  However, the kitten’s constant scratching can cause damage to the sensitive skin inside the ear, which can lead to a secondary bacterial infection.  Another symptom associated with ear mites is a build-up of black debris that has a gritty quality.  It has a consistency similar to sand.  This build-up is essentially mite waste.

Ear mites do not infest humans.  However, as I said, they will infest both dogs and cats.  It is common to have more than one animal in the household affected.  The treatment is simple and involves thoroughly cleaning the ears and applying medication.  It is important to consult your veterinarian for treatment options.

Pet Health Tip #13- Ringworm

I have had several people over the years ask me if ringworm is really caused by worms.  The answer is no.  Ringworm is caused by a fungal infection.  Only a few diseases can be spread from one species of animal to another or from animals to people (zoonotic).  Ringworm is one of the diseases that can be contagious between species.  Cats and dogs can give ringworm to each other, and both of them can give it to people.

In humans, ringworm causes a lesion on the skin that is usually circular and very itchy (pruritic).  In dogs, it causes patchy hair loss (alopecia) that can occur anywhere on the body.  The skin in the area of the alopecia is usually flaky. Unlike humans, dogs are usually not pruritic.

Cats are the tricky ones.  Some cats will have patchy hair loss.  Usually, the hair loss is localized around the mouth, eyes, and on the ears.  However, there are cats who are asymptomatic, which means they have the fungus on their fur, but don't have any lesions.  These cats are still contagious!  So, if you suddenly come down with a ringworm lesion and you recently had contact with a cat, the cat was probably the source, even if it appeared healthy.

The fungus that causes ringworm can also survive very well in the environment, including the dirt.  The fungal spores can also travel through the air and hide in places, like air conditioning ducts, for long periods.  It is extremely difficult to get rid of ringworm once it has entered an environment.  The fungus is very susceptible to household cleaners.  So, it is pretty easy to kill it on cleanable surfaces.  The problem areas are the places we don't usually clean or are difficult to clean, such as furniture or air ducts.

If your pet is diagnosed with ringworm, limit the areas he has access to and keep him isolated from other pets and children.  Ringworm is a treatable disease, but as I said, it is difficult to eliminate it from your environment once it’s there.

Pet Health Tip #12- Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Several great flea control products are on the market.  However, flea allergy dermatitis is still a major problem for dog and cat owners.  Three common factors contributing to that are: 1- Failure to properly apply flea control products.  2- Extreme sensitivity to fleabites.  3- Failure to treat indoor pets.

First, let's talk about the failure to properly apply flea control products.  Often owners don't understand when and how to apply the topical flea control products.  A good rule of thumb is to remember to wait at least two days after a bath before applying the product and to wait at least two days after applying the product before giving a bath.  The products use the oil glands associated with the hair follicles for absorption into the skin.  Most shampoos strip these glands of their oil. Therefore, waiting a few days after the bath will allow the oil glands to replenish.  By the same token, it takes a few days after applying the product before it is completely absorbed into the skin. Therefore, the product needs time to absorb before allowing your pet to get wet.  This two-day rule also applies to swimming.  If your dog is a frequent swimmer, then I suggest using an oral flea control product and avoiding the topical products altogether.

Another application error is failure to apply the product directly to the skin.  To apply properly, part the hair, put the end of the tube against the skin, and then squeeze out the liquid.  Don't touch it!  I have had several clients who have told me they "rubbed it in."  Don't!  That only takes the product off your pet and onto you.  Also, with cats, it is important to apply it to a part of the head they can't reach with their tongues.  Cats are notorious for bathing the products off.

Another possible reason for your pet’s flea allergy dermatitis is that some dogs and cat are extremely sensitive to fleabites.  Some animals are so allergic that one fleabite can cause them to itch for an entire week!  Therefore, you may never see the flea that is causing the allergy.  It is essential to limit the amount of time these animals spend outside in order to limit their possible exposure to fleas.  Also, it is especially important to keep them on a flea control product all year round.

Finally, a common mistake I see pet owners make is to only treat their outdoor pets and not the pets that live indoors.  I see this most often with owners who have indoor cats and indoor/outdoor dogs.  They treat the dogs for fleas, but not the cats. The problem with that is the fleas will hitch a ride on the indoor/outdoor pet.  Once they get inside, they will jump off the animal that has been treated and onto the one that hasn’t.

Diagnosis of flea allergy dermatitis is pretty straightforward.  Typically, a distinct pattern of hair loss and redness of the skin appears on the animal’s rump.  The pets are usually very pruritic (itchy) and will bit and scratch at the base of the tail.  If your dog is showing these symptoms, then it is almost certainly fleas.  Look very carefully, and you may spot one.

Pet Health Tip #11- Hot Spots

"Hot spots" are localized bacterial skin infections usually caused by Staphylococcus spp. Typically, the skin becomes inflamed and the bacteria that are normally found on the skin invade and cause an infection.  You will notice an area of matted fur or a lesion that is oozing pus.  The skin will be very red and inflamed. Often the lesion appears very suddenly and progresses quickly.

There are 3 common causes of the initial inflammation of the skin:

1) Moist skin- The skin becomes moist due to a bath, swim, or heat.  If the dog has dense fur, then this area doesn't dry properly and the moist skin becomes inflamed allowing the bacterial invasion.

2) Fleas- The skin becomes inflamed from either the flea bites or the dog scratching.

3) Ear infections- Often times a hot spot will develop under the ear due to either the dog digging at his ear or from the discharge coming out of the ear.

The main treatment for “hot spots” is to allow the skin to dry.  First, shave the fur from around the lesion.  Once the fur is removed, then the air can circulated over the skin and dry it out.  The next step is to thoroughly clean the area.  Most of the time the dog will also need oral antibiotics in order to heal the infection.

"Hot spots" can spread very rapidly.  They are extremely painful and can cause nasty looking lesions.  It is important that you get the "hot spot" treated as soon as you notice it.

Foreword Clarion Review of "Dogs Aren't Men"

Dogs Aren't Men

Clarion Review 

Tiner blends humor and tenderness with a skillful literary hand.

Harlequin-romance tradition meets contemporary intrigue in a heartwarming novel that brings out the best in both genres. Dogs Aren’t Men blends humor and tenderness with a skillful literary hand. An underlying element of danger enhances the tension in a quaint small town inhabited by a few undesirable saboteurs. This sweet romance features an ambitious veterinarian with no patience for demanding men until she meets an emergency room doctor who shares her lack of enthusiasm about relationships.

Dr. Rebecca Miller is intelligent, outspoken, and in control of her successful career as owner of Animal Friends Veterinary Clinic. She finds her sense of purpose in caring for the countless creatures who enter her life daily, and has formed her strongest bond with her loyal dog, Captain. Derrick Peterson, a stressed hospital physician, competes for Rebecca’s affection, while his best friend stands in the wings as an analyzing sidekick. The story unfolds as a predictable dating scenario that questions the real meaning of love, especially when a stalker threatens Rebecca’s safety at the clinic. In a manner that is modern yet stereotypically familiar, Rebecca resists any situation that may cause disruption to her contented existence; this logical aversion sparks interest but lacks ingenuity.

The occasional trite description (“She devoured the tub of ice cream”) bogs down what is otherwise an excellent portrayal of an educated woman. And male introspection that conveys less sophistication than is typical of Derek’s character leaves a false impression of him: “He’d never set out with the intention of wooing a woman before. He had no idea how to go about it. He began to hum along to the music on his radio as the last remnants of the wall he’d built around his heart fell away.”
Without question, the story offers well-developed characters placed in a realistic environment, even though the glossed-over love scenes may have benefited from a bit more action. Rebecca and Derrick are set against the backdrop of their careers, revealing the personality traits that drove their successes. Their relationship develops slowly, a natural progression of events. The plot is meticulously implemented, sustaining one’s page-turning impulse throughout the book. Garnering respect as well as admiration, this stellar heroine’s only apparent flaw is her tendency to ignore her own needs.

Tiner knows how to write engagingly for a popular niche genre, while establishing a sense of place in an active American community and infusing the story with a feeling of immediacy. She incorporates her expertise as a veterinarian and explores several compelling avenues, bringing her profession vividly to life through her portrayal of Rebecca.

Dogs Aren’t Men is a commendable opening for a trilogy that will delight pet enthusiasts and draw in dedicated romance readers. Witty and amusing, Tiner’s concise, appealing style shows potential for attracting a lifetime following.

Julia Ann Charpentier
May 23, 2014

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Readers' Favorite 5 Star Review of "Every Day Needs A Dog"

Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite

Every Day Needs a Dog by Billi Tiner is the story of Paul and Elizabeth and love at first sight. Paul lost his fiancee in a horrific car crash and his friends suggested he become a volunteer dog walker at the Spring Valley Dog Shelter. Elizabeth was unceremoniously fired from her job as head of PR at a prestigious company and was offered a job as President of the Dog Shelter. Both accept and their first meeting is something of a shock. Partly because Elizabeth is knocked off her feet by a huge Newfoundland puppy that Paul is walking and partly because of the electricity that flows between them. Elizabeth steers clear of Paul and instead goes out to lunch with Greg Silverman, a vet at the shelter. But, as well as trying to raise money for the shelter, Elizabeth finds herself falling foul of a jealous member of staff, a very hands-on vet and a stalker. Life becomes a little difficult for Elizabeth as she tries to contain her feelings for Paul and she leaves the shelter to go to another job. Is this the end for Paul? Will she find happiness in her new job?

Every Day Needs a Dog by Billi Tiner is the quintessential love story. It has love at first sight, heroes and villains, all the ingredients in the right mix for the perfect story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought that Billi Tiner had done a wonderful job with the plot and the characters. I am looking forward to getting hold of the other books in the series and hope that they are as good as this one.



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