Valley Vet Supply

Decorate an Animal to Win $1000!

Calling all kids! Grab your favorite critter and enter the 2012 LA-CO All Weather Decorating Contest. You could win up to $1000! Kids ages 10-17 use LA-CO All-Weather Paintstiks, Twist-Stik Markers and/or Quik Shot paint to decorate an animal or other object. This year’s theme is the Olympics.

To test the feasibility of decorating a real, live animal, my girls and I decorated our baby goat, Toddler. He was the friendliest critter on the farm that day and small enough to keep a good hold on. We used Quik Shot paint, which comes in an inverted spray can. The result? A somewhat impressive baby dragon. More importantly, we had a great time and lots of laughs in the process!

Technically you can decorate anything in this contest....the sidewalk, a bed sheet, your T-shirt, barn doors, the side of your house. Trust me, it’s more fun when your canvas is trying to get away! So, get creative. Think Olympics....your horse as Michael Phelps or your show lamb as the Olympic torch. Have fun!

Entries must be submitted to LA-CO by Dec 31, 2012. There will be two $1000, two $500 and two $250 winners chosen.

Good luck! Lori H

http://www.allweathermarker.com/OlympicsDecoratingContest2012.aspx

Treating Diabetes in Cats

Did you know that cats are at risk for diabetes in much the same way as people? Type II, or non-insulin dependent diabetes, accounts for the majority of diabetes cases in both people and cats. In Type II diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas which produce insulin either become exhausted or fail to respond to the body’s signals to produce insulin.

Insulin helps move glucose from the blood into tissue cells where it is utilized for energy. Insulin is the hormone that signals the cells to take up the glucose. Without insulin, the glucose stays in the blood and results in high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. Without diagnosis and treatment, diabetes will eventually cause a metabolic condition known as ketoacidosis. This leads to dangerous changes in the blood chemistry, dehydration and eventually, death. Being obese or overweight is a risk factor for Type II diabetes because of the chronic inflammatory state obesity produces. This leads to a reduction in insulin sensitivity. In addition, fat cells in overweight animals stop producing the hormone essential for proper insulin receptor function. Symptoms to watch for include excessive drinking, frequent urination and unexplained weight loss. New evidence shows that high protein, low carbohydrate diets can help cats defeat diabetes. Even though your cat might need insulin initially, you may be able to reduce or even eliminate this medication as you help the cat lose weight. It is possible for a cat to receive treatment and enter remission so that insulin replacement is no longer necessary. Lori H

Want A More Serene Ride?

Do you ever feel like you have the perfect relationship with your horse, if only.......he wasn’t so nervous, she didn’t spook, he could relax and focus, she wasn’t so irritable? These behaviors and more tell us that our horses aren’t enjoying experiences in the way we’d like. They’re nervous and anxious, which often prevents them from focusing on, or enjoying the task at hand.

For many horses, the addition of specific vitamins and minerals to their diets can help. Magnesium plays an important role in the nervous and muscular systems. An adequate level of magnesium helps with stress management, muscle tension and irritable, unpredictable behavior. Vitamin-B complex is important in various metabolic functions within the body. Adequate levels of Vitamin-B complex have been shown to help relieve anxiety and stress.

There are a number of calming supplements to choose from. Our customers consistently share powerful stories of success with the use of Command Serene. It is an all-natural, herb-free calming formula for horses, available in pellets, powder and paste forms. Command Serene contains concentrated levels of B-vitamins and magnesium. It counteracts the stress that leads to irritable, nervous, unpredictable behavior, and allows the horse to be more focused.Command Serene is completely natural without the addition of any sugars or fillers, and it will not test.

Here’s a brief look at what horse owners are saying about Command Serene:

“This fantastic product uncovered the willing quiet horse I knew was in there.” Bev Z “I see a definite change in her mood, much calmer and easier to handle now” J. White “He has been on CSP now for two months and is soft eyed, easy to manage, can stand and eat without having to run away, does not weave! isn't afraid of anything that moves and isn't dopey.” Sugarbear “She is not as frazzled and is much more obedient under saddle. “ Loves Pasos “I have noticed a wonderful, relaxed attitude from my 5 year old mare. We are all loving horse people and love the product.” L Kane Have your own success story?

We’d love to hear it! Lori H

The Damage from Dry Eyes

If you’ve ever had a scratched cornea or eyelid, you know the misery it causes. Pets commonly acquire minor eye injuries, and their experience is similar to ours. Irritation and discomfort lead to frequent squinting, blinking and rubbing of the eye, and sometimes excessive tears or redness. There are numerous topical products to aid the healing process. Flushing the eye with an eye wash removes impurities and can help relieve discomfort. An ophthalmic ointment provides lubrication and protection for the eye.

While some maladies of the eye result from your pet’s everyday mischief, others are the result of health related conditions. Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (dry eye) is a disorder of the tear glands that causes insufficient tear production and dry corneas. Dry eye can also result from an injury or from immune-related disease. In some cases, the cause of dry eye is simply unknown. No matter the cause, without treatment the cornea can become ulcerated and may lead to blindness.

 There are several treatments for dry eye, depending on the severity and cause. Eye wash and ophthalmic ointment provide some degree of help, but precription strength cyclosporin ophthalmic ointment greatly improves results. Cyclosporin is an immunosuppressive drug. The discontinuation of cyclosporin for as little as 24 hours causes symptoms to reappear in 90% of dogs. This can be reversed by resuming treatment. When the diagnosis or proper course of treatment is in doubt, see your veterinarian. Lori H

Healthcare for Show Pigs

We often receive calls from producers who are raising baby pigs destined for the show ring. They want to make sure they’re following proper healthcare protocol before selling their pigs to 4-H’ers and others for finishing. This vaccination and deworming schedule is an example that many producers follow prior to selling young pigs.

1 WEEK OLD: Rhinitis (Bordetella) Erysipelas Mycoplasma Pneumonia 3 WEEKS OLD: Circovirus 4 WEEKS OLD: Rhinitis Erysipelas Mycoplasma Pneumonia (unless a 1-dose product was given at 1 week) Actinobacillus pleropneumonia (APP) 8 WEEKS OLD: Actinobacillus pleropneumonia (APP) 4-10 WEEKS OLD: Deworm when the stress of weaning is over and the litter is combined with other pigs. Most show pigs are purchased at 2-3 months of age. It is advisable for the new owner to deworm 2 weeks after purchase. Continue to deworm every 30 days while you prepare for and attend shows. Deworming can be done by injection or through feed. Lori H

September Update - 2012 West Nile Outbreak

West Nile virus is becoming increasingly more threatening as the season progresses. Every state in the continental U.S. has reported West Nile virus activity this year. To date, just over 2000 human cases and 87 deaths have been reported, with half of those numbers coming in the last 3 weeks alone. This is the largest number of disease cases ever reported in the U.S. at this point in the season.

People and horses acquire West Nile virus from the same source – the mosquito. Because there is not a preventative vaccine for people, the best way for us to avoid disease is to prevent mosquito bites. Many insect repellents and insecticide sprays are quite effective in keeping mosquitoes at bay. For horses, the greatest insurance against West Nile comes from vaccination. Horses can acquire significant protection when vaccinated with an equine West Nile vaccine each year. Refer to our West Nile Virus vaccine chart to review the options.

What to watch for – The symptoms of West Nile virus are similar, whether infecting people or horses. Infections target the central nervous system. Early signs include fever, depression, stiffness, muscle twitching, hypersensitivity to stimulus, and loss of appetite. As it progresses, muscle weakness, stupor and paralysis may develop. Inattention, daydreaming or staring off into space should be monitored, as this may reflect a change in mental status. Symptoms may persist for days or weeks, and some neurological effects may be permanent. Like most illnesses, the benefits of prevention are worth the effort. Stay safe! Lori H.

*The CDC map shows the distribution of WNV activity (shaded in light green), human infections (dark green circles), and presumptive viremic blood donors (dark green triangles) occurring during 2012 by state. If West Nile virus infection is reported from any area of a state, that entire state is shaded. http://www.cdc.gov/

Relief for Itchy, Scratchy Pets

Pets can suffer from allergies and sensitivities to particles in the air, in much the same way people do. Many times, pollen, certain grasses and trees or even dust mites can trigger this reaction in pets. Unlike people though, our pets rarely sneeze and show signs similar to “hay fever”. Instead, our pets become itchy and will do just about anything to relieve that sensation. Some pets scratch constantly, others lick and chew at certain spots, like their feet, and still others might rub against carpets and furniture. This behavior, and the consistent noises and thumps produced, is often too much for many pet owners.

It’s been estimated that approximately 10% of dogs suffer from environmental allergies, or atopy. Cats can develop this condition as well. Many pets begin showing signs as early as six months of age and most will occur before the animal is five years old. Beyond the itchiness (known medically as pruritus), pets might also show recurrent skin and ear infections or seem to be obsessed with licking their paws. These symptoms most commonly occur in warm weather for pets with pollen or dust allergies, but can also occur year round in some cases.

Diagnostic tests for atopy may help determine what allergens are causing your pet’s problems. Atopy is typically managed with baths, medications, managing the environment and sometimes with immunotherapy.

For pets that suffer seasonal allergies, being prepared ahead of time is the key. Atopica (cyclosporine), which suppresses the immune system, may be prescribed to treat skin-related conditions. It works by targeting the immune cells involved in the allergic reaction. Antihistamines are sometimes used to help provide relief. Steroids can decrease the symptoms to make your pet more comfortable.

Adding Omega 3 fatty acids to the diet can help decrease allergy-related inflammation and itching. Pets with minor irritation can benefit from daily cool water rinses and a fragrance free shampoo one to two times weekly. Clipping long-haired pets decreases the allergen load and makes bathing easier.

Pollen counts in the home can be reduced by asking family and visitors to remove their shoes at the door. Routine vacuuming of areas that the pets frequent and washing of pet bedding in mild, fragrance free detergents can also limit the allergen exposure inside.

Keep in mind that most cases of atopy are not cured, but the symptoms may be managed in order to keep your pet more comfortable. If therapy is discontinued, symptoms often recur when allergens are present. Lori H