Incubation Period

Definition: Incubation period is a common term in medicine and may be used to describe any type of disease and pathogenic (disease-causing) organism infections. The incubation period is the time from exposure to a virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite to the appearance of clinical signs.

It is important to note that during the incubation period, the animal may appear completely healthy with normal activity levels and no discernible symptoms. It is a good idea to isolate new pets - for their safety and for the safety of other pets - for at least a week to monitor for any signs of illness. This will allow for close monitoring of the new pet and reduce chances of infection in other pets.

Examples:

The incubation period of canine parvovirus (CPV or parvo) is 3 to 7 days. The incubation period for rabies is a few days to a few months, depending on the location of the bite wound, since the rabies virus travels up the nerves to the brain.

Lyme Disease in Cats

Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacteria that is transmitted by ticks

It is possible for cats to get Lyme disease, though it is very rarely seen in cats.

Lyme disease affects a variety of species, including humans and dogs. Lyme disease has been reported in cats after experimental infection with B. burgdorferi, though experts are still studying whether it occurs naturally in cats exposed to infected ticks. Nevertheless, it is a diagnosis to consider when cats have symptoms compatible with Lyme disease, especially in areas where Lyme disease is common.

Cats and dogs can become infected with Borrelia burgdorferi without ever developing symptoms of Lyme disease. Where Lyme disease is common, cats may test positive for exposure to the bacteria despite not showing any signs of disease.

Transmission of Lyme Disease
Ticks become infected with the bacteria by feeding on infected mice and other small animals. When an infected tick bites other animals, it can transmit the bacteria to these animals. Lyme disease is transmitted by the deer tick (blacklegged tick) and a group of other closely related ticks, the exact species varying by location. The deer tick is a small tick and may bite animals and people without being easily detected.

Cats that spend a lot of time outdoors, in areas with bush or tall grass are most at risk for being infected with Lyme disease. However, it is important to remember that ticks can be carried into yards on other animals, so even cats that don't roam far could potentially be bitten by a tick (and if you have dogs, ticks can hitch a ride into the home on the dogs). There is currently no evidence that Lyme disease is spread by direct contact between animals, including between infected pets and their owners.

Symptoms may Include

• lameness (may shift from leg to leg)
• stiffness, pain
• fever
• decreased appetite
• lethargy

Diagnosis
Because so many cats do not develop symptoms after infection with B. burgdorferi, the diagnosis of Lyme disease must be made on a combination of factors, including history (especially exposure to ticks), clinical signs, finding antibodies to B. burgdorferi bacteria, and a quick response to treatment with antibiotics. An antibody test is not enough to make a diagnosis on its own, because not all cats that are exposed to B. burgdorferi get sick, and the antibodies can persist in the blood for a long time after exposure.

Other diagnostic test such as blood tests, urine tests, x-rays, and sampling of joint fluid, may be done as well to check for more serious effects of Lyme disease such as kidney disease, and to rule out other conditions that can cause similar signs and symptoms.

Treating Lyme Disease
Treatment with antibiotics usually produces a rapid improvement in symptoms. If there are more serious issues that might be secondary to Lyme disease, such as kidney disease, a longer course of antibiotics along with additional medications is usually necessary.


Prevention of Lyme Disease
Tick control is extremely important for the prevention of Lyme disease (and other diseases that can be transmitted by ticks). Check outdoor cats daily for ticks and remove them as soon as possible, since ticks must feed for at least 12 hours (possibly 24-48 hours) before transmitting the bacteria causing Lyme disease. Be careful handling ticks, as they are potentially infective to people, too.

Products that kill ticks, such as Frontline Plus for Cats® (compare prices) can be used; be sure to follow your veterinarian's advice when using these products. Keep grass and brush trimmed in your yard, and in areas where ticks are a serious problem, you can also consider treating the yard for ticks.

Happy World Veterinary Day

WVA-OIE World Veterinary Day

Source:
World Veterinary Day was first celebrated by the World Veterinary Association in 2001 and is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April. This year it will be on 24th of April.

In 2008 the WVA and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) agreed on the creation of the World Veterinary Day Award aimed at rewarding the most successful celebration of the veterinary profession by national veterinary associations, alone, or in cooperation with any other selected veterinary body.

THEME FOR THE YEAR 2010
One World, One Health: more cooperation between veterinarians and physicians
The 2010 Award will be delivered at the 78th OIE World Assembly to be held in Paris, France on 23-28 May 2010.
The prize: US$ 1,000 will be donated to the winner.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
National veterinary associations that celebrate World veterinary day alone or in cooperation with others can participate in the competition of being selected WVD award winner of the year by sending in a completed application form.

WVA-OIE World Veterinary Day AWARD 2010

World Veterinary Day was first celebrated by the World Veterinary Association in 2001 and is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April. In 2008 the WVA and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) agreed on the creation of the World Veterinary Day Award aimed at rewarding the most successful celebration of the veterinary profession by national veterinary associations, alone, or in cooperation with any other selected veterinary body.

The 2010 Award will be delivered at the 78th OIE World Assembly to be held in Paris, France on 23-28 May 2010.

The prize: US$ 1,000 will be donated to the winner.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
National veterinary associations that celebrate World veterinary day alone or in cooperation with others can participate in the competition of being selected WVD award winner of the year by sending in a completed application form (see instructions below).

THEME FOR THE YEAR 2010
One World, One Health: more cooperation between veterinarians and physicians

The much publicised concept "One World, One Health" indicates that the world has awakened to the link between animal diseases and public health.

It has long been known that 60% of known infectious diseases are common to humans and animals (whether domestic or wild); 75% of recent emerging human diseases came from animals and 80% of the pathogens that could potentially be used in bioterrorism are zoonotic. It is also known that human populations need a regular diet of protein particularly from milk, eggs or meat, and that a deficiency can also be a public health problem.

The unprecedented movement of commodities and people between nations provides opportunities for pathogens to spread and multiply. Further, climate change can enable pathogens to extend their range, notably through vectors, such as insects colonising new areas that up until a few years ago were too cold for them to survive the winter.

The only way to minimize the impact of these new hazards is to adapt the existing systems of animal and public health governance at world, regional and national levels in a harmonised and coordinated manner. From the animal health perspective, "One World, One Health" should eventually lead all countries to make a firm commitment to establishing mechanisms for the early detection of disease outbreaks, as well as allowing rapid implementation, by veterinarians, of any required preventive or therapeutic measure directed to animals.

From the human health perspective, "One World, One Health" should induce all countries to adopt a united approach by veterinarians and human physicians for the control of zoonotic diseases, especially with regard to the prevention and post-exposure treatment of these diseases.

The 2010 Award will reward the veterinary association that best publicises the theme by involving all stakeholders in the organisation of events along with all other stakeholders such as the media and the general public.

TOOLKIT FOR APPLICANTS
This could be accomplished via public events organised with support of the media, open days, competitions or any event that creates attention and delivers a message to a large number of people in an interesting, entertaining and stimulating way (using, for example, musical and gastronomic events as a support).
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION
The application for the award must include:
- Name of the individual veterinarian representing the veterinary association involved
- Country and e-mail address
- Number of veterinarians members of the applicant association
- The specific audience attending the event and the attendance rate
- Press coverage received
- Number of non veterinarians and veterinarians attracted to the event
- Number of stakeholders involved in the organisation of the event and number of stakeholders attracted to the event
- Proposed actions to be taken as a follow up

SUPPORTING MATERIALS
Copies of posters, stickers, photographs, press releases, TV spots etc.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be submitted by 1 May 2010 to the World Veterinary Association: secretariat@worldvet.org

WVA-OIE - World Veterinary Day Award 2010

24 April 2010
Theme: "One World, One Health: more cooperation between veterinarians and physicians".

Download to read announcement in English, French and Spanish.

Case Report: Albuterol Toxicity in a Boxer

Guest author Ahna Brutlag DVM, Assistant Director of Veterinary Services at the Pet Poison Helpline, shares this case of a common poisoning hazard for pets; human medications. In this case report, learn about Rooney the curious Boxer and the dangers of albuterol inhalers for pets.

Common causes of pet poisonings in the home
Every day, Pet Poison Helpline receives calls about pets getting into their owner’s medications. One medication that particularly concerns us is something that many of us have in our homes—albuterol inhalers.

Dogs will chew on the inhaler and, upon puncturing it, receive a very large dose of albuterol all at once. This massive dose causes toxicity by elevating the heart rate to life-threatening levels and causing very low potassium levels in the blood which, in turn, lead to extreme weakness, in-coordination, and, potentially, death. Other signs which are often seen in dogs who puncture albuterol inhalers include vomiting, dilated pupils, severe agitation/hyperactivity, elevated blood pressure and vomiting.

Case Report: Rooney the Boxer
Rooney, a 4 year old healthy male Boxer, was caught chewing on and puncturing his owner’s albuterol inhaler. Within 10 minutes he had vomited 2 times and seemed very nervous. He then began to have difficulty walking and seemed very weak. When his owners went to pick him up off the floor, they felt his heart racing. Realizing this was an emergency, they immediately rushed Rooney to his veterinarian.

Emergency vet visit
When Rooney arrived at the hospital, he was unable to walk, was panting severely, and had developed an irregular heart rhythm with a very rapid heart rate of over 240 beats per minute (normal is up to 130-150 beats per minute). The veterinarian performed blood tests and found that Rooney’s blood potassium level was below 2.0 (normal is 3.5-6.0 and any amount below 2.5 is considered life-threatening).

Albuterol toxicity management
Because of this low potassium level and high heart rate, Rooney was extremely weak and needed emergency intervention. His veterinarian immediately gave him intravenous potassium and drugs called "beta-blockers" to slow his heart rate. Within 30 minutes, Rooney had improved dramatically and was able to stand on his own. He was placed on a steady rate of intravenous potassium and given more beta-blockers over the course of the night.

Case follow up
By the next morning, Rooney was doing so well that he no loner needed extra potassium or heart medications and he was able to go home later that day.

Rooney’s case is very typical of the albuterol inhaler cases that Pet Poison Helpline is called about. Thankfully, when treated appropriately, many dogs survive albuterol poisoning. However, if left untreated, dogs may die as a result of cardiac arrhythmias and too low potassium levels.

If your pet ingests human medications
If your pet ingests a human medication always call your veterinarian immediately as other common medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) can also be very toxic to pets. The sooner treatment is sought for your pet, the better the prognosis.

Thank you, Dr. Brutlag, for this very timely warning and interesting case report. Thankfully a happy ending for Rooney.

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