68 Should we vaccinate cats?

The topic of cat vaccination has stirred up quite a controversy in the last few years. Are we over vaccinating? Under vaccinating? Does it cause cancer? How can I get my cat to the vet without stressing him/her out? Why is a yearly exam so important?

Fortunately, this topic has gotten a lot of controlled research, and feline experts came together in 2013 to update the AAFP( American Association of Feline Practitioners) vaccine guidelines.

A quote from Dr Scherk, the editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, regarding her conclusions about feline vaccines is “We’re not over-vaccinating; we’re actually under-vaccinating cats.” Her explanation starts with the many cats that NEVER see a vet until they are very sick, so they aren’t candidates for vaccines then. The other hurtle is that many cat owners have heard about vaccines causing cancer, so they just opt out. Plus cost can be another reason.

The Guidelines recommend we break the different vaccines into 2 categories: Core and Noncore.  Examples of Core are Feline panleukopenia (FPV)(also known as distemper which is not to be confused with dog distemper), Feline herpesvirus-1(FHV-1), and Feline calicivirus (FCV). These are usually combined in the FVRCP vaccine, which is given as a series for kittens, boosted at a year, then every 3 years after that per manufacturer’s recommendation.

Rabies isn’t considered core by AAFP, but every other vet organization considers Rabies a core vaccine, and a legal requirement in the State of Texas. I consider it core vaccine. I have seen a cat with rabies, and we definitely have active rabies in Denton County. Plus the rabies vaccine is a killed viral vaccines, is super safe, not a combination injection, and we use the non-adjuvented Merial Purevax rabies.
I have been vaccinated for rabies and needed a booster when I was pregnant with my daughter, so my pediatrician researched it and concluded it was safe to receive even during pregnancy.

Noncore vaccines Feline leukemia virus (FELV), chlamydophiia felis , Bordetella bronchiseptica, Feline infectious peritonitis ( FIP), and Dermatophyte vaccines. At Garden Ridge Animal Hospital, we only carry FELV in this Noncore category, and we only give it to cats with risk factors like outside cats, cats that fight, or cats in households with some outside cats. We also follow the AAFP recommendation for all kittens to get a series of 2 FELV vaccines, so they have some lifetime protection.

The questions about injection site sarcomas and how to transport cat to the vet require long answers and will be future blog topics.

So my challenge to my cat owners is “are all your cats up to date on their vaccines? Even the old ones that never go outside?” And it not, call the staff at Garden Ridge Animal Hospital at 972-436-2199 and set up an appointment.

For more links on recommendations; https://www.wsava.org/guidelines/vaccination-guidelines

http://www.aavmc.org/data/files/other%20documents/ppphfelineguidelines_proof1.pdf

67 AAHA – Accredited Hospital Day- July 22, 2018

Every year on July 22, the American Animal Hospital Association celebrates hospitals that are accredited. Nationwide, less than 15% of animal hospitals are accredited. Garden Ridge Animal Hospital is Lewisville’s only AAHA Accredited animal hospital. I build it in 1990, with the eventual plan to be accredited. In 2005 we were accredited, and have passed every inspection since then. I had the good fortune to work in two AAHA accredited hospital before opening Garden Ridge. My first experience was with Dr Thomes in Irving, at his hospital on 183. It grew to become VCA Metroplex Animal Hospital, a big 24 hour multi-doctor referral hospital. I worked there as an intern in 1982 and later as one of the night doctors in the winter of 1989/90. After graduation in 1982 until 1989 I worked at Hines North Animal Hospital, which was also AAHA accredited. I remember referring to the AAHA charts of standards as we got ready for inspection. They have standards in anesthesia, dentistry, pain management, patient care, surgery, client service, safety, medical records, laboratory, imaging, and housekeeping. I compare it getting ready for a visit from your loving Mother- in -law. You want everything to be ship shape. The other thing I remember was the constant “raising of the bar” with standards. One time something was optional, and later it was mandatory. The goal is constant improvement.
AAHA motto is The Standard of Veterinary Excellence and its tagline is Champions for Excellent Care. That is the goal for Garden Ridge Animal Hospital, too. Our mission is Quality Care for Quality Lives, for pets, owners and staff. AAHA does more than inspections. It sponsors some awesome Continuing Veterinary Educations, for management and medicine. And they publish lots of training tools and books that help manage a small hospital like mine to the same standards as a large hospital. It also helps us stand out and reach new clients. When I have an existing client that is moving, I always suggest they look for the AAHA Logo in their new locale to find consistently excellent hospitals.
We expect to be celebrating Monday, July 23, after our inspection! Until then, stay cool!! Stay inside & drink lots of water.

https://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/about_aaha/default.aspx

66 Dilated Cardiomyopathy associated with Grain Free Diets

There have been disturbing reports, mostly in Golden Retrievers that are eating grain free, legume (pea) based diets that are developing Dilated Cardiomyopathy. This is a heart muscle disease that causes enlarged hearts, most commonly seen in cats that are eating diets deficient in taurine. Taurine is an amino acid present in most meat and milk. It has been well known that deficiencies in cats can cause dilated cardiomyopathy, but has been rarely seen in dogs until now.

Most of these cases seen by veterinary cardiologist have been on “boutique”, homemade, or raw diets, not the major pet food manufacturers. Some universities are looking for more patterns, but it has been seen most often in Golden Retrievers. https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/180801e.aspx?utm_source=email-optin&utm_medium=javma-news-180801&utm_campaign=animal-health&utm_term=link&utm_content=pet-diets-heart-disease

I am amazed daily by the number of clients that proudly boast their dog is on a grain free diet. Many think that grain free means no carbohydrates, and that just isn’t the case. To manufacture the kibble, they need some carbohydrates, so the makers use potato, peas, and other legumes instead of wheat, corn, barley and oats. I myself try to eat low carb to manage blood sugar, but I can’t do No carb. I am not gluten intolerant, so I do enjoy my home made sour dough bread in small quantities, especially when it is fresh out of the oven. I have met very few dogs that are gluten intolerant, but there are definitely a few. There are compelling studies for dogs with inflammation in skin or gastrointestinal tracts that benefit from gluten free diets. Gluten is a protein in found in wheat, barley and rye.
I think we need to be careful when we choose pet foods and not buy into fads. Look for the AAFCO label, which means the diet meets all the known standards for nutrients in the diet. And look for a reputable manufacturer. Currently, I am most familiar with and recommend Hills, Purina, Iams/Eukanuba, and Blue since these companies all make good veterinary therapeutic diets. There are probably others that are top notch, but just don’t make therapeutic diets.

To feed grain free or not isn’t black and white. It might be very appropriate for some pets, but we need to watch these new cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in Golden Retrievers that might be related to grain free legume based diets.

https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/FDAInBrief/ucm613355.htm

https://www.texvetpets.org/article/grain-free-diets/
https://weethnutrition.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/the-myth-of-the-natural-diet/
https://weethnutrition.wordpress.com/2017/09/03/pet-food-basics-dr-weeths-top-tips-for-feeding-your-new-dog/