80 Bugs, Bugs, Bugs

bugs

Can you believe all the creepy crawly bugs we are seeing after the rain and slight break in heat? We are seeing crickets, army worms, fire ants, flies, moths, etc. near our building and homes. We will soon see an increase in fleas, ticks and mosquitos, so don’t let up on your heartworm and flea prevention. We have even found fleas on some dogs coming in for boarding.

Have you heard reports that the FDA is concerned about neurological events (tremors, ataxia, or seizures) in a class of oral flea and tick medicine calls isoxazolines? This class includes Bravecto, Nexgard, Simparica and the new Credelio. None of the products is being recalled or withdrawn from market, but there have been reports of adverse events now the products have been out for a few years. Here at Garden Ridge Animal Hospital, we haven’t seen these side effects, but we urge clients with concerns to check out the FDA statement to the manufacturers to add additional warnings to their labels. We will continue to sell oral flea and tick medications because they are so very effective and safe, we use them on our own pets, but we will follow this closely. Link to FDA statement

A large study by Idexx, our laboratory, shows a relationship between tick-borne diseases (like Lymes and Ehrilichia) and kidney disease. When they searched their data, if a pet had been positive for Lymes or Ehrlichia they had up to a 300% increase risk for kidney value elevations, years later. Many of the early signs of kidney disease are very subtle like an increase in water consumption, increased urine output, or a slight decrease in appetite. With blood tests like BUN, Creatinine, and new SDMA, we can detect kidney disease is the early stages, and have time to make some lifestyle and diet changes to manage those nephrons and increase life expectancy.
http://www.aaha.org/blog/NewStat/post/2018/09/01/271046/New-study-shows-link-between-ticks-and-kidney-disease11.aspx

Author: Pamela Henricks

I am a small animal veterinarian practicing in Lewisville Texas, a suburb of Dallas. I have been practicing for 36 years on dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits and ferrets. I have owned my own practice for 28 years. I am a long time member of Texas Veterinary Academy, and past president.