Today's Veterinary Practice provides comprehensive information to keep every small animal practitioner up to date on companion animal medicine and surgery as well as practice building and management.
Issue link: http://todaysveterinarypractice.epubxp.com/i/840151
8 TODAY'S VETERINARY NEWS TODAY'S VETERINARY NEWS Heartgard is a registered trademark of Merial. Interceptor ® , Elanco ™ and the Diagonal Bar ™ are trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affi liates. © 2017 Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affi liates. USCACINP00189 INDICATIONS Interceptor ® Plus (milbemycin oxime/praziquantel) is indicated for the prevention of heartworm disease caused by Dirofi laria immitis and for the treatment and control of adult roundworm (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina), adult hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum), adult whipworm (Trichuris vulpis) and adult tapeworm (Taenia pisiformis, Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus granulosus) in dogs and puppies 6 weeks of age and older and 2 pounds of body weight or greater. Roundworm Hookworm (A. caninum) Heartworm disease CHOOSE THE CHEW WITH MORE PROTECTION THAN HEARTGARD ® PLUS (ivermectin/pyrantel)* Roundworm Heartworm disease Hookworm ( A. caninum The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) has issued its first-ever set of guidelines on mosquito control. The guidelines recommend an "Integrated Pest Management (IPM)" strategy, which employs the use of EPA-registered repellents/insecticides on pet and humans, minimizing exposure and altering the environment to discourage mosquito growth development. The guidelines emphasize that repelling and killing the vector should be a part of the strategy to protect canines, and several products are available for use on dogs to repel and kill mosquitos for an entire month, including some that are labeled to control other ectoparasites as well. ■ Learn more at capcvet.org/guidelines/ mosquitoes . NEW Mosquito Control Guidelines BI DECLARES 2017 THE YEAR OF THE SMALL DOG Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), maker of METACAM (meloxicam), has announced a campaign to raise awareness that small-breed dogs are as at risk for osteoarthritis (OA) as larger dogs. BI will provide veterinary practices with educational materials to help their teams learn more and to prompt conversations about OA in small dogs with their clients. Canine OA is often associated with larger breeds because of the well-known challenges bigger dogs often face with joint function and discomfort. However, small-breed dogs can also suffer from joint disease for a variety of reasons, including obesity, luxating patellas, trauma, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, or normal wear and tear causing cartilage damage. ■ For more information about the campaign and METACAM, visit metacam.com . What are NSAIDs? Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, are prescribed as pain, inflammation and fever relievers. NSAIDs are most com- monly used for the symptomatic relief of arthritic pain in geriatric pets. Aspirin and ibuprofen are well-recognized human NSAIDs. The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has approved specific NSAIDs for use in pets with osteoarthritis. Ask your veterinarian which pain reliever is right for your pet. What are the benefits of NSAIDs? A decade ago, few drugs were available to treat pets in pain. Today, veterinarian-prescribed NSAIDs offer relief to pets, helping control symptoms such as, inflammation, swelling, stiffness and joint pain. In addition to provid- ing pain control, veterinarians also believe that NSAIDs help pets heal better and faster. Are NSAIDs safe? The FDA considers NSAIDs to be "safe and effective when used according to the label and when pet owners are informed about common NSAID adverse reactions." According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the NSAIDs available today are much safer than they have ever been in the past and cause far fewer side effects. The FDA also notes that "duration of use makes a difference in the safety" of NSAIDs as the risk of side effects can increase the longer a pet is given an NSAID. What are the side effects of NSAIDs? The following is a list of side effects, some more common than others, to watch for while giving NSAIDs to your pet: • Change in appetite • Vomiting • Change in bowel movements, such as diarrhea or black, tarry, or bloody stools • Change in behavior, such as activity levels, aggression or lack of coordination • Seizures • Yellowing of gums, skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice) • Change in drinking habits — frequency or amount consumed • Change in urination habits — frequency, color or smell • Change in skin — redness, scabs or scratching • Lethargy and/or depression More serious side effects include gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, perforations, and in rare cases, kidney and liver damage, and death. Consistent, open communication with your veterinarian and close monitoring of your pet can make NSAIDs a beneficial and cost- effective treatment option. The American Animal Hospital Association is an international organ- ization of 6,000 companion animal veterinary care teams, comprised of more than 36,000 veterinary profes- sionals. Established in 1933, AAHA is the only organization that accredits veterinary practices throughout the U.S. and Canada for dedication to high standards of veterinary care. More than 3,000 AAHA-accredited practices pass regular reviews of AAHA's stringent accreditation process that covers patient care, client service and medical protocols. For pet care information or referral to an AAHA prac- tice, visit www.healthypet.com. ©2007 by the American Animal Hospital Association. All rights reserved. What YOU Should Know About Your Pet's Pain Medication What should you do before your pet uses NSAIDs? Ask your veterinarian about the benefits, risks and side effects of any medication, including NSAIDs. An informed pet owner is the best defense against serious side effects from NSAIDs. Tell your veterinarian about your pet's symptoms and current medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements and flea control products. Giving NSAIDs in combination with any other medica- tions/ supplements could seriously harm your pet. All pets should receive thorough history and physical examinations, as well as appropriate blood and urine testing, before initiation of NSAID therapy. Ask your veterinarian about the testing proto- cols that are best for your pet. What should you do while your pet is using NSAIDs? Drugs used to control pain in pets, such as NSAIDs, should be given only when nec- essary and in the smallest effective dose. If your pet's condition seems to improve, you should discuss continued use of NSAIDs with your veterinarian. Never give NSAIDs to a pet or increase the dose or frequency without your veteri- narian's instructions. Because each pet responds to NSAIDs differently, no one medication is considered more effective or safe than another. Blood and urine testing should be performed on a regular basis during the use of NSAIDs. Watch for any NSAIDs side effects in your pet. If you suspect an adverse reaction, stop the use of the drug and contact your veterinarian immediately. For more information from the FDA, visit http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/506_nsaid.html Li quid Think easy. Think liquid. Think METACAM. Is your dog held back by osteoarthritis pain? Think liquid. Think happy. METACAM can help dogs with osteoarthritis (OA) get back in the action — and back to having fun! c O V e r Campaign materials include downloadable dog owner booklets and pain medication guides.