Neffsville Veterinary Clinic

Many people travel with their pets. Though the number of forms can be daunting when traveling within the United States and abroad, we are here to help you through the process. Dr. Nicole Blithe has over five years experience assisting clients with their travel needs. She is nationally accredited to sign International forms, this is a special accreditation. If you are traveling abroad, please call the clinic to make an appointment.
• Your first visit is scheduled for 40 minutes (please give us 48 hours notice if you need to re-schedule).
• All other follow-up exams will be 30 minutes.
• Dr. Blithe will obtain the certificates, the “pre-approval” from the state vet and sign the certificates.
• Please remember that there is a time investment on your part. We recommend that clients allow eight to twelve months to travel to: England, Greece, Malta, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Island countries.
• We recommend a client allows four to six months when traveling to all countries. (Please remember Puerto Rico is part of the United States.
• Please bring original rabies certificates.
• Please make sure your pet is micro-chipped. We offer this service. Feel free to inquire at the time of your appointment.
• Please allow 72 hours for us to complete the International health Certificate before scheduling your appointment with the USDA.
• You will need to travel to Harrisburg and have the State veterinarian sign the paperwork. We will provide you with the address and the phone number as well as directions to the office.

We look forward to helping you with your travel plans and be sure to share your photos with us so we can post them on our BLOG and FaceBook page.

Dr. Kathy Nyland with Isis

Margaret Jefferson came to us in March because her cat, Isis was not “herself.” She would go upstairs and hide under the bed and in the closet. She had severe constipation and when she did have a bowel movement, the stool was very small and hard. “Isis had been so healthy. At 17 the only reason I had to bring her to the vet was for shots and nail trims,” commented Mrs. Jefferson. Isis continued to deteriorate and she then began dragging her back end. An x-ray later revealed spondylosis.

Spondylosis is a condition by which there is an arthritic bridging of the vertebrae. This is what caused Isis to have difficulty squatting to go to the bathroom and jumping on her owner’s lap.

Because of the diagnosis, Dr. Kathy recommended Adequan injections. Adequan is normally used to treat canine arthritis, which in many cases can be a painful and debilitating disease, however it can be managed. Adequan helps prevent the cartilage in your pet’s joints from wearing away. The goal of the doctor is to slow down the progression of arthritis formation in the pet’s joint, keeping the cartilage healthy and intact, so that the bone in the joint cannot touch other bones.

The injection is administered two times a week for four weeks and then is given once a month as a maintenance. It begins working in the joint in about two hours and stays in the joint for about three days. “I was nervous about giving the injections, but the nurses showed me how to do it and after two trials, I was comfortable with the procedure,” added Mrs. Jefferson.

“Within a week and a half Isis had returned to her normal self. She was eating well, requesting treats and sitting on my lap. To me Adequan is a Miracle Drug. I thought my cat was dying. It was so sad to watch her suffer and experience such a drastic change in her health such a short period of time,” said Mrs. Jefferson.

February is National Dental Month. Both cats and dogs should be evaluated at their yearly wellness visit. Your veterinarian can assess whether or not a dental procedure is necessary. Several factors contribute to dental problems. Older dogs are more susceptible as are pets of a smaller size. In cats we see more dental procedures in the exotic breeds such as Siamese, Persians and Himalayans.

Gingivitis or inflammation of the gums, can develop when there are high levels of bacteria in the mouth. If left untreated, it can progress to Periodontal Disease with tarter and plaque buildup. When Periodontal Disease is allowed to progress, you will notice the gums pulling away from the teeth and then pockets form that can become infected, bacteria can spread from the infected mouth area throughout the bloodstream. The kidneys, liver and heart become damaged from the infection.

A few symptoms that you may notice when dental disease is present include: bad breath, bleeding gums, yellow or brown tarter buildup and loss of appetite.

There are four steps you should follow to help prevent dental disease:

1-Take your pet to the veterinarian for a professional cleaning and scaling.

2-Implement a regular dental routine at home. There are a number of brushing tools available, from poultry flavored toothpaste to toothbrushes that fit right on your fingertip.

3-Schedule yearly exams for your pet. These exams should include an oral exam.

4-Discuss with your veterinarian the best chew toys for your pet. They may also recommend a dental diet that may help in the prevention periodontitis.

“Ask the Veterinarian” with Dr. James Doman

Dear Dr. Doman,
I heard that the majority of dogs have dental disease by the time they’re three-years-old. Is it really that common?

It is estimated that 85% of dogs aged three and older have some degree of periodontal disease, the most common dental disease in dogs. 1 And like in humans, periodontal disease is a progressive infection that can lead to painful conditions for dogs that may require difficult and costly treatments down the road.

Whenever possible, preventing disease is preferable to treating it and in the case of periodontitis, this is especially true. Regular effective home care with daily brushing and early professional cleaning by our dental nurses are among the best preventive measures.

Dear Dr. Doman,
My veterinarian recommended that I try brushing my dog’s teeth at home every day. Is this really necessary?

Many pet owners don’t realize that bacteria live in a dog’s mouth and are present in the build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. If left untreated, these bacteria can cause gingivitis, the inflammation of the gums around the dog’s teeth.

The good news is that gingivitis is rapidly reversible with good dental hygiene and like your veterinarian advised, tooth brushing is the recommended standard.

However, even more problematic than gingivitis is periodontitis, a more serious and irreversible condition that, if untreated, can result in the destruction of gum and bone and other tissues around the dog’s teeth. In those cases, regular professional cleanings and treatment are an important way to help prevent further disease.

Dear Dr. Doman,
Is canine and feline periodontitis really that big of a deal? I mean, I always figured a dog or a cat can live a fine life missing a few teeth here and there.

In one word, yes, periodontitis is a big deal, and it can affect more than the pet’s teeth. In fact, the presence of canine periodontitis has been associated with systemic effects in pets and may cause problems in vital organs (heart, liver and kidneys).

At its worst, periodontitis can ultimately lead to loss of teeth, fracture of the jawbones, and other serious consequences. A pet’s mouth can be compared to a human’s hand, and its daily function is just as critical. When the mouth isn’t working properly — or hurts — the pet suffers.

Maintaining healthy teeth is critical to keeping dogs and cats healthy and happy.

Pet Foods And Treats With Oral Care Benefits

Our veterinarians recommend Prescription Diet t/d (Canine and Feline) and Science Diet Oral Care Adult (Canine and Feline). Both foods are:

• Proven to reduce the buildup of plaque, tarter and stain
• Proven to reduce bad breath
• Effective adjunct to professional therapy for the management of periodontal disease
• Complete and balanced nutrition for adult and senior dogs and cats

Our veterinarians recommend C.E.T. HEXtra Chews for dogs. They are available in three different sizes: petite, medium and large. One chew a day with its patented, exclusive Chlorhexidine System help remove plaque and reduce tarter. The abrasive cleansing action of the C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews help keep breath fresh and teeth clean.

The New Year has arrived and there is no better time to make some changes. All of us could use a little more exercise, including our pets. Start the day with a walk. It allows you to go over the day and set priorities. Your dog has the opportunity to expend energy, so he will be more restful during the day when you are at work.

If you have cats, attach a toy to a string and pull it around the house as you do chores. Your cat will enjoy following you. Flashlights and laser pens are another great way to encourage your cats to run and play.

As we start to change our eating habits, we should do the same for our pets. Instead of cookies and chips, we are eating fruits and vegetables. Try replacing the usually high calorie snacks for your pets with Science Diet (Lite Treats).

So start your New Year off on a healthy foot with your favorite FURRY buddy. You and your pet will see the benefits.