Essentials

The Heartworm Hotline column, presented by the American Heartworm Society, communicates practical and timely information on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heartworm disease, as well as highlights current topics related to heartworm research and findings in veterinary medicine.

An essential part of therapy for diabetes mellitus (DM) is nutrition, which can greatly affect the way dogs and cats with diabetes live. For dogs with DM, it is more important that they eat regularly than be strictly limited to certain foods. For cats with DM, diet is much more important and can significantly affect DM control. After the initial diagnosis, consider all the factors before prescribing a diet regimen.

Mental and emotional health is becoming less taboo in the veterinary world as compassion fatigue, cyberbullying, and more escalate. Banfield is realizing the importance of transparency and assistance.

Managing osteoarthritis, particularly in pets with excess weight, is not new to the veterinary profession; however, we found several opportunities exist to improve the care these affected pets receive. Quality medical management of OA requires a multi-faceted diagnostic and treatment plan—a combination of diagnostic testing, multi-modal pain management, and weight management must be considered to most effectively improve patient outcomes.

Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurologic disorder encountered in small animal practice and is estimated to affect up to 0.75% of dogs in the general population. Evidence suggests that dietary therapy may have a beneficial effect on seizure control as well.

Rickettsial organisms are small, obligate intracellular bacteria in the order Rickettsiales. Two families—Anaplasmataceae and Rickettsiaceae—contain species that infect dogs. These pathogens are transmitted by a variety of tick vectors, maintained in wildlife and domestic reservoirs, and can cause clinical disease in humans, dogs, and other domestic animals. This article discusses the basic epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of canine ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).

Although most veterinarians recognize that feline heartworm disease can be serious and even life-threatening, far too few clients invest in heartworm prevention for their cats.

Wound healing requires the body to have sufficient energy stores to rebuild tissue. Without these resources, the animal’s body begins to break down endogenous protein in an attempt to meet its needs for the “building blocks” of healing. A strategy to provide adequate nutrients should be created for every wound patient.

The goal of NAVC’s Pet Nutrition Coach Certification program is to assist the entire veterinary healthcare team in integrating nutrition as a cornerstone of patient care.