743 — Protecting Dogs from the Dangerous Return of the New World Screwworm
Protecting Dogs from the Dangerous Return of the New World Screwworm
Host Laura Reeves and veterinarian Marty Greer discuss the alarming resurgence of the New World Screwworm, outlining vital travel precautions, key symptoms to watch for and the medications used to treat this invasive parasite.
- The Return of a Lethal Threat: After being successfully managed since 1966 using a sterile fly release program, the New World Screwworm has crossed back over the U.S. border. Confirmed cases have already appeared in livestock and dogs.
- How Screwworms Differ from Normal Maggots: Unlike typical fly larvae that only infest damaged or dead tissue, New World Screwworm larvae aggressively penetrate and destroy healthy, normal tissue in dogs, cats, livestock and even humans.
- Fluid Travel Restrictions: State and international borders are experiencing rapidly shifting regulations. Dog owners are warned to avoid traveling across the Mexican border, remain highly cautious when traveling interstate and ensure they carry official health certificates.
- What to Do If You Find a Larva: This is a federally reportable disease. If you discover a larva in a wound, do not throw it on the ground where it can pupate. Instead, preserve it in alcohol or formalin and immediately contact your veterinarian to notify authorities.
- Treatment Options: Oral flea and tick medications in the isoxazoline class (such as Cridelio, Nexgard, Brevecta, and Semperica) and nicotinamides (such as Capstar) are the primary medications utilized or suspected for emergency treatment, although their preventative capabilities are still being studied.
- Other Exotic Diseases on the Rise: The episode also flags other global health threats creeping into the U.S. due to warming temperatures, including Chagas disease (transmitted by the kissing bug and causing severe cardiac disease) and a liver fluke showing up in the Colorado River Valley.
Featured Resources:
- Worms and Germs Blog (Infectious disease updates by veterinarian Dr. Scott Weese)
- CapcVet (veterinarian-authored parasite prevalence maps)
328 – Poopy Happens: Puppy Diarrhea Causes and Treatments
Poopy Happens: Puppy Diarrhea Causes and Treatments
Puppy diarrhea can be serious and dangerous due to dehydration risks, says Dr. Marty Greer, DVM. While “poopy happens” is a pretty common issue in a litter of puppies, some causes are more serious than others.
Causes of “bad potty” can range from the benign to the deadly and knowing which is which and how to treat them can be a matter of life and death.
“I can’t believe I ate the WHOLE thing….”
Overeating is pretty common, particularly when puppies transition to solid food during weaning.
“While nursing, the diarrhea is white in color, and the puppy is very hefty,” Greer said. She strongly recommends dog specific probiotics during weaning, particularly Proviable or Fortiflora.
“What do you have in your mouth?!”
Eating inappropriate stuff like rocks, sticks, leaves is another common problem in puppies that can cause stomach upset and loose stools. Since puppies are curious and often investigate their new and expanding world with their mouths, it can also be dangerous! Watch what they pick up and police their areas for hazards.
All kinds of bad bugs
Viral infections such as parvovirus and distemper are life threatening emergencies. Certain breeds don’t titer well to parvo vaccines and these diseases can even be transmitted by raccoons in “latrines.”
Parasites, Greer noted, affect as much as 95 percent of puppies. Worm puppies at 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks if the bitch is not on dewormer *during* pregnancy. Greer recommends a specific protocol of treating the pregnant bitch with fenbendazole daily from the 5th week of pregnancy to the 2nd week of lactation.
“You can worm bitch forever, but parasites will encyst in her muscles,” Greer said. “The stress of pregnancy and lactation reactivates these into her bloodstream. The parasites are then passed through placenta AND milk to the puppies. Puppies that are still nursing, are still receiving the larval form of the parasite through milk.”
Giardia and coccidia are common in puppies. Giardia responds to Panacur. Coccidia responds to Albon.
Cleanliness is next godliness
Bleach is my favorite disinfectant. Visit this site to learn about proper dilution in different scenarios: https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/bleach-dilution-calculator
Treatment
Kaopectate, the human-grade over-the-counter item, has changed the formula and metabolizes as aspirin in the dog, Greer said. She strongly recommends a low-cost and effect solution, the original kaolin-pectin.
And don’t forget to send your puppies home with insurance!!