Vol 3 Issue 4 

AniMail News

September 2002

Pet Health Insurance   

Pet health care insurance isn't a new idea -- it has been around for 15 - 20 years, but many people haven't been aware of it. The availability has been limited and the policy restrictions have been prohibitive in many cases.

The last few years have seen changes in the pet insurance industry. Some say for the better. Pet owners with insurance are now able to provide levels of care that previously were cost prohibitive. Others aren't so sure. Some fear that adding insurance to veterinary medicine will follow the path of insurance red tape and problems found in human health care fields.

Veterinary medicine is one of the few health care professions that is not financially based on insurance. Unlike most medical, surgical, dental, and pharmacy cases in human medicine, veterinary patients (OK, the owners thereof) are responsible for veterinary costs incurred -- including preventive/routine care, emergency and disease conditions.

Pet health policies are similar to human insurance policies; annual premiums, deductibles, and different coverage plans based on what the owner chooses. Plans are based on species, age, pre-existing conditions and in some cases, lifestyle of the pet (i.e. indoor vs. outdoor cat).

Most companies start policies at age 6-8 weeks and some have no age limit. One had a limit of 27 years, others had a limit of 8 years of age (if the animal was insured when less than 8 years, coverage would continue beyond 8 years).

As for pre-existing conditions, some companies will allow coverage if the animal is stable or controlled (usually after a waiting period of 6 months), other companies will refuse animals with current conditions or terminal disease.

The current overall average for annual deductibles is around $100.00. The policy costs vary widely, depending on the animal and the different packages that the owner can choose. Some packages are comprehensive, including such things as: annual checkups and vaccinations, routine care, preventive medications (like Heartworm preventive) and spay/neuter surgeries. Other plans cover only accident and illness. Most plans offer immediate coverage for accident claims, and 30 days for illness claims on new policies. Additional pets are usually covered at a reduced rate after the first policy-holding pet.  Most analysts feel pet health insurance is a worthwhile investment.
West Nile Virus and Your Pet    

Can my pets get West Nile Virus from an infected bird? 
There is not any documented evidence of this occurring, but it is possible if dogs or cats eat a dead infected bird that they may become infected as well. 

Can my pets get West Nile Virus from a mosquito? 
Yes. Dogs and cats can contract WNV from mosquito bites, just as humans. Horses also become infected by the bite of an infectious mosquito and can become extremely ill and even die. You can contact your veterinarian about a newly licensed equine vaccine for areas where WNV is prevalent. 

Can I get West Nile Virus from my pets?
West Nile Virus is transmitted from infected mosquitoes. There is not any documented evidence of animal-to-person, or even person-to-person, transmission. However, for infected horses normal veterinary infection control precautions should be followed. More information regarding West Nile Virus can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention West Nile Virus Homepage. 

Are my pets at risk?
Unless your pet is equine, most experts don’t seem to think there’s a great risk.

Pet birds, theoretically, would probably be as susceptible to the virus as wild birds if they were exposed to mosquitoes on a regular basis. Since this generally isn’t the case, there has been little reported on West Nile in pet birds, nor has the virus caused significant problems for poultry.

Dogs and cats can become infected with West Nile virus by the bite of an infected mosquito, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, but they appear to be very resistant to developing disease. 

A 1999 study of dogs in the borough of Queens in New York (the epicenter of the human outbreak) showed that 5 to 11 percent of dogs tested had been exposed to West Nile virus, but none of the dogs’ owners reported that their pets had been ill. Only one cat is known to have died from West Nile virus infection. 

Although most non-equine pets do not seem to be at risk, if you’re worried, experts recommend minimizing your animals’ exposure to mosquitoes.

How can I protect my animals from West Nile?

Limiting exposure to mosquitoes is considered the most effective way of preventing West Nile infection. To protect your animals—and yourself—authorities from APHIS have issued several recommendations.

First, take steps to reduce the population of mosquitoes in your area. Remove all man-made sources of stagnant water where mosquitoes might breed, and dispose of water holding-containers, including old tires. Turn unused kiddie pools, water troughs, and wheelbarrows over when not in use. If containers must be left outdoors where they can collect water, drill holes in the bottoms for drainage.

Homeowners should clean their gutters annually, and aerate any ornamental pools or stock them with fish that eat mosquito larvae. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not in use, and eliminate standing water on swimming pool covers. You can also use landscaping to eliminate standing water in your yard. Remember, mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that remains for more than four days.

Local mosquito control authorities may be able to help you assess mosquito breeding risks associated with your property, and offer ideas on how to reduce them.

Taking the above steps will help keep mosquito populations low by discouraging breeding—but it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to eliminate mosquitoes altogether. So APHIS also recommends taking steps to minimize animals’ exposure. 

One option is keeping animals in barns or sheds with well-maintained insect screens—as long as you’ve ensured there are no mosquitoes already in the building. The use of fans may also help prevent mosquitoes from feeding on horses.

Insect repellents may be of some value in decreasing horses’ exposure, but authorities caution against relying upon them exclusively because of practical limitations in coverage area and limited duration of effectiveness.

Repellents should be used according to their label instructions. Topical application of a product containing a synthetic pyrethroid compound (like permethrin) as the active ingredient may offer the best combination of safety and efficacy, according to APHIS.

Because it’s not yet clear when the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile are most active, authorities have not made recommendations against allowing animals outside at certain hours of the day. But one recently completed epidemiological study of West Nile suggests that keeping horses in stalls at night may be helpful in reducing their risk of infection, according to APHIS.

Toxic Plants and Your Pet    

Here are some of the toxic plants you should keep away from your pets. If you suspect that your dog might have eaten any plant that might be toxic, contact his/her vet immediately. Many common house and garden plants can be toxic to animals if swallowed. The symptoms can be diarrhea, nausea, or skin allergies.

Our list is limited and if you need further information about a particular plant, please contact your pet's vet and local Poison Control Center.
 

Most Poisonous
Moderately Poisonous
Least Poisonous
 
 
Toxic Plants
Name
Poisonous Parts
Clinical Signs
Apricot Stem, bark, seed pits
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) All parts, mostly leaves Stomach irritation, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rate and rhythm, convulsions, coma, death.
Bird of Paradise Fruit, seeds
Boston Ivy All parts
Caladium All parts
Creeping Charlie (Glecoma hederacea L.) All parts Sweating, drooling, usually not fatal.
Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) All part but mostly seeds, if chewed Nausea, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, tenesmus, dehydration, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, weakness, muscle twitching, convulsions, coma.
Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana) Leaves, seed pits, stems, bark
Daffodil (Narcissus spp.) Bulbs
Daphne Berries, bark, leaves
English Ivy (Hedera helix L.) Leaves, berries stomach irritation, diarrhea, troubled breathing, coma, death.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea L.) Leaves, seeds, flowers
Glacier Ivy Leaves, berries
Heartleaf All parts
Hemlock, Water (Cicuta maculata L.) All parts, root and root stalk Dilated pupils, frothing at the mouth, spasms muscles spasms, restlessness, convulsions, and death (within 15 min to 2 hours)
Hyacinth (Hyacinth orientalis) Bulbs, leaves, flowers Colic, vomiting and diarrhea, usually not fatal.
Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.) Leaves, buds Irritation and inflammation of the digestive tract, diarrhea, bloody stool.
Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum L.) All parts, unripe fruit
Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) Leaves and stems, especially young plants. Breathing problems, severe anxiety, convulsions, coma, death. Intravenous antidote exsist.
Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium L.) All parts Rapid pulse, rapid breathing, dilated pupils, restlessness, nervousness, twitching, frequent urination, diarrhea, depression, weight loss, weak pulse, convulsions, coma, death.
Jonquil Bulbs
Lantana (Lantana camara L.) Leaves and berries Sluggishness, weakness, bloody diarrhea. In severe cases, death may occurs in 2 to 4 days.
Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis) All parts
Mandrake Roots, foliage, unripe fruit
Mistletoe Berries
Morning Glory Seeds
Marble Queen All parts
Nightshade (Solanum spp.) All parts Hallucinations, severe intestinal disturbances, diarrhea, drowsiness, numbness, dilated pupils, trembling, labored breathing, nasal discharge, rapid heartbeat, weak pulse, incoordination, paralysis or severe shaking of the rear legs, rapid heart rate, bloat, can be fatal.
Nephthytis, Arrowhead Vine All parts
Oats, (Avena sativa) All parts Breathing difficulty, skin irritation, paralysis, convulsions, death (rare).
Pigweed, Redroot (Amaranthus retroflexus) Leaves, stems, roots. Troubled breathing, trembling, weakness, coma, death.
Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) Leaves, flowers Skin, mouth, eye, and stomach irritation.
Pokeweed, Inkberry All parts colic, diarrhea, blood in stool, rare cases anemia, and possible death.
Parlor Ivy All parts
Red Sage Green berries
Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) Leaves Staggering, trembling, breathing difficulties, weakness, diarrhea, increased drinking and urinating, death.
Red Princess All parts
Saddleleaf All parts
Tulip (Tulipa spp.) Bulbs
Umbrella Plant All parts
Yew, English (Taxus baccata) and Japanese (Taxus cuspidata Sieb. & Zucc.) n/a Breathing problems, trembling, weakness, heart problems, stomach upset, very sudden death.
Giardia    

Giardia is a parasite that lives in many different and often unexpected water sources. Giardia parasites are ingested by pets drinking out of contaminated water sources. The parasite then lives in the intestines of the pet, and is passed back out into the environment through the pet's feces. Giardia causes giardiasis, which is the most frequently occurring protozoal waterborne illness in North America. It can be found anywhere from puddles and ponds to swimming pools and streams. Your pet can contract the disease by drinking contaminated water, or even by licking his paws after walking in an infected area! Symptoms include diarrhea, weight loss, and poor weight gain despite normal appetite. Although the potential for pain in infected pets is not known, humans with giardiasis can suffer from intense abdominal pain and cramping. Complicating things is the fact that many pets contract the disease and show few symptoms, but are still capable of passing it to other animals.

Pets at the highest risk for exposure to Giardia are puppies, kittens, older pets and pets with compromised immune systems. many other pets are at an increased risk of exposure, including:
  • Outdoor dogs
  • Kennel dogs
  • Outdoor cats
  • Adopted dogs
  • Hunting dogs
  • Pets in multi-pet households
  • Farm dogs

In addition, certain areas pose a high risk of exposure for pets. They include: 

  • Dog shows
  • Boarding facilities
  • Parks
  • Excercise areas
  • Camp Grounds
  • Pools
  • Preschools
  • Playgrounds
  • Beaches
  • Sandboxes
  • Ponds and Lakes
  • Creeks, Rivers, Streams, Drainage Culverts

It is also believed that giardiasis can be transmitted from pets to humans. Recent discoveries have led researchers to believe that dog-to-human transmission is much more likely than previously thought.

Never talk to the parrot
 
Mrs. Peterson phoned the repairman because her dishwasher quit working. He couldn't accommodate her with an "after-hours" appointment and since she had to go to work, she told him, "I'll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dish washer, leave the bill on the counter, and I'll mail you a check. By the way, I have a large rotweiler inside named Killer; he won't bother you. I also have a parrot, and whatever you do, do not talk to the bird!"

Well, sure enough the dog, Killer, totally ignored the repairman, but the whole time he was there, the parrot cursed, yelled, screamed, and about drove him nuts.

As he was ready to leave, he couldn't resist saying, "You stupid bird, why don't you shut up!"

To which the bird replied, "Killer, get him!!!"

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