P1 / PET SAFETY

Turtles, Frogs, Lizards, Snakes, and Salmonella - Oh, My!

P2 / PET SAFETY

Cold Weather Care for Our PetsP3 / PREVENTIVE HEALTH

Veterinary Preventive CareP4 / FOOD SAFETY

Keeping Your Food Safe Before and After a Power Outage

2018News about Animal Health, Food Safety, and One HealthArmy Public Health Center

Veterinary

Pet reptiles and amphibians can carry Salmonella and other germs that make people sick. Amphibians include frogs, toads, and salamanders. Reptiles include turtles, lizards, and snakes. While these pets are a lot of fun, they can pose a health risk to owners, especially young children and those with weakened immune systems. We usually think people get Salmonella infections from eating contaminated food, but you can also get it from handling amphibians and reptiles. There are steps you can take to keep you and your Family healthy!

How do amphibians and reptiles spread Salmonella to people?

Amphibians and reptiles naturally have Salmonella bacteria in their gut. This means your pet can have no signs of illness but still make you sick. You can get infected by touching and playing with your pet. You can also get infected even if you do not touch an amphibian or reptile because Salmonella is in their droppings, which can contaminate anything it touches such as their aquariums and food dishes. You can be exposed through indirect contact such as eating off of surfaces where these animals may have been.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can get Salmonella. Groups of people at increased risk are kids younger than 5 years old, adults older than 65 years of age, and people with a weakened immune system. Salmonella typically causes diarrhea that lasts from 4-7 days in most people but can lead to hospitalization and death in some. Other symptoms include vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps.

Children are at particular risk because they love to put things (e.g., toys, rocks, and keys) in their mouths. They’ll even put animals in their mouths if the animals are small enough to fit such as frogs, salamanders, and small turtles. Any size turtle can carry Salmonella, but tiny turtles are especially risky due to their size. Most amphibians are of similar small size, so they can become especially enticing for kids to try and lick.

Turtles, Frogs, Lizards, Snakes, and Salmonella - Oh, My!

> Article contributed by CPT James S. Corrigan, DVM, DACVPM, Branch Chief, Pensacola Veterinary Services

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d is t r ibut ion unl imited .

>> CONT. ON PAGE TWO

> Article contributed by MAJ Danielle Tulloss, DVM, Branch Chief, Fort Leavenworth Veterinary Services

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With the cold weather months now upon us, it is time to think about preparing our homes, vehicles, and ourselves for the drop in temperatures. If you have pets, you should also start thinking about how to protect them from the elements and from the potential health risks that accompany cold weather. Pets can develop dry, itchy, and flaky skin just like we can, so it is important to understand how to protect their skin. Perhaps more importantly, pets that go outdoors can be exposed to harmful chemicals such as antifreeze and ice-melting agents or can even develop hypothermia.

Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Just one lick can provide enough toxin to cause kidney failure and death. Do not let your pet roam free outside, and be sure to clean up any spills from your vehicle. If you suspect your pet may have licked up any antifreeze, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

A common ailment that many of us experience during the weather is dry skin. Pets can develop this on their skin as well as on their foot pads and in between their toes. One way to combat this is to keep your home humidified to counteract the hot, dry air from our closed heating systems. Consider wiping paws off during and after walks to remove any potential ice, salt, and chemicals that can build up or stick to the fur or between toes and cause cracks in the paw pads or redness between the toes. You can place petroleum jelly or other protectants into the paw pads before and after walks. Booties are also a good alternative if your pet will tolerate them.

Do not shave your pet’s hair during the cold weather months as this removes the thick undercoat that is meant to shield your pet from the elements. Resist bathing too frequently in the winter as this can dry out the skin even further. If you use ice melts, look for a pet-friendly product.

Keep pets indoors at night and during the daytime with a warm comfortable bed, away from drafty windows and doors. If you must keep your pet outdoors for any length of time, ensure you have a well-insulated cat or dog house that is slightly larger than the pet (large enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lay down), ideally with a flap to cover the entrance, and sufficient dry bedding. Make sure they have access to a fresh, non-frozen water source at all times. Consider dressing the pet in a coat or sweater if he or she is of the short-haired variety. Do not leave pets unattended in vehicles, as the vehicle can become very cold quickly and actually can act as a refrigerator, effectively holding in the cold air.

Pets can quickly develop hypothermia in freezing weather. If you think your pet has a low-body temperature, you should seek veterinary care for them immediately. If you are going to warm your pet, use caution with warm rice packs, electric blankets, heating pads, and hot water blankets as they can cause burns. Do not leave any animal unattended when warming. Always monitor for signs of discomfort and increased redness or heat to the skin while warming your pet because of the risk of causing burns.

Follow these tips to help keep your pet warm, safe, and healthy during the cold weather months!

Cold Weather Care for Our Pets

>> CONT. FROM PAGE ONE

Tips for Safely Handling Amphibians and Reptiles:1. Always wash your hands after handling amphibians and reptiles or touching

items that come into contact with them such as tanks, toys, and tank water. 2. Thoroughly clean all surfaces amphibians and reptiles touch.3. Wash amphibians and reptiles outside when possible, in a separate bin or

buckets, NOT in your kitchen sink or bathtub. 4. Keep amphibians and reptiles out of the kitchen or anywhere food is prepared

or consumed. 5. Don’t allow amphibians or reptiles to freely roam throughout the house.6. Don’t kiss or snuggle your amphibians or reptiles regardless of how much you

love them or how cute they may be. 7. Don’t buy turtles less than 4” in length.8. Don’t catch wild amphibians and reptiles. Only purchase these pets from

reputable breeders and sources. 9. Keep tanks and terrariums out of children’s bedrooms, especially if the kids are

less than 5 years old. 10. Never allow unsupervised play with amphibians or reptiles.

Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/features/salmonellafrogturtle/index.html

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Routine preventive care is essential to keeping your pet healthy and promoting longevity. As many people know, it is important to feed pets a healthy diet appropriate for their life-stage and to provide them with routine exercise to help maintain physical and mental fitness. However, addressing your pet’s overall health and wellness starts with a thorough annual veterinary exam, which should include several tests for preventing disease and identifying possible parasites.

Heartworm disease, first discovered in the United States in 1847, was largely believed to exist only in the warm tropical climate of the Southeast. Over the last 50 years, Heartworm disease has slowly spread across the continent and has been diagnosed in all 50 states. This disease is spread when an infected mosquito bites your pet and deposits the heartworm larvae (microfilaria) under his/her skin. Over a 6-month period, the larvae mature and migrate to the blood vessels near the heart where they can grow up to 12 inches in length. If left untreated, the worms will eventually cause lung disease and lead to heart failure. It is essential to have your pet tested for Heartworm disease yearly and administer an approved heartworm preventative every 30 days or as recommended by manufacturer. Heartworm preventatives kill the microfilaria that mosquitoes deposit under the skin, and many preventatives are also effective against intestinal parasites. Cats can also be infected with heartworms. Annual testing is not required for cats, but monthly heartworm preventatives are strongly advised. Regardless of your geographical location, the American Heartworm Society™ recommends year-round heartworm prevention for both dogs and cats.

Pets can be infected with both external and internal parasites. The most common external parasites include fleas and ticks. Fleas can make your pet miserable and can also result in an infestation in your home! In addition to being a nuisance, fleas can transmit diseases to people (murine typhus, cat scratch disease, plague). Ticks can also transmit serious diseases to you and your pet, including Lyme disease, Ehrlichia spp., Babesia spp., Tularemia, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. There are many products available for flea and tick prevention. Talk with your veterinarian to determine which product will work best for your pet.

Common internal parasites include hookworms, round-worms, and whipworms, which are intestinal parasites and can cause diarrhea, weight loss, and a dull hair coat in pets. Some intestinal parasites,

including roundworms and hookworms, can be transmitted from animals to people, especially young children. Your veterinarian can examine and treat your pet for both external and internal parasites.

Vaccines are categorized as core and non-core. Core vaccines are recommended for pets of all ages and lifestyles. The core vaccines for dogs are rabies virus, distemper virus, parvovirus, and hepatitis adenovirus. The core vaccines for cats are panleukopenia virus (feline parvovirus), calicivirus, herpes virus, and rabies.

Non-core vaccines for pets are available and administered based on geographic location and lifestyle. Talk with your veterinarian to determine if your dog should receive the Bordetella (kennel cough), influenza, Leptospira, or Lyme disease vaccines. Your veterinarian can also help you determine if you should vaccinate your cat against Feline Leukemia Virus or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. While all of these diseases cause pets to be extremely sick and are sometimes fatal, all are easily prevented with a series of vaccines. Your veterinarian will create the proper vaccination schedule for your pet based on local laws and your pet’s age, risk factors, previous immunizations, and lifestyle.

Oral health is often overlooked in our pets. Many signs of dental disease can be easily noted and can include a fractured tooth, bad breath, or difficulty eating. However, some signs of oral pain are easily hidden. Dental care starts at home and can be achieved by routinely brushing your pet’s teeth. Be sure to use toothpaste that is specifically designed for pets, as human toothpaste can be toxic. Gradually introduce your pet to teeth brushing until you are brushing each day. Regular teeth brushing can remove plaque and prevent tartar. Once tartar has built up on the teeth, a dental cleaning by a veterinary professional under general anesthesia is required to remove it. Many pets require a yearly dental cleaning to remove tartar buildup and extract any diseased teeth. In addition to routine care at home, discuss options for dental treatment with your veterinarian.

There are several aspects of veterinary medicine to consider when discussing your pet’s complete health with your veterinarian. Addressing preventive measures including annual exams, vaccines, parasite control, and oral health will improve your pet’s overall health and wellness while reducing the risk of disease, making for a happier and healthier pet.

> Article contributed by CPT Aidan Wolfe, DVM, Branch Chief, Oklahoma Branch Veterinary Services

Veterinary Preventive Care

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Goal of publication:

• Veterinary Connections is a quarterly publication written by Army Veterinary Service personnel and published by the Army Public Health Center to inform and educate Service members, beneficiaries, and retirees about Animal Health, Food Safety, and One Health.

• One Health refers to the intersection and overlap between animals, humans, and the environment.

• Army Veterinary Service personnel serve around the world supporting the Department of Defense as proponents for Animal Health and Food Protection.

Veterinary

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Goal of publication:

• Veterinary Connections is a quarterly publication written by Army Veterinary Service personnel and published by the Army Public Health Center to inform and educate Service members, beneficiaries, and retirees about Animal Health, Food Safety, and One Health.

• One Health refers to the intersection and overlap between animals, humans, and the environment.

• Army Veterinary Service personnel serve around the world supporting the Department of Defense as proponents for Animal Health and Food Protection.

Veterinary

http: / /phc.amedd.army.mi l1-800-222-9698TA-349-0118

Keeping Your Food Safe Before and After a Power OutageFood and water are critical for our survival and ensuring food safety can be challenging at times. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommend keeping meat, poultry, fish, and eggs refrigerated at or below 40 °F and frozen food at or below 0 °F.

However, what happens when there’s a power outage due to flood, fire, national disaster, high winds, snow, or ice? Determining what is safe and what needs to be discarded can mean the difference between being at risk for a foodborne illness or not. Following the proper guidance on how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

If you are affected by a power outage, the first factor to consider is how to keep food cold or frozen. According to the USDA, minimizing how often you open the refrigerator will help maintain cold temperatures for about 4 hours when left unopened and for an unopened full freezer approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full).

There are certain foods that are considered safe in the event of a power outage: hard cheeses, butter, margarine, various fresh fruits (uncut) and fruit juices, jelly, peanut butter, non-dairy bakery items, and some fresh vegetables (uncut) are considered safe.

According to FDA and USDA, the temperature danger zone range is when temperatures are between 40 °F and 140 °F. In this zone, bacteria grow most rapidly (doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes). Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Campylobacter can grow at dangerous levels between these temperatures and can cause foodborne illness.

Any perishable food items (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that have been exposed to temperatures above 40 °F for 2 hours or more should be discarded. You cannot rely on the visual appearance or odor of a food item to determine food safety and you should never taste food to determine if the food is safe or not.

Food items that are maintained at 40 °F or below or still contain ice crystals can be refrozen. However, careful physical examination of each item should be accomplished to determine if the items truly fall into this category.

Here are a few tips for taking food temperatures to determine if food items are at a safe temperature or should be thrown away. The use of an “Instant Read” bimetallic-coil thermometer quickly measures the food temperatures in about 15 to 20 seconds.

• For liquid items, stir product before taking temperature.

• Always stick the sensing tip into the center and/or thickest part of the food.

• Take the temperature of a product in several places, especially in irregularly shaped items.

• Make sure entire sensing area is completely submerged in the food.

• For flexible packages or soft bulk dispensers, fold the package around the sensing tip of the thermometer. Do not poke a hole in the package.

• For individual packages, such as small milk cartons, open one package and insert the thermometer.

• For frozen foods, stick the sensing area between packages or tightly packed boxes.

• Do not rest the stem or probe on a bone because this may give an inaccurate reading.

For a full list of refrigerated foods that are safe or should be discarded, please visit the USDA’s website on Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency at: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food-safety-fact-sheets/emergency-preparedness/keeping-food-safe-during-an-emergency/CT_Index .

> Article contributed by CW4 Tony Hemphill, Veterinary Services and Public Health Sanitation Directorate, Army Public Health Center