YOUR AD HERE »

Hopeful Henry: Older dogs need parvo vaccinations

Dear Hopeful Henry,

I have an 8-year-old pitbull, do I still need to get parvo vaccinations?

Concerned



Dear Concerned,



Yes! All dogs of any age should be up-to-date with all vaccinations. The vaccination for parvo is given every two-to-three years depending on your veterinarian. While puppies are more susceptible to parvo, older dogs can also get it. Of the cases we have seen here in South Lake these past couple of weeks two of the dogs where both older than 10 years old. Sadly one of those dogs didn’t survive. Also you have a pitbull, which is one of the breeds most commonly impacted. Go get your dog his vaccinations, you’ll feel better and he’ll be safer.

Thank you for writing in.

Hopeful Henry

Speaking of vaccinations, thanks to Sierra Veterinary Hospital for arranging the parvo vaccinations for the Lake Tahoe Humane Society and SPCA. Just to let everyone know we are doing it one more time this Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. We will be giving free parvo vaccinations at the new Lake Tahoe Humane Society location at 884 Emerald Bay Road (next door to Brother’s Bar & Grill) in the rear of the building outside. Call the Lake Tahoe Humane Society at 530-542-2857 to set up an appointment time block, they are taking general appointments from 9 to 10 a.m., 10 to 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon. When you come for the vaccination please make sure your dog is on a leash. If your dog is sick, showing signs of parvo (vomiting or diarrhea) please do not come, and contact your veterinarian ASAP.

Dear Hopeful Henry,

Is there really such a thing as Cat Scratch Fever? If so what is it?

Thank you,

Joanne

Joanne,

Yes, there is such a thing as Cat Scratch Fever. Otherwise known as Cat-Scratch Disease (CSD) it is a bacterial infection spread by cats. The disease spreads when an infected cat licks a person’s open wound, or bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the surface of the skin. About three to 14 days after the skin is broken, a mild infection can occur at the site of the scratch or bite. The infected area may appear swollen and red with round, raised lesions and can have pus. The infection can feel warm or painful. A person with CSD may also have a fever (hence the nickname Cat Scratch Fever), headache, poor appetite and exhaustion. Later, the person’s lymph nodes closest to the original scratch or bite can become swollen, tender or painful.

Wash cat bites and scratches well with soap and running water. Do not allow cats to lick your wounds. Contact your doctor if you develop any symptoms of CSD or infection.

CSD is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. About 40 percent of cats carry B. henselae at some time in their lives, although most cats with this infection show no signs of illness. Kittens younger than 1 year are more likely to have B. henselae infection and to spread the germ to people. Kittens are also more likely to scratch and bite while they play and learn how to attack prey.

The Tahoe Pets calendar and playing cards are availlable (18-month calendar). The calendars cost $15, so come on down to the office and get yours today. It’s cute and a great way to support the Lake Tahoe Humane Society. Those interested can enter submissions for next year’s calendar in person or at http://www.LakeTahoeHumaneSociety.org by clicking on Calendar link.

Submit questions or letters via email to HopefulHenry@LakeTahoeHumaneSociety.org or by mail to P.O. Box PET South Lake Tahoe Calif. 96158. The Lake Tahoe Humane Society and SPCA has a Facebook page, so stop by and check it out at http://www.Facebook.com/LakeTahoeHumaneSocietySPCA and also become a Facebook friend of HopefulHenry at http://www.Facebook.com/Hopeful.Henry.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.