In The News

March 2010

New Pet area on WebMD
Beginning this week, pet owners can seek information about their pets' medical conditions as well as their own through WebMD. The AVMA has teamed up with WebMD to create the WebMD Pet Health Exchange, where AVMA members will serve as experts to help guide discussions and satisfy pet owners' needs for accurate, easily accessible information in a user-friendly format. As always, this or any website should never be used as a sole source of veterinary information, or for emergencies. To check out this website, click on this link:
WebMD Pet Health Exchange

Sophomore Career Fair
Dr. Ewoldt and technician Kristal recently participated in the sophomore career fair for Eldridge and Maquoketa sophomore students. Over the course of 4 sessions, Dr. Ewoldt and Kristal told 60+ students about their great careers as veterinarian and veterinary technician. Hopefully, some were inspired to follow in their footsteps!
AVMA Veterinary Career Information page

Dog bite prevention
Researchers at the University of Alabama are testing software designed to teach children how to properly behave around pets in an effort to reduce the incidence of dog bites, which the Centers for Disease Control say affect 4.5 million Americans per year. The Blue Dog software is being tested on a group of about 100 children of dog owners. Blue Dog software has been developed to expand on the success of the Blue Dog books, distributed by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
AVMA Blue Dog Kit page

February 2010

Our groomers have changed
Effective immediately, Jenny Gann will no longer be grooming for us.  Jenny has decided to pursue other opportunities, and we wish her the best of luck in the future.  Shirley Lee continues to groom for us, using her 34 years of experience to make all breeds of dogs and cats look fantastic!  Call for your appointment today.

January 2010

Our fish tank is all better!
After months of looking at a cloudy fish tank, we have finally got the balance right and the fish tank is clear! Now you can see our lovely yellow African Cichlids! Be sure to check them out the next time you're in the clinic.

December 2009

H1N1 virus diagnosed in cat in Los Angeles
A cat in Los Angeles has been diagnosed with influenza caused by the H1N1 virus.  The cat also tested positive for another type of bacterial infection of the lungs which can cause pneumonia.  It is suspected that the additional infection weakened the cat's immune system, allowing the viral infection.  Numerous pets have now been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus throughout the United States, most following close contact with sick owners.

H1N1 virus diagnosed in dog in New York state
A 13 year-old dog in New York state was diagnosed with H1N1 influenza after its owner was sick with the same virus. The dog tested negative for the canine influenza (H3N8), but positive for H1N1. It has been treated and is now recovering.
AVMA H1N1 Information page
Press release from Idexx Laboratories

November 2009

H1N1 virus diagnosed in cat in Utah, ferrets in Oregon
A veterinarian in Park City, Utah diagnosed a cat with H1N1 virus on Friday Nov 13. The case was apparently confirmed using the same methods as the case in Iowa. Several ferrets in Oregon have also been diagnosed with the virus and are recovering.

H1N1 virus found in a cat in Iowa
The H1N1 influenza virus was recently found in a 13 year-old cat in Iowa. Its owner had experienced flu-like symptoms prior to the cat becoming ill. For more information, see these links to the Iowa Department of Health press release, and the AVMA information pages.
Iowa Dept of Health press release
AVMA H1N1 Information page
AVMA H1N1 FAQ pages
AVMA Press Release

Canine Influenza Vaccine released
The H3N8 strain of influenza virus which can affect dogs now has a new vaccine available. The vaccine was released in June 2009 and is now readily available for all dogs. For more information on the vaccine and on canine influenza, see the links below.
CDC Website info page on canine influenza
AVMA backgrounder page on canine influenza
Schering-Plough canine influenza vaccine - news release

New microchip lookup online
A collaborative effort by AAHA and microchip registration companies has resulted in a new online microchip lookup. This website allows a one-stop lookup for microchips registered with many companies, rather than having to contact each company individually when a lost pet is found. This should speed return of lost pets to their owners.
AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup website

September 2009

Rabies increasing in cats
An annual report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association indicates that although rabies incidence is decreasing overall, the incidence rate in cats is increasing. This should prompt all cat owners to ensure that their cats are up to date on rabies vaccination.
Read the article online from JAVMA

Scott County Animal Hospital doctors now Pet First Aid instructors!
Drs. Sampson and Ewoldt recently completed training as certified Pet First Aid instructors through the American Red Cross.  Through the Red Cross, they will be offering Pet First Aid courses at our hospital in Eldridge.  Call the American Red Cross or click below for more details about course schedules.
American Red Cross Quad Cities

August 2009

New Veterinary Assistant at our clinic
Kara Curtis has just joined our staff after graduating from the Veterinary Assistant program at Kirkwood Community College. She replaces Shirley Lee, who will be switching back to grooming after working as a Veterinary Assistant with us for several years.

June 2009

Dr. Ewoldt becomes a columnist!
Dr. Jennifer Ewoldt recently began writing a column in the Quad City Times. Her column about her family's farming operation appears every second Monday in the Quad City Area section of the paper.
Link to Dr. Ewoldt's columns