March 2015

Dear dog lover:

March is here and with warmer weather and longer days, we're looking forward to spending more time outside with our dogs.

As we head outside, it's important to keep tick prevention in mind. Researchers are finding that ticks are becoming more and more of a year-round nuisance, so it's important to be vigilant and check not only your dog and other pets after being outside, but yourself as well.

Did you know that the feeding time required to allow disease transmission from a tick to a dog or person varies between ticks and disease agents?

Ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever-causing bacteria can be transmitted within 3-6 hours of tick attachment, while Lyme Disease-causing bacterial transmission can require 24-48 hours of feeding before a host is infected.

Learn more about tick-borne disease in the Health Tips article below.

As always, we are grateful for your support of CHF and we wish you and your dogs a Happy Spring! 

Health Tracks:  A Primer of Leptospirosis
Understanding your dog's exposure risk for Leptospirosis is an important conversation to have with your veterinarian. When considering whether your dog should be vaccinated, consider her lifestyle and gather information from your vet about disease prevalence in your neck of the woods.  Learn More. 

Featured Grant: Use of Gene Therapy to Treat Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the second most common cause of heart disease in dogs, and medical management of the secondary signs is the only therapeutic option. Dr. Margaret M. Sleeper, VMD, University of Pennsylvania, is conducting a placebo-controlled, double blinded study to evaluate gene delivery approaches for treatment of dogs affected with DCM and congestive heart failure. Learn more.

Health Tips: What is Tick-Borne Disease
Tick-borne disease occurs when ticks infected with a pathogen bite a dog and transmit the pathogen into the dog’s body. Many of these pathogens are zoonotic, meaning they can also infect humans. Learn more.

Podcasts & Webinars

Research Update: Ehrlichiosis and New Strategies for Tick Control 
with Dr. Rebecca Trout Fryxell

Risk Factors and Clinical Characteristics of Leptospirosis
with Drs. Janet Foley and Jane Skyes 

Parasite Control in Dogs
with Dr. Susan Little

Heartworm Disease in Dogs
with Dr. Betsy Sigmon

Our Podcasts Are Now
Mobile Friendly!

Sign-up for notifications of new podcast releases.

Learn more about our 20th Anniversary celebration and the milestones made in canine and human health.

More Ways to Help

Shop with AmazonSmile

Offer Point of Purchase Donations at Your Business

Donate Your Car, Truck,
RV or Boat

Follow Us!