Disease Outbreak in Michigan: Eastern Equine Encephalitis is Rapidly Spreading

Already Worse than Last Year

Last year, Michigan experienced the worst outbreak of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) ever recorded. This year is looking like it will be worse. As of yesterday, 18 cases were confirmed through 8 counties. This is double those reported last year in only 3 counties. Cases have been reported in Barry, Clare, Isabella, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Oakland.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development highly suggests vaccinating horses, using strong fans in barns from evening and throughout the night when mosquitoes are most active, animal safe insect repellents and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds of standing water where possible.

Signs in horses include fever, difficulty walking or standing, and seizures which eventually lead to death.

Vaccination is the Best Way To Protect Your Horse

Vaccination is the best way to protect your horse because this vaccine is over 95% effective. Un-vaccinated horses, on the other hand, that become infected with EEE, only have a 10% chance of survival.

In People, EEE Causes Long-Term Health Effects

Even if you do not own horses, EEE can still affect you as mosquitoes transmit this disease to both people and horses. Take precautions to protect yourself and others from mosquitoes. In people EEE can cause brain swelling resulting in symptoms ranging from a headache to seizures and even death.

For more information on how to protect yourself and your horses from EEE, please visit the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1572_28248_50968-539057–,00.html

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We Have New Phones!

To improve our service, we have updated our phone system.

As a result, the only number we can be reached at is (517) 546-1340. Please remove all other numbers in your phone that are associated with us including those ending in -2618 and -0926.

Thank you for your patience as we learn how to use our new phones!

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NEW Telemedicine Service

Now for a small fee of $25 for 10 minutes, clients can speak with a doctor to answer all of their pet related questions.

How it works: Give us a call with your question, we will take your credit card information and then connect you with a doctor as soon as one is available. We will do as much as we can over the phone while continuing to provide the same quality healthcare as we always have.

If your pet’s health concern cannot be managed at home and needs to be seen by the clinic, we will not charge the cost of the phone consultation to you.

This new service allows us to continue to be here for your furry family during this difficult time. Thanks for your continued support!

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COVID-19 Hospital Procedures

As of March 29th, Howell Animal Hospital is open to all appointments. We are continuing to operate at our regular hours of business. However, our updated COVID-19 hospital procedures will remain the same.

The number of staff at the hospital has been minimized to reduce potential exposure. Because of this, we appreciate your patience as we do our best to answer the phone and handle appointments in a timely manner.

Appointments

As of March 29th, we are no longer restricting appointments and are open to new clients, routine surgeries (such as spays, neuters), dentals both small animal and equine, as well as nail trims. Please remember to continue to follow our hospital procedures to protect yourself and our staff.

Small animals:

  • The front doors are remaining locked.
  • Upon arrival, please call from your car at (517) 546-1340 to let us know you are here. When we have a room available, we will then escort you directly to an available exam room.
  • If you are elderly, have a pre-existing health condition or are concerned, you may drop your animal off at the front door and we will communicate with you about the appointment over the phone.
  • Only one healthy person will be permitted inside the building with the animal. We ask that everyone wear a mask.
  • Please stay in the exam room the entire time during your pet’s visit. You will not have to check out at the front desk. Hand washing supplies are available in these rooms for when you enter and exit.

Equine patients:

  • We are still scheduling appointments as normal including floats.
  • Only one person will be allowed to hold the horse during the appointment.

Safe and easy ways to fill your pet’s medication or food

Online

All medication and food can be easily ordered through our online store. It is simple to set up an account and all products will be delivered straight to your door. Please keep in mind that it takes approximately 3-5 days for your order to arrive.

We are more than happy to set up your account and order your prescriptions for you when you call during our normal business hours.

CLICK HERE to shop for your dog or cat

CLICK HERE to shop for your horse

In Hospital

We are still here to fill medication and food prescriptions. Please call ahead of time with your request. At this time we will take your credit card information from you to process your payment. When you arrive, please call from the parking lot and we will deliver your medication to you.

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Coronavirus in Animals

Overview 

Coronavirus can be found in many species of animals including cats, dogs and horses. It causes different symptoms in each kind of animal and is not spread between different species. This means that an infected dog can spread the disease to another dog but cannot do so to cats or people. 

Dogs

In dogs, there are two different types of coronavirus. One causes digestive symptoms such as mild diarrhea and disinterest in eating and the other causes respiratory signs such as coughing or sneezing. Rarely they cause more severe signs and usually, when these do occur, something else must be going on that weakens the dog’s immune system. The digestive (gastrointestinal) form of the coronavirus is spread in dog’s feces while the respiratory form is aerosolized and inhaled when another dog coughs. Both forms will usually resolve on their own and do not get serious enough to require hospitalization.


Cats

In cats, the coronavirus may cause mild diarrhea but usually no symptoms at all. It is mostly a concern in areas where there is a large cat population that lives closely together such as in an animal shelter. It is spread through their feces and is best controlled by cleaning the litter box daily and disinfecting it weekly.


Horses

In horses, this virus is often called the “lying-down disease” because horses may look like they do not feel well but it is hard to tell why. They will demonstrate general symptoms such as diarrhea, not wanting to eat, acting lethargic and potentially a fever. In rare cases, the coronavirus can cause colic or neurologic signs. Occurrence of this disease is uncommon although incidences have been increasing over the past few years. Testing is important to differentiate this disease from others such as Potomac horse fever, clostridium and salmonella. 


Prevention

Generally, animals are not vaccinated against the coronavirus because the symptoms are usually so mild and resolve on their own. The best way to prevent this disease in any kind of animal is by maintaining a clean environment, isolating sick animals, and washing your own hands often before and after caring for animals. 

It has not been found that the coronavirus can be spread from pets to people or vice versa.

The CDC states about the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), “To date, CDC has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19. At this time, there is no evidence that companion animals including pets can spread COVID-19.”

Despite this, it is always a good idea to wash your hands both before and after you interact with your pet. Pets can still spread germs that make people sick, even though they do not necessarily get infected, much like shoes or door handles can.


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Pocket Pets and Farm Animals!

Did you know that in addition to dogs and cats, Dr Fosdick will see some pocket pets, including ferrets, Guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and mice?  She will also see poultry, pigs and goats!

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