Christine Calder, DVM, DACVB
Published: January 22, 2021
Photo courtesy of Christine CalderMany people love to take their dog on errands and fun adventures in the car. Some even take their cats. Some dogs and cats become anxious in the car with others refusing to enter the car at all. What can we do?
Anxiety in the car is a common behavior among both dogs and cats. There are many different reasons for this including movement of the car, car noises, or sights and sounds outside the window.
Step 1: Rule Out Motion Sickness
Many of the behaviors your dog displays when nauseous mimic anxiety, such as licking lips, drooling, and panting. If left untreated, motion sickness leads to anxiety about the car.
Cerenia®, an FDA approved medication, is effective at preventing motion sickness in dogs. If the anxious behavior does not persist, then motion sickness was likely the cause.
Step 2: Pheromones and Aromatherapy
Adaptil®, a pheromone, is an odorless message specific to dogs that can help dogs feel calm and relaxed during times of stress. Feliway®, is the cat version. Pheromones are sprayed on the floorboards, in your pet’s carrier, and where your pet rides.
Wait 10 minutes before letting your pet back in their carrier or car and never spray directly on your pet.
Lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood scents are thought to reduce anxiety and have a positive effect on behavior and mood. A study was published showing dogs spent significantly more time resting and sitting and less time moving and vocalizing during car rides when lavender was introduced for car rides.
Step 3: Window Shades and Thundercaps
Blocking the view outside can be dangerous to the driver. Tools such as small window shades or a Thundercap are helpful in reducing both motion sickness and car ride anxiety.

Photo courtesy of Christine CalderStep 4: Seatbelts and Crates
If you use a carrier, teach your pet to enjoy the carrier. Covering the carrier or crate helps your pet feel safe and secure when traveling.
Harnesses that attach to a seatbelt improve safety. Several seatbelt harness combinations have been crash test certified by the Center for Pet Safety.
Step 5: Long-Term Treatment
There are many approaches to decreasing your pet’s anxiety in the car. All techniques start with a calm and relaxed animal. Conditioning relaxation on a mat or the use of a Treat&Train® are helpful when modifying this behavior.
Step 6: Medication
Medications can be helpful when reducing anxiety in the car. Talk with your veterinarian about options for your pet.

​Credit:  VIN

Bob Judd, DVM, DABVP (Equine Medicine), DABVP (Canine and Feline Practice)
Courtesy of Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network
Revised: December 20, 2023
Published: October 02, 2006
Back pain in horses has always been a difficult diagnosis because it is hard to get any objective data on the horse’s back. However, Dr. Cooper Williams said at the AAEP Convention that equine practitioners should be using ultrasound to further examine the muscles in the horse's back. Almost all equine practitioners have access to an ultrasound with sufficient power to image the equine back muscles and can diagnose specific conditions in this area. The multifidus muscle is the major muscle in the horse’s back. It is not a single muscle, but a group of overlapping muscles grouped into five distinct bands. Each muscle originates at the end of a spinal vertebrae and spans two to four vertebrae and it is likely that injuries to these muscles are underdiagnosed. Because these muscles are deep and adjacent to the vertebrae, examining them by palpation, X-rays and even bone scanning is not very effective. 
Many of these horses have atrophy of the back muscles and spasms and these muscles can be examined thoroughly with ultrasound. All of the muscles in the back should be examined with ultrasound. It requires measuring the size of the muscles and comparing results to the same muscles on the other side to know if there is a problem, so this procedure does require some time and experience. Changes noted on ultrasound may be the size and shape of the muscles, a decrease in shade of the image, which can indicate a tear in the muscle or injury, and an increase in muscle shade that can indicate inflammation where the muscles are attached to the bone. So, if you have a horse with a suspected back problem causing decreased performance, ask your veterinarian about an ultrasound exam.

​Credit:  VIN

Mark Rishniw, BVSc, MS, PhD, DACVIM (Internal Medicine and Cardiology)
Published: February 20, 2024Canine heartworms, Dirofilaria immitis, are parasitic worms that pose a serious threat to dogs. These long, slender worms live in the pulmonary arteries (and, occasionally, within the heart) of dogs and can measure up to a foot in length. They can cause substantial damage to the lungs and heart.

Adult heartworms cause inflammation of the blood vessels in the lungs, resulting in respiratory issues and pulmonary hypertension. In some cases, this leads to weight loss, weakness, right-sided congestive heart failure, reduced quality of life, and even death.
The prevention of heartworms and early detection are crucial in managing heartworm disease.
Mosquitoes and the Heartworm Lifecycle 
Mosquitos are vectors of heartworm disease. A vector is a carrier and transmitter of disease from an infected individual to a non-infected individual. Certain species of mosquito can ingest young heartworms, called microfilariae when they feed on an infected animal. Once inside the mosquito, the microfilariae develop into third-stage larvae (known as L3) over a few weeks, provided that the environmental conditions are conducive (temperatures above 58oF). The larvae pass through the puncture wound the mosquito makes when it bites another animal.  
The larvae grow under the skin of the newly infected animal over several weeks, progressing through additional larval stages. At a certain point, the larvae enter the bloodstream and float into the pulmonary arteries (the arteries carrying blood from the heart to the lungs). Here, they mature into adults. It takes about six to seven months for the larvae to reach adulthood. Adult heartworms mate, and then the females begin to release tiny larvae, the microfilariae, back into the bloodstream, continuing their lifecycle.
Prevention is Key  
Preventing heartworms is much easier (especially for your dog) than having to treat an active heartworm infection.
​Studies show that exposure to heartworm depends on factors such as:

•  The presence of wild canine populations (foxes, coyotes, wolves) in the surrounding area can continue the spread of heartworm.
•  Regional differences in climate and ecosystems (elevation, humidity, rainfall, temperature)

The Prevalence of Heartworms Around the World
Heartworms exist in many parts of the world, but the prevalence greatly varies. In warmer climates with higher mosquito populations, such as tropical and subtropical areas, the risk of heartworm transmission is higher. These areas make excellent habitats for mosquitoes and the development of heartworm larvae, so dogs living in these regions are at a greater risk of heartworms. On the other hand, there are fewer heartworm infections in cooler or drier regions with smaller mosquito populations.
The travel, relocation, and presence of infected animals can allow heartworms to start infecting animals where they are less common. Climate change (and temperature increase) is also expanding mosquito ranges, creating longer active seasons and better environmental conditions for larvae.
Environmental Considerations
More recent recommendations for preventing heartworm infections advise reducing mosquito bites.  This can be done by avoiding places with heavy mosquito populations when possible to reduce the chances of being bitten and contracting heartworms (for example, some studies have shown that indoor dogs in high-risk areas tend to have fewer infections than outdoor dogs). Avoid visiting permanent and semi-permanent (seasonal) bodies of water like lakes, streams, and floodplain areas with your dog, especially when large mosquito hatches are taking place (usually in warmer, humid weather). Check around your home for areas with standing water and eliminate containers or reservoirs that may be prime real estate for mosquito larvae.
There may always be an ideal climate for mosquitoes, and other preventative methods such as lawn alteration, porch nets, and other mosquito barriers may be helpful, depending on your location. Talk to your local health department if you have concerns about mosquitoes on your property and what you can do to help control them.
Preventative Medications 
Heartworm preventatives are prescribed by your veterinarian and come in oral, topical, and injectable forms. As mentioned before, preventing heartworms is much easier than treating them, and the American Heartworm Society recommends FDA-approved heartworm preventatives year-round.
In areas where mosquitoes are endemic (native or regularly present), your dog can be infected if just one preventative dose is missed. The risk varies depending on your location, and even people who live in places with cold winters should give heartworm preventatives year-round for the best possible prevention.  
Detecting Heartworm Infection
Blood tests for heartworm infections are recommended yearly for all dogs over seven months. If you do not give preventatives regularly every month or if you switch preventatives, more frequent testing may be recommended. If your dog has tested positive for heartworms, your veterinarian will discuss the treatment options available.  
Talk to your veterinarian about heartworm preventative options and recommended testing frequency.
Janet Stomberg, BS, MS, Veterinary Partner Content Coordinator, contributed to this article.

Credit: VIN