Update on Frequently AskedQuestions About Canine LymeDisease: Diagnosis and Treatment

Which diagnostic test for Lymedisease do you recommend?

The immunofluorescent antibodyand ELISA Lyme titer tests do notdifferentiate between antibodies dueto natural exposure to the Borreliaburgdorferi organisms versus antibodiesdirected against antigens from Lymevaccines. In the past, in a vaccinatedanimal with a positive Lyme titer, weneeded to follow up with the Westernblot test, whose banding pattern helpeddifferentiate between antibodies dueto natural exposure and/or Lymevaccination. Although the banding patternseen after OspA subunit vaccination issimple (a lone band at p31), patterns seenwith natural infection are complex,especially over time, and can be confusedwith that seen after vaccination withbacterin. Although we previously thoughtOspA was only expressed by B. burgdorferi

IN THIS ISSUE:Update on Frequently Asked Questions About Canine Lyme Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment ............................ 1Vitamins: Are They “Vital”Nutrients for Pets? ..................... 4Ask the Vet ................................ 7Hartz Announces its 2003“Veterinarian of the Year” ......... 8

would indicate only recently acquiredinfection, studies have revealed that IgMlevels may rise periodically during chronicinfection as new antigens are expresseddue to antigenic variation by theorganism. The new antigens stimulateIgM antibody production.

Positive titers in an endemic area arenot predictive of illness. After exposure,

J U N E 2 0 0 4 V O L U M E 2 , N U M B E R 2

A NEWSLETTER OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE FOR VETERINARY PROFESSIONALSA NEWSLETTER OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE FOR VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS

when the organism was in the tick orcultured in vitro for bacterin production,we now know that during antigenicvariation in chronic infection, OspA iseventually expressed in the mammal andanti-OspA antibodies can be detected innon-vaccinates. Luckily, we now haveSNAP®-3® (Idexx Laboratories), whichtests for antibody directed against the C6peptide of the VlsE antigen. This test isspecific for natural exposure because theVlsE antigen is only expressed when B.burgdorferi is in the mammal, and is notpresent in any of the vaccine types, sovaccinated dogs will not show a positivetest unless they are also naturally infected.Therefore, the two-tiered ELISA andWestern blot testing is no longernecessary.

Testing for IgG and IgM titers is nothelpful and may be confusing. Althoughwe used to think that IgM antibody

Meryl P. Littman, VMD, DACVIMSchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2 HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • JUNE 2004 • VOL. 2, NO. 2

Consulting EditorsAlbert Ahn, DVM

Corporate Vice PresidentChief Scientific OfficerThe Hartz Mountain Corporation

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A NEWSLETTER OF PRACTICAL MEDICINE FOR VETERINARY PROFESSIONALSmost cases will seroconvert and havepositive titers for many years but will notbe ill in any way. These dogs are likelyinfected carriers in a premunitive state,such as asymptomatic cats, which carryMycoplasma hemofelis (previouslyhemobartonellosis) after doxycyclinetreatment. Recovered cats areasymptomatic but continue to showpositive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)testing for M. hemofelis. Likewise, dogsusually carry B. burgdorferi for many yearswithout any illness.

The high seroprevalence for Lymeinfection makes it very difficult todiagnose when symptomatology is dueto Lyme disease. If there is 40%seroprevalence in healthy dogs in yourarea, you will also be seeing roughly 40%of the sick dogs with positive titers as anincidental finding. A positive titer mustbe interpreted along with the rest of theworkup for a sick patient. Even whensymptomatology is classic for Lymedisease (fever, inappetence, lameness), theclinician needs an index of suspicion forother possibilities, including other tick-borne infections.

What do you do with anasymptomatic Lyme-positivedog?

Most dogs exposed to Lyme antigenswill have positive Lyme tests and beasymptomatic. In some areas in NewJersey and New York, up to 90% ofasymptomatic normal dogs havepositive titers. You will get a sense ofthe seroprevalence in your area by usingthe SNAP®-3® test. In my opinion,asymptomatic positive dogs do notneed to be treated. Overuse of antibioticsmay cause side effects in some dogsand resistance of organisms in ourenvironment. Finding an asymptomaticpositive dog alerts me to do thefollowing:

Check the dog for proteinuriaAlthough Koch’s postulates have not

been proven for “Lyme nephropathy,”protein-losing nephropathy (PLN) is

putatively associated with exposure toLyme antigens. If the dog hasproteinuria, I would follow up with a fullurinalysis (if not already done). If there isan active sediment, I would do urineculture and sensitivity testing. If there isan inactive sediment and I am concernedabout glomerular disease–causingproteinuria, I would do a Chemscreen,complete blood count (CBC), urineprotein–creatinine ratio, blood pressuremeasurement, other tick serology, etc. Iwould probably treat a proteinuric Lyme-positive dog with doxycycline and anangiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)inhibitor to decrease glomerular filtrationpressure and urinary protein loss. If thedog is also hypoalbuminemic, azotemic,hyperphosphatemic, or hypertensive, Imight also treat with low-dose aspirin,omega-3 fatty acids, and dietmodifications as needed.

I recommend testing all Lyme-positivedogs for proteinuria. If we can find earlywarnings of PLN, we can intervenebefore progression and complications ofnephrotic syndrome, thromboembolicevents, hypertension, and/or renal failurebecome evident.

Consider Lyme positivity as amarker for exposure to ticks andtheir agents

If the dog is Lyme positive, it has beenexposed to Ixodes ticks. Ixodes ticks inLyme-endemic areas may also be carryingother infectious agents. In some Lyme-endemic areas, almost half the dogs withpositive Lyme titers are also positive forantibodies against Ehrlichia equi(Anaplasma phagocytophilum). E. equimay be a cause of signs attributed toLyme disease, such as arthritis and PLN.As a doxycycline-responsive disease,ehrlichiosis may have been a misseddiagnosis in the past. Antibodies directedagainst E. equi are not picked up on theSNAP®-3® Ehrlichia canis test or onother tests for E. canis antibodies. Inorder to find the seroprevalence of E. equiin your area, you need to request separateE. equi serology tests or do Ehrlichia

PCR testing on whole blood before thedog is exposed to antibiotic treatment.We do not know what, if any, clinicaldisease may be caused by Babesia microtiin exposed dogs. B. microti antibodies donot cross-react with B. canis antigens, andBabesia PCR is expensive. Studies areneeded to help determine if dogsexposed to B. microti have anyclinicopathologic changes such asanemia, thrombocytopenia, proteinuria,etc. The same holds true for exposure toBartonella spp.

Dogs exposed to field ticks such asIxodes may also be exposed to other fieldticks such as Dermacentor, which maycarry Rickettsia rickettsii, the agent ofRocky Mountain spotted fever. Luckily,this is another doxycycline-responsivedisease.

Educate ownersIf a dog is Lyme positive, Ixodes ticks

in the area are carrying B. burgdorferi and

possibly other agents. We would like todecrease the risk of transmission of theseagents by using good tick control. Ihighly recommend using an amitraz tickcollar (Preventic® Tick Collars [Virbac])because it has been proven to protectdogs against seroconversion and B.burgdorferi infection when they areexposed to Lyme-carrying Ixodes ticks.These collars prevent tick attachment;without the blood meal, there is no riskof transmission of infectious agents. Thecollar needs to be put on tightly inorder to have contact with the skin. Irecommend hiding the amitraz collarunderneath a wider cloth or nylon collar.Amitraz collars should not be used if the dog is taking certain behaviormedications. The antidote yohimbinemust be given if the collar is ingested. Ifthe dog swims, amitraz washes off theskin, and other tick control measures areneeded. Fipronil (Frontline® Top Spot®[Merial]) applied monthly does notwash off, but it does not prevent tickattachment. Although B. burgdorferi isnot transmitted until ticks have fed forabout 2 days, other tick-borne agents maybe transmitted much earlier during tickfeeding. Thus products that kill tickshours after they attach may not preventthese diseases. Products that repel aswell as kill ticks include those withpermethrins (K9 Advantix® [BayerAnimal Health]), phenothrin (Hartz®ADVANCED CARE Brand® Flea &Tick Drops Plus+ [Hartz MountainCorp.]), or chrysanthemum products.Before applying any flea and ticktreatment, be sure to read the entire labeland instructions and follow them exactly.

Veterinarians can also take thisopportunity to educate owners aboutpublic health. A Lyme-positive pet dog isa sentinel for Lyme-carrying ticks in theowner’s environment. Talk to owners aboutwildlife, mowing back the brush wherequesting ticks are, and about the 2-yearixodid tick life cycle. Discuss how birdscan bring ticks to their backyard eventhough it is fenced off from deer. Educatethem about the small size of the eight-

legged nymphs that are active in thespring/summer, and about the larger adultsseen in the summer/fall. Let them knowthat the tiny six-legged larva, active in thesummer, does not transmit Lyme disease.Educate them about how to check forticks and about tick removal. Explain thedifference between clinical signs inhumans and dogs. Although one dose ofdoxycycline was shown to prevent Lymedisease in humans if taken within 72 hoursof pulling off an engorged Ixodes tick, nosuch study has been done yet in dogs.

How long do you treat asymptomatic Lyme-positive dog?

No one really knows how long islong enough. In experimental studies,adult beagles exposed to B. burgdorferiseroconverted but did not become ill.Exposed puppies showed self-limitinglameness, anorexia, and fever for 4 days(after a 2- to 5-month incubation period)and did not require treatment. Some of thepuppies had similar intermittent episodesbut recovered without antibiotics and didnot show chronic lameness or Lymenephropathy for more than a year. Thesestudies indicate that most of the timeLyme disease is asymptomatic or self-limiting and needs little or no treatment.On the flip side, some experimentallyinfected dogs treated with high doses ofantibiotics for 4 weeks still showed positivecultures and/or PCR testing, showing theyhad not been cleared.

In the past, many veterinarians treatedacute classic Lyme arthritis with about 2weeks of either doxycycline oramoxicillin. We would see fast and fullrecovery. Now we know that someexperimental dogs remain infecteddespite high doses given for longer times,and we worry that in some dogs Lymedisease might cause more seriouspolyarthropathy or even Lymenephropathy, although Koch’s postulatesare not satisfied. More veterinarians todaytreat Lyme arthritis with 4 weeks ofdoxycycline (10 mg/kg/day), althoughsome experimental dogs appear to remaininfected despite double that daily dose.

For Lyme nephropathy, we usuallytreat with doxycycline for many months,along with the ACE inhibitor, low dosesof baby aspirin, and other therapies forrenal failure and hypertension asnecessary. Many dogs succumb in the firstfew months due to renal failure and/orthromboembolic events. Previous Lymetests often remained positive for yearsafter treatment and were not helpful indeciding whether we could stopantibiotics. Finding a marked declinewhen comparing pre- and 6-monthposttreatment values using the new LymeQuantitative C6 Antibody Test (IdexxLaboratories) may help us feel moreconfident about choosing to stopantibiotics. We continue the othermedications indicated for PLN and ofcourse continue using good tick control.

What steps should be taken toreduce or prevent Lymeexposure?

Usually, exposure to Lyme organismscauses no clinical illness in dogs. Classicsigns of fever, lameness, and anorexia,seen in less than 5% of those exposed,are usually self-limiting or responsiveto a short course of oral antibiotics.The most serious forms of Lymedisease in dogs are not easily treatedwith antibiotics and appear to beimmune-mediated sequelae triggeredby Lyme antigens.

In dogs, we worry about immune-mediated glomerulonephritis triggeredby Lyme antigens. OspA was found ina sick dog’s kidney cortex with a mousemonoclonal anti-OspA antibody stain.OspA is injected whenever we use aLyme bacterin or OspA subunit vaccine.

For the prevention of Lyme disease,I primarily advocate good tick control.Since we live in an area with tickscarrying Ehrlichia, Babesia, Rickettsia,and Bartonella spp, we need good tickcontrol anyway.

For more information and for the references used forthis article, see Littman MP: Canine borreliosis. VetClin Small Anim Pract 33(4):827–862, 2003.

HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • JUNE 2004 • VOL. 2, NO. 2 3

and organelles but are not used as energysources by the body. Conversely, thewater-soluble, B-complex vitamins areintimately involved in the use of food andthe production of energy in the body.

Evaluating NecessityStating that vitamins are the metabolic

glue behind virtually all anabolic andcatabolic processes in animals certainlyhints at their necessity. The major role ofB-complex vitamins is as co-enzymes forspecific cellular enzymes involved inenergy metabolism and tissue synthesis.Thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine,

lipids (fat) or water. Specifically, vitaminsA, D, E, and K are in the “fat soluble”category, whereas B vitamins (thiamin[B1], riboflavin [B2], pyridoxine [B6],niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid,cobalamin [B12], biotin, choline) andvitamin C are recognized as “watersoluble.” Vitamins within a category sharecommon functions but also have specificphysiologic roles associated with clinicalabnormalities in states of deficiency orexcess. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbedfrom the small intestine and storedprimarily in the liver. They supportgrowth and maintenance of cells, tissues,

Vitamins: Are They “Vital”Nutrients for Pets?

The pet food industry has lightenedour burden of ensuring nutritionaladequacy for our pets by formulating catand dog diets that are nutritionallybalanced and complete. If this is indeedhow pet feeding programs are designed towork, why are there so many pet vitaminsupplements on the market?Understanding the necessity andpotential benefits of vitamins will helpyou be a more informed pet feeder.

What is a Vitamin?The two main categories of vitamins

are defined by their miscibility in either

Korinn E. Saker, MS, DVM, PhD, DACVNVirginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary MedicineVirginia TechBlacksburg, Virginia

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pantothenic acid, and biotin are involvedin food use and are part of the complexphysiologic functions of nutrientdigestion, absorption, and utilization.Folic acid, cobalamin, and choline arevitally important for cell synthesis,maintenance, and growth. A commonclinical example is anemia, or insufficientred blood cells, associated with folic aciddeficiency reported in both animals andhumans. B vitamins play a pivotal role inthe production of energy because they arerequired at approximately 24 specificmetabolic sites to keep the energyproduction cycle functioning. Ascorbicacid (vitamin C) is synthesized in thebody by most mammals and promotescollagen formation. Collagen is theprimary component of dentin (teeth),osteoid (bone), and connective tissue, soit is paramount for normal boneformation.

Specific functions of the fat-solublevitamins are in the mode of antioxidants,especially vitamin E, a vitamer, and β-carotene, a provitamin. A vitamer has thesame chemical make-up as a vitamin butcan exert varying physiologic effectsdepending on its isomeric form. A greatexample is tocopherol (vitamin E): α-tocopherol has potent antioxidantproperties in animals; conversely, thepotency of γ-tocopherol is recognized inthe food product. A provitamin requiresan activation step to become biologicallyactive. A well-identified provitamin is β-carotene, and once enzymatically splitinto two retinol (vitamin A) molecules, itcan become functional in a biologicsystem. Vitamin A is also a component ofvisual proteins and epithelial celldevelopment. Vitamin K is necessary tocontrol bleeding problems. The necessityof vitamin D is primarily linked to itsrelationship with calcium, phosphorus,and skeletal development and health.

Diet Type Constitutes NecessityCommercially formulated pet foods

are nutritionally balanced based onpublished AAFCO1 recommendations.This implies that vitamins are in

HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • JUNE 2004 • VOL. 2, NO. 2 5

adequate supply in the diet. Therefore,serious vitamin deficiencies are highlyuncommon in companion pets. From thisperspective, it would not be necessary toprovide a daily vitamin supplement topets fed a nutritionally completecommercial life-stage diet. It is importantto remember, however, that there arealways possible exceptions to generalizedrecommendations. Improper feedingpractices, select genetic vitamindeficiencies, and extremely high stresssituations are exceptions that couldwarrant vitamin supplementation.

It is absolutely necessary to include avitamin supplement in homemade dietrecipes. There are a variety of homemaderecipes available for healthy adult andgrowing dogs or cats. Despite thevariability in suggested protein, grain, andfat sources, every homemade recipe,whether cooked or raw, should have amultiple vitamin–mineral supplement inthe ingredient list. Veterinary supplementscan contribute 0% to 300% of the dailyvitamin requirements of cats and dogs,suggesting enormous variability betweencommercial veterinary vitamin products.

Raw food diets have become popularin recent years. It is wise to keep in mindthat raw foodstuffs can cause selectvitamin deficiencies. A few commonexamples include egg whites, whichcontain avidin, a secretory proteinproduced by the hen. When consumed,this protein combines with biotin in theintestine and prevents biotin absorption.Egg yolk is biotin-rich and offsets thepotential risk of a biotin deficiency.Additionally, cooking denatures avidinand destroys its biotin-binding ability.Eggs should be cooked when included ina homemade recipe; if cooking is not anoption, the whole egg should be usedrather than just the egg white.2 Thiaminedeficiency can result from feeding a dietconsisting of raw fish. Not all fish containthiaminase, the enzyme that destroysthiamin, but several have been shown tohave high enzyme activity, including carp,salt-water herring, whitefish, pike, cod,clam, goldfish, mullet, shark, and

flounder. Normal cooking denaturesthiaminase. Polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFAs) have been touted as havingbeneficial effects on inflammatory skinand gastrointestinal disorders, immunefunction, and haircoat. Yellow fat diseaseoccurs in cats fed diets containing highPUFA and marginal to low vitamin Elevels. These examples suggest thatvitamin supplementation above thegeneral recommended level for uncookedhomemade diets might be warranted.

Health Status Influences Necessity An entirely separate aspect is the

vitamin requirements of a pet duringacute and chronic disease states. Reportsabound in the human literature indicatingthe benefits of select vitamin (A, D, E, C,and K) supplementation in intensive caresettings, chronic disease, and illnessesassociated with altered vitamin intake,absorption, and loss. Anorexia,malabsorptive–maldigestive disorders,vomiting, and diarrhea are clinicalmanifestations of illness that will inhibitdaily vitamin intake or increase dailylosses. Vitamin supplementation in thesetypes of clinical scenarios is oftendelivered at extra-label doses and wouldbe used more for short-term benefitrather than daily supplementation forhealthy pets.

Measurable Benefit to VitaminSupplementation

Are there situations in which vitaminsupplementation can be beneficial to petsthat are fed an appropriate life-stage,commercially formulated diet?Consideration should be given tosituations of chronic or extensive stress.Tissue damage associated with excessiveproduction of oxidative productsproduced during stress can be minimizedby vitamin antioxidant supplementation.Common oxidative stress-associatedfactors include high-performanceendurance dog work, excessivereproductive demands, aging, rapidweight loss, extended anesthesia, anddisease and trauma states. Vitamins E

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(α-tocopherol and α-/γ-mixtures), C(ascorbic acid), and β-carotene have beenthe major focus of investigation in catand dog nutrition. Cobalamin deficiencyhas been reported in both dogs and catswith gastrointestinal disease.3 Weeklysubcutaneous injections of B12 (500µg/dose) for 4 to 5 weeks havedemonstrated benefit.4

Consumer Report for Pet VitaminsVitamin source and level in

commercial, over-the-counter pet vitaminproducts can vary. Publishedrecommendations for minimum andmaximum levels of vitamins in pet foodsare higher than what is supplied in avitamin supplement product. The actualcontent of vitamin in a product labeled asa specific vitamin supplement is outlinedbased on the form of the vitamin. Whenchoosing a specific single vitamin source,compare the product label with availablepublished recommendations1 to ensure theproduct you choose is supplying the levelsneeded for the desired effect. This type ofsupplementation is administered more

commonly via the parenteral (injectable)route for dogs and cats; therefore, itshould be under the supervision of aveterinarian. More recently, vitaminpremixes have become available for pets.Supplementation with both these types ofproducts is relatively short-term tomanage a specific clinical problem.

Daily oral vitamin supplementation isoften unsupervised and/or not initiated bya veterinarian. These are generallymultiple-vitamin products supplying bothfat- and water-soluble vitamins in apalatable form. Macro- and microminerals,and occasionally a protein source, arecommonly included. The guaranteedanalysis should list the vitamins suppliedin the product and the level of vitamin pertablet or per ounce. Vitamins A, E, and(less commonly) D are included. VitaminA toxicity does occur, and levels below1,600 IU/tablet appear safe for healthydogs and cats. Vitamin E has a minimaltoxicity concern. Over-the-countersupplements contain a wide range ofvitamins A (450 to 1,500 IU) and E (3to 200 IU). Studies indicate a potential

enhancement of immunocompetence inolder pets with vitamin E dosed from 250to 500 IU/kg of diet.5 Oral vitaminsupplements also commonly supply water-soluble vitamins. B vitamins have minimalto no toxicity concerns. Vitamin C is notcommonly included in multiplevitamin–mineral supplements becausedogs and cats synthesize it endogenously.Specific products addressing joint healthwill often contain vitamin C at levelsbetween 25 and 250 mg/tablet.

References1. Association of American Feed Control Officials

(AAFCO), 2003.

2. Case LP, Carey DP, Hirakawa DA, et al: Canine andFeline Nutrition. St. Louis, Mosby, 2000.

3. Simpson K: Feline inflammatory disease: Beyondqualitative histopathology. Compend Contin EducPract Vet 26(2A):46–50, 2004.

4. Cave NJ, Marks SL: Mechanisms and clinicalapplications of nutrition in inflammatory boweldisease. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet26(2A):51–57, 2004.

5. Meydani SN, Hayek MG, Wu D, et al: Vitamin Eand immune response in aged dogs, in Reinhart GA,Carey DP (eds): Recent Advances in Canine and FelineNutrition: Proceedings of Iams 1998 NutritionSymposium. Wilmington, OH, Orange Frazer Press,2000, pp 295–303.

Albert Ahn, DVM, is a veterinarian, Corporate Vice President andChief Scientific Officer at The Hartz Mountain Corporation.

ASK THE VET

HARTZ® COMPANION ANIMALSM • JUNE 2004 • VOL. 2, NO. 2 7

QA

We want to hear from you!• Have questions or comments? Call our Consumer Relations Department at 800-275-1414 and ask to speak to a Hartz staff

veterinarian or email us at feedback@hartz.com.• To obtain a Hartz Veterinary Catalog of products, please call 800-999-3000 x5118 or email us at feedback@hartz.com.

Q

A

In reference to Dr. Paster’s December2003 article “Senior Pets and JointHealth,” could you please give a dosingrate for meloxicam in felines when usedin combination with aspirin?

Author Responds:Because both are nonsteroidal antiinflammatorydrugs (NSAIDs), I would not advise giving both;give one or the other. Cats are extremely sensitiveto NSAIDs and can potentially have severe sideeffects, and I would not advise giving cats or evendogs a combination. Also keep in mind thatmeloxicam is not approved for use in the UnitedStates, so to avoid potential litigation the clientmust be made fully aware of this prior to use.

You may argue that since meloxicam is a COX-2–selective NSAID, versus the COX non-selectivity of

Could you compare the spectrum of flea and tick spot-on products?

Comparison of Active Ingredients of Topical Spot-on Products

Inhibits Flea Kills and Kills and Kills Eggs and Stops Flea Repels Repels Repels Fleas Larvae Development Fleas Ticks Mosquitoes Dosage Usage

Phenothrin Methoprene Combo Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Monthly Dogs and Cats Fipronil Methoprene Combo Yes Yes Yes No Kills No Monthly Dogs and Cats Imidacloprid Yes No No No No No Monthly Dogs and CatsLufenuron No Yes Yes No No No Monthly Dogs and Cats Imidacloprid Permethrin Combo Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Monthly Dogs onlyPermethrin Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Monthly Dogs only Methoprene No Yes Yes No No No Monthly Dogs and Cats

aspirin, their combination theoretically shouldprovide enhanced COX-2 inhibition with risk ofCOX-1–mediated side effects remainingunchanged. However, the studies of meloxicam ascompared with other NSAIDs in COX selectivitydo not prove, undoubtedly, that meloxicam isentirely COX-2 selective. My advice would be tochoose one or the other based on what suits thepatient best, which has the best activity you areseeking (analgesic, antiinflammatory or decreasedplatelet aggregation), and which is best toleratedby the patient. Specific questions regarding thepharmacology of meloxicam should be addressedto the manufacturer.

Erin Paster, DVMSchool of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania

Articles found in the Hartz Companion Animalsm newsletter can be copied and distributed to your colleagues, staff, and clients.Additional newsletters may also be obtained by contacting us at feedback@hartz.com or by phone at 800-275-1414.

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Hartz Announces its 2003 “Veterinarian of the Year”

The Hartz Mountain Corporation announces thewinner of the 2003 Hartz “Veterinarian of the Year”Contest. Dr. Tami Shearer of the Shearer Pet Hospitalin Columbus, Ohio, was nominated by one of herpatients and selected by Hartz to be the recipient ofthe 2003 Hartz Veterinarian of the Year award.

“Dr. Shearer has shown exceptional compassion anddedication to her patients as well as their owners. Shenot only devotes her time to her patients at thehospital, but also teaches the veterinarians oftomorrow,” stated Bob Devine, President and CEO ofThe Hartz Mountain Corporation. “Hartz is proud tosponsor an award that recognizes a veterinarian’simportant role in pet health care.”

Pet owners were asked to nominate vets who haveexcelled in the medical field as well as in their passionfor nurturing animals. Pet owners were asked todescribe how their veterinarians exemplify thehuman–animal bond with vet service and community/volunteer programs. Approximately 300 heartfelt essaysfrom pet owners across the country illustrated thecontinuous dedication of this group of professionals.

Following is an excerpt from the Grand PrizeWinning essay:

Tami Shearer, DVM, does not wear a cape or flash a magicwand, but she does not need to. One visit to Shearer Pet Hospitalin Columbus, Ohio is all it takes to understand that Dr. Sheareris a hero at heart. Dr. Shearer’s intelligence and compassion areevident every time my silky terrier, Agnes, and I see her. Agnesexperiences anxiety when she needs to have a surgical procedure.Due to Agnes’ anxiety, Dr. Shearer tries to schedule her as thefirst patient of the day so Agnes can be reunited with me sooner.Dr. Shearer has a special interest in learning noninvasivetechniques to improve animal care. She offers laser surgery andtherapy, endoscopy and ultrasound. She has a gift for explainingtechnical information in simple terms and schedules longappointments so she can take her time with pets and owners.Her goal is to educate adults and children to be compassionatecaregivers. She has been teaching classes to the public for 10 yearsand offers a two-day Vet Camp for kids. At this camp, kidsobserve and assist Dr. Shearer at the hospital. She is founder ofthe Pet Education Center and the Pet Hospice and EducationCenter, one of the Midwest hospice centers for pets.

Nominated by Lisa Farina, Columbus, Ohio

Dr. Tami Shearer (Grand Prize Winner) with Dr. Albert Ahn (Corporate V.P. and

Chief Scientific Officer)