Local Rabies Alert

City of Weston reported a rabies alert for portions of the city.

Post Date:09/18/2021 5:21 PM -https://www.westonfl.org/

Date: September 18, 2021 /Contact: Nina Levine, Nina.Levine@FLHealth.gov / 954-895-5745

HEALTH OFFICIALS ISSUE RABIES ALERT
Rabies Alert for a Portion of Weston, Florida

Fort Lauderdale – The Florida Department of Health in Broward County (DOH-Broward) issued a rabies alert for a portion of Weston, Florida. This is in response to a fox that tested positive on September 17, 2021.

All residents and visitors in Broward County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Broward County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public. Please be aware that rabies can also occur outside the alert area.

This rabies alert is for 60 days (it expires on November 16.) The alert includes the following boundaries in Broward County:

• Weston Hills Drive to the North
• S.W. 196th Avenue to the West
• North Ridge Drive to the East
• Griffin Road to the South

An animal with rabies could infect domestic animals that have not been vaccinated against rabies. All domestic animals should be vaccinated against rabies and all wildlife contact should be avoided, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats, and coyotes. Rabies is a disease of the nervous system and is fatal to warm blooded animals and humans. The only preventive measure for human exposure to rabies is rabies specific immune globulin and rabies immunization. Rabies prophylaxis started soon after the exposure will protect an exposed person from the disease.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets and at-risk livestock.

• Do not allow your pets to run free. Follow leash laws by keeping pets and livestock secured on your property. If your pet or livestock are bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Animal Control Services for your jurisdiction.

• Support animal control in efforts to reduce feral and stray animal populations.

• Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.

• Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with outdoor food sources such as uncovered trash or litter. 

• Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.

• Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.

• Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.

• Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the DOH-Broward at 954-467-4700.

For further information on rabies, go to

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (floridahealth.gov)

Source: https://www.westonfl.org/Home/Components/News/News/913/18?backlist=%2F

Mast Cell Tumors Beware! Our Oncologist has a mark on you!

Mast Cell Tumors Beware! Our Oncologist has a mark on you!   

When looking for advanced veterinary care, we are here for you with cutting edge treatment options. Dr. Irene Vazquez, our board certified oncologist is your neighborhood pet cancer specialist.

STELFONTA is a prescription medicine used in dogs to treat mast cell tumors on the skin or in the tissues just under the skin. Given as an injection directly into your dog’s tumor, it destroys the tumor by breaking down cancer cells and starving their blood supply. A “pocket” or wound is left at the injection site where the tumor was. This is generally a healthy wound ready for skin and hair to grow back in a few weeks.
Pretreatment involves oral medications, including corticosteroids and antihistamines, prior to the injection of STELFONTA. These medications are very important to reduce the risks associated with inflammatory substances that can be released from the tumor as the mast cells are destroyed. Premedication is given 2 days pretreatment and continues until 7 days post treatment. It is essential that you give all medications as prescribed.

Most dogs do not need sedation or anesthesia during the procedure although occasionally, dogs may be sedated.

Side effects reported in dogs treated with STELFONTA were generally mild and short lasting, but they can be severe, especially if not treated in a timely manner.

The most common adverse reactions included wound formation, injection-site pain, lameness in the treated limb, vomiting, diarrhea and hypoalbuminemia (low levels in the blood of the protein albumin). Although most side effects/adverse reactions seen in clinical studies were mild, the most serious side effects occurred in the first 4 days. Excessive pain, lameness, tiredness, refusal to eat for more than one day, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, trouble breathing, changes to the treated tumor site (including increased or excessive swelling and bruising, extensive wound formation, increased irritation) or any other symptoms should be examined immediately and treated accordingly.

When looking for advanced veterinary care, we are here for you with cutting edge treatment options. Dr. Irene Vazquez, our board certified oncologist is your neighborhood pet cancer specialist.

Irene Vazquez, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)

New Treatment for Mast Cell Tumors (MCT)-STELFONTA

New Treatment for Mast Cell Tumors (MCT)-STELFONTA

VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital now offers STELFONTA as a cutting edge treatment for Mast Cell Tumors (MCT). STELFONTA is a prescription medicine used in dogs to treat mast cell tumors on the skin or in the tissues just under the skin. Given as an injection directly into your dog’s tumor, it destroys the tumor by breaking down cancer cells and starving their blood supply. A “pocket” or wound is left at the injection site where the tumor was. This is generally a healthy wound ready for skin and hair to grow back in a few weeks.

Pretreatment involves oral medications, including corticosteroids and antihistamines, prior to the injection of STELFONTA. These medications are very important to reduce the risks associated with inflammatory substances that can be released from the tumor as the mast cells are destroyed. Premedication is given 2 days pretreatment and continues until 7 days post treatment. It is essential that you give all medications as prescribed.

Most dogs do not need sedation or anesthesia during the procedure although occasionally, dogs may be sedated. 

Side effects reported in dogs treated with STELFONTA were generally mild and short lasting, but they can be severe, especially if not treated in a timely manner. 

The most common adverse reactions included wound formation, injection-site pain, lameness in the treated limb, vomiting, diarrhea, and hypoalbuminemia (low levels in the blood of the protein albumin). Although most side effects/adverse reactions seen in clinical studies were mild, the most serious side effects occurred in the first 4 days. Excessive pain, lameness, tiredness, refusal to eat for more than one day, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, trouble breathing, changes to the treated tumor site (including increased or excessive swelling and bruising, extensive wound formation, increased irritation) or any other symptoms should be examined immediately and treated accordingly. 

Irene Vazquez, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Oncology)

Medical Oncologist
VCA Hollywood Animal Hospital

Pet CancerCare Center

vcahollywood@vca.com