P1 / PET BEHAVIOR

Permanent Change of Station 

with Pets

P2 / VECTOR BORNE

Ticks and Pets

P3 / VECTOR BORNE

Heartworm Disease in 

Dogs and Cats

P4 / FOOD SAFETY

Raw Milk

2018 News about Animal Health, Food Safety, and One Health

Army Public Health Center

Veterinary

SUMMER EDITION

Approved for public release, 

distribution unlimited.

PCS season is approaching and as you find out your new 

duty station, don’t forget your pets! Do your research 

ahead of time so no member of the family gets left 

behind. 

Importation Requirements:

Depending on where you PCS, you may need up to 4 months 

of advance preparation, so schedule an appointment with your 

veterinarian early! Every destination has specific importation 

requirements for pets, to include health certificates, microchipping, 

vaccines, diagnostic tests, medications, and quarantine periods. 

Microchips should be ISO (International Organization for 

Standardization) compatible. The microchip is essential for a smooth 

travel experience but can also help ensure a more speedy reunion 

if your pet ever escapes or is lost.

A health certificate is a document issued by a USDA accredited 

veterinarian within 10 days of traveling by air (30 days if 

driving). Health certificates are required for both interstate and 

international travel. The health certificate states that your pet 

is healthy at the time of physical exam and free of infectious 

diseases and parasites. Pets that are traveling internationally 

are required to have a health certificate endorsed by the 

USDA. Fortunately, U.S. Army Veterinarians are allowed to 

make this endorsement for certain countries. 

The most common vaccine required for pets to travel is the rabies 

vaccine, but other vaccines may be required. Different destinations have 

requirements on when the vaccine needs to be administered and how 

often it needs to be administered. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on 

all of their vaccines every year and keep the original rabies certificate as 

proof of vaccination.

The Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) test is a common 

test required by many rabies-free countries and states (Hawaii) in order 

for dogs and cats to qualify for a reduced quarantine period prior 

to entry. The FAVN is a blood test that measures your pet’s immune 

response to the rabies vaccine and determines whether it is adequate. 

Many rabies-free countries have quarantine requirements to prevent 

incursion of rabies. Quarantine periods can sometimes be reduced by 

fulfilling specific importation prerequisites. 

Permanent Change of Station with Pets

> Content contributed by CPT Isabelle Gerbatsch, DVM, 

MPH, First Year Graduate Veterinary Education (FYGVE) 

Intern, Public Health Activity, Fort Carson

>> CONT. ON PAGE TWO
P2

If you’re hoping tick season is coming to an end, no such luck! Ticks will 

continue to be active into the fall in the United States with some species 

of tick remaining active over the winter any day that temperatures are 

above freezing.

Ticks make their way to your pets by sensing the carbon dioxide they 

are breathing out and grabbing onto them as they go by. Once aboard 

they search for a spot to bite into for blood. During their attachment 

period which can last over a week, ticks may transmit many different 

types of bacteria from their mouths. These include the agents of Lyme 

disease (Borrelia burgdorferi), Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia 

rickettsii), Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma. Several of these diseases can 

be tested for during your pet’s annual exam and heartworm testing. 

Discuss your pet’s lifestyle with your veterinarian to determine what 

infectious disease testing is warranted.

Ticks are essentially everywhere in the United States and certain tick 

species are more common in certain areas. Pets should be on yearround prevention as any day above freezing may be warm enough for 

a tick to bite. There are several easy and cost effective options for tick 

prevention and new products are always being made including spot-on 

topical treatments, collars, and oral treatments. There are also vaccines 

for pets like the Lyme vaccine for dogs. Ask your veterinarian to help 

determine if the vaccine is right for your pet. Lastly, checking your pets 

for ticks after returning from tick habitats such as woods, tall grass, and 

transitional “edge” habitat between woods and other habitats is also 

very important. The quicker you can get the tick off your pet, the 

better the chances of preventing disease transmission.

How to remove a tick

1. Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as 

close to the skin’s surface as possible.

2. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. 

Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the 

mouth-parts to break off and remain in the 

skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts 

with tweezers. If you are unable to remove 

the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it 

alone and let the skin heal.

3. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean 

the bite area and your hands with rubbing 

alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.

>> CONT. FROM PAGE ONE

Permanent Change of Station with Pets

Ticks and Pets

Research health and quarantine 

requirements

Plan transportation ground 

or air

Schedule veterinary 

appointment, update vaccines

Acquire a health certificate 

for international and interstate air 

travel within 10 days of 

departure

Purchase an appropriate crate or 

carrier as required by the airline

Research pet friendly hotels and 

services along your travel route

Update identification tags and 

microchip contact information

Pack pet supplies:

• Food and water, with bowls

• Leash, collar, ID and rabies tags

• Medications

• Flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives

• Litterbox, litter and litter scoop

• Poop/litter disposable bags

• Brush, toy, blanket, and bed

If you have pets other than dogs and cats Pet Travel List

(birds, livestock, horses, exotic mammals, etc.) 

they will also need to adhere to traveling 

regulations. 

To find out all of the specific health requirements for traveling with your pets visit https://

www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel. 

Transportation:

Plan your trip as early as you can and be 

sure to plan for the potential large expense 

associated with moving your pets. If you are 

flying, make a reservation for your pet at the 

same time you book your reservation. Most 

airlines have a limit of how many pets are 

allowed on the flight, so this will ensure your 

pet can travel with you. If your pet is traveling 

in airplane cargo, you will need a letter of 

acclimation. This document is signed by the 

veterinarian stating that your pet is allowed 

to be shipped by the airline at a safe range of 

ambient temperatures to which the animal is 

acclimated. If you are planning to check your 

pets as excess baggage on your flight (versus 

cargo), check with the airline to ensure your 

pet can be tracked in the event their crate is 

misplaced. Also be aware that most airlines 

operate under a summer heat pet embargo 

depending on the temperature at departure, 

layover or arrival locations. Most airlines 

will not ship snub-nosed dogs (bulldogs, 

Boston terriers, shih tzus, etc.) at all due to 

the increased risk of breathing problems and 

overheating.

Use a carrier or crate that meets the airline’s 

requirements. The crate should be large 

enough for your pet to comfortably stand, 

turn around, and lie down. Provide a water 

container attached to the inside of the crate. 

Label your crate with your name, address, 

phone number, and a sign stating “Live 

Animal”. It is not recommended to give your 

pet a sedative prior to traveling because it 

can increase the risk of heart and breathing 

problems and limits their ability to regulate 

their body temperature. 

If you are traveling by car plan your route 

ahead of time and locate hotels that are pet 

friendly and emergency veterinary clinics 

along your route. Research the States that 

you will be passing through and your final 

destination to determine if they require an 

interstate health certificate. Restrain your 

pet appropriately to prevent injuries. Take 

breaks every 2-3 hours along the way to allow 

your pet to go to relieve themselves and 

get some exercise. If your pet has a history 

of car-sickness be sure to discuss this with 

your veterinarian and they may be able to 

prescribe anti-nausea medication. As soon 

as you know your new address, update your 

pet’s microchip and identification tags with 

your current information. 

Traveling with pets can cause some stress and 

extra expenses but will be rewarding once 

you reach your final destination! Contact an 

Army Veterinary Treatment Facility near you to 

make the process as smooth as possible. 
P3

At your pet’s annual physical exam, your veterinarian 

may have asked, “Would you like to purchase any 

heartworm preventatives today?” That can be a difficult 

question if you are new to pet ownership, and may be a confusing 

question with all of the different preventatives that are available. So, let’s 

start at the beginning.

Heartworm disease affects both dogs and cats and is potentially deadly. 

The heartworm is a type of worm, called Dirofilaria immitis, which 

can reach up to one foot in length, lives in the heart, lungs and blood 

vessels and can cause lung disease and even heart failure. Dogs are a 

natural host, meaning that the worms grow into adults, reproduce and 

make baby worms called microfilaria. One dog can have hundreds of 

adult heartworms when the infection is severe. However, cats are an 

atypical host, meaning that most heartworms do not reach adulthood 

and an infected cat may only have one to three adult worms. This 

causes many infections to be undiagnosed, but the immature worms 

can still cause severe illness.

So how does your dog or cat get heartworm disease? Adult heartworms 

in an infected dog produce microscopic (cannot be seen with your 

naked eye) microfilaria. A mosquito bites an infected dog, and ingests 

the microfilaria that mature inside the mosquito for a couple of weeks. 

Then, that mosquito bites a new dog or cat, the microfilaria get into 

the bloodstream and take about 6 months to develop into adult 

heartworms.

There may not be any signs of heartworm infection in your pet in 

the early stages. As the disease progresses over time, more signs will 

develop. These signs may include a mild persistent cough, not wanting 

to exercise or play, fatigue after even mild activity, decreased appetite or 

weight loss. If heart failure develops, your dog may have a “pot-bellied” 

appearance due to extra fluid in the belly. Cats often have coughing, 

asthma-like attacks, lack of appetite, weight loss or occasional vomiting. 

Sometimes the first sign of heartworm disease in cats is collapse and 

sudden death.

Since signs and symptoms may not appear until the infection is 

severe, it is important to have your dog tested every year. Testing is 

important even if your dog is receiving preventatives, to ensure that 

the medications are working. Heartworm disease is more difficult to 

detect in cats, and it is recommended to have antigen (testing for adult 

heartworms, like in dogs) and antibody (detects the body’s response 

to heartworms) testing. Cats should be tested before being put on a 

preventative and re-tested as your veterinarian feels is appropriate.

What if your dog tests positive? First, the diagnosis should always be 

confirmed. Next, exercise restriction is KEY while the disease is stabilized 

and the treatment is planned. In more severe infections, there is a 

higher risk of treatment side effects and complications to include death. 

After completing the treatment, another test needs to be performed 

in 6 months to make sure the treatment was successful. In cats, there 

is no approved treatment for heartworms. Some cats will clear the 

heartworm infection on their own, but will often have permanent 

damage to their lungs. The price of one full course of treatment for 

heartworm is equal to 8-10 years of year round heartworm preventative 

and annual testing.

The best way to keep your pet safe is to administer heartworm 

prevention on a regular basis. There are many preventatives available, 

including oral, topical and injectable formulations. Some are given every 

30 days and some only need to be administered every 6 months. Your 

veterinarian can help you decide which preventative is the best option 

for you and your pet’s lifestyle. Most heartworm preventatives will also 

protect your pets against other common internal parasites. So now 

when your veterinarian asks if you would like heartworm prevention 

at your annual exam, you understand the possible consequences of 

the disease and the importance of prevention and you will hopefully 

respond with “YES!”

Your local Veterinary Treatment Facility sells heartworm preventatives. 

To find the facility closest to you, use the QR code or VTF finder link on 

the back page of this newsletter. Alternatively, use the VTF Finder on the 

milPetED app.

Heartworm Disease in Dogs and Cats

> Content contributed by CPT Crystal Doyle, USAG Humphreys, South Korea

> Content 

contributed by 

CPT Mary (Katie) 

Wiechelt, VMD, 

First Year Graduate 

Veterinary 

Education (FYGVE) 

Intern, Public 

Health Activity, 

Fort Belvoir

Please...don’t abandon me. Instead, 

help me find a new home.

• Talk to friends and family as they may be 

willing or able to help. 

• Check with local shelters, adoption agencies, 

and animal rescue societies to see if they will 

accept your pet.

• Consult with your veterinarian to see what 

suggestions they have to rehome your pet.

• Locate your local Veterinary Treatment Facility 

by using the QR code or VTF finder link on the 

back page of this newsletter. Alternatively, use 

the VTF Finder on the milPetED app.

It is illegal to abandon your pet in government quarters or on post and in most municipalities

4. Dispose of a live tick by submersing it 

in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/

container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or 

flushing it down the toilet. Never crush 

a tick with your fingers. 
Comments or questions regarding content can be directed to ARMY-VSPublications@mail.mil

Subscribe to the electronic issue of Veterinary Connections by emailing: usarmy.apg.medcom-aphc.mbx.iph-vet@mail.mil. 

Place ” Veterinary Connections” in the subject line.

Locate your local Veterinary Treatment Facility at https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/animed/vtfo/Pages/Veterinary-Treatment-Facility-Interactive-Map.aspx

Goal of publication:

• Veterinary Connections is a quarterly publication written by Army Veterinary Service personnel and 

published by the Army Public Health Center to inform and educate Service members, beneficiaries, 

and retirees about Animal Health, Food Safety, and One Health.

• One Health refers to the intersection and overlap between animals, humans, and the environment. 

• Army Veterinary Service personnel serve around the world supporting the Department of Defense as 

proponents for Animal Health and Food Protection.

Veterinary

http://phc.amedd.army.mil

1-800-222-9698

Use of trademarked name(s) does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Army but is intended only 

to assist in identification of a specific product.

TA-349-0518

> Article contributed by CW4 Tony Hemphill, 

Veterinary Services and Public Health Sanitation Directorate, Army Public Health Center

Not as Safe as You May Think! Many people 

may have heard that raw milk can improve their health or that 

raw milk is better because it is less processed, supports local 

farmers and sustainable agriculture. Yet, raw milk can contain 

bacteria and other germs that can cause you to get sick. 

RAW

• Only buy pasteurized milk 

and dairy products. 

• Read the label. The word 

“pasteurized” should appear. If 

in doubt, don’t buy it. 

• Ask if milk or milk products at 

farmers markets have been 

pasteurized. 

• Refrigerate dairy products at 

40 °F or below. 

• Throw away expired products. 

These germs have been found 

in raw milk and made people 

sick. The pasteurization process 

kills these germs. 

• E. coli

• Salmonella

• Streptococcus

• Yersinia 

• Campylobacter 

• Staphylococcus 

• Listeria 

• Mycobacterium

• Coxiella 

Raw Milk is 

Dangerous

13x

More likely to be hospitalized 

for an illness caused by raw milk 

than pasteurized dairy products.

150x 

More likely to cause foodborne 

illness than pasteurized milk. 

Some groups are more likely 

to get sick: 

• Children 5 years old or 

younger

• Adults 65 or older

• People with weakened 

immune systems

• Pregnant women 

Germs Found in 

Raw Milk

Reduce Your Risk of 

Getting Sick

Anyone Can Get Sick 

from Raw Milk

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