Dana Koch, VMD, MLAS

Biography

Dr. Dana Koch grew up in Bucks County, PA before attending LaSalle University in Philadelphia and majoring in biology. She also received a master’s degree in Laboratory Animal Medicine from Drexel University and worked in the laboratory animal medicine field before completing her veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Dana joined HousePaws Mobile Veterinary Service in 2013 and loves the opportunity to provide quality veterinary care to her patients in their home environments. Her primary professional interests include small animal internal medicine, dentistry, exotics, and client education. In her spare time she enjoys teaching tennis to children, long distance running and volunteering with her therapy dog, Winston, at various schools, libraries and hospitals. Additionally, she is happy to participate in the many community outreach projects that HousePaws supports including CPR and first aid instruction, vaccine clinics and free lectures on dental health and animal nutrition. Dr. Dana has fostered and rescued various cats, including her own, Luna and her three-legged cat Penny.

Articles Written by Dana Koch, VMD, MLAS

Top 7 Health Concerns in Labrador Retrievers

Labrador Retrievers are one of the most common breeds of dogs that have found their place as our beloved companions. Although classified as working dogs, Labradors are generally known for their loyalty, playfulness and gentleness of temperament. If you are the proud owner of a Labrador Retriever, these are the most common health concerns you should be familiar with:

Top 5 Health Concerns in Golden Retrievers

Golden retrievers are known for their affectionate, obedient and fun-loving nature. It is no wonder that they are one of the most popular breed of dog to become part of our family. Here are some of the common conditions we observe in Golden retrievers:

Can a vaccinated dog whom came into close contact with a puppy with distemper can he carry the distemper virus and pass it to unvaccinated dogs?

Vaccinated animals are at a very low risk of acquiring distemper virus and passing it on to other dogs. This is because the virus cannot live without fresh secretions; it is inactivated in minutes outside the dog's body. The infected dog typically infects other dogs via coughing infected respiratory secretions though the virus is shed in most other body secretions, including urine. A dog with distemper, even if recovered from the virus can shed the infection for up to 2-3 months so I would restrict any future contact and monitor for any abnormal clinical signs, including coughing or nasal discharge.