Sudden Oak Death

The end of 2024 marked the 17th year of the Sudden Oak Death blitz. More than 500 citizen-science volunteers participated statewide. The data indicates a 18.4 percent true infection rate for the Southern Skyline area (“Peninsula South”), the second highest after Marin County. This increase in SOD infection was expected due to our wet weather last spring. For more information, visit www.sodblitz.org.

Unfortunately, nearby Burlingame and Woodside had a tiny number of bay laurel trees that tested positive for a new genetic lineage, “NA2.” NA2 has spores that survive higher temperatures in laboratory tests performed by the Forest Pathology Lab at University of California, Berkeley, that runs the SOD blitz. This preliminary result suggests that NA2 reproduces well under a broader range of environmental conditions than the current SOD lineage.

Warmer inland areas, where SOD is now rare, could see rising SOD. The lab will step up testing for NA2 on new and stored historical samples to learn more. They hope that NA2 can be limited. Data from past and future blitzes will play a central role. To sign up to participate in the SOD blitz, watch for an announcement next month.

Here is more practical information, from data collected by our intrepid SOD blitz volunteers. SOD-infected oaks may look alive, but often have internal rot because SOD compromises the tree’s defenses against wood-destroying organisms. This dry, rotted wood is much more ignitable than intact wood. This is one major factor in greater fire risk due to SOD.

Burning bay tree debris is best, but it can also be composted. Only the bay leaves carry the pathogen, which requires water to survive. Put a thin layer on the ground in a windy, sunny area. You can also dig leaves into the soil. There is too much other microbial competition for the spores to reproduce.

Bay wood is not infected, but just in case, don’t remove the wood from a SOD-infected area. Acorns have been found to have the SOD pathogen, but it is unclear whether the pathogen can spread via acorns. Do not transport them out of SOD-infected area.

The Oak SOD testing program at the U.C., Berkeley Forest Pathology Lab enables Sudden oak death is caused by a microscopic pathogen that attacks the oak’s vascular tissue, causing girdling. Bay laurel leaves are a passive host (vector) and not killed by SOD. Droplets of water carry SOD spores to oak bark, where the pathogen may enter.

Images courtesy of U.C., Berkeley Forest Pathology Lab licensed tree-care specialists to accurately test for SOD. If a tree inspector tells you your tree has SOD, ask if they have had this training. Generally, laboratory testing is required to be able to identify SOD.

Ibuprofen Toxicity in Dogs and Cats Dr. Fatimah Zibaee Ibuprofen is a commonly-used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is typically used for the treatment of minor discomfort. In humans, ibuprofen taken at standard dosages has a wide margin of safety. However, in dogs and cats, ibuprofen has a narrow margin of safety and can be extremely harmful. Puppies and older dogs have a higher risk of being poisoned.

Ibuprofen is not easily excreted by kidney filtration, and it can be reabsorbed in the intestines repeatedly. This recycling prolongs the poisoning effects. Ibuprofen poisoning may cause damage to the gastrointestinal, renal, and central nervous systems and show different clinical signs. These may include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dark tarry stools, pale gums, bloody stools, and lethargy. Cats are more sensitive to renal- failure effects than are dogs.

Other signs related to ibuprofen poisoning include increased or decreased drinking and urination, renal failure, uncoordination, icterus, seizures, ataxia, coma, shock, and even death. Early decontamination and treatment decrease the risk of serious effects.

Within one- to two-hours of ingestion, a veterinarian may induce vomiting, followed by activated charcoal every six to eight hours for 24 hours, to prevent un-vomited ibuprofen from being absorbed into the body. If dogs or cats show neurological signs, they may need gastric lavage. Activated charcoal should only be administered by a veterinarian, in order to minimize the risk of aspiration into the lungs and life-threatening changes in sodium levels.

In most cases, pets need a low-fat/bland diet and some gastrointestinal protectants for a few days after decontamination. In animals with a higher dose of exposure, they need blood work to monitor liver and kidney function.

Dr. Zibaee, DVM U N D E R N E W M A N A G E M E N T ! $640 dental cleaning special through April 23291 Summit Road • Los Gatos, CA 95033 • (408) 353-1113 www.summitvethospital.com