The dog and cat page will
likely never be fully completed because I intend to continue to update
and add information to all these pages over time. There are literally
tons of informational sites available on the net for dogs and cats, but
I'll try to include some of the better links on this page. My intent
for this page is to discuss some of the more common problems we see in
our practice and a few other problems which are less common but still
of interest. For specific issues related to AZ please see the Arizona
page and for further pet information please see the library page. |
|---|
 |
Puppy Care/ Vaccination
Canine vaccines: a dialogue of the viruses and vaccination protocol for dog and puppies. VACCINE THEORY: Okay, so what a vaccine is: What a vaccine isn’t: How vaccines work: By giving a vaccine we are attempting to stimulate the dog’s immune system to create memory cells that will be saved in the body to fight the virus if they encounter it in the future. On the initial exposure to a virus (antigen) the immune system will create a few short lived memory cells but will not create lasting immunity. Therefore, we always provide one booster in 2-3 weeks to give a second boost to the immune system and create millions of long lived memory cells in the body. These cells are constantly circulating in the body looking for foreign invaders to attack and destroy thereby defending the body and providing the pet immunity to the virus. Why are puppies given several vaccines? So, the mother’s immunity is very important in providing her pups early immunity from disease. The mother’s immunity will also block and prevent our vaccine from providing vaccinated immunity to the puppy. Also, based on her level of memory cells the mother’s immunity may last from a few weeks in the pups to as long as 4 months. This means that your newly purchased 8 week old puppy may or may not have immunity to infection. Without several costly blood tests, the best way of ensuring the puppy is protected is sequential vaccines over time. But as we’ve said the mothers immunity blocks our vaccines so how do we know when her immunity is low enough for our vaccine to work but not so low that the pup is entirely unprotected? As we’ve learned puppies early in life are likely to be protected even from an infrequently vaccinated mother, therefore we do not typically need to vaccinate prior to 6 weeks of age. So we know that the best time to begin vaccines is from 6-8 weeks of age catching those pups that have limited or short term immunity. However some of these pups may have long immunity preventing our vaccine from working and preventing the puppy from receiving long lasting immunity to disease. The best way around this is to do sequential vaccines every 3 weeks for a series of 4 vaccines up to age 4 months. By doing this we are ensuring that the pups who have lost early immunity are protected at the proper time and we are also ensuring that the pups with longer lasting immunity are vaccinated long enough for our vaccine to work and a boosters to be given. Summery to why sequential vaccines in pups: It is important to understand that even though there is a debate in our community about vaccinating adult animals that debate should not involve immature animals. The ONLY way of ensuring protection from deadly disease in puppies is to vaccinate them properly up to 1 year of age. At that point we have given them long lasting memory cells and may consider extending the subsequent intervals to every 2-3 years depending on the level of exposure and the vaccine used. Please vaccinate your puppies. The most common core vaccine:
3. Parainfluenza: is a dog disease that is part of the kennel cough complex. The virus works with the bordetella bacteria to cause a harsh unproductive cough. These pets typically have a history of exposure to other dogs (often in a kennel situation) and are typically normal except for a cough. They often respond well to treatment and supportive care. 4. Canine Parvo Virus: Is a life threatening disease of puppies and potentially of unvaccinated adults. The virus infects the rapidly growing cells of the intestine and causes severe liquid bloody diarrhea, frequent vomiting and very depressed/lethargic puppies. Puppies that are not treated will usually die. This disease can be prevented by vaccination. Corona Virus: This is given twice to puppies 3 weeks apart. The virus causes a disease of vomiting and diarrhea in very young puppies. This vaccine is typically not given to adult dogs. Bordetella Bacterin: Protection from kennel cough complex. Is given as nose drops in our hospital and only to those dogs at high risk such as boarding dogs, those that attend puppy school and those that frequent doggie parks should also be vaccinated. Rabies: Frequency will vary by state. In AZ it is given to puppies and a booster is given in 1 year of age and then again every 3 years. The above vaccines are the most common ones in our area but certainly are not the only dog vaccines. In my next article I’ll discuss so of the other vaccines including those made to fight bacteria. |
Spaying and neutering puppies:
All pet animals should be altered to prevent
reproduction.
Terminology: We commonly call an ovariohysterectomy
a spay and a castration a neuter.
PROCEDURE:
During a spay, an abdominal incision is made allowing access to the ovaries
and uterus which are both removed. Recovery time is about 2 weeks during which
the dog should be kept quiet and prevented from running or jumping.
During a neuter the testicles are exteriorized though the skin and just above the scrotal sac. The testicles are then ligated over the spermatic cord and removed from the body. Again, recovery time is about 2 weeks for actual healing, but the dogs usually act normal within a few days.
WHY?:
Believe it or not I still will occasionally have clients tell me that they
don't intend to alter their pet's reproductive status because they think it
is good for the children to witness the birth. The reasons are endless, but
the end results remains the same - thousands of unwanted animals left to be
put to sleep in shelters. Owners typically believe that they will find good
homes for all the pups so this reasoning doesn't apply to them. However, many
puppies end up in shelters shortly after that new owner takes them home. Reasons
such as behavior problems (AKA lack of training), and housing or apartment
limitations are commonly given to shelters when the pups are abandoned. So,
the most important reason for altering pet dogs is to decrease the many euthanasias
taking place in shelters across the United States on a daily basis.
Still, there are many other reasons to alter your pet and many of these reasons are directly related to the current or future health of our pet.
For Females: Just a few of the concerns...
1) Mammary Cancer: It has been shown that female dogs spayed prior to their first heat will have almost no incidence of mammary (breast) cancer later in life. This is because by spaying your dog you are eliminating the estrogen hormonal surge that occurs with each heat cycle. Studies have also shown that dogs spayed after their 3rd heat cycle are at a greater then 90% or better risk of developing this cancer. Therefore, by spaying your pet early you will be able to prevent this type of cancer.
2) Pyometra: Intact female dogs are at risk of developing a potentially life threatening uterus infection called pyometra. If not caught this infection can make the dog extremely ill and can result in death.
3) Dystocia: Pregnancy will commonly result in problems during parturition or the act of giving birth. Any type of dog can develop dystocia (stuck puppy). Dystocia often requires the mother to undergo a surgical procedure to remove the puppies (many of whom die) called a caesarian section.
4) Prevention of the estrus cycle. Intact females will cycle about every 6 months and this will result in vaginal bleeding for 2-3 weeks and unwanted attention from the boys.
For Males: just a few...
1) Trauma: In my mind the most important reason of all! Intact male dogs are the number one trauma victim. They not only end up in dog fights, but they nose their way into trouble by escaping the house or jumping fences in the hunt for a girl. Unfortunately, many of these wanders end up hit by a car or impounded into a shelter.
2) Behavior: Intact male dogs are more likely to be aggressive to others including both dogs and people. Additionally, they are more likely to exhibit such behavior as urine marking.
3) Prostatic Disease including: Abscesses, Infection, Cysts - Occur only in intact males.
4) Testicular cancer is eliminated
Please, if your dog is to be a pet there is NO reason NOT to neuter him or spay her.
For a complete pictorial of a spay and neuter shown step-by-step see my gallery or click this link: Spay Photos & Neuter Photos
Parasites
Parasites can be both internal and external and the type of potential parasites will vary from one region to another. As an example we see few fleas in Arizona because of our hot and dry climate, but areas higher in humidity often have severe flea infestations requiring year round preventatives.
External Parasites: Include fleas, ticks and mites.
Fleas: These are blood sucking organisms that will feed on your pet’s skin and can be seen moving or jumping through the fur. They can be any place on the dog, but are often present around the face and neck. Fleas will also infect the environment with eggs and larvae. Some pets have an allergy to the flea saliva and become extremely itchy with only a small number of fleas present. Heavy infestations of fleas, especially on small pets, care result in severe anemia. If fleas are crunched and eaten by the pet they can transmit tapeworms - an internal parasite infection. Many products are available for flea control and prevention. The best control involves treating both the pet and the environment. Environmental control should include cleaning and vacuuming all carpet, washing all bedding and spot treating as needed. Also, good flea control requires the use of a product that is both an adultacide (kills adult fleas) and also an insect growth regulator (prevents the development of immature fleas). Many variations exist on how the medication is delivered to the pet. Topical products such as Advantage, Revolution, or Frontline are commonly used and require the placement of a few drops to the skin once monthly. Ingestion of a pill such as Capstar, for treatment and prevention is also available. And lastly, a long acting injection ( lufenuron) is available. Older means of treating external parasites include a variety of insecticides in a dust, dip or shampoo. These insecticides are often carbamate, organophosphate or pyrethrin based and can result in toxicity if used improperly.
Summary:
- Fleas infect both the pet and the environment
- Treatment of the environment and the pet is required to eliminate infestations
- Fleas can transmit tapeworms to dogs and cats and can also cause anemia and allergies.
- Flea control should include a product that kills adults and also inhibits development of immature stages (insect growth regulator).
Ticks: Many different types of ticks are present and the type found in your state may vary from other states. Ticks are small, round, brown, blood sucking insects that will bite the dog and stay stuck on the skin at that location. You will not see them moving quickly as fleas do. With heavy infestations ticks may be seen crawling in the environment, often up walls to ceilings. Also, on heavily infected dogs numerous bumps will be felt when the pet is stroked. Ticks cause numerous diseases such as Lyme disease and E. canis/ tick fever and many others. In Arizona the most common problem we see is tick fever (E. Canis infection) and skin infections, but anemia can also occur especially with puppies that are heavily infested. Often treating the pet is enough to eliminate infection, but if the yard or house is also heavily infested, regular spraying will be needed. Commonly used products for ticks are similar to those discussed above for fleas, with many of the products serving a dual purpose. For more information on tick fever please see my Arizona page.
Mites (ear): Otodectes - are an ear mite that can infect both cats and dogs
but often is more common in cats or young puppies. These mites appear as thick
black crusty debris in the pets ears. Diagnosis is via microscopic identification
of the mite or eggs. Many treatments are available and very effective including
the application of Revolution to the skin and various ear drops.
Mites (mange/skin): Two
types of mites are Sarcoptes (scabes) and Demodex mange mites:
Both types of mites infect the skin of the pet and cannot be seen with the naked eye. They will cause varying degrees of alopecia (hair loss) and pruritus (itchy skin). Typically sarcoptes is thought of as the infectious mange mite spreading easily between dogs, causing severely itchy skin, and even biting humans. Demodex is typically described as the non-infectious mange mite. Pets with demodex are often young dogs with an immature immune system that has allowed a increased number of mites to develop and cause disease. Typically, just a few spots of alopecia are seen, but generalized (whole body) infections can occur and are often seen with very immunosuppressed pets. Diagnosis of both mites occurs by scraping the pets skin with a blade coated in mineral oil and applying it to a slide for microscopic viewing. Demodex is vary easy to diagnose in this way, but scabes can be very difficult to find on a skin scraping and suspected pets are often treated empirically. The topical product, Revolution, is affective at treating scabes, but Demodex is more difficult to treat. Pets with demodectic mange are typically treated with regular Amitraz dips over several weeks until negative skin scrapings occur. The prognosis for both types of mites is good with the possible exception of generalized demodex. Always remember that for most diseases there are a wide variety of possible treatments. My attempt here is to name some of the more common treatments and those which we use at our hospital, however many other medications may be equally effective and all treatments should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Internal Parasites:
Internal parasites are a large and varied group of organisms that live in various organ systems within the animal. Many, but not all, parasites are located in the intestinal tract but some can also be found in the lungs, urinary bladder, kidneys, heart and other organ systems.
Veterinarians will typically look for internal parasite infection by performing a fecal examination with a fecal float. This test mixes feces with a solution that allows eggs in the feces to float to the surface where they are collected by a coverslip and then identified under a microscope.
It is important to understand that even if you don’t see worms in your pet’s feces they may still be infected. The parasite may be located in areas other then the gastrointestinal tract or they may not be shedding (laying) eggs yet. Either of these situations would result in a false negative fecal float examination.
Because of the potential for a false negative fecal exam and the high incidence of infection in puppies and kittens, most veterinarians will routinely deworm all young pets. Additionally, some of these parasites may pose a health hazard to humans and children in particular which further necessitates a prophylactic deworming program. There are a small number of cases reported in the U.S. each year of children infected with roundworms (called visceral larval migrans) and hookworms (cutaneous larval migrans). Therefore, all puppies and kittens should be dewormed by a veterinarian. It is important that a veterinarian deworm the pet to ensure that the correct drug, dose, and frequency is given. One type of medication will NOT kill all types of worms. Your veterinarian will need to determine what your particular pet is infected with to determine the best treatment.
A few of the internal parasites
of dogs & cats include:
The majority of photos are of the microscopic ova used to diagnose infection.
1. Nematodes
a. Roundworms
Toxocara canis
Toxocara cati
Toxascaris leonine
Baylisarascaris procyonis (raccoons)
Roundworms are a common parasite of puppies and kittens and they can be transmitted to children from the environment (fecal-oral transfer). The roundworm eggs are passed in the pet’s feces and become infectious in the environment (yard). Once in the environment the ova or eggs live for extended periods of time and remain infectious. This organism is very difficult to eliminate from the yard. Therefore, it is recommended that all puppies and kittens complete a deworming program that will kill this parasite. Many medications are effective against this parasite.
Most infected animals show no sign of disease. However, some puppies will have a pot-belly from the mass of worms and intestinal blockage is also possible.
b. Hookworms
Anclystoma caninum
Uncinaria stenocephala
Hookworms are another common parasite of puppies and kittens. They live in the intestines and eggs are passed in the feces. Severe infections can cause anemia (low red blood cell count) in young animals. The medications effective against roundworms are also effective against hookworms.
c. Heartworms:
 |
Microfilaria - heartworm "baby" in a
blood smear as seen under the microscope. |
|---|
Dirofilaria immitis
A parasite that is transferred to the dog or cat by the bite of an infected mosquito. The immature stages of the parasite then travel the pet’s body for about 6 months finally reaching the heart where they infect the pulmonary artery (large blood vessel form heart to lungs) and right atrium of the heart. Heavy infections lead to heart failure. This parasite is most common in areas of the country with high mosquito populations but is thought to be spreading throughout the country. Several cases occur in Arizona each year.
Theses worms are large worms that can live several years in the heart. If a dog is infected the worms can be killed but the pet may still have problems due to the dead worms in the heart. It is extremely inexpensive and easy to prevent this parasite with a number of products that can be given once monthly. A couple of common products (among the many available) include Revolution applied topically to the skin between the shoulders once monthly and Heartgard chewable pills given once monthly.
The medications commonly given to puppies and kittens for roundworms and hookworms do not kill or prevent heart worms. However, both Heartgard and Revolution in addition to other preventatives do include a gastrointestinal dewormer to kill roundworms and hookworms and thus serve a dual function.
d. Whipworms
Trichuris vulpis
Whipworms are uncommon in our area of the country but occur with much higher frequency in warm wet areas such as the south. Whipworms can cause intermittent diarrhea in addition to other signs. Adults live in the cecum and eggs are passed in the feces.
e. Lung worms
Capillaria aerophilia
An infection that is uncommon in this area of the country. Adults live in the large airways and lay eggs that are coughed up and swallowed by the dog to pass in the feces. They may cause coughing and are diagnosed by a fecal exam or trans- tracheal wash.
f. Bladder worms
Capillaria plica
Adults live in the urinary bladder and eggs are passed in the urine. This worm is an uncommon parasite which may cause signs of urinary tract infection.
g. Stomach worms
Physaloptera
Another uncommon parasite that lives in the stomach and eggs are passed in the feces. Diagnosis is by endoscopy or fecal examination. Maybe a rare cause of vomiting.
2. Cestodes: Tapeworms
a. Dipylidium caninum
A tapeworm that lives in the small intestine and passes proglottids that are reproductive segments which contain eggs. Proglottids look like rice grains often stuck to the pet’s anus or found in bedding.
It is important to remember that the pet can only get this parasite by ingesting a flea (commonly) or dog louse (uncommon). Therefore, the pet must also be treated for fleas.
b. Taenia pisiformis
A tapeworm carried by rabbits but NOT passed in rabbit feces. The dog must actually eat the rabbit to ingest this parasite. The diagnostic stage is again the proglottid which looks identical grossly to Dipylidium.
The above is just a sampling of tapeworms, in reality there are many different types. But the important thing to remember is that the common puppy and kitten deworming medications do not kill tapeworms. If you find fleas or proglottids or know that your pet has eaten rabbits or rodents (mice) you should advise your veterinarian.
3. Trematodes: Flukes
Very uncommon in this area of the country but are seen in wet areas such as WA. Pets need to ingest the intermediate host of this parasite to become infected. Hosts include other creatures such as snails, crayfish, frogs, fish… Flukes can carry the organism responsible for Salmon Poising in the Pacific Northwest. These are not seen on standard fecal exams and often require special techniques to find them.
4. Protozoa
Many parasites are included in this group and some are common and other are very rare. Only a few of the more common protozoa are listed.
a. Coccidia
Very common in young puppies. Will cause diarrhea with or without blood and sometimes vomiting is also seen. Requires a fecal examination for diagnosis and is treated with a special antibiotic that also has a good spectrum for protozoa. Not all antibiotics kill this organism. You must contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and proper deworming. The typically deworming medications for young puppies will not eliminate this organism.
b. Giardia
A common organism found in dogs that have been playing in and drinking from ground water contaminated with feces. Fecal contamination of food can also be a source of infection. This parasite is infectious to humans and other animals. Pet’s and people with a weak immune system are particularly at risk. Diagnosis is by serology (in hospital test-kit available) or fecal examination. The infection can be treated by your veterinarian.
c. Toxoplasmosis
This is an infectious organism of cats that has been shown to cause spontaneous abortion in pregnant women. Cats become infected from eating infected rodents or raw meat. Not all cats are infected and not all infected cats will pass eggs in their feces. However, the general recommendation is that pregnant women should avoid handling the litter while pregnant. The best prevention of this is to keep your cats indoors to eliminate hunting and don’t provided raw meat. Diagnosis is by fecal exam or serology (blood testing).
In conclusion, remember that parasitic infections are treatable conditions and with proper veterinary care your new puppy or kitten will NOT pose a health risk to you or your children. Part of caring properly for your new puppy or kitten must involve a visit to the veterinarain for examination.
Senior Care:
Diet: l Senior dogs often require lower calories to prevent obesity resulting in stress and strain on older hips and knees. l *Many senior diets are fortified with
glucosamine to encourage better joint function Example: Patients with kidney disease require very low protein diets Periodontal Disease: l Dogs
that have not had dental care up to this point will often develop
severe oral disease
Organ Disease and/or Failure: Kidney, liver, heart, gastrointestinal, pulmonary disease all become more common in seniors. Problems can include infections, cancer, dysfunction and failure of particular organs.
ARTHRITIS: Arthritis is a common problem in seniors and is addressed further under common disease conditions below. Many people see their older pet slowing down, taking short steps with the back legs, having difficulty raising their hind end after resting, or moan and groan when laying down. Often this is incorrectly attributed to "normal" aging and treatment is not provided. It is important to realize that all of the above signs indicate that your dog is in pain and pain should not be considered a normal part of aging. Unfortunately, in many of our older large breed dogs arthritis often becomes a life ending disease. Many of these big dogs will be unable to get up or around due to the pain and owners often have to euthanize them. However, in other seniors, medical therapy with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory can be very rewarding, will improve quality of life, and allow for a longer life in those dogs that are now able to function normally. Owners will notice that their pet begins to act more like a young dog when their pain is treated with the appropriate medication. If your senior dog is very slow to get up in the morning or circles many times and appears painful upon laying down, than I encourage you to have your pet examined by your veterinarian. As always, ideally we wish to prevent disease altogether and the best way to do this is by preventing obesity, providing moderate exercise, and treating pain and inflammation as they occur or as needed. More below... |
|---|
Health Concerns: various life stages: Dogs
Dental Disease: Photos prior to and after cleaning.
Periodontal Disease: Dental disease is a common problem in our pets and involves gingivitis and tartar build-up. Gingivitis is seen as red/inflamed gums above the tooth line that will often bleed easily with little irritation. Tartar is seen as the hard, thick, yellow build-up on the tooth surface. Tartar will usually start at the top of the teeth and eventually progress downward to cover the entire tooth surface.
Other Problems: Periodontal disease can result in significant pain for the pet and unfortunately, if your pet does not see his/her veterinarian on a regular basis, will go unrecognized until the disease is very advanced. Also, all the thick yellow tartar is full of bacteria (disease causing organisms) that could potentially result in systemic disease. Many veterinarians are concerned that severe periodontal disease can result in infection of the heart valves and lead to heart disease. Older pets and pets with existing heart disease are routinely placed on antibiotics just prior to a dental cleaning to help protect them from the bacteria that may enter their blood stream. Most pets with periodontal disease will have halitosis (oral odor) that is caused by the bacteria in the oral cavity. Other problems with periodontal disease include abscessed teeth that may be seen as facial swelling, tooth loss and exposed tooth roots. Again, periodontal disease can be very uncomfortable for our pets and should be prevented or at least treated when recognized.
Cleaning: Once periodontal disease has developed the teeth cannot be adequately cleaned at home and the pet will require a complete dental cleaning under general anesthesia. Essentially, the pet will be placed under general anesthesia to allow easy access to all tooth surfaces and than a cleaning and examination procedure similar to what we would have done at our dentist will be completed. The teeth are cleaned of all tartar on the tooth surface and under the gum line and thoroughly polished. Next, all the teeth are examined and probed for potential dental disease and the gums are examined for disease such as tumors. If diseased teeth are suspected, x-rays are taken to confirm the disease and the owner is consulted on the appropriate course of action for their pet. The treatment can involve many different options including extraction, root canals, crowns and many more. If needed, the pet can be referred to a veterinary dentist for more specialized care. Prior to completion of the dental procedure fluoride is applied to all the teeth and the pet is allow to awaken.
Home Care: Home care now becomes more important and may vary depending upon your individual pet. Regular brushing of the teeth with a pet toothbrush and toothpaste are always the best option for keeping the teeth in their new polished condition. Many pets will not tolerate brushing immediately so many owners will start by gently applying the flavored tooth paste to their finger and lightly brushing over the gums on each side. Once the pet tolerates this, the owner can advance to using a brush and gradually increasing the brushing time. Of course, the best course of action is to start tooth brush training in youngsters, but any can pet can potentially be taught. If your pet declines to allow tooth brushing, there are other antibacterial products on the market that your vet may prescribe. The easiest products are a liquid or gel based antibacterial solution that can be flushed or applied onto the gums.
Diet: Diet can also be an important tool in avoiding periodontal disease. Typically, dry diets will cause less tartar build-up on teeth and canned, moist, semi-moist and human foods will result in significantly more tartar. Therapeutic diets are also available and the principle behind most of these diets is the formation of a large dry kibble that doesn't immediately shatter when chewed but rather acts as a brush to help clean the tooth’s surface. So, regular dry diets will only contact the tips of the teeth and the therapeutic diets are designed to actually contact the upper surfaces of the teeth. Science Diet t/d is a commonly used dental diet this is well tolerated by most pets, but there are many other diets available based on the same principle. Please consult with your veterinarian prior to any diet change and she/he will help you with the appropriate selection for your pet. Also, all diet changes should be made slowly to avoid gastrointestinal disease.
Lick Granulomas Defined: Obsessive licking of areas on the feet around the joints of the carpus/tarsus (wrist/ankle). The licking often causes hair loss with skin irritation and ulceration. Commonly the pet will have thickened skin and a lump at the site of licking. Lick granulomas can be extremely difficult to treat and are usually an accumulation of many causes, some of which include:
Because there are multiple possible causes, there are also multiple ways to treat this condition. No one treatment is curative or correct for every dog. Response usually involves using the correct selection of treatments for the specific individual. Some treatments currently used include:
Joint Disease - Osteoarthritis Many large dogs will develop various degrees of arthritis in their joint as they age. Commonly this is seen as stiffness or pain upon first rising and then gradually working out of the stiffness with movement. Dogs will frequently have difficulty getting from a sitting to standing position with hip pain and may circle frequently very slowly go down with elbow pain. Muscle atrophy or a lack of muscles will often be noted in these pets. Large breeds and obese dogs are predisposed to developing arthritis. If your dog seems to be getting weak or painful a complete veterinary examination should be done to rule out other causes such as cancer, Valley Fever, Tick Fever, and various other diseases. Often radiographs (x-rays) are needed for an accurate diagnosis and to assess the degree of joint disease. Treatment of arthritis involves weight loss, continuation with normal level of activity, and medications. Many veterinarians will prescribe a nutritional supplement which contains glucosamine and condroitin sulfate. These are the building block of cartilage and the theory is that they will help to restore the cartilage (unproven) and are anti-inflammatory. These do often seem to help to pets and are very safe for long term use. A drug based on a similar principle is available but is actually labeled as a drug (research supports efficacy) and is given by injection only. Frequently non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) are needed to control the pain. Common examples are Rimadyl and Metacam. Currently we are fortunate that there are a large number of these medications available for our pets but it is important to remember that all medications should be given only under a doctors supervision. Use of NSAID's can cause liver disease in some patients and can also cause gastrointestinal tract ulceration. Pets on these medications should have their liver enzymes monitored on a regular basis and should be monitored for vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite. It is important to remember that all medications can potentially cause problems in some individuals and if your pet is in constant pain the small risk is often well justified by improved quality of life.
Dry Eye (KCS - keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
The condition keratoconjunctivitis sicca is commonly called dry eye because the disease is actually a dysfunction of the glands of the eye that produce tears, causing a dry eye. Tears are responsible for keeping the cornea healthy and without tears the cornea becomes diseased. The condition is most common in dogs with large round eyes such as Shih-Tzus but can occur in other breeds as well. Signs include very red inflamed eyes with a thick ropey type of mucus on the surface of the eye. The pets are often very uncomfortable and will frequently rub their face on the carpet. The corneas will often ulcerate and the pet will squint from the pain. A simple test called a schimer tear test can be done quickly in the office and will provide immediate diagnosis allowing for quick treatment. The test involves placing a small paper strip (that has a numbered scale on it and blue dye at the bottom) under the lower eyelids. If adequate tears are present the dye will wick up the paper and the number is recorded. If KCS is present there will not be enough tears to wick the dye up to the proper level and KCS is diagnosed. Once diagnoses pets are treated for with a medication called optimmune (various strengths) the ointment is applied into the eye daily for the life of the pet. With most pets this treatment alone is enough to control the disease as long as the owner understands that it is a lifelong treatment and continues the administration of the medication.
Anal Glands Anal glands are glands that are located on either side of the rectum and produce a liquid secretion used for scent marking when stool is passed. The secretions drain by a very small duct that if inflamed will easily become blocked causing the secretions to continue to build up and the glands to overfill and become uncomfortable to the pet (both dogs and cats but more common in dogs). Typical signs of blocked anal glands are frequent licking of the rectum and scooting or dragging the bottom on a rough surface. If these signs are seen the pet should be taken to a veterinarian for expression and flushing. Occasionally a gland will become overfilled and infected and will abscess or rupture through the skin. At this point the pet will have a visible wound on the rectum and they are often very painful. If presented to a veterinarian the condition is easily treated but unfortunately many pets are subject to repeated blocking of these ducts. Increasing the fiber in the diet often helps to naturally express these glands.
|
|---|
Basics:
Kittens: less then 1 year old
Common Problems: 1) Viruses
2) Parasites - internal (worms) and external (mites)
Common Signs of Illness: "head
Cold" and/or diarrhea
Diarrhea: from parasites,
viral infection or dietary changes Typical
Deworming Additional Suggestions: Spay & Neuter:
Adults:
Adult cats comprise the largest category and can have the most diverse illnesses based on their history, diet and environment. Typical signs of problems include: vomiting, trauma, skin abscesses, decreased appetite, straining to urinate, urine marking in the house, hiding or lethargy and many other potential signs can occur. Adult cats are usually more resistant to viruses (due to previous vaccines) and parasites, but we'll see problems such as dental disease, urinary tract infections, organ disease, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, behavioral issues, foreign bodies, ear and eye infections and much more. It is impossible to list all potential problems, so the safest course of action is to have your cat examined yearly by your veterinarian and certainly examined at the first sign of illness.
Seniors:
The age at which cats are considered seniors will vary from one doctor to another, but a good rule of thumb is to consider all cats at 10 years and older to be seniors. For senior pets it is always advisable to monitor their water intake and urine output. If you are suddenly seeing your kitty at the water bowl all the time, this may indicate a problem. Likewise, if your kitty has gone from making little puddles in the clumping litter to large lakes than the urine output is likely too high. Increased drinking and urination (pd/pu) is very common in cats with kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes. All of these diseases will often look very similar and therefore it is important that your veterinarian examine your cat and run blood work and urinalysis to check the organ status and the abilities of the kidneys to concentrate urine (retain fluid). Four common diseases associated with aging in cats are:
Seniors should be examined by a veterinarian every 6-12 months and should
have lab screening Dental disease can also be a problem in older cats and many will require yearly dental cleaning. All types of dental disease occur in cats, but a common one at any age is called cervical line lesions. These are little craters formed in the teeth, often at the gum line, that result in inflammation and pain. Teeth with CLLs should be extracted. We'll often also see tooth loss and abscess formation with pronounced dental disease. And finally, some cats develop a condition of severe inflammation (Gingivitis/Stomatitis) involving their gums and oral cavity and these pets must be medicated and treated aggressively to control their discomfort.
Selected Conditions: Hepatic Lipidosis
Urinary Problems
The photo on the left depicts a male cat that was unable to urinate due the packed field of urinary crystals seen in the photo on the right. The red fluid is urine draining from his bladder after the obstruction was relieved. A few different types of urinary crystals can occur in cat urine and can be due to a variety of causes. Two common types of crystals are struvites which are often induced by a bacterial infection and oxalates which are thought to have a dietary component. Crystals are actually microscopic precipitation of minerals in the cat's urine. I often describe these as almost microscopic pieces of glass that the cat must urinate out. It is a very painful condition and the crystals can cause complete blockage in the male cat due to his longer and more narrow urethra. Early on, these cats will often urine mark in the house as they associate the pain of urination with their litter box and therefore attempt to urinate somewhere non-painful. Owners may also notice their cat frequently visiting the litter box and not producing urine or straining. As the cat becomes completely unable to urinate he/she will become ill and lethargic, vomiting and loss of appetite are seen. Treatment involves relieving the obstruction with an indwelling urinary catheter and flushing fluids through the cat. The urine will be collected and examined for bacteria and crystals and x-rays will often be taken to check for urinary stones. Antibiotics and a diet change are typically required.
Diagnostic Testing: Diagnostic testing for animals will vary greatly depending on the age, species, sex and medical condition of the pet. Veterinary medicine has evolved to the point that we are able to provide exceptional quality medical, surgical and diagnostic procedures which allow us to provide the most up to date standard of medical care for your pet. Unfortunately, financial concerns often arise when discussing diagnostic testing and this is most common during an emergency when you are least able to prepare for the additional expense. Because of this, I strongly recommend purchasing pet health insurance. At the very least, insurance will provide you with additional assistance during an emergency, and at the most, it will allow you to provide your pet with life saving care. I've provided a few links for pet insurance below and I strongly recommend that all pet owners research the insurance plans available. It is not possible to cover all types of diagnostic tests available to our pets, but I do intend to include information on the most common diagnostic procedures available and will add additional information over time.
BLOOD TESTING: The basics:
URINE TESTING:
FECAL TESTING: Fecal examinations are commonly done on puppies, kittens and pets with diarrhea.
RADIOGRAPHS: commonly
called x-rays
Allow the veterinarian to see a grey scale image of your pet's chest, abdomen, and skeletal structures. The size and shape of heart and organs can often be determined and a large amount of useful information can be obtained from radiographs. However, they are not perfect and don't allow the clinician to "see" everything. Only structures that are large enough to be seen with the naked eye are seem on x-rays. Many times we will get very poor detail in thin pets or pets with fluid in their abdomen. Also, only the more dense foreign bodies will be seen and items such as cloth will not be seen at all.
ULTRASONOGRAPHY: The same as a pregnancy ultrasound but also used for viewing structures in the abdomen and the thorax (chest). An ultrasound of the heart is called an echocardiogram and is an excellent tool for diagnosing the type and severity of heart disease. Abdominal ultrasounds can be used for those pets that have poor abdominal detail on radiographs or for a guided biopsy of organs or a mass.
ENDOSCOPY: A long flexible or rigid tube made of mirrors that allow the veterinarian to actually view the interior of the patient. The endoscope can be inserted into just about an area of the body and small biopsy samples can be taken or foreign bodies (i.e. fish hooks) collected.
ECG or EKG:
BLOOD PRESSURE:
Can be difficult to accurately determine in pets due to the various shapes and sizes of our pets. Blood pressure cuffs come in different sizes and it is important to select the correct size for the patient.
We also like to place the pet in a darkened room on a comfy bed and have the owners talk to the pet while we are measuring the blood pressure. All these procedures help to calm the pet and result in more accurate readings. Regular blood pressure measurements can be useful for cats with kidney disease and hyperthyroidism.
Many people are concerned about anesthesia and allow this concern to prevent their pet from getting needed treatments and diagnostics. While there is always some risk with any general anesthetic procedure, there are many things both you and your veterinarian can do to dramatically lessen the risk.
What you can do: You are your pet’s advocate and are directly responsible for making decisions to provide your pet with a safer anesthetic procedure. Some of these decisions include:
What Your Veterinarian Can Do: Your veterinarian is ultimately responsible for the safety of your pet under anesthesia and will be able to ensure the safety in many ways.
|
|---|
Animals can show similar signs of illness with many
different diseases, but there are some signs of disease that are commonly
seen especially in older cats or cats with specific diseases. As always,
it is important to have your individual cat examined by your doctor and
to follow his/her recommendations. The following discussion
is intended to help you identify a few of the problems you may
see in your cat and to discuss possible causes. Disease occurrence is
often very specific to the patient’s age
with seniors, adults and kittens all having their own unique set of problems.
So, I've split the discussion into age related diseases for kittens,
adults and seniors. 
