Pet Health
Building a relationship with your veterinarian
Your veterinarian is the best source for advice on the overall health of your pets. He or she can perform a complete physical on your dog or cat and inform you of any health problems. The first time you take your pet to the vet, some of the most common diagnostic tests he or she will perform are fecal exams to detect internal parasites and blood tests for more serious diseases. During the physical, your vet will feel the animal's abdomen, listen to the chest for heart and breathing sounds, check the condition of the coat, look in the ears for ear mites and infection, examine the eyes to make sure they are clear and free of disease and inspect the mouth for signs of tartar build-up and gum disease.
Healthy indicators
To help you answer any of your vet's questions, you should know what's normal.
- Eyes - Your animals eyes should be bright and clear. Any discharge collecting in the corners should be cleaned using cotton balls soaked in warm water. Also, look for lumps or masses on the eyelids.
- Ears - Your pet's ears should look clean and be free of discharge and odor. Routine cleaning of the ears, when necessary, may be accomplished by cautiously using cotton balls moistened in water. Do not use Q-tips.
- Nose - Your pet's nose should be clean and moist without discharge or sores.
- Mouth - Examine his mouth periodically. Check the lips for sores or growth. The gums should be pink and healthy. Have his teeth examined and cleaned by a vet every 6 to 12 months. As in humans, plaque can lead to gum disease and tooth loss.
- Body/Coat - Feel his body for tumors, lumps and ticks by running your hands gently but firmly over his coat. Ruffling the hand against the hair will expose fleas, dandruff and dirt. If his coat is matted, remove the mats with a small, wide-toothed comb.
- Legs/Feet - Inspect your pet's legs for swollen joints by running your hands down the legs. Check the hair and objects between toes and check toenail condition.
- Anus - Examine your pet's anus for possible infection (swelling) and intestinal parasites. Tapeworm segments look somewhat like flattened grains of rice. Both conditions need a veterinarian's care.
Immunizations
Puppies and kittens should be immunized at an early age. Your vet will start him on a vaccination schedule and will advise you when boosters are necessary. A complete vaccination program is the best way to prevent or reduce the liklihood of your pet catching a disease. Here is a list of diseases for dogs and cats to be vaccinated from:
- Distemper A highly infectious disease, it often starts as a respiratory infection and then progresses with secondary complications, the worst being encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain. This virus is carried by foxes, wolves, raccoons, mink and other dogs.
- Parvo A serious threat to a dog's life, parvo symptoms include vomiting, high temperature and diarrhea. Even with hospital care, the mortality rate is high. This viral disease attacks the intestinal tract causing the vomiting and diarrhea.
- Hepatitis (Adenovirus) Canine hepatitis is almost always fatal because it acts so quickly. Suddenly a dog will be in pain, and in just a few hours, will die. Infection occurs when your pet comes in contact with an infected animal or its feces or urine. It is characterized by high fever and lack of appetite.
- Rabies This disease has been reappearing in suburban communities and is most often transmitted by raccoons, skunks, foxes, bats, dogs, and cats. It's caused by a virus that is found in saliva of infected animals, and is transmitted through bite wounds. All pets should be vaccinated for this since it can be transmitted to humans. Rabies vaccinations are required by law in most states.
- Bordetella/Tracheobronchitis (Kennel Cough) A respiratory infection that doesn't cause death but spreads reapidly. Bordetella is caused by several different organisms.
- Leptospirosis This disease is caused by spirochetes and can sometimes be transmitted to humans who come in contact with the urine of an infected dog. Leptospirosis attacks the liver and kidneys.
- Lyme Disease Rates of infection for this disease have increased in recent years. It's transmitted when an infected tick bites your pet. Symptoms mirror many other illnesses and include fever, intermittent lameness, heart disease, kidney and nerve disorders.
- Feline panleukopenia(feline distemper) This is among the most widespread of all cat diseases, and is extremely contagious. Characterized by fever, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, feline panleukopenia causes high death loss, particularly among kittens.
- Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) This is a highly contagious respiratory disease characterized by sneezing, loss of appetite, fever, and eye inflammation. As the disease progreses, a discharge is noticeable from both nose and eyes.
- Feline calicivirus (FCV) Another serious feline respiratory infection, it often occurs simultaneously with feline viral rhinotracheitis. Signs of infection are similar to FVR (fever, loss of appetite, nasal discharge), but calicivirus-infected cats may also have ulcers on the tongue.
- Feline pneumonitis Feline pneumonitis is caused by the organism Chlamydia psittaci. Signs of pneumonitis are similar to those of FVR and FCV (sneezing, loss of appetite, nasal discharge and inflammed eyes.)
- Feline leukemia A viral disease which can take several forms. Some cats have transcient infections with few ill effects. Others have persistent infections varying in severity, some of which may be fatal over time. Extensive scientific research has shown no relationship between feline leukemia and human leukemia. This is also extremely contagious between cats so all cats in the household should be vaccinated from it.
Common Ailments
See your vet immediately if your pet shows signs of illness.
- Diarrhea This can be caused by many factors including bacteria, viruses, internal parasites, toxic substances, food or psychological upsets. If the feces are bloody or the diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours, call your vet.
- Constipation Constipation can also be caused by many factors, including ingesting substances such as hair, bones or foreign material, insufficient water intake and disease. A high fiber pet food is a good treatment for this.
- Vomiting It's not unusual for a pet to vomit occasionally, but frequent or persistent vomitting is not normal. If the vomiting occurs several times within several hours, large volumes are expelled, vomit contains blood, or it's accompanied by diarrhea or abdominal pains, your vet should be contacted immediately.
- Fleas and ticks Flea bites cause discomfort and irritation, and they are responsible for a serious skin condition known as flea allergy dermatitis. Also, fleas often carry tapeworm. You can help control these parasites to make your pet's life easier. A good program should be effective against the parasite, yet not harmful to your pet or you. Your veterinarian has effective prescription flea and tick control products available. Be sure to ask for his or her recommendations. Always read the label directions for any flea and tick product you use. Make sure not to exceed the recommended levels or overexpose the pet by applying the products in any combination not approved by the manufacturer. Here are two sites worth checking out:Bayer Advantage - NoFleas.com
Program® [Lufenuron] - Flea Control for pets made simple
- Ear Mites Nearly microscopic, these parasites live in the ear canals of dogs and cause a waxy, black substance to form. The main sign is furious scratching of the ears and shaking of the head. Your veterinarian can give your pet the appropriate medicine to eliminate the mites.
- Ringworm This is not a worm but rather a fungal infection of the skin that affects puppies more often than adult dogs. The classic sign appears as a scab or irregularly shaped area of skin infection, and may include a rapidly enlarging circle of hair loss. Ringworm can also be transmitted to humans.
- Heartworm These large spaghetti-like worms live in the heart and larger blood vessels of dogs, usually adults but it has been diagnosed in puppies as young as six months old. Your vet can diagnose heartworms by examining a blood sample. Treatment is risky because the medicines are toxic and the dying worms may obstruct a major artery to the lungs. Prevention using a monthly medication is preferred. Your vet will provide medicine to be given routinely to your puppy and recommend a testing schedule (usually once a year in mosquito-prone areas.)
Here's a website with more information on one of the prevention medicines available: INTERCEPTOR®
- Intestinal Roundworms, Hookworms, Tapeworms Puppies are frequently born with roundworms or hookworms, or receive them in their mother's milk. The most common tapeworms are spread by fleas. Your puppy or kitten's stool sample should be examined by a vet at least every six months. Your vet can diagnose intestinal parasites and administer appropriate medication. Feces should be disposed of and not left littering the yard to help prevent the spread of the larvae.
Neutering
Many new puppy owners don't think about neutering when their puppy is young. Unfortunately, an intact young female dog can frequently present her owner with a surprise litter of puppies when they least expect it. Neutering your male dog helps prvent the neighbors from becoming "in-laws" and cuts down on marking, wandering and other objectionable behavior. There are far more dogs born in this country every year than there are homes to take them in. Sadly, over 80% of unwanted dogs in shelters and pounds are destroyed because homes cannot be found for them. Only responsible pet owners can help prevent pet overpopulation by neutering their pets.
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