Parasites:
Estrus (Heat) Cycles:
Whelping--Puppies and Kittens:
A Few Diseases:
Zoonoses: Diseases You Can Catch From Your Animals:
Other:
Heartworm
Life Cycle
A mosquito bites a dog and injects microscopic heartworm larva (called microfilaria) into the dog.
Microfilaria mature and travel to the heart where the adult heartworms live.
Adult heartworms have babies (microfilaria) which travel in the bloodstream.
A mosquito bites the infected dog and picks up more microfilaria to spread around.
Entire cycle takes up to 6-8 months. We test for antibodies to adult worms so our test cannot pick up infections until 6-8 months after initial mosquito bite.
Testing
Puppies younger than 8 months do NOT need to be tested prior to starting preventative (because of the 6-8 months needed to detect infection).
All adult dogs not on preventative should be tested prior to starting on preventative. We will not dispense preventative without a test done here or a record of a test from another clinic. Giving preventative to a heavily infected dog can be fatal.
Heartworm Preventative
We carry Heartgard and Revolution once-a month preventative, as well as ProHeart injectable, which protects for 6 months. Other once-a-month and daily preventatives are available. Collies and Shelties may be sensitive to Heartgard and should be given one of the other preventatives. We will give prescriptions for these other products (or for Heartgard if owners prefer to purchase this elsewhere), but only with a negative test.
We recommend keeping dogs on preventative year-round. If not, we recommend keeping them on from thaw in the spring to hard frost in the fall (mosquito season). Animals that travel or live or hike near water are at a higher risk.
Disease
Dogs with heartworms die either from 1) heart failure (this is a chronic problem that usually starts with a cough and/or exercise intolerance) or 2) from having heartworms block a blood vessel (this is sudden and usually fatal).
Heartworm disease is treated by a series of injections. Treatment is expensive, uncomfortable for the dog, and potentially dangerous.
Intestinal Worms
1) Roundworms
These are primarily found in puppies who get them from their mother. We will check for eggs in feces. The worms are rarely seen. If you do see them, they are long "spaghetti-like" worms in vomit or feces.
2) Hookworms
These worms are very uncommon in Santa Fe. We usually find them in dogs from other parts of the country. Eggs are found in feces. These worms will attach to intestines and suck blood.
3) Whipworms
These worms are also very uncommon in Santa Fe. The eggs are found in feces. These worms live in the cecum.
Treatment
We use Strongid (pyrantel pamoate) at 1 milliliter per 6 pounds to treat for Rounds, Hooks, and Whips. Treatment must be repeated in 2 weeks. We require a fecal sample in order to treat for these worms.
4) Tapeworms
Often, tapeworm eggs are not seen on fecal exams. Segments are expelled in feces, dry up and release eggs. There are 2 types of tapeworms in dogs and cats.
Your dog may "scoot" (also seen with anal gland problems) or you may see rice-like segments in feces or around anus.
Dogs and cats get tapes from ingesting fleas either on themselves or from rabbits, squirrels, or other rodents. As long as there are fleas, your animal will get reinfected with tapes.
We treat with Cestex (espirantel). This is a one-time treatment until the animal is reinfected.
Intestinal Protozoa
1) Giardia
This one celled organism can be found in water: rivers, lakes, even puddles and ponds. Clinical signs include diarrhea and flatulence. We treat with Metronidazole (Flagyl), a medication humans take also. We will also treat diarrhea of unknown cause with Metronidazole.
2) Coccidia
These organisms are fairly common here in Santa Fe. We look for eggs on fecal flotation. Many dogs may have coccidia with no problem. Others may have mucous diarrhea, possibly with blood in it. We treat with Sulfadimethoxine (Albon, Bactrovet). This is a safe antibiotic for young animals, and we will sometimes use it for respiratory problems or intestinal infections as well.
3) Toxoplasma Gondii
Cats shed toxoplasma oocysts in their feces 3-10 days after eating raw meat or prey carrying the infective stages of the organism. They will shed the oocysts during their first exposure for up to 14 days. It is unlikely they will ever shed them again. Cats infected with toxoplasma usually do not show any clinical signs. If they do, signs include lethargy, depression, not eating, fever, an inflammation of the eye, or disease of the nervous system. We can treat with an antibiotic. Treatment often must continue for the cat lifetime.
This is an organism which can infect people. This is called zoonosis. Humans are frequently exposed to toxoplasma and do not even know it. They are threatened only when a pregnant woman, during her first trimester, becomes infected with the organism. An infection at this stage can cause congenital malformations or mental retardation of the fetus. Pregnant women do NOT have to give up their cats. If you are pregnant, do not clean your cat litter box. Have another family member clean the litter box daily. Remember, your cat will only shed oocysts for 2 weeks out of its entire life. Handling raw meat or gardening without gloves may actually put you at a higher risk of exposure than having a cat. Here are some other ways to avoid exposure to toxoplasma:
Wear rubber gloves and wash hands thoroughly after outdoor gardening. The organism can live for a long time in dirt and sand.
Cover up children sandboxes when not in use to prevent cats from using them as litter boxes.
A family member who is not pregnant should empty litter boxes daily so that oocysts will not have the opportunity to become infectious.
Eat only thoroughly cooked meat, and wash hands vigorously if you handle raw meat.
Drink only pasteurized dairy products.
Test yourself for antibodies to toxoplasma gondii. If you are already positive, there is little to worry about.
Wash your hands after coming in contact with any cat.
Dr. Elaine Wexler-Mitchell, DVM, published these suggestions in "Cat Fancy," May 1999, page 43.
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General
EVERY animal is different. The information here is based on averages. Individual variation can be enormous.
Dogs
There are 4 phases to a bitch cycle:
ANESTRUS This is the period of time when an animal is not in heat, the quiet phase.
PROESTRUS This is the phase when the bitch has a bloody vaginal discharge, is attracting males, but will not allow males to breed her and will not become pregnant if they do.
ESTRUS This is the period of time when a female can (and given half a chance, most likely will) be bred.
METESTRUS This animal is no longer in heat.
Stage of heat may be determined by behavior (least reliable), vaginal swabs, or hormonal levels (most reliablerequires frequent blood tests). Many bitches will exhibit mood, appetite, and behavioral changes during proestrus and estrus.
A bitch first heat comes at approximately 7-8 months of age, then approximately every 6-7 months thereafter. Spaying before a bitch first heat greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer (the most common cancer in female dogs). In general, spaying (ovariohysterectomy) prevents heat cycles, puppies, uterine infections, and several types of cancer. Proestrus lasts approximately 7-10 days. Estrus begins when the vaginal discharge becomes less bloody and thicker. Estrus lasts an average of 7-10 days, and this is the period during which a bitch can become pregnant. Note: bitches have bred through chain link fences, they have broken windows in order to breed, and male dachshunds have been known to breed retrievers!
If a bitch is bred, your options are:
Let the bitch have puppies
Have her spayed while pregnant, the sooner the better.
Have a series of prostaglandin injections to stimulate abortion; two injections a day for 4 days.
Cats
A queen first heat is usually at 5-6 months of age. From then on, especially during spring and summer, queens can come into heat every 2-3 weeks until they are bred. You may have the impression they are in heat all the time; this is nearly correct. When queens are in heat they will cry excessively, act excessively affectionate, and often fight to get out.
Both dogs and cats can come back into heat several weeks after having a litter.
Pregnancy
Gestation is 63 days (57-69 days post-breeding) for both queens and bitches. There are 3 ways to determine if an animal is pregnant.
Palpate for babies at 20-25 days of pregnancy
Ultrasound at 39 days or later
Take an x-ray at 42 days or later
Feeding should be as usual until 2 weeks before whelping, at which time food intake can be increased. DO NOT give calcium supplements yet.
Approximately 24-48 hours before whelping, mothers temperature will drop 2 degrees and she will stop eating and begin pacing, whining, etc.
Birth
With normal birth, baby will be delivered in sack followed by afterbirth. Mom will remove sack, bite umbilical cord, often eat afterbirth, clean baby, let it nurse. Babies can be delivered within seconds of each other, or several hours apart. Mom may rest between deliveries. The whole process can take 2-24 hours. The best thing for the owner to do is nothing, especially with cats. Cats very rarely have problems.
Problems: Mom should open sack within a few minutes. If not, get the baby out of the sack and give it to the mom. Dry pup or kitten, clear mouth of fluid, put on teat if necessary. Bitches often need help with the very first pup. The least intervention possible, the better.
CALL VETERINARIAN IF:
your bitch has been pregnant more than 68 days
mom is actively straining, not just anxious, for over 3 hours
mom has dark greenish-black discharge and does not produce baby within 20 minutes
baby is stuck partway out
Neonatal Period
MOM: Begin increasing food 1 ½ to 3 times normal. Add calcium supplement (goat milk, cottage cheese, yogurt). Encourage eating. Some red-brown to clear discharge is normal for up to a few weeks. Smelly, thick, or greenish discharge may signal a problem. Many moms are very protectivekeep other pets away, approach cautiously.
BABIES: Should nurse within 24 hours. Owner can encourage nursing by putting baby on nipple. It is VERY important to keep babies warm, close to mom (major cause of death is chilling). Pups cannot regulate temperature during their first week of life. Eyes open at 10-16 days, ears open at 15-17 days, they will usually begin walking at 18 days. Begin feeding babies at 3 weekssoft gruel of high quality puppy food with water, gradually decrease amount of water. Pups can be totally weaned at 6-8 weeks.
ORPHANS: Need to be kept warm. Feed commercial milk replacer or recipe, 6 times in 24 hours, at a rate of 2 tablespoons per 4 oz. of body weight.
RECIPES: Pups: 1 cup milk, 1 teaspoon salad oil, 1 drop baby vitamins, 2 egg yolks. Kittens: ½ cup milk, 1 egg yolk, 1 drop baby vitamins, 3 Tums. We prefer using goat milk or evaporated milk for these recipes.
FLUTD
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a common problem which affects cats. Its exact cause is still unknown. Diet, inadequate water intake, bacteria, viruses, and stress may all be involved.
Four of the most common disorders that can be associated with FLUTD are:
1) Cystitis: inflammation of the lining of the wall of the urinary bladder.
2) Infections: the inflamed tissue of the bladder can harbor bacteria
3) Urolithiasis/Urethral Blockage: crystallization of minerals (struvite or calcium oxalate) can form plugs which can block the urinary outflow tract. This blockage is life threatening if left untreated
4) Uremia: an accumulation of wastes in the bloodstream which can cause your cat to become very ill.
Treatment:
Antibiotics and Glucosamine can help treat infections and cystitis.
If you suspect your cat (males are especially susceptible) might be unable to urinate, see your veterinarian immediately.
Uremia can result from urinary blockage or from inadequate kidney function. Regular blood work can help your veterinarian catch this condition early.
Things you can do now:
Fluids: be sure to provide plenty of fresh water for your cat at all times.
Diet: your veterinarian will suggest the right diet for your cat.
Obesity and Exercise: do not allow your cat to become overweight, and make sure that she/he gets plenty of exercise.
Litter Box: clean the litter box often, and watch for abnormal wastes.
Observe your cats: if you notice your cat is visiting the litter box several times an hour, or if you see him/her straining to urinate or defecate, see your veterinarian immediately.
Kennel Cough
What Is It?
The scientific name of kennel cough is tracheobronchitis, which means inflammation of the trachea and bronchi (the major airways).
Kennel cough is actually caused by a complex of viruses, including parainfluenza (included in the DHLPP vaccine) and bordatella (a separate vaccine).
This disease is very contagious, but most healthy dogs will recover on their own without treatment (like recovering from a bad cold or flu).
We like to treat dogs that are very young, very old, have underlying respiratory problems, are acting sick, or where the cough is getting progressively worse.
There is no actual treatment for kennel cough itself, just supportive care. If the cough is very persistent, cough suppressants can be given to stop the cough and therefore stop the irritation caused by the cough, which can lead to a worsening of the cough.
In cases where dogs seem sick or have underlying complications (young, old, stressed, etc.), antibiotics may be given to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
Animals should be kept quiet and stress-free while recovering.
Prevention
The intranasal vaccine we have will help prevent, or at least decrease the severity of, kennel cough in dogs that are exposed.
The vaccine is not 100% effective and is probably only effective for an average of 6 months, so we do not recommend it as part of the yearly vaccination schedule.
We do recommend vaccinating dogs that (1) are going to a kennel (required by most kennels), (2) are going to be exposed to a lot of dogs such as at a dog show, (3) have been exposed, or (4) have chronic respiratory problems.
Although usually not serious, kennel cough can be very severe. We have seen cases of kennel cough turn into pneumonia, and a few cases have been fatal. Every case should be evaluated individually, and severe cases should be seen and treated.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine disorder that occurs in dogs and cats. It is characterized by high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and results when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to meet the animal requirements. Insulin is a hormone which is needed to transport glucose (blood sugar) as well as certain amino acids and minerals through the blood to energy-producing cells. When a lack of insulin occurs, glucose cannot move into the cells and the glucose level in the blood rises to abnormally high levels.
Signs
An animal with diabetes will exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:
increased thirst, frequent urination, rapid weight loss, depression, weakness in the rear legs, changes in eating habits, and in some, blindness.
Causes
Diabetes mellitus is caused by damage to the pancreas. Some factors which can predispose an animal include: obesity, poor diet, hormonal abnormalities, stress, and certain medications.
Treatment requires a commitment of time and management from you, the owner.
There is no cure for diabetes mellitus, but, as with humans, it can be controlled with insulin injections, diet, and exercise. Your pet can lead a happy, comfortable life with proper care. It is important to be patient in the beginning, for it may take 4-10 months for your veterinarian to regulate your pet glucose levels. This will require many blood tests, sometimes hospitalization of your pet, and incremental dosing adjustments.
Diet is extremely important. Your veterinarian will recommend a high fiber, high carbohydrate food. Your pet should be fed more than once a day. Do not give insulin if your pet is not eating. Contact your veterinarian.
If your animal acts weak, uncoordinated or has a seizure, give 1-2 teaspoons of Karo Syrup orally and call your veterinarian immediately.
Arthritis
One of the more common and frustrating problems we see in practice is arthritis in dogs. As in humans, arthritis can strike the young or the old, it can be mild or totally debilitating, and there is no one definitive treatment. Thankfully, many new treatments for arthritis in the dog have been recently developed.
There are 3 approaches to treating arthritis:
Eliminate or lessen the pain
Control the damage occurring in the joint
Repair the joint
1) Eliminate or lessen the pain:
Corticosteroids: an extremely potent anti-inflammatory. Long-term use of corticosteroids can have serious side effects, so we usually recommend intermittent or short-term use.
Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs: such as aspirin or Rimadyl (for dogs). Not all dogs can take these medications, and sometimes they do not provide sufficient pain relief.
Natural Supplements: such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and other anti-inflammatories.
Acupuncture or Acupressure: a course of treatment can involve a significant time commitment. Results can be excellent with no side effects.
Salvage Surgery: Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) may be chosen when other options are not effective or possible. The surgeon removes the head of the femur, and thereby eliminates the pain. Dogs will form a "muscular" joint and most will walk, run, and jump with little or no pain after they have recovered from the surgery.
2) Control the damage occurring in the joint:
Adequan Injections: these injections contain polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, compounds found in normal joints. They are believed to help restore the lubrication that keeps the joint functioning. Glucosamine and chondroitin are believed to help control the damage occurring in the joint as well.
Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (Surgery): this surgery is only useful in young dogs who have not yet developed extensive joint damage. Consult with your veterinarian.
3) Repair the Joint
Total Hip Replacement (Surgery): this may be the best option, but is not for every dog or every owner. A total hip replacement is the one treatment that replaces the damaged joint with a functional, artificial joint. The results of this surgery are usually excellent. The surgery is expensive and can only be performed at select facilities in the country.
This is only a partial list of treatments. There is no one correct treatment. Every veterinarian has options or combinations of treatments that she has found successful for specific cases, and each dog and owner is different. Work with your veterinarian, and find out what works best for you and your dog.
Liver Disease
The liver is the largest gland in the body and serves many complex functions. Because of its key role in many metabolic processes, the liver is subject to damage by a wide variety of diseases.
Causes:
Viral and bacterial infections
Poisonous substances eaten by the pet
Altered blood flow to the liver as a result of heart disease or a congenital abnormality
Some breeds such as Bedlingtons and West Highland White Terriers do not excrete copper as they should
In cats, simply not eating for 5 days or more may result in Hepatic Lipidosis.
This is a life threatening disease in cats. See your veterinarian about any cat who will not eat.
Diagnosis:
Abdominal palpation or x-rays can give an indication of liver enlargement.
Examination of the tongue and gums may expose the yellow discoloration associated with jaundice. Blood work, and sometimes a liver biopsy will be necessary to help with diagnosis. Your careful observation of your pet behavior will help your veterinarian immensely.
Treatments vary widely depending on the cause of your pet liver problems.
Consult with your veterinarian about medications, dietary management, or hospitalization.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas releases digestive enzymes for food digestion. When the pancreas is not functioning properly, your animal may vomit, quit eating, drink more water than usual, pant or elevate its hind end (this can indicate pain in its abdomen).
The most important therapeutic measure is to withhold all food, water and medications taken by mouth in order to reduce the need for the pancreas to work. This will require your pet to be hospitalized in order to give fluids intravenously. Solid food will be reintroduced very gradually according to your veterinarian recommendations.
Indiscriminate feeding practices may help contribute to the occurrence or recurrence of pancreatitis. Table scraps or high fat diets should be avoided. Feed the diet your veterinarian recommends and do not give any treats which are not approved by your animal doctor.
Canine Parvovirus
What Is It?:
Parvovirus, or parvo, is an intestinal virus most often seen in young dogs. The first sign that a dog has parvo is usually lethargy and a decrease in appetite. The signs then progress to vomit and diarrhea, sometimes with blood. Because the virus attacks the lining of the intestines, the affected dog is unable to absorb fluids or nutrients through the damaged gastrointestinal tract. Thus, they get very dehydrated and lose weight. There are tests that can help determine whether or not a dog has parvo.
The treatment of parvo involves supportive care to counteract the dehydration and prevent secondary infections while the virus runs its course (usually 2-7 days). Not all dogs will survive parvo, even with medical care. It is essential to begin treatment as soon as the dog starts showing signs. Those that begin treatment when they are already severely ill often do not survive.
Prevention:
Parvo is easily preventable by giving a puppy it's shots, or vaccinations. A complete series of vaccines at the proper interval between boosters is of vital importance. It is also important to keep sick dogs isolated so that they do not pass the virus to others through their feces or vomit. Once in the environment, parvo can persist for a very long time. Bleach and sunlight are two of the only ways to kill the virus in the environment. Once a dog recovers from parvo, he or she will require bland food for a few days, while the intestinal tract is healing. After that, most dogs that survive parvo will go on to live normal lives.
Canine Distemper
What Is It: Distemper is a virus most often seen in young dogs. Unlike parvo, there is no simple test to determine whether a dog has distemper. The signs can be varied but often include fever, decreased appetite, cough, eye discharge, listlessness, vomit, diarrhea, and eventually neurological signs such as seizures and muscle spasms. Sometimes the neurological signs will develop years later in a dog that was affected by distemper as a pup. The virus is spread through droplets in the are from an infected dog.
Treatment: Because distemper is a virus, the treatment is limited to supportive care such as IV fluids and antibiotics to prevent secondary infections. Unfortunately, even with treatment many pups do not survive distemper.
Prevention: Like parvo, distemper is preventable with vaccination. Distemper vaccines are highly effective. The virus can be eliminated for an environment with sunlight, heat, and most soaps.
Feline Leukemia Virus
What Is It: Feline Leukemia Virus is a serious virus that can cause many different symptoms. It can be thought of as similar to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), in that it can be carried by seemingly healthy cats and is contagious from cat to cat by close contact. A majority of cats will carry the virus for the rest of their lives once they contract it. Most often cats pass this virus by fighting as it is carried in the blood and saliva of infected cats. It also can be passed from an infected mother cat to her kittens.
Some cats with Feline Leukemia never get sick, but most will eventually suffer problems from this virus. Basically, the virus suppresses the immune system (so infected cats are more susceptible to infections), predisposes the cat to certain types of cancer, often causes anemia, and can cause organ failure. Most infected cats do die of this disease.
Because of the many ways that Feline Leukemia Virus affects the cat's body, the symptoms are quite varied. The best way to know if your cat has Feline Leukemia is by a blood test. Feline Leukemia Virus can be rather complicated, so sometimes additional testing is required.
Treatment: Unfortunately, there is no true treatment for Feline Leukemia. Anti-viral therapies have been tried with limited success. Blood transfusions can be given to support infected cats if they become dangerously anemic. Antibiotics can help control secondary infections.
Prevention: The best way to avoid your cat getting Feline Leukemia Virus is to eliminate exposure to unknown cats. If your cat goes outside and has potential contact with other cats, he or she should be vaccinated against Feline Leukemia each year. When introducing a new cat into your household, have the cat tested for Feline Leukemia before there is contact with your other cats.
Toxoplasmosis (under parasites)
Ringworm
Ringworm is caused by a fungus (M. canis in dogs) which infects skin, hair or nails. Some fungi normally inhabit the soil (geophilic) but can cause disease in animals, including humans. Infection occurs primarily by contact with infected individuals, contaminated grooming tools or tack, or with soil containing a geophilic species. Transmission from animal to human and visa versa sometimes occurs. Contact with M. canis does not always result in infection. Whether infection is established depends on the fungal species and a variety of host factors such as age, immune competence, fungistatic activity of skin secretions, concurrent disease, and nutritional and hormonal status. The most susceptible hosts appear to be young, debilitated, or immune-compromised individuals.
Fungal culture is the most effective and specific means of diagnosis. Fungal growth in a test medium is sometimes apparent within 7 days, but can take up to two weeks. There are also special stains available to facilitate identification of a fungus.
Ringworm in small animals is usually not a serious disease. Often a topical lotion (2% miconazole) is applied daily until the lesions resolve. In chronic or severe cases, systemic treatment is sometimes necessary. Itraconazole is one systemic medication we will use for various fungal infections.
Plague
Transmission:
Carriers include: a variety of wild rodents, primarily squirrels, occasionally rabbits. Birds, carnivores, and other species may spread the disease but in general are resistant. Plague is caused by a bacteria, Yersinia pestis. This organism lives and multiplies in the digestive system of fleas. Fleas pick up the organism from rodents, and regurgitate it when they bite another animal. Fleas can remain infected for up to a year. Disease can be spread by: 1) fleas biting an animal or human, 2) through breaks in the skin when handling plague-infected animals, 3) ingestion of infected rodents, or 4) exposure to sneezing or coughing of infected animals.
Disease:
Dogs are relatively resistant. Some may develop high fevers and enlarged lymph nodes. Dogs are mainly dangerous as carriers. Cats are more susceptible (similar to humans). Disease is usually seen as a high fever (104-106), anorexia, and depression. Most cats develop respiratory signs (similar to pneumonia) and enlarged or abscessed lymph nodes. This disease can last 1-2 days to weeks.
The three forms of plague are: 1) Bubonic (abscessed lymph nodes), 2) Pneumonic (pneumonia-like), and 3) Septicemic (high fever, sick, non-specific signs).
Aspirates from lymph nodes, tissue samples or blood can be used to diagnose plague. Your veterinarian will handle these samples very carefully and mark them as plague suspect before sending them to the lab for analysis.
Treatment/Control:
Infected cats or dogs need to be kept in isolation. Gloves and masks should be worn when handling the animal. Many antibiotics will kill Yersinia pestis. Doxycycline, streptomycin, tetracycline, and gentamicin have all been effective. Most antiseptic cleaners will kill the organism on external surfaces.
Strict flea control. Eliminate places around the home where rodents may want to live. If your cat hunts rodents, take her/him to the vet at the first sign of illness (not eating normally, less energy than normal, if you suspect a fever). If your animal has been diagnosed with plague and if you feel any flu-like symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor about your animal and which antibiotics are recommended.
Influenza
Did you know that you can catch the flu from your ferret? You can also give your ferret the flu. Infected ferrets exhibit anorexia, depression, and fever. The fever is biphasic with a 24 hour rise, a 24 hour hiatus, and then fever again on the third day. Sneezing and green or yellow nasal discharge may accompany the fever.
Influenza has a 7 to 14 day course and is associated with a low mortality rate in adult ferrets. Most affected ferrets can be treated at home. Offer favorite foods and encourage ferrets to eat and drink. If coughing is keeping the ferret from sleeping or if she/he seems especially "stuffy" see your veterinarian for symptomatic treatment.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
FIV is a viral disease in cats that causes the immune system to be compromised. The signs that your cat may have this disease are sometimes very subtle and difficult to detect in the early stages. We recommend routine screening (a blood test which takes 10 minutes in the clinic) for all our feline patients. The test we run screens for Feline Leukemia at the same time. Many cats who are FIV positive can live long and fairly normal lives. A few will become ill and die from this disease. In many cases, delayed wound healing is the most common symptom we see.
There is no treatment proven to directly inhibit this virus. We will sometimes recommend interferon even though its effectiveness is unknown. We also recommend that clients do not allow FIV positive cats to wander and potentially spread the disease, and we pay special attention to recovery from infections in these patients.
Renal (Kidney) Disease
Signs:
There are two main forms of renal disease, acute and chronic. Acute renal disease is caused by some insult to the kidneys such as a renal toxin (ethylene glycol or antifreeze, for example) or a urethral blockage. If treated quickly, some animals will recover from this form of renal disease. Chronic renal disease is often a consequence of old age or an accumulation of incremental damage to the kidneys from kidney infections or kidney stones. Little by little, the kidney becomes a less effective filter of waste products in the blood, and little by little, your animal will begin to become lethargic, not very hungry, or she/he may vomit regularly.
We recommend a yearly blood test in animals eight years or older as part of our preventive health care program. This blood test will help your veterinarian catch the first detectible sign of renal disease in your animal (usually before you notice any change in behavior). In the case of acute renal disease, your veterinarian must determine and treat the cause in addition to supporting the kidneys with fluid therapy while your pet recovers. While we cannot "cure" chronic renal disease, we can often lengthen your animal life and improve the quality of that life. Regular intravenous or subcutaneous fluid therapy can help to flush waste products that are causing your animal to feel ill. Several other treatments are also available to alleviate some of the problems seen with chronic renal disease.
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Allergies
Did you know that Santa Fe is the sixth most allergenic city in the United States? In Santa Fe there is something to be allergic to in every month of the year. In animals, allergies can result in itchy skin, gastrointestinal problems, and respiratory problems. Unfortunately, allergies can be a frustrating condition to treat. Here are some treatments.
None of these treatments will completely eliminate all of the symptoms all of the time. We will frequently recommend a combination of treatments, and we will warn you that we often achieve only partial relief. Treating allergies requires patience and persistence. We will rely on owners to observe and report the results of any treatments that might be tried. Follow-up is a very important part of treating not only allergies, but also many other medical conditions.
Cancer
No word strikes quite as much fear in the hearts of pet lovers as cancer or neoplasia. Cancer is the unlimited growth of cells within the body. It can be benign, meaning the growth does not invade into neighboring tissues or spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body (known as metastasis), or malignant, meaning it does. There are many, many different types of cancer in our pets, just as there are in people. Some benign tumors, such as lipomas, cause soft lumps under the skin that do not cause pain and are generally not necessary to remove. Some malignant tumors, such as fibrosarcomas, grow quickly, can cause pain, and are very important to remove.
Some tumors arise where we can't see them such as lung cancer or brain tumors. Many tumors that arise in the abdomen cause secondary signs such as vomit, poor appetite, or lethargy. Quite simply, there is no single test for cancer. All lumps and bumps found on your pet should be checked by your veterinarian. Routine bloodwork can look for abnormalities that are consistent with some types of cancer. Regular physical exams are also important.
Prevention and Treatment:
Spaying or neutering your pet can help prevent breast, ovarian, uterine, prostate, and testicular cancers. Feeding a quality diet that is low in preservatives, dyes, and artificial contents may be a good idea. If your pet does develop cancer, it will be important to determine exactly what kind of cancer it is to best choose a treatment plan. Usually this will require a biopsy or aspirate and then histopathology. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are the main treatment options depending on the type of cancer. Many animals have obtained remission and lived long periods of quality life by these treatment modalities.
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