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GeneralWhy is it important to have a family veterinarian?Just as your good health depends on your family physician, your pet also benefits from a long term relationship with your veterinarian. Your family veterinarian can become familiar with your pet and be able to identify potential problems early, when treatment is often easier and less expensive. Each year when you and your pet visit your veterinarian, your pet receives far more than just health-protecting vaccinations. Your family veterinarian will perform a physical examination and note his/her findings on your pet’s medical records for reference during your next visit. Over a period of years, this record will hep your veterinarian note any changes which might affect your pet. And if your pet is injured or becomes ill, your family veterinarian is always there to provide aid and assistance. Why is the Annual Physical Exam so important?The importance of regular physical examinations cannot be overlooked. This procedure, performed by your veterinarian, is valuable both to your pet and to you. Problems can be discovered during the exam even in apparently healthy animals The findings of the examination give your family veterinarian the necessary information to assess your pet’s health status. Your veterinarian will then make recommendations for any treatment and preventive health care procedures, such as vaccinations. Detection of disease or behavioral problems early in their course provided the best opportunity for successful therapy and often with less expense. Why are Booster Vaccinations so important?Many factors need to be taken into consideration when your pet is caccinated. For the first few weeks and months of an animal’s life, maternal antibodies passed from its mother may interfere with an effective vaccine repsonse. Vaccination in the presence of maternal antibodies is a common cause of vaccine failure. The length of time the maternal antibodies remain effective varies from pet to pet, so your family vterinarian will administer an initial series of vaccinations to stimulate the protective immunity of your pet. Over time, protective immunity can decline, so booster vaccinations are recommended to maintain the highest level of immune readiness. What is Microchipping?Microchipping is Permanent Pet Identification. The HomeAgain‚ Microchip Identification System is a safe, simple and permanent form of pet identification designed to quickly idnetify lost pets and reunite them with their owners. Over 10 million pets become lost each year.* 1 out of every 3 pets is lost during its lifetime, and only 1 in 10 lost pets is found.** The HomeAgain‚ Microchip Identification System is a proven way to successfully recover your pet if it should become lost. Is Microchipping safe?Microchipping is safe, simple and effective technology. No bigger than a grain of rice, the HomeAgain‚ microchip is a small, sterile transponder that contains a unique ID code capable of being read by a compatible scanner. The microchip’s biocompatible material is extremely safe for the animal. The HomeAgain‚ chip is a passive device. It requires no battery and remains inactive until it is scanned. How do recoveries happen?24/7 Database access. When you enroll your microchipped pet in the AKC Companion Animal Recovery’s nationwide recovery database, your contact information is safely stored until it is needed to reunite you with your pet. A professional recovery team maintains the database 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and notifies you as soon as your pet’s ID number is called in to the 24-hour recovery hotline. Animal clinics and shelters scan lost animals and call the AKC Companion Animal Recovery unit to report a found pet. Currently, with the HomeAgain‚ Microchip Identification System, a successful recovery occurs approximately every 11 minutes. For more information about the HomeAgain Microchip Identification System speak to your veterinarian or go to www.HomeAgainID.com. How does health insurance for pets work?What does a Veterinary Pet Insurance policy cover? - Diagnostic tests For more information about Pet Insurance speak with your veterinarian or you can visit www.petinsurance.com. FelinesWhat are the more common Feline Preventable Diseases?Rabies: A fatal viral infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals, including humans. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Routine vaccination is the key to controlling this dreaded disease. Panleukopenia (FPL): A widespread and potentially fatal disease which may cause a sudden onset of severe vomiting and diarrhea. It is especially dangerous in kittens, but fatalities can occur in adult cats. Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR): A common respiratory infection which can be fata in kittens. Sneezing, decreased appetite and fever, followed by a thick dishcarge from the eyes and nose, are often observed. Calicivirus (FCV): An upper respiratory infection with signs similar to FVR. In addition, ulcers may be seen on the tongue and in the mouth. FVR and FCV account for up to 90% of all respiratory infections in cats. Chlamydia (FPN): FPN is another common respiratory infection producing sneezing, fever and a thick discharge from the eyes. Chlamydial infection may be associated with the development of more serious bacterial complications. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): Infection with this virus can cause serious disease and death. The virus decreases the ability of the immune system to respond to the infection and may lead to the development of different types of cancer. FeLV is passed from cat to cat by direct contact, so outside cats and cats in multi-cat households are at especially high risk. It is not contagious to people. What is Heartworm disease?Heartworm disease is a serious health problem in many parts of the world. It is caused by the roundworm, Dirofilaria immitis. D immitis is a parasite that lives in the heart and major arteries of the lungs. Yet it is an infection that can be prevented. How is Heartworm disease transmitted?Heartworms have been found in a variety of wild and domestic animals. Mosquitos carry immature froms of the heartworm from an infected animal to a new host by taking a blood meal from both animals. As the mosquito feeds from the first animal, usually a dog, it picks up the microfilariae (the offspring of adult heartworms) as it engorges with blood. These microfilariae mature in the mosquito, developing into the infective form, the larval stae of D. immitis. When the mosquito subsequently bites another animal, the larvae are introduced to the new host through the bite wound. The larvae eventually make their way to the heart and associated blood vessels by migrating through the body. Inside the heart they mature and begin producing microfilariae, completing the lifecycle. These new microfilariae are then ready to be passed on to another dog or cat. How does my cat get Heartworms?If your cat lives in an area where heartworm infection is seen in dogs, your cat could be bitten by a mosquito that was infected by a dog. What are the signs of Heartworm disease in cats?In cats, heartworms live for 1 to 2 years and it is uncommon
for cats to have more than 2 or 3 heartworms. Small numbers
of heartworms, however,
may cause serious disease in cats. Can feline Heartworm disease be prevented?Preventives are available for feline heartworm infection, but they will not eliminate an existing infections. Preventives can be used on cats that test positive, to prevent further infections. What can be done if my cat has Heartworms?Unfortunately, treatment to remove heartworms from infected cats can be difficult and hazardous to your cat’s health. Various medications can be used to help minimize the clinical signs (coughing, vomiting, difficulty breathing) your cat may be exhibiting. Surgical removal of heartworms is also an option. See your veterinarian for advice on management of feline heartworm disease. What do I need to know about Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) testing:FIV and FeLV infections are major causes of death in cats. Both viruses are spread contagiously from cat to cat, and surveys show that up to 15 percent of sick cats are infected with one or both of the viruses. But even healthy cats may harbor infection and spread viruses to other cats. In some cats, signs of disease may not become apparent until weeks, months or even years after they first become infected with FIV or FeLV. FIV is typically spread when one cat bites another; rarely does an infected mother infect her kittens. FeLV is spread when the saliva or urine of an infected cat comes in contact with another cat. This can happen when cats groom each other, or when they share food and water bowls or litter boxes. Kittens born to infected mother are commonly infected as well. When should my cat be tested?FIV and FeLV testing is important in the following situations: Am I at risk?Research to date has shown that FIV and FeLV only affects cats. What do the FIV and FeLV viruses do?FIV and FeLV affect cats in similar ways, primarily by interfering with the immune system’s ability to ward off infections. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi found in the everyday environment – where they usually don’t affect healthy cats – can cause severe illness in FIV and FeLV infected cats. Various kinds of cancer and blood diseases are much more common in cats infected with either virus too. Early signs of infection are often subtle and commonly seen in cats that are simply not feeling well. These signs include: - Decreased appetite As infection becomes more advanced you may see the following signs: - Marked loss of appetite CaninesWhat are the more common Canine Preventable Diseases?Rabies: A fatal viral infection of the central nervous system that can affect all mammals, including humans. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected animal. Routine vaccination is the key to controlling this dreaded disease. Distemper (CDV): A widespread and often fatal disease which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia and neurological problems. Hepatitis (CAV-1): A viral disease which may lead to severe damage of the liver, kidneys, spleen and lungs. Parvovirus (CPV): A highly contagious and potentially fatal disease which may cause severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea. It is especially dangerous in young dogs, but all unvaccinated dogs are at risk of contracting this severe disease. Coronavirus (CCV): A contagious viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract which causes vomiting and diarrhea. Puppies are particularly susceptible to this disease. Leptospirosis: A bacterial infection that ma lead to permanent kidney and liver damage. It is contagious to humans and dogs and is spread through contact with infected urine or contaminated soil or water. Lyme Disease: A disease transmitted by ticks which infects both humans and dogs. This disease can damage joints, kidneys and other tissues. What is Heartworm disease?Heartworm disease is a serious health problem in many parts of the world. It is caused by the roundworm, Dirofilaria immitis. D immitis is a parasite that lives in the heart and major arteries of the lungs. Yet it is an infection that can be prevented? How is Heartworm disease transmitted?Heartworms have been found in a variety of wild and domestic animals. Mosquitos carry immature froms of the heartworm from an infected animal to a new host by taking a blood meal from both animals. As the mosquito feeds from the first animal, usually a dog, it picks up the microfilariae (the offspring of adult heartworms) as it engorges with blood. These microfilariae mature in the mosquito, developing into the infective form, the larval stae of D. immitis. When the mosquito subsequently bites another animal, the larvae are introduced to the new host through the bite wound. The larvae eventually make their way to the heart and associated blood vessels by migrating through the body. Inside the heart they mature and begin producing microfilariae, completing the lifecycle. These new microfilariae are then ready to be passed on to another dog or cat. What are the signs of Heartworm disease in dogs?The severity and onset of clinical signs relate to three things: the
number of worms, the duration of the infection and the dog’s response. Many
dogs infected with heartworms may not show any evidence of the infection
in the early stages of the disease. Signs can eventually appear and will
worsen with incresed number of worms and with lengthy infections, making
early detection and prevention programs an important part of managing your
pet’s health. Can canine Heartworm infection be prevented?Fortunately, heartworm infection can be prevented, if preventives are started early and are consistently given throughout the dog’s life. There are a number of medications available that prevent heartworm infection in dogs. However, preventives will not elminate an existing infections. Knowing the heartworm infection status of your dog is an important part of keeping your dog healthy and fit. What can be done if my dog has Heartworms?Medical intervention is necessary to achieve a favorable outcome for the dog infected with heartworms. Your veterinarian will choose a course of action that will most effectively deal with your dog’s disease and clinical signs. Medications to eliminate adult heartworms and immature heartworms are available. Once successfully treated, preventives and regular monitoring with a test like HESKA‰ Solo Step‰ CH should become part of your dog’s health maintenance plan. |
