Pet Wellness

Never leave your pet alone in the car.  Even with the car running and the air conditioner on, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels.  On an 85°degree day, with the windows opened slightly, the temperature in the car can reach 102° in 10 minutes and 120° in 30 minutes. When in doubt, leave your pet at home.

Exercise during cooler hours. Pets may be eager to be outside during the summer, but its important to pay attention to temperature and humidity levels. Exercise your pet when temperatures are cooler, such as in the early morning or evening hours, especially if they are overweight or flat-faced.  Also remember, if the asphalt is too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for their paws, so encourage them to walk on grass if possible.

Protect against external parasites. Fleas, ticks, and heartworms (transmitted by mosquitoes) are out in force during the summer months.  Protect your pet year-round with preventative medicine as prescribed by your veterinarian.

Many dog owners are noticing small (less than 1 inch diameter), bullseye patterned marks on the underside of their dog. These marks are often caused by a species of gnat that emerges from the grass and bites the dog. The bites cause a bullseye mark that many confuse with a bullseye rash caused by the Lyme disease bacteria. It is important to note that dogs do not develop a bullseye rash with Lyme disease exposure, only people do. 

How do I know if my pet has storm/noise phobia?

Loud noises such as thunderstorms and fireworks can cause anxiety for some of our pets and it is not uncommon to see. Signs of anxiety that you may notice in your pet during a thunderstorm are:

Most dogs infected with heartworms do not show any signs for a long time.  Eventually, as the disease progresses, the animal may exhibit such signs as coughing, weakness, shortness of breath, and exercise intolerance. 

Heartworm disease is diagnosed with a blood test that detects antibodies to the parasite in cats and antigen produced by the worms in dogs. We recommend testing all dogs once a year, and using healthy and heartworm preventative once a month all year. We recommend testing cats that go outside, and any cats that show signs of respiratory distress or coughing.

General information

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most common and destructive of all cat viruses. It is highly contagious and is spread primarily by saliva during catfights, grooming or mating. The virus may also be spread by blood, urine and feces. Kittens may become infected while still in the womb, at birth, or during nursing.

Currently, there is no effective treatment for cats infected with FeLV. Of the cats persistently infected, about 25% will die within one year, and 75% will die within three years. Some may live longer, but tend to have various chronic illnesses.

Illness

There are no signs specific for FeLV infection, because it can affect any organ system. The main effect of the virus is to disrupt the cat’s immune system. While anemia is the most common disorder caused by the virus, cancer and various other diseases are common. Some disorders commonly associated with FeLV include: chronic GI or respiratory disease; chronic infection of the mouth, gums and tongue; chronic eye disease; frequent or chronic skin disease and frequent or chronic urinary tract infections.

Prevention

Outdoor cats (ie those exposed to other cats) are at risk for developing FeLV infection. Testing and vaccination before exposure to the virus is the best means of preventing FeLV infection. The vaccination protocol is two initial vaccines one month apart, followed by yearly boosters. Without vaccination, isolation from other cats is the only means of prevention.

Dogs that test positive for heartworm disease are treated with a series of injections that kill heartworms. The immature heartworms are killed with an oral dose of Ivermectin. During the treatment, owners are advised to keep the dog very quiet, with no strenuous exercise, which could hinder recovery and exacerbate the clinical signs of illness. We prescribe an antibiotic and prednisone to decrease inflammation as well to treat Wohlbachia, a parasite that often accompanies adult heartworms. Other medications are prescribed based on the degree of damage to the heart and blood vessels sustained as a result of infection. Cats are generally treated with a combination of prednisone, and a bronchodilator.