TLC Humane Society Pet Health Care
The
following articles are written by Dr. Kate McDuffee, DVM. Dr. McDuffee is a
licensed veterinarian with ten years of practice. The articles are reprinted by
permission from the quarterly TLC newsletter. To receive a newsletter, contact
us.
Creepy Crawlies that can Harm
Your Pet
Well,
folks, Spring has sprung, and with it comes a host of problems to deal with.
It’s time to start thinking about the creepy crawling things that can affect
your pet’s health, such as fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and flies. Not only are
these critters nasty to look at, they can also cause illness, and sometimes even
death. As with most things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Here are some of the reasons to avoid an infestation altogether.
Fleas
Fleas
earn their living by sucking blood through the skin of the host. The adult flea
leaves behind partially digested blood ("flea dirt") which is a food
source for the larvae that hatch from the eggs. Fortunately, in this area of the
United States, we don’t have to worry about the fleas carrying Plague, but an
infestation can lead to severe anemia, and even death, especially in very young
or debilitated animals. Some animals can develop severe allergies to fleas,
which makes both the pet and the owner miserable.
Ticks
Ticks
can cause their own variety of problems, depending on the species of tick. Deer
ticks can carry Lyme Disease, which causes fever, joint problems, sometimes a
rash, and just generally makes the victim feel lousy (you can ask my Lab,
Luke!). Other ticks can carry Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which causes fever
(sometimes), spots in the skin (sometimes), general malaise, and neurological
problems. Interestingly, RMSF is rarely found in the Rocky Mountains – ticks
don’t live in that high elevation – so I’ve never figured out how it got
its name. One of those mysteries of science, I guess.
There
are several products available from your veterinarian for treating or preventing
flea and tick infestations. Some products, such as Program, are given
monthly and act by preventing flea eggs from hatching, essentially sterilizing
the flea. Other products, such as Frontline and Advantage, are
applied to the skin monthly, are very effective at killing the adult fleas, and
are, to a certain extent, waterproof. Frontline is also effective against
ticks. Preventic collars are also very effective against ticks, and may
be used at the same time as Advantage. Some flea sprays are useful for
treating very young puppies and kittens (if they are labeled for youngsters) or
for "spot killing" individual fleas. Your best source of advice is
your veterinarian’s office. Whatever you decide to use, READ THE LABEL! At
Dahlonega Veterinary Hospital, we see several cases a year of cats being
poisoned, sometimes fatally, by over-the-counter flea control intended for dogs.
The packaging may be very similar, but the chemicals used are very different in
the non-prescription products.
Mosquitoes
Heartworm
disease is a widespread problem in this area. Heartworms are carried from one
animal to another by mosquito bites. Historically, we only worried about
heartworms in dogs, but there is more and more evidence that cats are
increasingly at risk, as are ferrets. I even know a man who was diagnosed with
heartworms a few years ago. Fortunately, there are several products available
from your veterinarian that are very effective in preventing heartworms in dogs
and cats. Some are given monthly, others daily. Dogs over 6 months of age must
have a blood test before starting heartworm preventative, but puppies and cats
may be started at any time.
Flies
The
last and most disgusting parasite is the common fly. There are actually a
zillion (at least!) species of flies, but they tend to fall into two basic
categories. The first type of fly tends to lay a single egg in an open wound. As
the egg hatches out, it burrows into the skin, causing a swelling with a small
airhole. The larva grows in this tunnel until it emerges as an adult fly. This
is what is commonly called a "Wolf" or "Warble". These are
rarely serious, unless they occur in the eye, and are generally treated by
removing the larva from its tunnel and sometimes antibiotics. The other type of
fly lays a bunch of tiny eggs in the fur, looking like sawdust. As these eggs
hatch out, they basically eat their way through the skin. We tend to see maggots
where there have been open wounds (the flies are attracted by blood) or in older
animals that are less able to chase the flies away. The best way to avoid fly
strikes is to keep dog runs and yards cleaned up, especially picking up the
stools daily. Flytraps are also a great idea.
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Emergency Box
On
another subject, but still related to Spring, it’s important to remember our
furry and feathered friends when planning for weather-related emergencies.
It’s a good idea to have an "emergency box" to fill with essential
supplies for your family. This should be a small box that you can grab in a
hurry in case of emergencies, whether it’s a tornado or house fire. Some
things that should be in this box are basic first aid supplies, prescription
medications, irreplaceable documents, and photos of family members and pets. I
recently returned from visiting family in Oklahoma, shortly after the tornadoes.
Many pets were displaced by the storms, and those without identification are
having trouble finding their way back to their owners. Having photos to
distribute to veterinarians and shelters can help. Remember, our buddies are
depending on us to keep them as safe as possible
From
the Summer 1999 issue.
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The Aging Pet
All
pet owners will need to deal with the care and needs of the older pet
eventually. This is especially relevant due to the recent approval by the FDA of
a new medication that will be of great benefit to many older dogs. Aging in dogs
and cats is often a slow, gradual process, so it’s not hard for problems to
sneak up on you. By knowing what to look for, and catching these problems early,
the quality and length of your pet’s life may be increased.
Obesity
is probably one of the most important risks to the health of the older dog or
cat. As they age, their metabolism tends to slow down, and they may become less
active. The extra weight can cause stress to the heart and joints, as well as
metabolic problems such as liver disorders and diabetes. Also, as the metabolism
changes, they may become more intolerant to changes in temperature.
Tooth
loss and periodontitis (gum disease) become more of a problem as pets age. Many
pets have trouble chewing food because of missing teeth, or pain from sore gums.
More importantly, bacteria from the mouth can spread into the bloodstream when
there are infections around the teeth, which can cause septicemia (infection of
the blood) or infections in the kidneys or heart. Your veterinarian can tell you
if your pet’s teeth need to be professionally cleaned, and how you can
"brush" their teeth at home.
Skin
problems often occur because the older pet’s skin loses its elasticity and
can’t repair itself as quickly. Hair follicles become less active, causing the
hair to thin. Skin tumors and infections are also more common in the older pet.
If
a pet has not been spayed or neutered earlier in life, reproductive disorders
become more likely with age. Infections of the uterus are fairly common in older
intact dogs and cats, and breast tumors in dogs are very common in older intact
female dogs. Unneutered male dogs frequently get infections or tumors of the
prostate gland. And of course, the chance of complications from pregnancy in an
older pet goes up with age. (Dogs and cats don’t go through
"menopause.")
Your
pet’s senses of smell, sight, taste and hearing will likely diminish as time
passes. Some of these problems can be corrected, such as restoring sight by
removing cataracts. Most pets adapt to these changes very well, especially if
the changes are gradual. We all know someone who has a blind or deaf pet
(sometimes both) who goes about their life as if business as usual. The
important thing that we as pet owners need to be diligent about is ensuring the
animal’s safety. A blind or deaf pet may not be as "street smart" as
he was as a youngster.
Your
pet’s internal organs have been running hard for years, and it’s only
natural that some of them may start slowing down. Diseases of the heart, lungs,
kidneys and liver occur more commonly in the older pet. If the symptoms are
detected early enough, they may be managed by reducing stress on the affected
organ, either through medication or diet.
Behavior
changes also become more frequent as the dog or cat ages. In dogs, this may be
due to something called "Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome" (CDS).
This is similar, but not identical, to Alzheimers disease in people and is
probably more common than we think. Behavior specialists report that 48% of dogs
8 years and older showed at least one sign of CDS and that virtually all
16-year-old dogs showed signs. The specialists have organized the signs into 6
categories.
- Disorientation—Wanders aimlessly, appears lost or confused,
doesn’t recognize familiar people.
- Altered or decreased interaction with family—Solicits
attention less, no longer stands or lies for petting.
- Decrease in greeting behavior—No longer greets owners, less
enthusiastic greeting.
- Change in sleep-wake cycle—Sleeps more overall, less at
night.
- Change in activity—Increase in aimless activity, such as
wandering or pacing.
- Loss of housetraining—Signals less to go outside, urinates
or defecates indoors.
The
good news is that there is a recently approved drug called Anipryl that
can help a large percentage of these dogs. It is important to first be sure that
there aren’t any physical or medical explanations for the behavior changes,
but I believe that this medication will add literally years to the life of many
dogs.
From
the Spring 1999 issue.
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A
Quiz about Spaying and Neutering
There
are many questions and misconceptions about altering dogs and cats. See how you
do on this little quiz.
True
or False: A dog must go through at least one heat cycle before she’s
spayed.
False -
Spaying a dog before she’s fully grown has no effect on her physical or mental
maturity. Also, the more heat cycles or pregnancies a dog has, the more likely
she is to develop breast cancer.
True
or False: Spaying or neutering makes a dog or cat get fat.
False -
While some animals do gain weight after surgery, this has less to do with
hormones and metabolism than with decreased activity, since the animals are less
likely to be roaming. It continues to be important to provide a good, balanced
diet, limit treats, and encourage regular exercise.
True
or False: A neutered dog won’t be a good watchdog.
False -
Neutering a dog has no effect on how protective he is, but does tend to make
them less aggressive toward other dogs and people. He’ll still "sound the
alarm", but is less likely to go out of his way to attack something or
someone outside his own territory.
True
or False: Spaying and neutering my pets can actually save me money.
True! By neutering
your dogs and cats, you can save yourself money over the long run. You ‘re
less likely need stitches, antibiotics, and abscess draining resulting from
fights. Your animal is less likely to be hit by a car or to get lost. And
don’t forget about having to feed, vaccinate and find homes for all those
puppies and kittens!
True
or False: Spaying and neutering makes dogs and cats better pets.
True! –
Neutered dogs and cats are much less likely to urinate in the house to mark
territory. Non-neutered tomcats have a very pungent odor to their urine, whether
they use a litter box or not. When pets are spayed, you eliminate the heat
cycle, with all its annoyances (spotting blood on the carpet, attracting all the
neighborhood male dogs into the yard, and yowling all night in the case of
cats).
There
are lots of advantages, and few, if any, disadvantages, to spaying or neutering
your pets. This area has a tremendous problem with pet overpopulation. Remember
that spaying and neutering are the only foolproof methods of birth control.
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Do All Dogs Need Their Teeth
Cleaned?
In
the last issue, we asked for questions from readers that deal with issues of
general interest to the pet-owning public. Bonnie Roquita from Alpharetta asks:
Do all dogs need their teeth cleaned at age 3 1/2 or does it depend on the
condition of the dog's teeth?
Good
question! Dental disease is one ***of the more common problems veterinarians
encounter in their practices. Studies have shown that more than half the dogs
over the age of two years show some sign of periodontal (gum) disease. This can
range from mild disease, with some reddening and thickening of the gums, to
severe disease, with heavy calculus (tartar) and pus, and loosening of the
teeth.
Cats
are very prone to cervical or neck lesion, where they get "cavities"
at the base of the teeth. These can be very painful, and generally require the
tooth to be extracted.
Any
dog or cat showing signs of disease can benefit from a thorough cleaning. This
includes scaling of the teeth to remove the tartar from the exposed surfaces of
the teeth, root planning to clean beneath the gum line, and polishing to make
the surface of the tooth more slippery, thereby making it more difficult for
food debris to stick.
So,
in answer to your question, Bonnie, it does depend on the dog, but there’s a
good chance that a 3 ½ year old dog has some gum disease starting. All dogs two
years or older should have their oral cavity examined for early signs of
disease.
From
the Winter 1998 issue.
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What "Shots" Do My Pets
Need?
The
idea to write this article began as an attempt to educate our foster caretakers
on basic care and first aid. Then we realized that every pet owner may have
questions that need to be addressed. Hopefully, you will find some useful
information in this column.
The
best way to protect your pet from disease is by having regular "vet
checks." In puppies and kittens, these should begin at six weeks of age, or
earlier if a problem develops. At this time, the "baby" will be
checked for congenital problems, and for intestinal and external parasites.
Vaccines can be started to protect puppies against:
- Distemper, a viral infection
that affects the respiratory, digestive, and central nervous systems.
- Adenovirus, which causes
respiratory and liver disease.
- Leptospirosis, a bacterial
infection of the liver, kidneys, and digestive tract (puppies under nine weeks
usually are not given a Lepto vaccine because of potential side effects).
- Parainfluenza, a virus that
can lead to kennel cough.
- Parvovirus, an extremely
common, very contagious disease of the digestive tract and immune system.
These
vaccines are usually given in three-week intervals until the puppy is 3 1/2 to 4
months old. The exception is Parvo. Because it is impossible to tell when a
puppy has been fully protected against Parvo infection, most veterinarians give
an extra booster at four to five months of age. Parvo is particularly prevalent
this time of year. It's a devastating disease that can be extremely expensive to
treat. It is easy to prevent.
In
kittens, the schedule is similar, but the diseases are different. The typical
"combination" vaccine includes
- Feline Panleukopenia, which
many refer to as "Feline Distemper", but is actually more closely
related to the canine Parvovirus.
- Feline Leukemia, which affects
the immune system similar to AIDS. Outdoor cats are particularly vulnerable.
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis,
which is caused by a herpes virus and causes severe upper respiratory disease.
- Feline Calicivirus, which also
causes respiratory disease, and ulceration of the tongue and gums.
These
last two can often mimic each other, or occur at the same time, and cause what
an instructor at UGA once referred to as "Snorkin' Kitty Disease."
That's probably as accurate a description as you can get!
And
lest we forget some of our more exotic pets, ferrets also are susceptible to
canine distemper, and should be vaccinated following the same schedule as
puppies. Regardless of the species, after their initial series of vaccines, they
should be given boosters every year throughout their life.
Last
on the infectious disease list is rabies. State law mandates that every domestic
dog and cat be vaccinated against rabies once they're 3 months old, then yearly
or every 3 years after that, depending on the type of vaccine used. Ferrets also
should be vaccinated, and that will likely become law soon.
We
in Lumpkin County have been lulled into a false sense of security since there
had been no confirmed cases of rabies in the county. Until this summer, that is.
A rabid cat bit a woman in the county, and the woman required extensive
post-exposure treatment. She's fine, but this should serve as a wake-up call.
From
the Fall 1998 issue.
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