Health
Exam A: A thorough physical examination at least once each year is a very important part of preventive health care for both dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens should be checked as soon as possible after they are born and should begin their routine vaccinations at about 8 weeks of age. Some pet owners elect to have their animals checked every six months. At the start of the physical exam, your veterinarian will take a complete history of your pet's health, including past medical problems, behavior, diet and vaccinations. The animal's temperature, weight, pulse and respiration also will be noted. Using a stethoscope, the veterinarian will listen to the pet's heart to check for any irregular sounds and to the lungs for any unusual noises or breathing rates. Your pet's eyes can reflect its health, often helping the veterinarian determine quickly if the animal has anemia, jaundice or infection. Using an ophthalmoscope, the veterinarian also will check for corneal lesions, proper pupil size, reaction to light and abnormal bleeding or discharge. Next, your veterinarian will check your animal's teeth for decay or excessive buildup of tartar. A dentistry may be recommended to keep the teeth strong and healthy -- an important part of the digestive process. Your pet's gums, lips, tongue, palate, throat and tonsils also will be examined. An otoscope will be used to check your pet's ears for wax buildup, foreign bodies or infection. Then your veterinarian will palpate or feel the animal's abdomen, kidneys, liver, intestines and spleen to check for tumors, enlarged organs, gas, fluids or other abnormalities. The reproductive organs, legs, joints, paws and foot pads, neck, tail and spine all should be evaluated, too. A fecal or stool sample will be taken to check for worms. The skin will be checked for parasites (such as ticks and fleas), tumors, abscesses and infections. The condition of your pet's hair coat can tell a great deal about the animal's nutrition. Hair and skin also can signal problems with the thyroid glands, other hormones, or pollen and food allergies. In addition, your veterinarian can give advice on the proper shampoo for your pet's individual skin and hair coat needs, recommend how often to bathe and suggest the most effective flea control. After the routine physical exam, your veterinarian might recommend further diagnostic procedures, such as a blood test, urinalysis, skin scraping, ear swab, electrocardiogram or X-ray. Vaccinations
(dogs) A: Vaccination schedules can vary slightly, depending on the type of inoculation being used and the latest veterinary research. Most veterinarians would concur with the following: Puppies should be vaccinated at 7, 10, 13 and 16 weeks of age for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus. This usually is given in a single combination injection called DHLP-P. Annual boosters are extremely important. If an adult dog has not received a DHLP-P inoculation, initially two vaccinations should be given three weeks apart. Because of new outbreaks of parvo from time to time, an additional parvo booster is recommended at 20 weeks of age. Rottweilers and Dobermans are especially sensitive to parvo and should receive parvo boosters every six months for the first two years. Rabies vaccinations, which are required by law, should be given to puppies at 4 to 6 months of age. Boosters are given a year later, then every three years. If an adult dog has never been vaccinated against rabies, initially only one vaccination should be given every three years. Bordetella, which helps to protect against "kennel cough" and similar respiratory infections, is required by most kennels before a dog can be boarded. Puppies usually are given an internasal bordetella vaccination at 8 to 16 weeks of age. Annual internasal boosters are recommended. If the dog is exposed to a kennel situation, or routinely comes in contact with other dogs at a grooming parlor, veterinary clinic, park or in the neighborhood, boosters should be given every six months. Coronavirus vaccinations are given to puppies at 7, 10, 13 and 16 weeks of age. Annual boosters are recommended. If an adult dog hasn't been vaccinated against the coronavirus, initially two vaccinations are give two or three weeks apart. Vaccinations are probably the single most important part of your dog's health care. Nothing is more tragic than a wonderful, loyal pet coming down with a deadly disease that was preventable if the owner had only kept the pet current on vaccinations. Vaccinations
(cats) A: All cats should have two critical laboratory tests and four very important vaccinations to protect them from deadly diseases. The tests are for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline AIDS (FIV). Cats that test positive for either disease are very contagious and should be kept away from all other cats. Although the tests are generally quite accurate, there can be false positive results. In addition, cats that have tested positive for FeLV sometimes can go into remission. Therefore, retesting of cats for FeLV from time to time is recommended. Follow your veterinarian's advice about a vaccination schedule. The best timing of vaccinations will vary slightly depending on which brand of vaccine is used. While there is no vaccination yet for feline AIDS, the FeLV vaccination should be given to kittens starting at about 8 to 10 weeks of age. Boosters then should be given at intervals of two or three weeks until the recommended dosage has been given. Adult cats that are being vaccinated for the first time will get the initial injection, then receive a booster two or three weeks later. FeLV boosters should be given every year. The FeLV vaccination has no effect on cats already infected with the virus. The feline distemper vaccination (FVR-CP) is a combination of inoculations against viral rhinotracheitis, calici and panleukopenia. Kittens should be vaccinated at about 6 to 8 weeks of age, then receive a booster every three weeks until they are 16 weeks old. If an adult cat hasn't been vaccinated, then initially two FVR-CP injections are given about two or three weeks apart. Annual boosters are very important. Kittens should be vaccinated against rabies at 4 months of age. Boosters are given one year later, then every one to three years, depending on the vaccine manufacturer's recommendation. All cats that ever go outdoors should be vaccinated against rabies. Indoor cats can benefit from the protection of a rabies vaccination if they happen to accidentally get out of the house and are bitten in a fight with a wild animal. Cat owners sometimes tend to be less consistent than dog owners in keeping their pets vaccinated, perhaps because cats seem to be so independent. Dental
Care A: Dogs with different genetic histories can have very different medical and dental problems, even if they live in the same environment and eat the same food. Some dogs have teeth that need regular attention -- brushing, chew toys, special diets and dentistries twice a year. Other dogs have strong, healthy teeth all of their lives. However, an annual dental examination is very important for all dogs. Excessive tartar on the teeth, especially at the gum line, can result in irritation, infection and receding gums. This can lead to serious infections and diseases of the gums and teeth, as well as digestion and nutritional problems, which cause bad breath. When dental problems are ignored and left untreated, bacteria can build up in your dog's mouth and lead to various other infections in the body -- including in the heart. Other common symptoms of tooth and gum disease include decreased appetite, sneezing, and a reluctance to eat hard food. During an examination, your veterinarian may find red, sore, or receded gums; loose, infected teeth; yellow-brown tartar on the teeth; and even infected sinuses. Pets with excessive tartar or infected teeth or gums are due for dentistries. A general anesthesia is required to thoroughly clean your pet's teeth. Any loose, infected teeth are pulled and the infected areas are treated. After being cleaned, the healthy teeth are polished. Antibiotics often are necessary to fight infection and may be started a few days before the dentistry to help protect against infection spreading in the bloodstream. Many pet owners elect to have a dentistry done when their pet is already under anesthesia for a spay or neuter surgery. A pre-anesthetic blood test always is recommended to help prevent unexpected complications. In addition to dentistries, brushing your pet's teeth can be helpful in preventing dental disease. Pet stores and veterinary clinics carry toothbrushes and toothpastes specifically designed for dogs. If you find that it is impractical to brush your pet's teeth, you should provide a diet that includes dry kibble to help reduce tartar buildup. Letting your dog have a rawhide chew toy can help keep teeth healthy, but care should be taken not to permit your pet to chew on anything that might splinter and get stuck in the throat. Periodically rubbing your pet's gums with a soft washcloth or gauze soaked in hydrogen peroxide helps clean away bacteria and other debris. Hot
Weather A: The hot summer months present some special hazards for pets, whether they are playing in the park, swimming in the pool, romping at the beach or just riding around in the family car. Here are some common dangers to avoid:
Poisonous
Plants A: The beautiful red or white poinsettia leaves produce a mild sap that can irritate an animal's skin if touched, and upset the stomach and intestinal tract if eaten. Consult your veterinarian immediately if your cat eats this plant. Any portion of your pet's skin that comes in contact with the sap should be washed thoroughly with soap and water. Other plants in the poinsettia family include tinsel tree, crown-of-thorns, milk bush, candelilla or snow-on-the-mountain. They also produce a milky sap that irritates the skin and causes inflammation of the lining of the eyelid or irritation of the mouth. Mistletoe is another plant often used for holiday decorations that can be very dangerous for cats. All parts of the plant are toxic, but the berries are especially poisonous. If eaten, mistletoe can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. This is a medical emergency, and pets should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. A variety of other plants that often are used around the holidays also could cause problems for your cat. Castor beans, for example, have colorful seeds used for necklaces or festive decorations. The large seeds can be extremely poisonous. Symptoms may not appear for 18 to 24 hours. Then, the body temperature rises and the cat becomes slightly depressed and thirsty. Severe diarrhea and fatal convulsions will follow unless the animal gets emergency treatment immediately. Another legume popular in jewelry and holiday decoration, the rosary pea, is extremely toxic to cats. The seeds are bright red with a black spot and are used in rosaries or necklaces. The shell of the seed is very hard and difficult to crack, but when strung on a necklace, the poisonous center is exposed. Symptoms usually develop slowly and include a rising temperature, depression and a loss of appetite, followed by violent vomiting. The cat may lose coordination or become paralyzed. Toxic plants usually are not as serious a problem for dogs as they are for cats. Dogs rarely are fond of eating plants, and usually the most severe problem that results is limited vomiting and diarrhea. However, dieffenbachia (dumbcane) is a severe threat to both dogs and cats because it causes the throat to swell and can result in suffocation. ORTHOPEDIC MEDICINE Back
Problems A: Degenerative disc disease is the most common cause of chronic back problems in both dogs and humans. Dogs with backs that are very long, compared to the length of their legs, are especially prone. Breeds that often suffer from disc disease include dachshunds, Pekingese, miniature poodles, cocker spaniels and beagles. The back bones (vertebrae) are cushioned from each other by discs made of material that is the consistency of crab meat. When this disc material gets pushed out and puts pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves, it is called a slipped disc or a ruptured disc. The result of a ruptured disc usually is soreness, pain and instability of the back. Other symptoms include weakness, lack of coordination, loss of feeling and inability to move. In extreme cases, complete paralysis, total collapse or loss of bladder functions can result. Nerves of the spinal cord must be able to carry messages both to and from the animal's brain. The extruded disc material puts pressure on the nerves and interferes with nerve transmission. Urgent medical care is required. Your veterinarian can judge the degree of injury to the nerves during the physical exam. X-rays probably will be necessary. If there is any loss of the feeling in a foot or leg in addition to back pain when your pet moves, the spinal cord injury probably is severe. Surgery can relieve the pressure on the spinal cord if the damage is not extensive. A veterinary neurologist should be consulted when possible. If the disc does not require surgery, restricted activity is advised and appropriate doses of Glucosamine, Cetyl Myristoleate and anti-inflammatory medication may also be necessary to control the discomfort, especially at first. Hip
Dysplasia A: Hip dysplasia, usually a hereditary disease, causes painful arthritis in the hips, primarily in large breed or fast-growing dogs. The hip joint is a ball and socket, with the head of the thigh bone as the ball that fits into the socket formed by the pelvic bones coming together. In some dogs, the tissues that support this joint are loose, allowing too much movement of the ball in the socket. This abnormal movement eventually causes destruction of the joint. The damaged joint and the arthritis that follows cause the pain and lameness of hip dysplasia. Often the first sign of hip dysplasia will be a change in the normal gait of a young dog -- the result of looseness in the joint. Lameness may occur after exercise. As the dog ages, degenerative arthritis develops in the hips, causing pain and stiffness. Glucosamine is a nutrient naturally manufactured by the body which cushions the joints by thickening joint fluid. This makes the joint fluid more elastic, repairs cartilage in damaged arthritic joints, and creates more support by helping form new cartilage, tendons, ligaments and joint fluid. With age, the ability to manufacture Glucosamine decreases, resulting in degeneration of the joints. Cetyl Myristoleate (CM) is a potent anti-aging and anti-arthritis dietary supplement that functions as a lubricant, increasing resiliency and mobility of tissues and joints. CM also is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory nutrient -- NOT a drug -- thereby decreasing pain and swelling of joints and tissues. CM regulates the immune system, especially in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The healing ability of CM is greatly enhanced when it is combined with other nutrients, such as Glucosamine, Boswellin, Zinc and Yucca. Severe arthritis in the hip joint may require anti-inflammatory drugs, such as cortisone. Some nutritional supplements that contain marine lipids (fish oil) that can act as a natural anti-inflammatory. Conscientious breeders have been working for years to limit hip dysplasia in prospective breeding animals, and those pets should be spayed or neutered to prevent the disease from being passed on to their puppies. Some large breed dogs are predisposed toward hip dysplasia. Owners of large dogs should have both parents X-rayed for hip dysplasia because the problem may not show up until an animal is 2 years old or older. OPTHAMOLOGY Cataracts A: All dogs over the age of about 8 years develop a hazy appearance to the lenses of their eyes. This normal change is called sclerosis, and your pet's vision will not be affected. Sclerosis results when the lens adds onion-like layers and becomes more dense as the dog ages. Cataracts, on the other hand, are the clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye which keeps light from passing through. Cataracts can be small or completely cover the lens, and vision may be lost in varying degrees. Dogs can be born with cataracts or develop them as puppies or adults. Cataracts either can be inherited or caused by lack of proper nutrition, diseases such as diabetes or even drugs such as cortisone. Dogs with diabetes develop cataracts because the high buildup of sugar causes a chemical reaction which eventually clouds lens tissue in the eye. Some cataracts develop quite rapidly, while others grow very, very slowly. Regular examinations by a veterinarian are important to keep track of the rate of cataract development. Cataract surgery is more difficult in dogs than humans because the lens in the eye of a dog is much larger and very sensitive. As a result, it can become inflamed, resulting in scarring and even blindness. Surgery is not recommended to remove small cataracts. Usually surgery is performed only on dogs with severely affected vision or blindness in both eyes. It is critical to consult a veterinary ophthalmologist to determine if the retina and optic nerve are functioning properly. Cherry
Eye A: Based on your description, the supply might have a condition called "cherry eye" which usually is seen in young, small breed dogs. The third eyelid, which is located at the inside corner of each eye, helps to keep the eye clean and moist. The red lump that you see is actually the gland of the third eyelid that has become exposed. When the fibers that attach the gland are weakened or defective, it can cause the red, swollen, "cherry eye" appearance. This condition looks unsightly and can be very uncomfortable for your pet. In some cases, "cherry eye" can cause severe irritation to the surface of the eye and eventually might result in loss of vision. "Cherry eye" can be repaired with surgery. The veterinary surgeon should be careful not to remove any tear-producing tissue so the eye will remain moist and healthy. The Vet Clinic is not intended to be a substitute for visits to your local veterinarian, either for regular physical exams, annual dental checkups or necessary treatments when your pet has health problems. Instead, The Vet Clinic offers the pet owner information written by a veterinarian about animal health care and natural, premium-quality products that can have dramatic results without the use of drugs, chemicals, harsh pesticides, or low-grade ingredients.
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