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| | This page offers you some general information about diseases or problems that
could affect your dog or cat. It is not meant to be a substitute for a
visit to our office but to make you more knowledgeable concerning these common
issues and their vaccines. If you have any questions or would like more
information please do not hesitate to ask one of our staff.
Bordetella
This is a
contagious infection that causes upper respiratory signs -- mainly coughing -- in
dogs. Since it is airborne most kennels require protection from it (and hence
the name "kennel cough"). The
vaccine is given either subcutaneous or via the nose. It is
usually administered yearly.
Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious disease caused by a tiny virus. It
is most often transmitted through contact with mucous and watery secretions
discharged from the eyes and noses of infected dogs or through contact with the
urine and fecal material of infected dogs. Since the virus may be borne by
air currents and inanimate objects, it is nearly impossible to prevent exposure,
especially to the more susceptible younger dogs and pups.. It is the
greatest single disease threat to the world's dog population and even if a dog
does not die from the disease, its health may be permanently impaired. A bout
with canine distemper can leave a dog's nervous system irreparably damaged,
along with its sense of smell, hearing or sight; partial or total paralysis is
also not uncommon. The safest protection is an annual vaccination.
Fleas
Fleas not only make your pet miserable but can also contribute to blood loss
anemia and can transmit tapeworms to your pet.
The flea is a small, brown, wingless insect
that uses specialized mouth parts to pierce the skin and siphon blood. When a
flea bites your dog, it injects a small amount of saliva into the skin to
prevent blood coagulation. Many dogs become sensitized to this saliva and will scratch
and chew madly until the skin is hairless, red, raw and weeping serum.
Check your dog carefully for fleas or for signs of flea excrement (also called
flea dirt), which looks like coarsely ground pepper. When moistened, flea dirt
turns a reddish brown because it contains blood. An adult flea may also contain
tapeworm eggs, which once ingested through grooming or biting, grow to maturity
in your pet’s small intestine. You can control and prevent fleas through
oral or topical systemic treatments that kill the larva and eggs or the adult
fleas.
Heartworm
If your dog or cat spends more than a few minutes a day outdoors or is exposed
to mosquitoes they may be at risk for heartworm disease. Adult heartworms can
grow up to a foot long, usually in the arteries of the lungs and can cause heart
damage, organ failure and if left untreated, death. Untreated dogs with
heartworm will become lethargic, have no appetite and have difficulty breathing.
Monthly topical medications are available and longer lasting preventatives come
in doses that provides up to six months of continuous protection.
Parvo
This virus is transmitted by oral ingestion of viral contaminated feces. Upon
ingestion it infects local lymph nodes, quickly multiplies and then via the
blood moves to the small intestine where signs of the disease begin in
approximately 5-6 days. As it destroys the lining of the small intestine,
fluid loss from both vomiting and diarrhea is dramatic and dehydration ensues.
The onslaught of bacteria and toxins into the blood will ultimately cause
death. Frequent modified live vaccines starting at 8 weeks of age and
repeating every 3-4 weeks until the puppy is sixteen weeks old are the most
effective in preventing parvo.
Rabies
Rabies is an acute infectious disease of the central nervous system, which
affects all warm-blooded animals, including humans. The virus is often
present in the host's saliva and is usually transmitted by the bite or lick of a
rabid animal or sometimes by the respiratory route. In the early
"anxiety" stages, a rabid animal may have a change of temperament and
may become unusually friendly. The rabid animal may next enter a
"furious" stage where it wanders about biting everything whether it
moves or not. It then develops paralysis of the throat, which makes
swallowing difficult. Saliva often drips from the animal's mouth and may
be whipped into a foam. Eventually all of the rabid animal's muscles
become paralyzed and it dies. Rabies shots are required for every pet in the
state of Kentucky. Puppies and kittens need a booster shot after one year and
then once again every three years after that.
Ringworm
Ringworm is caused by a microscopic fungal organism that results in skin disease
to animals and humans. The fungus invades the growing hair shaft and feeds on
the protein contained in the hair and skin. It is very contagious and is spread
by direct contact with an infected animal or person, or with infected bedding
and grooming items. Early symptoms on pets include dry, flaky skin, broken hair,
and bald patches on ears, front legs and around the eyes. More advanced signs of
the fungus include crusty lesions and infected areas that become red and sore.
It is called ringworm because healing occurs from the center out, creating a
ring effect. A vaccine exists for prevention and treatment includes a topical
application.
Spaying or Neutering
Spaying is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus,
fallopian tubes) of the female animal. Neutering (castration) is the surgical
removal of the reproductive glands (testes) of the male animal. The
sterilization surgery is performed under a general anesthesia. Dogs should be
spayed or neutered by 6 months of age while cats can have the procedure as young
as 4 months. In addition to saving lives, spaying and neutering can also
drastically improve your pet's health and life expectancy. A spayed female is
less likely to get uterine and ovarian cancer, and breast cancer, and the
procedure eliminates mood swings, undesirable behaviors, and messy spotting
associate with the heat cycle. Neutering a male reduces the risk of both
prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. It also will make your pet more
affectionate and less likely to roam, get in fights, or become lost.
Skunked!
Tomato juice will only mask the smell briefly. To neutralize the skunk
odor when your pet has been sprayed, try this recipe: In a plastic bucket
mix well 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, 1/4
cup of baking soda, and 1 to 2 teaspoons liquid soap (for very large pets one
quart of lukewarm tap water may be added to enable complete coverage).
Wash pet promptly and thoroughly, working the solution deep into the fur. Leave
the solution on about 5 minutes or until the odor is gone and then rinse with
lukewarm tap water. Some heavily oiled areas may require repeating
the process. Keep solution out of pet's eyes and any cuts. Never
premix a solution and store it -- pressure will build up and the container will
explode. Click here for a complete
description of this fix and why it works: Skunk
Remedy
Ticks
When a hungry tick senses a warm object passing by, it attaches itself by
clinging to clothing or fur and inserting pincher-like mouthparts into the skin
and begins feeding. These mouthparts are locked in place and will only dislodge
when the tick has completed the meal or you remove it. Some ticks can transmit
serious diseases to dogs and even humans (Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme
disease). Remove them with sterilized tweezers or a paper towel, grasping the
tick’s head and body as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull slowly
and patiently. Do not leave the head imbedded since it will mix its’ blood
with your pet’s and probably cause an infection. If it’s still on the site,
place a single drop of alcohol on it and repeat up to ten times until it
dislodges. Flush the removed tick down the toilet.
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