Vaccination and other Preventative Medicine
Many
people do not realize how important annual preventative medicine is to their pets.
At Angelcare, we focus on client education in the exam rooms. We want our clients
to be informed about WHY we are recommending vaccines or dentals or heartworm
tests, etc. Many diseases can be prevented - and years added on to your pet's
life - if you know the basics for Why.
Vaccines
Distemper:
This is a virus which infects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
Symptoms can be but are not limited to: Coughing, thick Discharge from the eyes
and nose, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Fever, Depression, and Seizures. This disease is
spread through the air and even if treated, can be fatal.
Hepatitis:
This disease, caused by canine adenovirus
type 2, infects the liver. It can be fatal but is preventable!
Leptospirosis:
Caused by a question-mark shaped bacterium called spirochete, it infects the kidneys,
and is spread from animal to animal through urine. Humans can get this from their
animal.
Parvovirus:
This is a very contagious virus of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include:
Vomiting, profuse Bloody Diarrhea, extreme Listlessness, and Anorexia which leads
to dehydration and death. This virus is spread through infected fecal matter.
Parainfluenza:
(Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis)
- This virus is similar to canine distemper
and plays a role in kennel cough (which is caused by the bacteria
Bordatella bronchiseptica),
especially if the animal already has a more serious chronic respiratory disease
or is exposed to secondary infecting agents, stress, or has poor hygiene. The
virus alone causes sever damage to the respiratory tract, which, in turn, allows
secondary bacterial infections. It acts in synergy with Bordetalla
and Canine Adenovirus 2 (canine hepatitis) to produce "kennel cough," is airborne,
and is usually not cleared up completely for about 3 months. Signs of mild infection
can include: fever, cough, and serous (clear) nasal discharge. Severe infection
can produce: lethargy, conjunctivitis, tonsillitis, and anorexia.
Bordetella:
A respiratory bacteria which is spread through the air. It is one of the components
of kennel cough.
Lyme
Disease:
This is a bacteria that can be transmitted to both dogs and humans through the
bite of a deer tick. Symptoms include: Fever, Swollen Joints, Joint Pain, Lameness,
and Lethargy. Dogs most at risk are those who go camping, hunting, or simply live
in wooded areas. The vaccine has been sometimes known to give the virus, so when
you come in, we can decide if your beloved pet is at risk or not.
Rabies:
This virus attacks the nervous system of both animal and man. This virus is 100%
Fatal to its victims. It is transmitted through a bite wound of an infected animal.
Most common carriers are skunks, bats, and sometimes raccoons, but be cautious
of stray animals as well. There are 1- and 3-year vaccines now made for the Rabies
Virus.
It is The Law that your pet be current with its
Rabies Vaccine.
Feline Panleukopenia:
Commonly referred to as Feline Distemper, it is a highly contagious viral disease.
Symptoms can include: Fever, Weight Loss, Depression, Loss of Appetite, Vomiting,
Diarrhea, Dehydration and can lead to death. The most effective means of control
is implementation of vaccination programs early.
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
(FVR): The most severe and widespread
upper respiratory disease of cats. Highly contagious and very
serious in young animals. Signs include: Fever, Tearing,
Discharge from eyes and nose, Open-Mouth Breathing,
Coughing and Salivation. Treatment is limited to supportive and symptomatic care.
Prevention is key, as cats who have recovered from
this disease become carriers for life.
Feline Calicivirus
(FCV): Another major upper respiratory
virus. Highly contagious and widespread. Signs of the
disease include: Fever, Pneumonia, Ulcer or Blisters on the tongue. Limited to
supportive and symptomatic care, and cats who recover become carriers for the
disease. Prevention is key in controlling the disease.
Feline Chlamydiosis
(Pneumonitis): A bacteria that causes
feline respiratory disease. Extremely contagious, especially
in kittens. Symptoms: mild-to-severe Conjunctivits,
Excessive Tearing, Sneezing, heavy Salivation, and Coughing. Cats may have lung
involvement but generally do not show signs of pneumonia. Antibiotics can treat
but like FVR and FCV, cats become carriers of the disease with or without showing
clinical signs.
Feline Leukemia
(FeLV):
Feline leukemia is the leading cause of death in cats and kittens. The disease
breaks down the immune responses, so the cat cannot fight off infections it normally
would be able to resist; much like HIV in humans. Transmitted by cat-to-cat contact,
there are vaccines available to prevent the disease. Even indoor cats are at risk.
Cats must be tested for Feline Leukemia before a vaccine can be given, but testing
can be done after 8 weeks of age.
Ringworm:
A fungal infection which causes dry, flaky skin and hair loss.
Common in multi-cat households and catteries. It is
transmittable to humans.
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP):
A viral disease, seen often in young adult cats. Once clinical signs are exhibited,
the disease is progressive and leads to death. There are two types of the disease:
wet form and dry form. The wet form causes large amounts of fluid to build up
in the body cavities, especially the abdominal cavities. The dry form signs depend
on the body organ affected: intestines, kidney, liver, lungs, eyes, or nervous
system. No cure exists for this disease, so talk with us today to determine risk
and a vaccination schedule.
Intestinal
Parasites
Roundworms:
Common in puppies because they can get them form their mother during birth or
even through her milk. Adult dogs get them through eating grass or stools that
are contaminated with the eggs. Annual or bi-annual intestinal parasite screenings
are used as a preventative for adults, but these worms can be vomited up or passed
in the stool at any time. They look like spaghetti, and their presence needs to
be eliminated quickly. Our veterinarians will de-worm your new puppy several times,
breaking the life cycle of the worm.
Hookworms:
These parasites cause severe anemia because they suck blood from the lining of
their intestines. They can be picked up from the ground either as your pet eats
the grass which is lined with the eggs, or when your pet licks himself and ingests
the eggs. Routine intestinal parasite screenings can identify the eggs.
Whipworms:
These parasites are difficult to find. It can take 2-4 weeks before the adult
produces eggs that can be missed on intestinal parasite screenings. They are difficult
to remove from the environment as well. De-worming medications can be given as
prevention.
Tapeworms:
These parasites have a very unique life-cycle. The tapeworm segment must pass
through a host to infect the dog. The most common host is the flea. The dog licks
or grooms themselves and swallows the flea which contains the tapeworm egg. The
egg can now mature into an adult within your dog. It is extremely hard to find
the tapeworm egg on an intestinal parasite screening. Most
often the segments - which are flat white segments, but when exposed to air and
dry look like segments of brown rice - are found when passed through the stool.
If you should find what looks like tapeworm segments, bring in a stool sample,
and we can treat your pet.
Coccidia:
These are intestinal protozoan parasites that cause bloody diarrhea. Usually found
in dogs under one year of age, and can be treated.
Giardiasis:
This is an intestinal disease that can affect all warm-blooded animals. Diagnosis
can only be confirmed through observation of the disease under a microscope. Symptoms
can be: profuse Watery Stools that may contain mucous or blood, Listlessness,
and weight loss. In its acute form, it can cause severe abdominal cramping and
life-threatening dehydration from fluid loss. It can be treated, but may take
many weeks.
All of these
parasites are treated through prescription medication. Over-the-counter de-wormers
can be very hazardous, if not properly administered. We are more than happy to
examine your pet and make sure the proper medication and dosage are sent home.
Some Heartworm Disease Preventatives actually treat some of these parasites, so
please ask us when you come in for your exam.
Pre-anesthetic
and/or Diagnostic Testing
Diagnostic
Testing can identify hidden health problems. Testing reduces risk - and we recommend
some or all of the following tests to determine your pet's health status, so we
can make the best medical decisions, especially before administering anesthesia.
Although performing these tests does not guarantee that complications won't occur,
it does reduce the risk to your pet and provide you with peace of mind.
Before
animals undergo any kind of surgery, a dental health cleaning, etc, they should
have a work-up to check for any possible complications.
Pets
over 4 years of age should be tested annually to at least identify what is the
normal range, so a problem can be identified later on.
The top 4 Reasons to test your pet:
1.)
Peace of mind: Testing
can significantly reduce risk and ensure your pet's health and safety.
2.)
Pets can't tell
us when they don't feel well. A healthy-appearing pet may be hiding symptoms of
a disease or ailment. For example, a pet can lose up to 75% of kidney function
before showing any signs of illness. Testing helps us
evaluate the health of your pet's liver and kidneys, so we can avoid problems
related to anesthesia.
3.)
Testing can reduce
risks. If results of the pre-anesthetic are within normal ranges, we can proceed
with confidence, knowing the anesthetic risk is minimized. On the other hand,
if results are not within normal ranges, we alter the anesthetic procedure to
safeguard your pet's health.
4.)
Testing can help
protect your pet's future health. These tests provide baseline levels for your
pet and become part of his or her medical chart for future reference.
Other topics of interest for
preventative healthcare:
Read about the benefits of
dental care for your pets...
Find out all about Heartworm
Disease...
Yes, there is pet insurance
that will protect your animal and even pay for preventative medicine!