Your Guide to Common Pet Illnesses
Your pet is your best friend, and you want to keep him or her around as long as you can. Good health care is essential, as well as making sure all vaccinations are kept up-to-date. No matter how hard you try, however, bad things can still happen to your beloved pet. It is difficult for us to see our pets sometimes experience sickness and pain. At first you may notice very subtle changes. It may then become apparent in the amount activity your pet displays, changes in diet or how happy he or she appears. Learning to recognize illnesses in your pet is crucial to diagnosis and care.
Here are few of the most common pet illnesses an owner should know about, and what to do when something happens.
Obesity - A Growing Problem
 
A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. It turns out that adage applies to dogs and cats as well as people. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in our pet population, and, interestingly, it parallels that observed in humans. Most owners do not realize that our pets have a longer life expectancy when they remain lean throughout their lives. With obesity comes problems, like: arthritis, cardiac disease, respiratory conditions, Diabetes and liver problems in our cats, heat or exercise intolerance, skin problems and an increased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with anesthesia.
Think positively and know that you will make
a difference in your pet’s life and longevity
if you help him lose weight.
Canine (and feline) obesity, similar to human obesity, has less to do with genetics than simply eating too much high-calorie food and a sedentary lifestyle. Is it really surprising that a pet will pack on extra pounds if its owner has a hectic schedule, poor eating habits and doesn’t exercise? Do you really think your fat pet is happy being a couch potato rather than running and playing?
See the pictures below and see if you can recognize obesity in your pet. Oftentimes, in the yearly examination, we point out that the pet has gained several pounds. “Oh, that’s not much, Doc” the client exclaims. If your cat weighed 15 lbs last year and now weighs almost 17 lbs, that’s a 12% increase which IS significant. If the weight continues to increase 10-12% each year, we will have a “meatloaf” appearance in short order.
Dottie, a 6-year-old spayed English Bulldog.
A. Weight: 71.2 lbs with lameness on right forelimb.
B. Weight: 62.4 lbs ( lost 12% of initial body weight) - lameness issue resolved.
Scarlett, an 8-year-old spayed Golden Retriever.
A. Weight: 88 lbs once a very active dog, she had lost interest in fetching her ball
B. Weight: 76.9 lbs ( lost 13% of initial body weight) - has regained interest in fetching
Managing a pet’s weight can be a sensitive subject for pet owners – especially if the client is also overweight. In actuality, lack of compliance is the single most important factor for the failure of pets to lose weight. It’s almost as if the client gives up before starting and claims:
Without commitment, motivation and dedication on the part of owners, any weight management program will fail. Think positively and know that you will make a difference in your pet’s life and longevity if you help him lose weight. This is accomplished in several ways. We need to rule out any underlying metabolic disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism) that could interfere with a weight loss program. We need to combine exercise restriction with caloric restriction as the cornerstone for weight loss. Prescription diets (high fiber with low protein and fat) work beautifully. And, lastly, we have added a medication, called Slentrol to our arsenal for dogs (not cats). It is not a long-term solution. If owners do not modify behaviors that led to their dog becoming overweight in the first place, weight rebound can occur once the drug is discontinued.
Food is not love.
Let us help you succeed in a weight-loss program for your pet.
Skin - The Largest Organ in the Body
And does it cause a lot of problems! In fact, problems with the skin and the ears are the most common reasons for a visit to the veterinarian. Skin problems can be caused by a myriad of different reasons. Unfortunately, it may take you awhile to realize that there really is a problem with your pet’s skin and, what started out as simple and straightforward, has become a nightmare.
Does your pet have a skin condition? Look for the following:
- itching, scratching, licking or rubbing
- red patches, spots or pimples
- scabs, crusts or thickened skin
- hair loss
- flaky or scaly patches
- bad skin odor
 
I think you can envision how one symptom can spill into another. Mange, fleas and infections can cause the pet to self-mutilate with scratching and biting. Does the hair loss result from the pet chewing itself or from a hormonal disorder? Where in the world are these allergies coming from that make my pet miserable and bald? One thing is for certain – skin disease is uncomfortable.
One thing is for certain – skin disease is uncomfortable.
There are quite a few causes for skin conditions and we are frequently told, “Just give my dog a shot, Doc, and get him to stop itching”. No way! What you’re asking for is a steroid shot. Yes, it will stop the “itchies” but it does nothing to cure the problem. We will not give steroids unless absolutely needed because long-term usage can cause other problems. Allergies (outdoor allergens from grasses and pollens or indoor allergens from carpet cleaners or detergent, even food!), parasites (fleas, mites in a puppy or an elderly pet), hormonal imbalances, yeast or bacterial infections, obsessive compulsive behaviors are all causes of skin problems.
Be patient! Sometimes the treatments are many and will take time. Allergy testing and desensitization injections, dermatology shampoos, antibiotics, careful dosing with steroids or antihistamines, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, unique food formulas – all are possibilities.
Healthy skin?
Healthy pet!
Heart Disease - We've Run Out of Power
The heart is arguably the most important organ in the body. Plain and simple, it’s a pump that pushes blood throughout the body. This circulating blood delivers vital nutrients and oxygen to cells. While some pets are born with heart problems, we most often see older pets develop problems later in life. Clinical signs of heart disease include: coughing (particularly at night), labored or open mouth breathing, lethargy, exercise intolerance, bluish discoloration of the tongue and gums and reluctance to lay down to rest.
Our older patients most often develop problems with the valves and less often, the heart muscle. With age comes the degeneration of the heart valves - they struggle to form a seal between the chambers (atrium and ventricles) of the heart and consequently blood leaks. This leakage causes turbulence in the blood flow and a murmur develops. As heart disease progresses, heart failure results. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer maintain adequate blood flow and blood begins to back up either in the lungs or in the abdomen.
An echo is the most sensitive and specific test
that we have for evaluating our heart patients.
To help our heart patients, we must know how sick their heart is – ausculting (or “listening” to the heart and lungs) isn’t enough. Therefore, we do a cardiac work-up – a full blood profile with urinalysis, EKG and chest x-rays. We commonly discuss referral for an ultrasound (echocardiogram or “echo”). An echo is the most sensitive and specific test that we have for evaluating our heart patients. Once these tests are performed, we then recommend a treatment plan. This involves several oral medications and frequent follow-up exams. We also recommend a special diet low in sodium. Hearing the diagnosis of “Congestive Heart Failure” can be devastating to the pet-owner, but we can slow the progression of heart failure and improve the pet’s quality of life.
 
Kidney Disease
(“We’ve Sprung a Leak”)
Kidney (or Renal) failure is sneaky. The most common type of kidney failure is due to aging and is of a chronic nature – a gradual, slow process seen in our older patients. It is one of the most common problems we see in our geriatric cat patients. Clinical signs of this disease include: excessive urination (yet people mistakenly think that production of lots of urine is a sign of good kidney function!), decreased appetite, weight loss, bad breath, lethargy and vomiting. Kidneys work hard to filter harmful, toxic waste products from the blood and excrete them into the urine. They also regulate blood volume/composition and control blood pressure.
Kidney function is tested by performing a full blood profile (to measure waste by-products) and a urinalysis (to measure urine concentration). It also allows us to assess red blood cell concentration and electrolyte abnormalities. Blood pressures complete our diagnostic work-up.
Kidney disease is one of the most common problems
we see in our geriatric cat patients.
We can’t cure kidney disease but we can certainly make our patients feel better and live longer with an aggressive treatment plan. Our first plan of attack is to hospitalize the patient and give large amounts of intravenous fluids (“diuresis”). This will increase the filtering ability of the kidneys and effectively flush out the toxic waste products. Following diuresis and a reassessment of the kidney values, the patient can go home with new diet recommendations, a lesson on administering subcutaneous fluids at home and medications to control blood pressure, stomach ulcers, electrolyte supplementation (and more!). Frequent recheck exams to monitor kidney values, blood pressure and body weight enable us to continue the fight against this disease.
 
How to Protect Your Pet from Cancer
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in pets and accounts for nearly half of all deaths in cats and dogs over the age of 10. Dogs suffer from more kinds of cancer (at least 100) than any other domestic animal, and one in four will develop the disease in its lifetime. Just like people, pets can develop cancer from exposure to sunlight, smoke, asbestos, chemicals, hormones, radiation and viruses, and from immune-system failures. And some canine breeds have hereditary risk factors, among them Golden Retrievers, Boxers and Bulldogs.
 
Some canine breeds have hereditary cancer risk
among them are Golden Retrievers, Boxers and Bulldogs.
But don’t panic if your pet is diagnosed. Certain cancers can be cured if caught early, and most can at least be treated. Operations include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, cryosurgery, hyperthermia, immunotherapy or a combination of treatments. Preventing, of course, is better than any treatment. Here are five tips to reduce the risk of your pet developing cancer.
1. Make regular vet visits
For both people and animals, the sooner a cancer is detected and treated, the better the chance of a cure. That’s one of the reasons why a check up every six months is recommended for animals over the age 7. All others should have annual exams.
2. Exercise your pets
Regular exercise helps keep pets lean and is essential for optimal health. It also may strengthen their immunity to chronic diseases such as cancer. The incidence of cancer is 50% higher in overweight pets than it is in those that are at a healthy weight.
3. Prevent sunburn
White-haired cats and dogs and those with short hair are at higher risk for sun-induced skin cancer. Protect them by using an SPF 30 sun block on sensitive areas like the nose and tips of the ears. You also should avoid outside exposure during the hours of stronger sunlight, from 10 am & 2 pm.
4. Limit exposure to chemicals
Known carcinogens include herbicides, insecticides and tobacco smoke. Avoid house and garden pesticides or use the least-toxic products, and remove pets from passive smoke environments.
5. Spay and Neuter pets
Spaying a female dog before her first heat cycle decreases her risk of breast cancer to almost zero and neutering completely eliminates the risk of testicular cancer in males.
Heartworms: It's as Bad as it Sounds.
But easy to avoid
Heartworm is a deadly, but easily preventable disease that too many pet owners are not taking seriously. Heartworms, as the name implies, live in a dog or cat's heart and are transmitted by mosquitoes. The adult heartworms produce offspring, called microfilariae, which circulate in the infected animal's blood. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, it sucks out blood containing the microfilariae that become larvae. When the mosquito bites another animal the infected larvae are then transmitted.
Most pet owners wouldn’t knowingly put their pet at risk of becoming infected with a potentially deadly disease. Yet according to the American Heartworm Society (AHS), millions of pet owners fail to protect their pets by not using a heartworm preventive year-round. With more than 240,000 dogs and 4,095 cats testing positive for heartworm, pet owner noncompliance to heartworm prevention creates a serious problem that is putting America’s pets at risk!
Too many pet owners have a false sense of security
because their pets do not go outside or because they can’t see the worms.
A recent survey found that only 55% of pets in the US are on a heartworm preventative (down from 66%). Additionally, far too many pet owners have a false sense of security because their pets do not go outside or because they can’t see the worms (in the feces). All pets need protection — nearly 55 percent of all reported feline heartworm cases are diagnosed in indoor cats.
Each year cats die needlessly from complications related to this very preventable disease. Heartworms in cats are very hard to diagnose, and most cases are only confirmed after the death of the cat. The most common signs in the cat include difficult breathing, coughing and vomiting. These signs can be associated with a wide range of other diseases. Dogs may become listless, tire easily, develop a cough, become anemic and in severe cases develop complications in the liver, kidneys, lungs and other major organs.
 
Heartworm disease is far easier to prevent than treat and all pets are at risk for exposure. Heartworm preventative is recommended for ALL puppies/dogs, and all indoors or outdoors kittens/cats. It is important to remember that heartworm preventives are drugs, which by federal law require a prescription. A doctor-patient relationship must be established before a prescription can be written. Dogs are required to have a yearly heartworm test, cats are not. Pet owners must also be aware of purchasing heartworm preventatives from on-line pharmacies. Though you will save few dollars, you will lose the manufacture’s warranty on the product, which will pay for your Veterinary bill if your pet were to become positive.
Heartworm prevention is easy!
A simple once a month tasty treat or topical application is all that is needed.
Heartworm prevention is easy! A simple once a month tasty treat or topical application is all that is needed. Many pet owners also do not realize that some heartworm preventives can also prevent other common pest threats. Revolution for cats kills as ear mites, fleas and gastrointestinal parasites. Heartgard kills hookworms and roundworms both of which can be transmitted to humans.
Heartworm disease in its early stages has no symptoms. Inevitable it will cause illness and possible death. A treatment is available but doesn’t prevention just make sense?
Diabetes Mellitus
Yes. Pets can get Diabetes too.
People are often surprised to learn that pets get diabetes too. Just like people, dogs and cats develop diabetes when there is a lack of the hormone insulin or improper use of available insulin. Insulin is responsible for transporting glucose (sugar) from food to the body’s cells. Consequently, when there is not enough insulin, the cells become malnourished and glucose builds up in the blood (hyperglycemia) and urine (glucosuria). Since every cell in the body needs glucose, including the brain cells, diabetes left untreated can be fatal.
So, how will you know if your pet has diabetes? The most common signs are increased thirst, increased urination, and reduced activity level. Obese pets are at a greater risk of developing diabetes, but as the disease progresses you may notice weight loss in spite of a ravenous appetite. Since there are other diseases that can cause these signs, there is still a need for an exam, weight check, and blood and urine test. This will confirm whether your pet has diabetes.
What should you do if your pet is diagnosed with diabetes? Most pets will require daily insulin injections (we will teach you how to do this); although some cats can be managed with diet changes and possibly oral medication. Once your pet is diagnosed with diabetes we will need to work together to develop an appropriate treatment plan that works for both you and your pet. This plan may include: regular exercise, an appropriate diet, and daily insulin. The importance of a regular schedule cannot be overemphasized – eating the same amount of the same type of food at the same time each day helps regulate glucose levels. It also helps to give the insulin injections the same time each day. Developing a regular exercise program helps the body use insulin more efficiently and lowers the body’s insulin requirement. Too much exercise can be just as dangerous as too little, so consult with us before changing your diabetic pet’s exercise program. Part of the treatment plan involves regular check ups, as it may take a few months and some adjustments in insulin dose, to regulate your pet’s blood glucose. This allows us to watch for some of the possible complications of diabetes, such as cataracts or kidney disease.
People with diabetes monitor their glucose level several times daily.
Pets have to depend on us.
 
What can I expect for my diabetic pet? A well-managed diabetic should have normal thirst and appetite. As your pet becomes regulated, his/her weight should stabilize. Some things to watch out for are: inappetence, vomiting, lethargy, ataxia (unsteady gait), or seizures. These are indications that your pet’s blood sugar has dropped too low (hypoglycemia). This is an emergency and you should always keep some Karo syrup or honey on hand for this situation. If you suspect your pet is hypoglycemic, then rub the syrup on your pet’s gums and seek immediate veterinary attention.
Veterinary medicine presents its unique challenges, especially since our patients cannot tell us how they feel. People with diabetes monitor their glucose level several times daily. Because this is not feasible in pets we have to depend on each other to ensure the best for your pet. There are steady advances being made to formulate better, longer-lasting insulin and other glucose-lowering medications, and improved methods to monitor diabetic pets at home is on the horizon. The hope is to discover a cure for diabetes. In the meantime, together we can develop a plan to manage your pet so that he/she can live a happy, healthy life.
Ear infections
Wait 'till you hear!
Ear infections are some of the most common and frustrating problems that veterinarians see. Most often dogs are affected, but cats can have infections as well. You may have heard the term otitis, referring to inflammation of the ear. This inflammation sets up the stage for infection.
What causes the inflammation in the first place? Answering that question may mean the difference between successful treatment or just management of chronic ear problems. When you notice your pet shaking her head excessively, scratching at her ears, or if her ears are red, has excess discharge or foul odor then she needs to be examined. Part of the clinic visit involves an overall exam of your pet as well as a thorough exam of her ears. Another part of the visit involves some history that we get from you. We use this information to try and determine predisposing factors, primary factors and/or perpetuating factors that contribute to the development of otitis.
Predisposing factors are those which prime the environment (the ear canal) for the establishment of primary or perpetuating factors. For example, the conformation of the ear canal can be a predisposing factor. Dogs, such as spaniels, are at an increased risk due to their long, tortuous ear canals that easily collect dirt and debris. A pet that swims regularly or lives in a moist environment is more susceptible because the moisture facilitates overgrowth of some microorganisms. While ear conformation and environmental moisture are things over which you have no control, regular cleaning with an appropriate ear cleaner can help counteract some of those effects.
Primary factors are those conditions that induce inflammation in the canal. Parasites, such as ear mites, are a common cause of otitis in the cat. Ticks and scabies that cause itching and irritation can also lead to inflammation in the ear. Foreign materials including grass awns or household items can initiate an inflammatory reaction that leads to otitis. The most common cause of otitis in the dog is hypersensitivity reactions (i.e. allergies). Furthermore, one of the reasons ear infections can be so frustrating is because the offending allergens can be of multiple origins (food, household, outdoors). Your pet may even be allergic to some ear medications. Pets with allergies may have recurrent ear infections and/or skin problems until the allergies are identified and treated.
The most common ear problems are caused by
bacterial and fungal (yeast) infections.
Perpetuating factors are those situations that work to maintain the inflammatory process in the ear canal. The most common are bacterial and fungal (yeast) infections. Bacteria and yeast are found in low numbers on the skin of healthy ears; the problem occurs when the immune system is altered and other bacteria are permitted to invade or the numbers of normal bacteria/yeast are not controlled. Other factors include those that cause occlusion of the canal such as polyps or chronic inflammatory changes.
After an exam and history, a swab of your pet’s ear debris is collected for microscopic analysis (cytology). From this we can determine if there are bacteria or yeast present, and if so, what type. With this information we can prescribe the appropriate ear cleaner and topical medications. Be prepared to treat your pet for several weeks. For the pet with chronic, recurrent ear infections, treatment may include systemic antibiotics and may last for several months. We understand and share in your frustration. However, in consideration of all the above-mentioned contributing factors (and these are not anywhere near all of them), we hope you get an idea of how complex ear infections can be. We have to work together to ensure the health and comfort of your pet.
If you believe your pet is experiencing any of these health problems
please contact us to schedule a complete physical.
 
Many health issues can be easily treated when diagnosed early.
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