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The following health tips are provided as a courtesy to our
clients:
How often should I vaccinate my pet?
Owners with puppies or kittens who are just starting
out should starting vaccinating by 8 weeks of age. For kittens, vaccinations
are given every 3 - 4 weeks until at least the age of 12 weeks. For puppies,
vaccinations are given every 3 - 4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age.
Certain breeds (Rottweilers, Dobermans, Shar Pei's) require vaccination until
20 weeks of age.
When your puppy or kitten has completed this series of vaccinations they are
up-to-date until the following year when they are seen for the annual check up.
Please be aware that the first rabies vaccination is given on or around the
12th week of age and is good for 1 year.
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Is frequent/yearly vaccination safe?
For pets which will be exposed to disease, yearly
vaccination is definitely recommended in spite of a very small risk of
complications. However, many pets have minimal disease risk, and then the
traditional annual vaccination schedule is not followed. Indoor cats may only
require revaccination every few years.
Remember, even indoor cats need to have a physical exam yearly, and vaccinating
them every few years will maintain their immunity in case of exposure through
emergency kenneling or trips to the vets office.
Very few pets require every vaccine commercially available for their species.
Potential complications of vaccination include: allergic reactions to vaccine
from pain at injection site, to fever and anaphylactic shock. Autoimmune
hemolytic anemia and injection site sarcomas in cats are extremely rare.
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What is FIV?
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) was discovered in
the 1980's and is found throughout the United States. It is a common problem in
feral cat populations. FIV interferes with the immune system's ability to fend
off infections. The disease progresses slowly after initial infection.
Transmission of FIV is primarily from bite wounds. Casual contact or sexual
contact has not been shown to spread this disease. There is also the chance that
a pregnant female can have FIV positive kittens.
Cats who are allowed outdoors are susceptible to FIV because they have a higher
possibility of having being bitten by a cat who is FIV positive.
Although FIV is a life threatening disease, it is one that progresses slowly,
and many cats affected can live a normal life. If your cat has FIV, it is
important to keep him/her indoors, both to prevent the spread of FIV to other
cats and to help keep your pet from being exposed to other diseases.
As with HIV, there is as of yet no cure for FIV. A new vaccine produced by Fort
Dodge has just come on the market. Cats at high risk (those which go out) should
be vaccinated after being tested.
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What is FLV?
Feline Leukemia Virus (FLV) causes immunodeficiency,
anemia, and tumors in domestic cats. This disease is spread by bites, close
casual contact, shared dishes, or shared litter pans. Those at high risk include
male cats (because of aggressive behavior), free-roaming cats, or cats with
multiple feline housemates.
FLV is a serious disease that kills many cats each year. FLV cats can remain
healthy for many years with no sign of symptoms at all. Stress and secondary
infections should be avoided and the owners should watch for any change in
behavior, weight, or in appetite. Cats infected with FLV should be kept indoors
at all times to prevent infection of other cats, and to avoid exposure to other
diseases or infections. If your household contains FLV positive and negative
cats, they should be kept separated and have separate litter pans and food
dishes.
There is a vaccine for FLV which is recommended for cats who are at high risk
for acquiring the disease. The initial vaccination series is 2 injections (3 - 4
weeks apart), and then this vaccine must be boosted once a year.
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What is FIP?
Feline Infectious Peritonitis is a systemic viral
disease that is found in cats worldwide. Symptoms include gradual weight loss,
decrease in appetite, possible increase in size of abdomen size (a
"potbellied" appearance), and persistent fever.
FIP is spread by contact with saliva or fecal matter of another infected
animal.
Cats of all ages and either sex can contract the disease, but incidence is
highest in cats 6 mo to 2 yr old. Kittens raised in infected colonies which
contract the virus from their mothers may be asymptomatic carriers or they may
develop FIP symptoms weeks, months, or even years after they are placed in new
homes. Unfortunately, testing for FIP is not yet as accurate as for FeLV/FIV.
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What is FUS?
Feline Urologic Syndrome is a health concern that
affects the lower urinary tract and can be found in either males or females.
Symptoms include straining in the litter box, pain while trying to urinate,
frequent urination, and blood in the urine. Most of these cats have crystals
in their urine, which may form a sandy concentration. Blockage of the urethra
can result in cats, specifically males, left untreated. This is a
life-threatening emergency.
FUS can be caused by a number of reasons including stress, genetics, diet, or
viral infections. Though not the sole cause for FUS, diet does play a part in
prevention of the disease. Most of the better quality foods are adequate for
FUS prevention.
Increasing water intake is the most important factor in treating FUS. Feeding
your cat a good quality canned food helps, especially if you add extra water
to the canned food. Also, offering your cat distilled water instead of water
from the tap may help help.
Awareness is the biggest defense owners can have against FUS.
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Why is FIV/FLV testing important?
Testing for FIV/FeLV is important for several reasons.
First, these diseases are communicable, so cats should always be screened before
allowed entry into a house with other cats already in residence. Second, since
these viruses both may lead to immunosuppression, owners should be especially
vigilant about protecting cats who carry these viruses from acquiring secondary
infections.
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How can I prevent hairballs?
There are commercially available diets and oral
lubricant/laxative gel products which can help rid your feline buddy of this
hairy problem.
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Is declawing safe/ethical?
Declawing is a safe procedure when done correctly by an
experienced, careful veterinarian. Cats younger than six months of age have a
quicker recovery than obese, heavier cats. Individual pain thresholds vary, but
most cats are back to normal within two weeks.
Our belief is that many cats would not keep their good homes if they became
destructive, since most people can not afford to have hundreds to thousands of
dollars of furniture ruined.
We do recommend that cats keep their hind claws in case they ever get out, so
that they can climb a tree if chased.
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Why is my dog scooting?
Scooting can be a sign that your dog's anal glands are
full of a normal malodorous secretion. The veterinarian can empty these glands.
Sometimes adding bulk, such as Metamucil or bran flakes, to the diet can help
prevent the anal glands from over-filling.
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Why should my pet be spayed or neutered?
- Male Cats
The benefits include:
- Prevention of urine spraying to mark territory
(almost always)
- Less likely to roam (to find females)
- Less likely to fight with other males
- Female Cats
The benefits include:
- Decreased risk of breast cancer if spayed before
the first heat
- No chance of uterine infection which is
life-threatening
- No annoying heat behavior (crying, trying to get
out, aggressive or overly affectionate behaviors, urinating around the
house)
- Male Dogs
The benefits include:
- Decreased roaming and fighting
- Decreased dominance and aggression
- Decreased "humping"
- No testicular tumors or torsions (twisting)
- Decreased chance of hernias
- Much lower risk of prostate disease or tumors
- Decreased risk of tumors on or around the anus
- Female Dogs
The benefits include:
- Decreased chance of breast tumors (especially
before the first heat)
- No uterine infections which can be fatal
- Decreased chance of developing diabetes
- No mess to clean up when dog is in heat
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What is hybrid vigor?
Hybrid vigor is the term that refers to an animal that
is not 'pure breed' (a dog called a mutt or mongrel), or a cat called a domestic
short haired. These animals come from a mixed stock of genes which means that
often times health problems or risks that are associated with certain breeds
have less a chance of presenting themselves in an animal of mixed lineage.
Besides avoiding some of the health problems of the pure breeds, mutts have the
advantage of sometimes having longer life spans.
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When is flea and tick season?
In South Jersey, fleas are worst from August to
December. Ticks are year-round (thanks to the deer tick, which is the only tick
that lives and feed through the cold winter)
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What is the difference between FrontLine and Advantage?
Frontline is applied topically every month and is used
against fleas and ticks. For just tick prevention, Frontline should be applied
monthly, while if just used against fleas it is can have up to three months
protection. Advantage is a product also applied topically, each month, but
unlike Frontline, it only prevents fleas.
Both products are available from your vet for dogs and
cats, and are dispensed according to your pet's weight.
Of important note, there are differences between
topical flea and tick control sold in stores and those sold by veterinarians.
The packaging and labeling may be similar, but that's where the similarity ends.
The flea and tick products sold in your pet supply stores and grocery stores
have within them concentrated doses of insecticides. These insecticides kill
fleas but also have the potential to affect the nervous systems of your pet as
well as humans. Toxic reactions are known to occur and can be fatal to your pet,
especially cats.
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What is heartworm and how can I prevent it?
Heartworm is a potentially life-threatening disease
which is completely preventable. This disease is common in dogs that live in
areas where the mosquito population is high. Heartworm disease is less common in
cats than in dogs.
Heartworm larvae are passed from the mosquito's bite
into the bloodstream of the animal. There the worms multiply and migrate to the
heart. Dogs that are outdoors and unprotected are at high risk for this disease.
Symptoms include exercise intolerance, coughing,
labored breathing, coughing up blood, and fainting. A blood test screens for
heartworms. Dogs can show no symptoms but still have the disease if only a few
worms are present in the blood stream.
Prevention consists of pills or chewables which are
given monthly to prevent the infection from occurring. Yearly or bi-yearly
testing is also recommended.
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What is rabies?
Rabies is a serious disease prevalent in the United
States. The majority of rabies cases are found in, but not limited to, wild
animals such as the raccoon, skunk, opossum, bat, fox, and ground hogs to name a
few. If an animal is unvaccinated and bitten by a rabid animal, death is the
most likely outcome.
Present in the saliva of infected animals, rabies is a
virus that affects the central nervous system and is always fatal once the
symptoms have developed. The part of the brain that is affected by this virus
controls aggression which is why many animals infected with the rabies virus are
much more likely to attack without fear or provocation. Other behavioral changes
are also a sign that an animal may have rabies. Besides aggression, an animal
that is normal seen at night may be out in daylight. Animals which normally
would not approach humans is also another sign.
In New Jersey, no area has been left untouched by
rabies. Suburban areas have a higher incidence of rabies cases than others
because people and pets live in close proximity each other and wild animals. The
best thing to do if you see a rabid animal is to stay away and call your local
animal control services.
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When should my hamster/guinea
pig/rabbit have it's teeth clipped?
Hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits commonly need to
have their teeth clipped if they don't grind them down. The veterinarian can
solve this with a painless, simple procedure done in the office.
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Is vitamin C good for guinea pigs?
Vitamin C is not only good for guinea pigs, but vital for good health.
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Is anesthesia safe?
The anesthesia veterinarians use today is extremely
safe. In fact it is also the same type of anesthesia used in human pediatric
patients. Fear of anesthesia is definitely not a reason to avoid extremely
important life-lengthening procedures such as dentistry in the geriatric pet.
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Why does my pet's ear smell? / Why does my pet shake his/her
head?
The most common reason for you pet to shake his or
her head and for their ear to have an odor is from an ear infection. The
best thing to do is have your pet seen by a veterinarian. He or she will
give you the proper treatment which may include frequent cleanings and
medication.
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What if I clip my pets nail too short?
If in the course of clipping your pet's nails you clip
too close there are a number of things you can do. First though, know that a
normal healthy pet can not bleed to death from a closely clipped nail. Often
times a nail will stop on its own but it will make quite a mess first. Other
times may require you to use a styptic powder. Sometimes flour or a piece of
bread can help in a pinch to stem the flow of blood.
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What is the difference between the V.M.D. AND D.V.M. degrees
for vets?
The difference between the V.M.D. and D.V.M. degrees
for vets is simply that one is said in Latin while the other is in English.
The veterinarians who graduate from the University of Pennsylvania have the
distinction of being V.M.D.'s.
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What is bloat?
Bloat or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) is a
common occurrence, but not limited to, in large and giant breed dogs. Dogs
with large chest cavities are also at risk. GDV happens when there is a rapid
accumulation of air in the stomach, malposition of the stomach, and shock.
Animals that eat quickly tend to gulp their food. In doing so they can
introduce large amounts of air into the stomach. This can give the stomach the
ability of pendulum like motion in which twisting can occur.
GDV is caused by eating quickly, eating from a raised
food dish, moistening the food before feeding, and restricting water before
and after feeding, and exercising with a full stomach.
To prevent GDV, try to slow the speed of eating, feed
from bowls on the floor, do not moisten the food, and limit exercise after
eating. Knowing the symptoms is also important. If your pet shows any sign of
GDV it is important to act quickly and take him or her to a veterinarian as
soon as possible, or the condition could be rapidly fatal.
The symptoms to GDV are: non-productive retching,
salivation, abdominal distention, weakness, and depression, all occurring
suddenly.
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What tips do you have for Multiple
Cat Households?
Households with multiple cats often times have
problems concerning elimination outside of the litter box. The rule of
thumb with litter boxes is to have one per cat. The majority of cats
also seem to like clumping or scoopable litter more than non-clumping or clay
litter.
Multiple cat households also have a very delicate
hierarchy. When a new cat is brought into the mix it can often lead to
marking behavior (for example spraying) or fighting.
With any change in behavior it is imperative to have
the veterinarian rule out any medical causes first, and only then pursue
appropriate behavior modification techniques or drug therapy.
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