Rivard Animal Hospital

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

WHY DOES MY PET NEED HEARTWORM TESTING?

WHY DO I NEED HEARTWORM TESTING?

At early stage you may not notice any visible symptoms. Without testing you will not know that your pet was already infected with heartworm until disease has progressed significantly causing serious damage to heart and lungs. Symptoms are only seen when disease is at advanced stage. At early stage of infection, only blood test can detect if pet was already infected with heartworm. Even if your pets is indoor still they can come in contact with mosquito when going outside only for a short period of time. In addition mosquito can easily slip inside your house or basements through small cracks, during opening of doors, windows or screens

Thursday, November 20, 2014

FELINE LEUKEMIA DISEASE IN CATS AND KITTEN

FELINE LEUKEMIA DISEASE

Feline Leukemia Disease is a serious Viral problem effecting cats, all over the world, resulting in illness and may lead to death. Unfortunately, problem is not curable but can be prevented if proper measures are taken in time.

HOW THE VIRUS SPREADS?

Persistently infected, apparently healthy cats serve as major store house for the virus and can spread infection to other healthy cats. When pets are fighting or grooming each other, they can spread infection through saliva. Tears, feces, urine and nasal secretions are other sources for the spread of infection. Pregnant queens can transfer the infection to kitten before birth or after birth through milk.

WHAT SIGN AND SYMPTOMS WILL BE SEEN?

Sign and symptoms depend upon stage of disease and vary from none to serious illness.

At early stages you may not notice any signs but when disease advances to next stages, virus may cause severe immunosuppression, loss of blood, and cats become more susceptible to secondary infections and parasites.

Signs may include fever, cats may stop eating properly, lymph nodes may become enlarged, can loose weight, become lethargic with rough or dull hair coat, can suffer from gum problems with soreness in the mouth and may show eye problems. Vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures can also be seen. Pregnant queens may abort.

Cancers like Feline Lymphoma, Lymphosarcoma and Leukemia could happen due to this virus.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM?

Blood test can be performed on cats and kitten to detect if the pet is positive for virus

TREATMENT FOR THE DISEASE

There is no proven cure or treatment for Feline Leukemia Disease, but infected cats can survive and stay healthy for several years if secondary infections, parasites and stress factors are kept under control

Such cats may need more aggressive and prolonged treatment for any secondary infections as their own defense system is not able to fight against infections like other healthy cats

HOW TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM?

As there is no proper treatment or cure for this disease, prevention is a major and important factor for this problem. A blood test should be run to detect early stages of the infection. It is recommended to:

Test all the kittens at early stages of life

Test a new cat or kitten before introducing to existing healthy cats in the house

Test all cats living in a house before adding a new cat to the same house

Test all cats before giving them first Leukemia Vaccine

Test uninfected cats in a house living with infected cat and vaccinate them accordingly. Two doses of vaccine are given 3-4 wks apart, then annual revaccination is recommended.

If a cat is found positive for the infection, keep him or her completely indoor to avoid further spread of infection to other cats. Keep this cat separate from other ones, keep up to date on routine preventive healthcare including all other vaccines and regular de-worming (every 6 months) and other external parasite control measures. Rabies vaccines should be given to all cat regardless they are indoor or outdoor to follow the Government Laws.

House hold cats should be spayed or neutered to minimize chances for aggression and fighting and mating to lessen the chances of infection

Please feel free to call at clinic number if you have any questions regarding Feline Leukemia Virus or Disease in cats and kitten.

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RIVARD Animal Hospital 5635 Tecumseh Rd East, Windsor, Ontario, N8T 1C8:

(519) 974-7387 www.rivardanimalhospital.com www.facebook.com/rivardanimalhospital

Saturday, April 4, 2015