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Published at
Monroe Veterinary Clinic |
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September 2008
Volume 8
Issue 3
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Celebrating 59 Years of Service
© 2008 Monroe Veterinary Clinic.
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Food Drive for Animal Foster Homes We all love our pets and want the best of shelter and care for them. Not all animals have people to love them and provide homes for them. We have some very compassionate people in our county who provide foster homes for family-less animals through the Walton County Animal Guild (WAG). We are helping WAG provide food and necessary items for the foster families. If you would like to contribute food for cats or dogs, kitty litter, etc. you can drop these items off at the Monroe Veterinary Clinic or Monroe Pet Supply and Grooming. We will be glad to see that WAG receives these much needed items. If you have any questions about the food drive, call 770 267 3690. Staff News You will be missing some familiar faces at the clinic, but we are proud of and happy for the staff members we are missing. Michelle Wiley, one of our Vet Techs, has moved to the Atlanta area to attend Georgia State College and University for an additional degree. Leigh Fincher, another Vet Tech has enlisted in the US Air Force and just completed her basic training in Texas. We are very proud of her and her service to our country! Both Andrew Durden and Jacob Baird are enrolled at the University of Georgia. Andrew is also working at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. Kim Hall, a familiar face in the office and in Monroe Pet Supply and Grooming, has a new baby girl. Janice Lowe, Monroe Pet Supply and Grooming has been working for the Monroe Veterinary Clinic for 20 years and was recently recognized for her service.
Mars Petcare US Announces Nationwide Voluntary RecallMars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of products manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella serotype Schwarzengrund. These products are not sold at the Monroe Veterinary Clinic so none of our pet food products are included in this recall. Some of the brand names included in this recall are: Natural Cat Food (Sam's club) Pedigree Natural Dog Food (Sam's club) Old Roy Members Mark Red Flannel Country Acres Wegman's Retriever Pet owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-877-568-4463 or visit www.petcare.mars.com.
SEPTEMBER - SENIOR HEALTH CARE MONTH SENIOR PET CARE Would you describe your pet as a “teenager” or a “senior” ? It may surprise you to know that most pets who are seven years or older are considered “seniors”. Age is just a number, but the factors that determine the aging process of your pet include genetics, nutrition, and environment. Small dogs and cats tend to have a longer life expectancy than medium to large breeds of dogs. Since dogs and cats age more rapidly than people, dramatic changes in health can occur in as little as 3 to 6 months. Most of us don't wait seven years between visits to our doctor or dentist. If your senior pet only has an exam every couple of years, it would be like waiting 14 years to see your doctor! Like their human counterparts, older pets begin to develop diseases such as diabetes, heart, kidney and liver disease, arthritis, hormonal problems, endocrine disease, cancer and even loss of their senses. These diseases can go unnoticed and untreated in their early stages and progress to much more dangerous stages before recognition and treatment. You know your pet better than anyone else and will be able to recognize changes in their normal health and physical appearance, but if you wait for disease symptoms to show, many conditions may go unnoticed and the condition may be difficult and costly to treat and diagnose. Senior Wellness Exams by your veterinarian are important tools for detecting early health problems. The exam will also give your veterinarian a benchmark to measure future test results should your pet become ill. It will usually include a complete blood count (CBC), a serum chemistry panel, thyroid test function, urinalysis, and a parasite exam. These are important tools for the early detection of health problems. These tests give us a peek into internal health issues that we cannot pick up on a comprehensive physical exam. A Senior Wellness exam should be done at least every six months and can tell you a lot about your pet's health.
This common test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in a given sample of blood. The numbers and types of cells give the veterinarian information needed to help diagnose anemia, infection, inflammation and leukemia. It also evaluates the number and type of cells in circulation.
This test measures the electrolytes, enzymes and chemical elements such as calcium and phosphorous. This information helps your veterinarian determine how various organs like the kidneys, pancreas, and liver are functioning. The results of these tests help your veterinarian formulate an accurate diagnosis, prescribe proper treatment and monitor the response to the treatment.
This test is useful in diagnosing malfunctions of the thyroid gland. Too little thyroid hormone is common in dogs, but too much thyroid hormone is common in older cats. Since there is no single thyroid test that can diagnose all thyroid diseases in animals, a panel of several different thyroid tests may be used to ensure diagnosis.
A urinalysis is used to detect substances which are not normal in the urine. The test may show protein, sugar, white blood cells or blood in the urine. A measurement of the concentration of urine is also helpful in diagnosing disease. The test can also assist the veterinarian in the diagnosis of other urinary tract infections, diabetes, dehydration, kidney problems and other conditions, as well as assess the health and function of the urinary system. It is especially important in older animals to help in early detection of kidney disease.
The parasite exam may include both blood and fecal exams. The fecal exam can show hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, coccidia, Giradia and other intestinal parasites. The blood serum test is used to determine the presence of heartworms. You can increase the quality of your pet's life by working with your veterinarian. A Senior Wellness Exam will give you and the veterinarian the information needed to develop a health plan to make your pet's "senior years" as happy and as healthy as possible.
Keep track of these signs and report them to us quickly, before they become serious problems. My pet is: Just not acting like himself/herself Interacting less often with family Responding less often or less enthusiastically Showing changes in behavior/activity level Having difficulty climbing stairs Having difficulty jumping Exhibiting increased stiffness or limping Drinking more often Urinating more often or blood in urine Changing eating patterns- Failure to eat for more than 2 days Noticeably gaining or losing weight Losing housetraining habits Changing sleeping patterns or increased vocalizing at night (not just a dog barking at noises, but something abnormal) Becoming confused or disoriented Changing hair coat, skin, or new lumps or bumps Scratching more often Exhibiting bad breath/red or swollen gums or foul mouth odor or drooling for more than 2 days Showing tremors or shaking Diarrhea that lasts more than 3 days Repeated vomiting Lameness lasting more than 5 days or lameness in more than one leg Breathing heavily or rapidly at rest Increased size of abdomen Blood in stool or urine These can all be signs of both minor and significant problems. Please let us know when you see a problem with your pet and we will help you address the problem before it becomes a major health issue.
Liver Problems- Common in older dogs, but less common in cats. Some of the diseases associated with liver problems include inflammatory, and cancerous liver disease. You may notice decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased thirst. If left untreated, it may cause lipid metabolism disturbance, liver failure or anemia. Joint Problems – Over 20% of adult dogs have lameness, reluctance to walk or exercise, decreased appetite or show discomfort/pain. The diseases associated with joint problems include arthritis, hip dysplasia, and back disease. If left untreated, may lead to reduced mobility, pain, or neurologic deficits. Kidney Problems – Over 10% of all dogs over 12 and 1% of all pets will show increased thirst/urination, decreased appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and back pain. Kidney disease is one of the leading causes of illness and death in older cats. The diseases associated with kidney problems include kidney failure, kidney stones, and kidney infection. This may lead to progressive kidney failure, heart disease, electrolyte upsets, fluid balance disturbance, death. Cancer – Over 50 % of all pets over the age of 10 will show signs of cancer through bleeding, lumps, irritated skin, identified masses, swollen lymph nodes, vomiting or diarrhea. These may show up as cancers of the skin, spleen, liver, lymphoid tissue, etc. If left untreated, can progress to organ failure or death. Eye Problems – Many ocular diseases are inherited and often develop after 8 years of age. You may notice a gray, bluish hue at the center of the eye, the animal may rub, press their head against objects, may have swelling, redness, irritation, or excessive tearing. These symptoms may be indicative of cataracts, dry eye or glaucoma. If left untreated, the animal may have difficulty seeing, may have corneal ulceration or can progress to blindness or loss of an eye. There are tests that can be used for your pet to identify and perhaps prevent many of these problems. There have been significant advances in the types of medicines and procedures available to us to treat your pet and help them live a long and comfortable life with you.
SENIOR
PAIN CARE Pets experience pain in the same ways as humans. Your veterinarian can help you recognize, prevent and treat pain for your pets. The different types of pain include acute pain, which comes suddenly as a result of injury, surgery, or an infection; and chronic pain which is long lasting and usually develops slowly from conditions such as arthritis. You will play an important role in pain management for your pet since you know the types of activity or situations that seem to be painful for the pet and can work with your veterinarian to monitor and treat your pet's pain.
NUTRITION AND EXERCISE Nutrition and exercise are major components of your pet's wellness program. Some pets benefit from specially formulated food that is designed for older bodies. Obesity in pets is often the result of reduced exercise and overfeeding and is a risk factor for problems such as heart disease. Since older pets often have different nutritional requirements, the special foods can help keep your pet's weight under control and reduce the consumption of nutrients that are risk factors for development of disease. Exercise is a very important part of your pet's health plan. Your pet may not be as frisky as they were, but if they are cooped up or kept lying down, their bodies will deteriorate much more quickly. Walking with your dog may be done at a slower pace, but getting out with your dog for exercise will increase their bone strength and mobility (and you get the same benefits!). Your cat may not be as eager to play, but playfully encouraging your cat may be what is needed to entice them to move around and increase their mobility. Your pet may love treats and you may want to give them treats, but make sure that you are providing healthy treats that do not increase their caloric intake. If you gain a pound or two, it may be insignificant to your health, but a pound increase in the weight of your dog or cat can be very significant. The extra weight will add additional stress to their joints and diseased organs. Finding ways to keep your pet stimulated – both mentally and physically will go a long way in keeping your pet healthy and happy.
RABIES IN GEORGIA Rabies is a disease that most people associate with wild animals, but what is it? Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. The virus is secreted in saliva and is usually transmitted to people and animals by a bite from an infected animal. Less commonly, rabies can be transmitted when saliva from a rabid animal comes in contact with an open cut on the skin or the eyes, nose, or mouth of a person or animal. Once the outward signs of the disease appear, rabies is nearly always fatal. Only mammals can get rabies; birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians do not. Most cases of rabies occur in wild animals - mainly skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes. In recent years, cats have become the most common domestic animal infected with rabies. This is because many cat owners do not vaccinate their cats before the cats are exposed to rabid wildlife. Cats, unlike dogs, are usually unsupervised when they are outdoors and may be more likely to come in contact with a rabid wild animal. Rabies also occurs in dogs and cattle in significant numbers and, while not as common, has been diagnosed in horses, goats, sheep, swine and ferrets. Rabies continues to be a problem in Georgia and throughout the world. There were 215 confirmed cases of rabies in Georgia during the first six and one-half months of 2008. This is a 60% increase over 2007. Rabies is easily preventable in domestic animals by vaccination. According to Georgia law, all dogs and cats are required to have a current rabies vaccination. Are your pets current on their rabies vaccinations? Most people are aware of the dangers of rabies for companion animal pets, but did you know that they are a problem for horses and cows as well? Vaccines are also available for these animals. September 28, 2008 is being recognized as World Rabies Day and is intended to educate people around the globe about the impact of rabies, how it can be prevented and how to eliminate the sources that contribute to the death of humans from rabies. We are very fortunate to have a successful program of rabies vaccinations in our country. However, worldwide, over 50,000 people die each year from rabies.
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