The best way to keep your pet out of the emergency room, is  to be properly educated on how to prevent disease and injury, and recognize and avoid potential problems early. In order for us to help you do that, we need to talk to you and see your pet.  Animals don't usually tell us when they are not feeling well until their illness is advanced.  A thorough history, physical examination, and diagnostic screening are our ONLY means of making sure they are as healthy on the inside, as they appear to be on the outside. 

By asking you questions about your pet's lifestyle, activities and habits, we can look for clues to potential existing problems, and make recommendations for ways to prevent illness before it happens. 

By performing a thorough physical examination, we can evaluate your pet's condition and catch early warning signs of illness.  For example, a small lump that you may not have noticed is identified to be a skin cancer during an annual exam.  That small tumor can be removed with sedation and a local anesthetic.  If it was never identified, it could grow and require full anesthesia and an overnight stay in the hospital.  The first situation is a safer procedure for your pet, and a less expensive one for you. 

Diagnostic screening tests allow us to check for easily treatable conditions before they make your pet seriously ill.  Heartworm and Lyme tests check for exposure to infectious disease.  Feline Leukemia tests look for a virus that could eventually compromise your cat's ability to fight off infection, or could cause severe anemia.  Routine checks of organ function, endocrine function, and blood counts help us to identify early signs of illness, provide us with a baseline information that helps us choose anesthetic and pain management protocols, and lets us know what are normal levels for your pet so that we can use for those normals for comparison if your pet ever does become ill.  Stool exams and urine tests check for low level infections that prevent conditions such as weight loss, diarrhea, bladder stones, and dehydration. 

The goal of an annual exam, is for us to learn from you and your pet, what is normal, what is of concern, and then provide the necessary material, medication, or nutritional recommendations, to keep your pet out of the emergency room.

What is a physical exam

What causes heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease (dirofilariasis) is a serious and potentially fatal disease in dogs. It is caused by a blood-borne parasite called Dirofilaria immitis.

Heartworms are found in the heart and adjacent large blood vessels of infected dogs. The female worm is 6 to 14 inches long (15 to 36 cm) and 1/8 inch wide (5 mm). The male is about half the size of the female. One dog may have as many as 300 worms.

How do heartworms get into the heart?

Adult heartworms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of infected dogs. They live up to five years and, during this time; the female produces millions of offspring (microfilaria). These microfilariae live mainly in the small vessels of the bloodstream. The microfilaria cannot become adults without going through a mosquito.

The female mosquito bites an infected dog and ingests the microfilariae during a blood meal. The microfilariae develop further for 10 to 30 days in the mosquito and then enter the mouthparts of the mosquito. When this mosquito bites another dog, it transmits the microfilriae to the new dog. These larvae then develop into adult worms living in the dog’s heart, over the next 6 – 8 months.

How do dogs get infected with them?

The disease is not spread directly from dog to dog. An intermediate host, the mosquito, is required for transmission. All it takes is a few mosquito bites for a dog to become infected with heartworms.

It takes a number of years before dogs show outward signs of infection. Consequently, the disease is diagnosed mostly in four to eight year old dogs. The disease is seldom diagnosed in a dog less than one year of age because the young worms (larvae) take up five to seven months to mature after infection.

What do heartworms do to the dog?

Adult heartworms cause disease by clogging the heart and major blood vessels leading from the heart. They interfere with the valve action in the heart. By clogging the main blood vessels, the blood supply to other organs of the body is reduced, particularly the lungs, liver and kidneys, leading to malfunction of these organs.

Most dogs infected with heartworms do not show any signs of disease for as long as two years. Unfortunately, by the time clinical signs are seen, the disease is well advanced. The signs of heartworm disease depend on the number of adult worms present, the location of the worms, the length of time the worms have been present, and the degree of damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

The most obvious signs are a soft, dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness, nervousness, listlessness, and loss of stamina. All of these signs are most noticeable following exercise, when some dogs may even faint.

Microfilaria do not cause disease themselves but a dog with a lot of microfilaria can have severe reactions if given heartworm preventative, so a dog should NEVER be started on prevention without doing a blood test to make sure they do not already have heartworm disease.

How do I prevent my dog from getting Heartworms?

Prevention is essential in keeping your dog healthy. Monthly heartworm preventatives are available in a variety of forms. These medications are safe, effective and affordable, and should be given to every dog, every month, for every year of their life. Initially your veterinarian will need to do a simple blood test to ensure your dog does not already have heartworm, before starting the medication. Once your dog is on heartworm preventative year round, this test will be done every other year to make sure the medication is working.

Why should I get heartworm preventative from my veterinarian?

Heartworm preventative is a prescription medication that requires a consultation and examination by your doctor. Given improperly it can cause serious side effects. Many pet stores and Internet sites will offer these medications, but the manufacture only guarantees the product if purchased from a veterinarian. This is because some pet stores or internet sites may sell out-dated medications that are no longer effective, or medications from overseas that use different measurement systems, causing your pet to be either over- or under-dosed. If you have questions about your medication, or where you can obtain it, please ask your veterinarian

Heartworm disease in cats:

Cats can get Heartworms too.  The most common reason for sudden death in cats involves clots that form from hearworm infections, or from heart disease.  There is a test readily available now that can be run during your cat's annual exam. Test results are back before you leave the appointment. Heartworm can lead to asthma like signs, inflammatory bowel disease like signs, and clots leading to respiratory death or paralysis.  Unlike dogs, heartworms cause disease as they die in cats, leading to an inflammatory reaction that leads to inflammation in the lungs or intestines, or clots that block blood flow to the lungs or limbs.  There is no treatment to cure cats of heartworm, but there are ways to treat and prevent the conditions that the heartworms cause.  There are topical monthly preventatives available for cats that also treat for intestinal parasites, ear mites and prevent flea infestations.  If you think your cat might be at risk, or have questions about testing and prevention, please call or email us. 

Feline Leukemia virus (FELV) is one of the most common and destructive of all cat viruses. It is highly contagious and is spread primarily by saliva during cat fights, grooming or mating. Kittens may become infected while still in the womb, when the mother bites off the umbilical cord or during nursing.

Not all cats exposed to (FELV) become infected. About 40% of exposed cats have immune systems that destroy the invading virus. The remainder of exposed cats become persistently infected (30%) or develop a latent infection (30%) The latter group has inactive virus in their bone marrow, and these virus particles may later become active when the cat becomes ill from another disease, stress or certain drugs. There is some evidence that older cats can become resistant to the virus, while younger cats may be particularly susceptible. In some instances, it may be beneficial to vaccinate all kittens until they are a year or two old, and then discontinue vaccination if they stay indoors after that. Ask your veterinarian for advice on whether or not your cat should be vaccinated.

Of the cats persistently infected, about 25% will die within 1 year and 75% will die within 3 years. Some may live a normal life but tend to have various chronic illnesses.

Illness

There are no signs specific for FELV infection. The main effect of the virus is to disrupt the cat's immune system. While anemia is the most common disorder caused by the virus, cancer and various other diseases are common. Disorders commonly associated with FELV infection include: chronic respiratory disease; chronic infection of the mouth, gums and tongue; chronic eye disease; frequent or chronic skin disease; reproductive disease (abortion, stillbirths and kitten deaths); frequent or chronic urinary tract infections; chronic digestive tract disease; and other systemic diseases (infectious peritonitis, hemobartonellosis, toxoplasmosis, & polyarthritis).

Prevention

Vaccination before exposure to the virus is the best means of preventing FELV infection. Without vaccination, isolation from other cats is the only means of prevention. Yearly testing of cats who go outdoors helps identify potential infections.  All cats who are the victims of a bite wound should be tested within months after the incident to ensure they did not become infected by the bite wound.

Treatment

While there is no accepted cure for Feline Leukemia we can often treat cats with specific injectable medications that can break the cycle of illness and in rare instances may help the cat to fight off the virus permanently. Your veterinarian can discuss and recommend the appropriate protocol for your pet should your cat test positive for the virus.

Important Facts

* There is a quick test that can check your cat for infection. All cats should be tested at least once in their lives.  All outdoor cats should be tested yearly, or vaccinated. 

*Cats that test positive are at risk to develop life threatening infections and cancer

There are currently 7 vaccines that we are using for dogs: Distemper combination, Leptospirosis, Rabies, Lyme Disease, and Bordetella (kennel cough), Canine Influenza and a vaccine to protect against dental disease. 

DISTEMPER

This vaccine is actually 4 vaccines in one injection. It contains Distemper, Hepatitis, , Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.

Puppies should receive this vaccine starting at 6-8 weeks of age and then every 3-4 weeks through 16 weeks of age. It is very important for the last vaccine to be given at 16 weeks or older because the pup’s maternal antibodies may interfere with the vaccine before that age.

Non-vaccinated adult dogs should initially receive 1 vaccine that is good for 1 year.

Adult dogs should receive a booster every 3 years.

LEPTOSPIROSIS

Puppies 10 weeks of age and older should be vaccinated. A booster is required 3 – 4 weeks after the initial vaccine. The vaccine is then given yearly, ideally in late winter or early spring. No more than 2 boosters should be given to a puppy during the initial vaccination period. Allergic reactions are common in smaller breed dogs. Your veterinarian will assess your pet's risk of exposure before recommending this vaccination.

RABIES

Rabies vaccines are required by law. All dogs should receive their first rabies vaccine at 3 months of age or older. The first vaccine is good for 1 year. Each additional booster 3 years as long as the vaccine is kept up-to-date.

lYME DISEASE

Dogs can be vaccinated against Lyme Disease starting at 12 weeks of age or older, with a second booster required in 3 weeks. Annual boosters are recommended, ideally in late winter or early spring. Adult dogs should be tested for lyme with a 4DX test prior to initiating vaccination. Dogs that test positive should be treated with a course of antibiotics prior to initiating vaccination.

Dogs can be vaccinated as early as 8 weeks of age. It is recommended that the vaccine be administered at least 7 days prior to boarding. This vaccine may also be required for dog shows, obedience classes, and by some groomers. Annual vaccination is required to maintain protection.

Canine Influenza

This vaccine is relatively new, and currently ONLY recommended for animals at risk for exposure.  Since the Flu is currently more common along the Atlantic Coast states, animals that plan to travel, be boarded for an extended period of time, or be exposed to an animal that has recently traveled are at the highest risk. If you are planning to adopt a rescue from out of state, your current dog should be vaccinated to prevent the new dog from bringing it home.  If you work with a rescue organization or in a doggie day care or boarding facility, your dogs should be vaccinated as there is the potential to carry the virus home on your clothing.  Routing vaccination is currently NOT recommended for the average house dog.

There are currently 3 vaccines that we are using for cats:

Distemper combination (FVRCP), Rabies, Feline Leukemia Virus (FELV).

DISTEMPER

This vaccine is actually 3 vaccines in one injection. It contains Distemper (Panleukopenia), Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus.

Kittens should receive this vaccine starting at 6-8 weeks of age and then every 3-4 weeks through 12 weeks of age. It is very important for the last vaccine to be given at 12 weeks or older because the kitten’s maternal antibodies may interfere with the vaccine before that age. The vaccine should be boostered again 1 year later, and then every 3 years after that.

Non-vaccinated adult cats should initially receive 1 vaccine that is good for 1 year.

Adult cats with prior vaccination should receive a distemper vaccine every 3 years.

RABIES

Rabies vaccines are required by law. All cats should receive their first rabies vaccine at 3 months of age or older. The first vaccine is good for 1 year. Each additional booster is good for 3 years as long as the vaccine is kept up-to-date, and the IMRAB vaccine is being used. There is also a one year Rabies vaccine available for cats that decreases the risk of the rabies vaccine triggering a vaccine induced fibrosacrcomas. 

Feline Leukemia (FELV) and Feline Immunosuppressive Virus (FIV)

Unfortunately, FELV and FIV are very common in this area. They are highly contagious and attack the immune system, thus impairing the cat’s defense cells. We strongly recommend testing for these 2 viruses (usually at the cat’s first veterinary visit). There is no cure for either disease; however, there is a preventative vaccine for FELV. Vaccination is most important in outside cats.

Cats can be vaccinated against Feline Leukemia Virus starting at 9 weeks of age with an additional booster required in 3-4 weeks. Annual boosters are necessary to maintain protection.

While there is a vaccine against FIV, it only protects against 40% of the strains of virus that cause the disease, and it leads to confusing test results when trying to diagnose the disease. At this time, the vaccine is only recommended for outdoor cats that have a tendency to get into cat fights. Once a cat is vaccinated, it will test positive for the disease. Cats that spend a lot of time outdoors, or are involved in a fight that results in bite wounds should be tested yearly for FIV.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

FIP is another highly contagious and lethal virus of cats. There is no cure. Though there is a vaccine available it has not been shown to be very effective at preventing the disease, and in some cases, may actually trigger clinical signs. In most cases, vaccination is not recommended.

During your pet's annual exam, your veterinarian may recommend routine bloodwork.  These tests check your pet for any signs of infection, anemia, and for any problems with internal organ function or hormonal imbalance.  Whenever possible, it is valuable for these tests to be run for many reasons. Results are usually back within 2 days.

  If your pet were to become ill, any abnormal test values could be compared to blood results obtained when your pet was well to more accurately diagnose a problem. 

 In many cases, animals that appear perfectly normal will have abnormal blood test results that help your veterinarian identify a potential illness, and treat or avoid it before it can cause serious health issues.  Certain parasitic and infectious diseases can be identified BEFORE they make your pet sick. Treatment before illness avoids emergency visits and costly hospitalizations.  

 If your pet requires medications, such as pain medications for arthritis, or medications for persistent allergies, routine blood testing ensures that there will be no contraindications to the medications and helps to avoid any potential adverse affects.

Lastly, if your pet ever requires any sedation or anesthesia for an emergency surgical procedure, having baseline bloodwork from your pet will help your veterinarian develop a healthy anesthetic protocol for your pet's procedure.

If you have questions about blood testing and your pet, please ask your veterinarian.