Important Facts About Feline Leukemia

Feline leukemia can be extremely destructive to a pet’s health.  Understanding this disorder and the steps necessary to prevent it can save a cat’s life.

Feline Leukemia Overview

The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that produces an enzyme that allows it to insert a copy of its genetic makeup into any infected cells in a cat.

FeLV infections hinder the effectiveness of a pet’s immune system and cause a number of cancers.  Feline leukemia causes the majority of household cat deaths. 

Among U.S. cats, between 2 and 3 percent have feline leukemia infections.  With those who are very young, sick, or at risk for other medical reasons, the incidence rises to 13 percent.  Kittens are the most susceptible.

Cats develop feline leukemia by catching it from another cat.  Transmission occurs through grooming, biting, sharing dishes or litter boxes, or just being in close contact.  When one cat in a multi-cat household tests positive for FeLV, all the others require testing.

Common symptoms include:

• Lethargic behavior
• Anemia
• Continuing weight loss
• Lingering diarrhea
• One or more abscesses
• Ear and skin infections
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Nose, eye, and mouth inflammations
• Unsteady gait
• Presence of lymphoma or fibrosarcoma

Treatment and Prevention

FeLV cats require constant veterinary management of their symptoms.  More than half of those whose blood persistently reveals the presence of leukemia pass away due to related disorders within two or three years after they become infected.

Veterinary care at an animal clinic serving St. Clair Shores pets includes periodic testing and follow-up visits for cats with feline leukemia.  Veterinarians advise owners to keep any pets known to carry FeLV indoors.

A veterinarian can recommend appropriate nutrition for an FeLV cat and will be on the lookout for secondary infections linked to bacteria, parasites, or other viruses.  Most FeLV cats take medication to treat their symptoms and receive annual vaccinations to protect them from intestinal and respiratory viruses.  Ongoing dental care is also important to prevent infections.

When they suffer severe symptoms, some FeLV cats require hospitalization until they stabilize.  Sometimes emergency blood transfusions are necessary.

Veterinarians often recommend a commercial FeLV vaccine for a new pet.  Before administering it, they test to determine that the cat is not already infected.  However, the only way to completely protect a cat from contracting feline leukemia is to prevent any contact with an infected animal.

Can Dogs Get Lyme Disease

Those searching for "vets near me in Grosse Pointe" may find listings of vets who provide testing if they found a tick on their pet. The owner may be frantically searching for a vet, in fear of their pet having Lyme disease. It's only a wive's tale that Lyme disease can't travel to pets, so owners need to recognize the symptoms and act quickly.

What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease originates from a bacterium known as a spirochete, which comes from the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. It's transferred to a canine via a tick bite, usually from a deer tick. But Scientists are discovering other types of ticks transmit Lyme disease as well.

How to Detect it in Animals
Unlike humans who may develop the "bull's-eye rash," the animal won't develop any kind of skin reaction from Lyme disease. Because of this, Lyme disease tends to go undetected in pets. In many cases, the pet doesn't develop symptoms for awhile, which delays the diagnosis and treatment processes. In most cases, the doctor tests for other conditions before considering the possibility of Lyme disease. It's not uncommon for the condition to go undetected for a year or longer. By that time, several areas of the body are affected.
The first sign of Lyme disease in animals is localized pain due to the disease affecting the joints. The pet may experience difficulty walking and appear like he is "walking on eggshells." Limping is common and the pet may also stop eating and have a risen temperature. Sometimes, the symptoms will begin and stop. Without treatment, the symptoms will eventually return.

How Does the Vet Diagnose It?
It's not really possible for a vet to make the diagnosis without testing, even if the doctor suspects Lyme disease. The vet will order one of two different tests: an antibody test or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. An antibody test detects the presence of antibodies from the organism, rather than the actual bacteria in the blood. The antibody test isn't always accurate since the pet will show negative for the presence of antibodies if they haven't formed yet. Sometimes, there just aren't enough antibodies to stimulate a positive reaction, oftentimes in a pet with a weakened immune system.
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is the other type and is more accurate. It's a DNA test that's more sensitive than an antibody test. Not every pet has the bacteria in his blood, so a false negative may occur from a blood test. Vets can also test fluid from a joint to detect Lymes Disease.
If you spot a tick on your pet or if you pet isn't acting himself, call your veterinarian right away. The sooner a disease is diagnosed the sooner treatment can begin. If you live in an area where there are many ticks or if you plan on traveling with your pet to an area with ticks ask your vet about the Lyme's Disease vaccine.

Choosing a Vet After a Move

When a person moves, they have usually put a lot of thought and planning into the move, and have a certain understanding why the move was necessary. Still, the moving process remains stressful, even with this understanding. The pets that go along for the ride don't have that luxury. Many get upset when the owners rearrange the furniture, let alone move to a new home. Another one of the major stressors pets will ultimately need  to face after a move is going to a new vet. In order to find a vet in your new community, it is likely that their owners will start by searching "vets near me Detroit," “vet near me in Grosse Pointe” or something along these lines. Moving is a busy time, and it may be tempting just to blindly pick whatever shows up at the top of the search results, however it is better for pets if their owners take the time to dig a little deeper.

Visiting Without a Pet
One of the things not every pet owner considers is making a visit to the vet just to check out the facility before bringing their pet for a check up. Pets pick up on their owner's anxiety, and just knowing things like how get to the new vet, or the layout of the hospital can make humans feel more comfortable, which translates onto the pet.
A visit without the pet also gives pet owners an opportunity to ask questions that are relative to their pet's condition without the distraction of trying to control their pet at the same time. It is a  good idea to make a list of any questions about any potential health concerns, and mention them at the visit, even if they seem minor, because this can bring a better understanding of the issue.

Experience With Various Types of Pets
There are many veterinary practices that a person might find when they search "vets near me Detroit" that serve cats and dogs almost exclusively. While cats and dogs make wonderful pets, many people own "exotic" pets, such as birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and reptiles, who also need to be properly cared for. Pet owners who have these pets, with or without a cat or dog, should inquire about a vets familiarity with these animals as well.

Easing the Stress
No matter how much a pet owner prepares, going to a new vet for the first time may still be stressful for the pet. Owners can help their pets feel more comfortable by getting comfortable themselves. Taking your pet in just to meet the Doctors and staff can really help your pet feel more comfortable too. By bringing your pet in for attention and treats and really help a pet get familiar with the people and environment and even be eager to go to the vet as its associated with positive things. That way, when they need to come in for health concerns or procedures your pet will associate the visit with the kisses and cookies it received last time and won't be so stressed. Also, choosing a vet that prides itself on it's ability to manage stress in pets can prove to be a big advantage that pets will truly appreciate.

Some Thoughts to Chew On -- Don't Let Your Pets Gnaw on These Items

Some dogs, especially puppies like to chew on things, such as sticks and rawhide. But pet owners should be cautious about what they allow their pets to gnaw on. Even some items marketed specifically for dogs to chew on can be dangerous to its health. That is why it's important for a pet owner to keep the following away from their furry best friends.

Rawhide
Any canine owner who has taken a stroll down the pet section of the supermarket has probably seen bags of rawhide for sale and assumed that they must be safe to give to their dogs. But most experts caution that these treats can be downright dangerous for your pet for several reasons. One, rawhide, especially imported chews, often contain harmful chemicals. Rawhide chews can also pose a choking hazard. And if a dog has a tendency to swallow large pieces of rawhide, they could end up blocking its digestive system, which could require in abdominal surgery.

Sticks
It's not uncommon for dogs to chew up sticks that they find while out and about, but splinters could, unfortunately, lodge in the canine's mouth, which could result in an infection. And if the dog gnaws and swallows a lot of wood, it could also end up causing a blockage in its intestinal tract.

Medicine Containers
Because small plastic pill containers filled with medication or asthma inhalers could be mistaken for chew toys by dogs, it is important to keep them out of a pet's reach. Asthma inhalers can be especially dangerous to a dog. If a canine should accidentally puncture the inhaler while chewing on the plastic casing, they could inhale a potentially lethal dose of the asthma medication. If so, the pet owner will need to take the pet to their veterinarian immediately for treatment. Whether your in St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, Detroit, or the surrounding areas Harvey Animal Hospital is always there to help.

Bones
In the old days, pet owners wouldn't think twice about slipping a dog a steak bone, but these and other cooked bones can be dangerous to a dog's health. Steak and chicken bones for example can splinter and lodge in a dog's windpipe or could poke holes in your canine's stomach or intestines, which could result in peritonitis.
So what can responsible pet owners do for a pet that loves to chew? Fortunately, manufacturers have come up with a number of safe chew-able options for dogs. And if a pet owner isn't sure which treats are safe, they should consult with their veterinarian before purchasing new chew toys.

Types of Vaccinations to Keep Your Pet Healthy in Grosse Pointe

When a person brings a new dog or cat into the family, there is often times more worry about buying the right pet food and taking them to the groomers then taking them to the Vet. Ensuring that the pet lives a long and healthy life is a top priority for new pet owners, and vet visits are vital to their health. Vaccinations play a huge role in keeping your pet healthy and safe from disease. Whether your in Detroit, Grosse Pointe, or St Clair Shores, Harvey Animal Hospital can provide preventative care including vaccinations to your pet in all stages of life.
These pet vaccinations have several different types of advantages. In addition to helping the immune system fight against the risk of common diseases, it also helps prevent the spread of communicable illnesses that can be given to other pets and even humans.

Types of Pet Vaccines

Pet vaccines are placed into two categories: core vaccinations and non-core vaccinations. Core vaccinations are vital for the pet to lessen the risk of exposure to deadly disease. These shots also can lower the severity of the illness if the pet contracts a specific sickness. Non-core vaccinations will be given based on the pet's exposure risk in contracting certain illnesses and the pet's lifestyle.
Dogs living in the Detroit, Grosse Pointe and St. Clair Shores area will normally receive their first set vaccinations when they are six to eight weeks old. Puppies will need a series of shots to build their immune system until they are a certain age. Then they will typically receive boosters every year to every three years. Types of vaccinations a dog may receive:

• rabies
• canine parvovirus
• canine hepatitis
• distemper
• Leptospira bacteria
• Borrelia burgdorferi
• Bordetella bronchiseptica

Cats living in the Detroit, Grosse Pointe, and St Clair Shores area will begin receiving pet vaccinations from the age of six to eight weeks old and will also receive a series of shots as well to properly build their imune system. Then they will receive boosters annually each year after or every three years depending on the vaccine. The types of vaccinations that are available to cats include:

• rabies
• feline distemper
• rhinotracheitis
• feline calicivirus
• feline immunodeficiency virus
• Chlamydophila felis
• feline leukemia virus
• Bordetella

The Doctors at Harvey Animal Hospital will discuss with you which vaccines your dog or cat needs. If your pet stays in the Detroit, Grosse Pointe, and St Clair Shores area, there may be vaccines that your pet will not need, but if your pet travels there may be vaccines that your pet will need in addition to their Core Vaccines.

Updated Pet Vaccination Records

It is always important to keep thorough vaccine records on your pet. Vaccine records are needed in order for a pet to get groomed, go to daycare, dog parks, or even a boarding facility. You never know when an emergency will occurs and you need to board your pet while you go out of town or in the unfortunate circumstance that you need to rehome your pet. These records will allow the new pet owner to maintain the vaccination and booster schedule so their pet can remain healthy. It also prevents the pet from getting shots that they may have already received. Many pet owners are also relieved to have such detailed records when their pet becomes lost or injured. Their veterinarian will have the complete medical record they need to provide the right treatment to get the pet back onto the path to wellness.

Inappropriate Elimination Part II

Toileting problems in cats

In the last post we talked about determining whether inappropriate urination was due to medical problems.  If those have been ruled out and we are dealing with a toileting problem then we can treat it in a very specific ways.

We need to make sure that the litterbox is in an accessible location.  We should avoid noisy appliances, rooms that are a dead end and other pets.  Putting a litterbox right next to a furnace, water heater or washer or dryer could scare the cat when it turns on and the cat won’t want to go into the box again.

Litterboxes should be in different locations in the household especially in multicat households.  If all the litterboxes are in one place it is kind of like a public restroom.  Is it the same going to a public restroom with 3 stalls verses having 3 separate bathrooms in a house?   Sometimes dominant cats will block access to resources  for other cats, so making sure that the litterbox is in an area that the dominate cat doesn't frequent.  Think about it for a second, If on your way to the bathroom you had to meet someone you didn’t get along with would you go very often or would you avoid going to that location and pick somewhere else.  Making sure that there is a litterbox on each floor of the house, especially for older cats that are having a hard time using the stairs can help.  

Litterboxes should be large enough for the cat to turn around, scratch and dig, and posture appropriately.  Sometimes using a plastic storage container rather than something that is made as a litterbox will be necessary to get a box big enough.

 

  

Obviously too small for this cat

Making sure the litterbox is cleaned frequently.  Most of the time this means scooping on a daily basis, changing litter on a weekly basis and cleaning the box on a monthly basis.  Would you want to go to your bathroom if you didn’t flush the toilet every time you went to the bathroom?

Sometimes we need to do a trial to see what the cat’s litterbox/litter preference is.  Some cats prefer a clumping litter to clay litter.  Some cats have preferences for depth of litter, height of the sides of the box, size of the box and whether the box is covered or not.  Making sure that we don’t have a box that is too tall for a kitten or older, arthritic cat to get into is important as well.  

Occasionally if there has been a long standing problem or a severe problem getting a different kind of litterbox will help, since there is no adverse association with the new box.

Marking Behavior

Treatment for marking is significantly different than for toileting problems.  Sometimes we are dealing with both issues so may have to combine treatments to be effective.  

Drugs can be used to help with this but it can take several weeks to see any affect.  

Environmental enrichment is an important part of treatment.  Adding additional food and water dishes and resting locations as well as litterboxes can help significantly.  Playing and interacting with your cat on a daily basis can help too.  

Feliway diffusers are always helpful and if you have multiple cats in your house there is a new product just for you.  Feliway Multicat diffusers.

If they are not already spayed or neutered getting this done can help significantly in their urge to mark.  

Sometimes the problem is actually something outside of the home. Cats can react to things outside such as stray cats, so blocking access to them seeing those things can help.  If outdoor cats are causing problems using motion activated sprinklers to keep them out of your yard can help.  Not leaving food outside for outdoor cats can stop them from coming around.  If the problem is between 2 cats in your house separation can help and then a gradual introduction if they are doing better.  

Behavior modification/training depending on your specific situation can help significantly.  

It can be tricky to find out the exactly reason your cat is going outside of their box. But together we can figure out the cause and decide on the appropriate course of action. The key is to be patient! This is a very frustrating situation ,but with a little time and patience we can resolve the problem and your feline friend will be good as new!

Of course if you need any help with determining the cause of your cats problem I am only a phone call away!

Inappropriate Elimination Part I

Inappropriate urination is one of the most common things we see cats for at our practice.  It can be a challenge to figure out exactly why any particular cat is not using the litterbox the way we want them too.

Initially we need to make sure there aren’t any medical issues happening that would make the urination a symptom of that problem rather than the primary problem.  Medical issues that could cause inappropriate urination are:

·         Diabetes

·         Kidney failure

·         Hyperthyroidism

·         Urinary tract infection

·         Arthritis

·         Constipation

·         Lower urinary tract disease

·         Bladder stones

·         Pain

If a cat has any of these problems and has a hard time getting into the litterbox or has experienced pain while in the litterbox, if we treat it then they are more likely to start using it again.  In order to evaluate for these problems blood work, urinalysis, stool sample analysis for intestinal parasites and x-rays and sometimes ultrasound need to be done.  In research that has been done 55% of cats that aren’t using the litterbox have an underlying medical problem.  ¹

Once we rule out medical issues we need to determine whether we are dealing with a marking issue or toileting issue as they are treated in very different ways.  Occasionally we will see a combination of problems where it is toileting and a medical issue or toileting and marking in the same cat. 

Toileting is normal elimination that happens in a location that is unacceptable.  Some cats do this because they have a preference for a certain substrate (carpeting, plastic, etc.).  Sometimes it is an aversion because they don’t like something about the litterbox (not cleaned enough, litter preferences, box size or style).

Marking is a normal behavior but in general it is unacceptable to most owners.  It is a form of communication between cats saying “I am here”, and “This is my territory”.  It usually involves urine on vertical surfaces.  If you see your cat back up to the wall, raise its tail and shake the tail and urine is deposited on the wall this is marking.  Urine that splashes onto the wall is not.

Once we determine whether it is a toileting problem or a marking problem there are different treatments for each. 

 Bamberger M, Houpt KA. Signalment factors, comorbidity, and trends in behavior diagnoses in cats: 736 cases (1991-2001). Javma-Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 2006;229:1602-1606.