Category: Newsletter

Could Those Sniffles Be a Symptom of the Feline Flu? The flu doesn’t just affect people. Your cat can develop the viral infection, too. Although most cats recover fully from a bout of the flu, it can be particularly hard on young, old and immune-compromised cats. Take a look at a few symptoms that can occur if your furry friend has the feline flu. Common Symptoms of Feline Flu Your pet will experience many of the same symptoms you do when you have the flu. Common signs and symptoms include: Runny nose Sneezing Coughing Red or pink eyelids Fever Eye discharge Dehydration Raspy voice when meowing Joint pain Appetite loss Fatigue Ulcers in the mouth or in and around the eyes Most cases of the feline flu last 10 days to three weeks. Your cat may first begin to feel sick about two to five days after he or she has been exposed to a virus. Causes of the Feline Flu Flu symptoms are most often caused by exposure to the feline calicivirus (FCV) or feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) viruses. The viruses spread when an infected cat sneezes or coughs and your cat inhales the infected air droplets, or when your cat comes in contact with a water bowl, blanket, toy, litter box or other objects that contains the saliva of an infected cat. Once cats are infected by the feline flu, they become lifelong carriers. They can infect other cats if they shed the virus. Fortunately, shedding usually only occurs if your pet is stressed. The events that cats find overwhelming vary, but may include adding a new person or animal to the household or moving to a new home. When cats shed the flu virus, they often become sick again, although it’s possible to shed the virus without exhibiting any signs of illness. You may be an unwitting source of the feline flu. Because the virus can survive on surfaces for hours as long as it remains moist, you may unknowingly bring it into your home on your clothing or shoes. Consulting the Veterinarian Consulting your veterinarian is a good idea if your pet develops any of the symptoms of feline flu. It’s often possible to make a diagnosis based on your cat’s symptoms, although your pet’s veterinarian may want to confirm the diagnosis with blood and urine tests and X-rays, in some cases. If you suspect your cat has feline flu, please let your veterinarian’s office know that when booking the appointment. They may want to take special precautions so that your sick pet does not infect others when you bring them in for a visit. Although antibiotics aren’t helpful in treating viruses, your cat’s vet can offer treatments aimed at preventing complications and making your cat more comfortable. For example, painful mouth ulcers may force your pet to stop drinking water, which can lead to dehydration. During your cat’s visit to the veterinarian, he or she may receive intravenous liquids to restore the normal balance of fluids and electrolytes. Veterinary care is essential if you cat is very young or old, has a disease that affects the immune system or has a chronic health condition or disease, such as kidney failure or diabetes. These pets may be more likely to develop pneumonia or other secondary infections and must be carefully monitored and treated promptly should complications occur. Making Your Cat More Comfortable Not surprisingly, cats who have the feline flu are often miserable. You can make your cat more comfortable by trying a few of these tips: Use a cool mist vaporizer to ease breathing. (Be sure to place it place it out of reach of your cat.) Wipe away discharge from the eyes and mouth with a moist cloth. Provide a variety of foods to tempt your pet to eat. (Heating food and offering smelly foods can be helpful if your cat’s sense of smell is affected by a stuffy nose.) Move a litter box closer to your cat’s preferred resting place. Provide a warm bed away from drafts in a quiet part of the house. Preventing the Feline Flu Vaccinating your cat can provide protection from the flu. Although the vaccine is effective against the most common strains of feline flu, it’s possible that your cat could still become sick if infected by a less common or new flu strain. Separating an ill cat from healthy cats is important if you have multiple cats. Washing bedding and blankets often and cleaning hard surfaces regularly will help protect your other cats from becoming sick. Are you concerned that your cat might have the feline flu or another illness? Prompt veterinary treatment can help your furry friend recover and avoid serious complications. Contact us today to schedule a convenient appointment. Sources: VetInfo: A Guide to Cat Flu Treatment https://www.vetinfo.com/guide-cat-flu-treatment.html CDC: Influenza in Cats https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluincats/index.htm PetMD: Feline Calicivirus Infection in Cats http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_feline_calicivirus?page=show Healthy Pets: Spreads Like Crazy and Makes Your Pet Miserable – Is It Serious, 6/18/17 http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2017/06/18/calicivirus.aspx PetMD: Feline Herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) Infection – Head Cold in Cats http://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_ct_feline_rhinotracheitis?page=2

Caring for Dogs with Wrinkles Your furry friend’s wrinkles give him or her a very distinctive appearance, but the very characteristic that helps define his or her breed can also cause skin irritation and infections. In many cases, preventing problems is a simple as cleaning skin folds every day. What Causes Skin Problems? The folds and wrinkles in your dog’s skin trap dirt, dust, saliva and debris, which can irritate sensitive skin. Because skin folds are often moist, they provide the perfect environment for the development of pyoderma, a bacterial infection. If your pet has pyoderma, you may notice several symptoms, including: Frequent scratching Red, bumpy skin Oozing sores Pustules (Round, red blisters filled with pus.) Crusts or scales on the skin Hair loss Unpleasant odor What Dogs Are at Risk? Any breed that has wrinkles, such as English bulldogs, Pekingese, Shar Pei, pugs, Neopolitan Mastiffs, bloodhounds and bullmastiffs, have a greater risk of developing pyoderma. Dogs of any breed that develop wrinkles or folds as a result of a weight gain are also more likely to experience skin problems. How Can I Prevent Irritation and Infections? Within a few days of a bath, dirt and debris begins to build up in your pet’s skin folds. Without regular cleaning, your dog can soon develop an irritation or infection. Daily cleaning is the simplest way to prevent uncomfortable or painful irritations and infections. In some cases, you may want to clean your pet’s folds and wrinkles more than once a day. For example, if food often gets trapped in the folds of your dog’s face after meals, it may make sense to quickly clean the facial folds after every meal. Follow these steps to clean folds and wrinkles: Assemble the items you’ll need for cleaning. Whether you use washcloths or cotton balls, or baby or canine wipes, you’ll need soft, clean, moistened materials that won’t irritate your pet’s skin. There’s no need to apply shampoo to the washcloth or cotton ball. As long as it’s damp, it will pick up dirt easily. You’ll also need a separate cloth to dry the folds. Lift every fold and gently swab away dirt and debris. Pay special attention to wrinkles around the ears and eyes. Infections in these areas can be particularly uncomfortable. If you use a washcloth, be sure to rinse it frequently to avoid adding debris to a fold, rather than removing it. Use your cloth to pat the fold dry. Failing to dry each fold may actually increase your dog’s risk of a bacterial or fungal infection. Although using a hair dryer may offer a faster way to dry your pet, the hot, dry air can dry and irritate the skin. Before you use a dryer, even on a cool setting, check with your pet’s veterinarian. Bathe your dog on a regular basis, making sure that each fold is examined and thoroughly cleaned. Use gentle shampoos that won’t dry your furry friend’s skin. What If My Dog Develops an Irritation or Infection Despite Daily Cleaning? A visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if your poor pet can’t stop scratching or develops oozing sores or any other signs of an infection. If your dog does develop an infection, topical steroids may help reduce the itching or inflammation, while oral or topical antibiotics or fungicides will kill the bacteria or fungus responsible for the infection. Your pet’s vet can also offer recommendations for bathing schedules and products that will help your dog avoid further infections or irritations. We can help your pet avoid uncomfortable skin issues with skincare suggestions and effective treatments. Contact us to schedule an appointment for your furry friend. Sources: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance: Wrinkly Pet Tips https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/blog/2016/july/07/wrinkly-dog-care-tips/ PetMD: Bacterial Infection (Pyoderma) of the Skin in Dogs https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/skin/c_multi_pyoderma?page=show Pet Health Network: Skin Fold Pyodermas: Those Cute Skin Folds Can Be Dangerous, 1/5/15 https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/skin-fold-pyodermas-those-cute-skin-folds-can-be-dangerous