Pet Diseases - Prevention is the answer

The veterinary profession along with the manufacturers of pharmaceutical products and vaccines have during the past 40 years taken a giant step toward wiping out many common pet illnesses. Canine distemper was the absolute scourge of dogdom not too many years ago resulting in many deaths and for those that survived they had a life filled with nervous disorders and bad teeth. Through the use of super vaccines and constant reminders to pet owners we have reduced the incidence of canine distemper to the point of near non-existence. As is often the case, only man's neglect as a pet owner keeps diseases like canine distemper off the extinct list.

Prevention of disease - it is so easy to do. Simply take your pet in for an annual checkup and booster vaccines that for dogs can ward off up to six, yes six, deadly diseases. Preventative vaccines are also available for cats, ferrets and some other species. Different localities may have different prevalence of some diseases so it is very important to follow your veterinarians recommendations for your area.

General Tips - Preventative health care requires some common sense on your p
art and observation of your pet. The following are some tips that apply across the board and can help you recognize pending illness:

- changes in behavior such reduced level of activity, ruffed feathers or hair coat

- changes in elimination behavior including consistency and color of droppings and for dogs and cats difficult or painful urination

-changes in breathing be it slower or more rapid than usual, coughs or sneezing


-any discharges, like from eyes, ears, or external genitalia

-change in eating habits

-change in consumption of water, more or less than usual

The forgoing list applies pretty much across the board for all pets, but there are some specifics I would like to discuss.

Dogs - The annual visit to your veterinarian can go a long was toward preventing some common disease problems. Vaccination boosters help prevent some potentially life threatening conditions.
Rabies immunization is required by law. Not only does the vaccine protect the dog but also the rest of the family. Rabies vaccines that are given once every three years are available.
Other conditions that are preventable include heart worm disease, many internal parasites and malnutrition. A spring check
up should include a blood sample to screen for heartworm disease. This is important for any dog living in an area with mosquitoes, which includes most areas. The condition is transmitted when a mosquito takes a blood meal from an infected dog and then takes a blood meal from another dog. The larvae are passed from the infected to the uninfected dog when the mosquito bites. Monthly tablets not only prevent the disease from developing but can also prevent development of many common internal parasites.
You are probably thing, malnutrition as a disease to prevent? Malnutrition along with over nutrition are preventable conditions in all pets, not just dogs. The use of a good national brand of dog food following the manufacturers recommended feeding guide lines will go along way towards preventing these conditions. The pet that receives all the nutrients they require and in a palatable form will be better able to ward off disease effects and even reduce the effects of parasitism. Saving a few dollars on that low cost generic dog food may be doing more harm than you can believe. remember - vaccinations, heartworm prevention, good quality national brand of dog food and adequate fresh clean water for a healthier pet.

Cats - Our feline friends should also be taken to the veterinarian for an annual checkup. Many feline diseases can be prevented by immunization. Your veterinarian can tell you which ones are needed and how often the booster is needed. If your cat has access to the out doors then a rabies vaccination would be a good investment.

Cats are susceptible to heartworm disease just like dogs and just like dogs the condition can be prevented by once a month treatment. An annual blood exam can determine if your cat has and active infestation.

Unlike dogs, cats because of their self grooming habits are prone to developing hair balls in the stomach. You can help prevent the problem from developing by regularly brushing your cat to remove dead hair and by placing hairball remedy or just some petroleum jelly placed on the top of the front feet about once a week helps the cat pass the hair/hairball through the digestive tract.

Ear mites can wreck havoc with a cats ears causing inflammation, infection, a sometimes deformity of the ear itself. Damage can be prevented or reduced by periodic inspection and cleaning of the ear canal. If you find a dark brown waxy material in the ear canal your cat may have mites. Have your cats ears cleaned by your veterinarian and use the medication prescribed to kill the mites and to prevent infection. Over-the-counter preparations for ear mites often do not contain materials to prevent secondary infection of the ear canal.

Feline lower urinary tract disease, also called FUS or feline urological syndrome is a common disease that can become life threatening. Basically crystals form in the urine that then develop into stones called uroliths. Signs are generally straining to urinate, blood in the urine, and in the extreme cases the stones/calculi prevent passing of urine and then the cat needs emergency treatment and surgery. Two major kinds of uroliths/stones occur, one kind can be treated with medication and dietary change while the other kind can only be removed surgically. Follow your veterinarians advice on the kind of food to feed and make sure that plenty of fresh clean water is always available.