Pinay Pet Lover

Fleas: Home Remedy

2011-06-07T23:56:00.001-07:00

Almost every cat and dog will encounter ticks and fleas at some point in their life. Because of our pets' nature, they can easily acquire ectoparasites from their surroundings. Situations become problematic when ticks and fleas starts to increase in numbers causing itchiness, allergies, anemia and stress. Several diseases gain entry to cats and dogs with the help of ticks and fleas. Parasitic dermatitis, Lyme disease, Tapeworms, Bartonella, Erlichiosis and Meningoencephalitis are some of them. Some of them may even infect humans.

Ectoparasitic drugs and chemicals in forms of soaps, shampoos, powders, collars and topical solutions abound in the market which are effective, but expose your pets to toxic chemicals at the same time. Knowing the basic information about ticks and fleas and home remedies which are less costly may help keeping these bugs out for good.

FACTS ABOUT FLEAS

Fleas do not live only in your pets. They can live on any object in your house such as rugs, carpets, sofas and other household objects. A pair of fleas can produce 400-500 off-springs in their lifetime. Most of them are immature fleas or eggs. In fact, in a typical room, 5 percent of the fleas will be found on pets, 10 percent flea cocoons in the carpets, 35 percent flea larvae and 50 percent flea eggs are found again in the carpets. If you ask why, the nature of the flea larvae prefers to live OUTSIDE the host and live in dusty areas, corners and crevices. They are so tiny, you would need a microscope to see their cute forms. Knowing these, do you think you can control fleas by only treating the dog or cat and not being consistent in doing so?

Even those that are living in your pet are killed, the other flea population inside the house may easily jump back thus, giving pet owners persistent flea problem. That is why control and prevention of fleas should be directed not only to your pet, but also to your home. Fleas are also one of the best jumpers we have on earth. A flea can jump up to 8 inches high. That is 150 times its own height. A jumping flea carrying Dipylidium caninum accidentally ingested by humans introduces tapeworms! Proper household cleaning is important.

Flea Home Remedies

1. Clean the house thoroughly-Vacuum carpets, Wash all rugs and make sure every corner of the house is cleaned thoroughly. Dilute a weak acid such as kitchen vinegar to water and use this to sweep floors and spray the carpets, furnitures, corners and crevices. Finish off by dusting salt on the carpets and rugs. Be consistent in cleaning and try to do this every other day.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar or weak cooking vinegar maybe used combined with water (50:50 dilution) and use it to towel bath your dog or used as spray while carefully avoiding the eyes.

3. Place a few drops of lavender on your pet's collar.

4. Mix a small amount of apple cider vinegar in the pet's drinking water.

5. Add a small amount of garlic on your pet's food

4. When shampooing your pet, allow it to stand for atleast 5 minutes before rinsing then apply solution no. 2.

The Notorious Canine Parvovirus

2011-04-19T02:13:00.000-07:00

Canine Parvovirus. Does it sound familiar to you, most specially to dog owners? Probably you've heard it from your veterinarian who highly recommends vaccination against this virus. Or maybe you've already heard how this virus killed Oprah's Cocker spaniel puppies, Ivan and Saddie last 2009. What is "parvo" and why did I label it notorious?

Canine Parvovirus or "Parvo" is the most common serious viral disease of dogs predominantly affecting young puppies between 6 to 20 weeks of age. Unvaccinated pups and those which does not have maternal antibodies (found in the colostrum or first milk of their mothers) are more susceptible. Approximately 80% death rate has been reported in untreated infected pups. Puppies with existing parasitic and bacterial infections are susceptible in developing a more severe form of disease.

It can infect any dog breed but disease symptoms are also more severe in Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers and Pit Bull Terriers. The reasons behind this is still unknown.

Transmission is through contact with feces of infected dogs. The virus is also found in the vomit in some cases.

Vermins, such as the cockroach may move the virus from place to place which also increases the probability of infection.

Like any other virus, it has the ability to evolve into new strains and is resilient. It can live for a long period of time and is resistant to heat and phenolic disinfectants. An infected dog or puppy may show no sign of the disease in the first 1 to 2 weeks but is already shedding the virus in it's feces from the third day of exposure onwards, therefore contaminating the home and spreading infection to other dogs.

Parvovirus targets the rapidly dividing cells. The lining of the gastrointestinal tract of young puppies is a favorite target of the virus because this is where the most rapid cell division occurs in growing animals. The heart muscle tissue is another site of rapid cell division. Very young puppies (>8 weeks of age) infected with "parvo" may suffer severe myocardial problems which may lead to instant death.

Major clinical signs of the disease are vomiting and diarrhea. The feces starts out yellow which becomes blood-tinged and dark-colored soon after. Other signs such as fever, lethargy and lack of appetite are also apparent. Bacterial invasion occurs as a result of compromised integrity of intestinal lining.

If Parvovirus infection is suspected in the dog, it is highly recommended to bring the pet to the veterinarian immediately. Earlier detection and treatment of the disease increases the chance of survival.

It is not Parvovirus itself that kills the animal but the effects associated with the infection such as dehydration. Treatment is directed to correcting electrolyte imbalance and dehydration as a result of diarrhea and to prevent secondary infections that occur due to the tissue damage and low white blood cell counts.

Vaccination still remains as the best preventive for the disease. Although it does not make the dog immune, it in increases their resistance against the viral disease.

Summer and your pet

2011-04-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

Summer is a good time to go out and soak up the warm heat of the sun. While we enjoy the summer days, let's also make sure that our pets don't get too much heat which may result in heat stroke.

Heat stroke occurs when the body is exposed to too much heat and the body is unable to

dissipate the heat by sweating. Did you know that it may only take as short as 10 minutes of heat exhaustion and your pet will be near death? Heat stroke can be a life-threatening condition which can cause sudden death and is known to be one of the leading cause of mortalities in pets during summer.

Your pet's normal body temperature is 99.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, if it increases to 107 degrees, your pet is experiencing heat exhaustion. While we don't expect pet owners to bring a thermometer wherever you go out with your pet, we can take signs from the pet themselves. Here are the signs we need to watch out for: rapid panting, bright red tongue, red or pale gums, weakness, sticky salivation, dizziness, vomiting and sluggishness. In severe cases, it may lead to seizures and coma.

If you notice signs of overheating in your dogs or cats, the first thing that you need to do is get them out of direct sunlight. If they are inside an enclosed humid area (probably inside a parked car) get them out immediately and cool them with water or bathe them and provide ice chips which they could chew on. In severe cases wherein the cat or dog is having seizures and unconscious, you must bring your pet to the veterinarian immediately.

As much as possible, avoid going out during the hottest period of the day (between 10 am to 3 pm).

Avoid dressing up your pets during this season. Ventilation should be provided by opening windows and letting breeze in while indoors if not using an airconditioner while also making sure they can access the cooler areas of your home.

2011-04-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

Salmonella in a Blue-naped parrot

2011-04-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

Some time ago, our pet Larry, a blue-nape parrot showed symptoms indicative of disease agent called Salmonella pullorum. These were the symptoms Larry was having: decreased appetite, chilled appearance-shivering, closed eyes, depression, white diarrhea and saying "buh-bye" --which scared mom most.
We were not able to get him a diagnostic test at the time because my mom reported his condition to me only through text message as I was in vet school. Assessing Larry through the text mom sent me, Larry is certainly not in good shape that evening and must be given some medication.

I suspected Salmonella pullorum infection which ideally should be diagnosed after bacterial isolation and testing by direct plating technique on McConkey and Brilliant Green Agar. However it was not done. White diarrhea in birds is usually caused by Salmonella pullorum, one of the two poultry-adapted strains of Salmonella bacteria. Although it commonly affects and causes mortalities in chickens, turkeys & gamefowls, it can also infect other birds such as sparrows, doves and parrots.

Differentiation from other possible diseases such as Typhoid, Paratyphoid, paracolon, other enterobacteria, chilling and omphalitis should also be taken into consideration, but we took a risk due to the urgency of the moment and advised mom to give antibiotics through feed and water. (After careful estimate of dosage and type of antibiotic which I will not state here. It is still best to see a veterinarian.)

Larry responded well with this treatment and recovered after a week. I can only surmise that he might have been infected possibly through other birds in our area such as sparrows which may also be carriers of the disease. The bacteria can be transmitted through air.

Generally, vaccines are not normally used as prevention as they interfere with serological testing and elimination of carriers. Although Larry is already resistant, he may remain as a carrier.

I hope this fellow parrot of his doesn't snob him though.

Is it necessary to vaccinate indoor pets?

2011-04-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

As an animal owner, you may wonder and question the necessity of vaccinating indoor animals. Your pets are not exposed to outside environment where they could acquire contagious diseases. Also, vaccination appointments with the vet can be expensive. So you ask, how is it necessary?

Veterinary small animal practitioners still recommend to have indoor pets vaccinated. The reason? Most of the fatal viral diseases are air-borne -- which means that the disease agent can still gain entry inside the house through the window and other access points. Indoor pets have a lower chance of getting infectious diseases but it is wrong for pet owners to believe that their pets are safe.

An indoor pet can still contract disease through other animals that your pet has contact with regardless if he does not go out of the house. Instances such as new pet acquired in the household, pet visitors in your home and encounters with other disease-harboring vectors may introduce infection inside your home. Unless your pet is strictly an indoor animal, doesn't ever get outside the house and encounter other animals, the shots are still needed. The fact is, viruses are so tiny and invisible which can be carried through air to which not even an indoor animal can be safe from.

For dogs, diseases such as canine parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, parainfluenza, kennel cough and leptospirosis remains a threat even to an indoor animal due to aforementioned reasons. Your indoor cats on the other hand may still get diseases such as feline rhinotracheitis, feline leukemia virus, feline panleukopenia and chlamydia. If you want to make sure your indoor pet has a higher immunity against these viral diseases, you need to have your pets vaccinated. Vaccination starts at 6 weeks of age.

Do I need to say vaccination is one the best things you can do for your animal's health as a pet owner? Although vaccination will not transform your pet into a super pet and render 100% immunity, it does significantly help your pet's immunity and resistance. I have seen how pets suffer from disease and it is saddening to know that most of the disease that these pets are suffering from could have been prevented if only their pet owners had them vaccinated.

Especially to this air-lover.

Dangerous Over-the-Counter Drugs for Pets

2011-04-08T02:02:00.000-07:00

Do you know drugs prescribed by vet practitioners for your pet are the generic equivalents of human medications? Majority of the human drugs produce the same effect on small companion animals. For example, antibiotics used in human medications for treatment of bacterial diseases are the same medications prescribed by veterinarians to dogs undergoing similar infections.

The differences between human medications from pet medications are indications for usage, dosage, method of administration and duration of treatment.
However, there are certain human drugs which can cause toxicity in companion animals when given. This is because of the differing ability between humans and animals to metabolize a drug which alters the drug activity.

These are the exceptions:

Acetaminophen - should not be given to cats because they lack the necessary hepatic enzymes to metabolize the drug. Severe damage in blood and tissue cells may result due to its incomplete breakdown.

Ibuprofen - It reduces mucous protection of the stomach resulting to ulcers and cause bleeding disorders in dogs. Kidney damage may result in cats.

Antidepressants - can cause weakness and vomiting. Agitation, tremors and seizures may also develop.

Isoniazid - dogs are susceptible for toxicity than cats. It causes seizures which may eventually lead in death.

Glipizide and Glyburide - are oral anti-diabetic medications which causes a serious drop in your pet's blood sugar levels resulting to lack of coordination and seizures.

Baclofen - a muscle relaxant which can damage the central nervous system of both cats and dogs. It may cause depression, seizures and coma which may eventually lead to death.

Calcipotriene and Calcitrio - these are vitamin D analogues which causes rapid increase in calcium levels in pets and cause vomiting, anorexia, polyuria and polydipsia due to kidney failure.

Be careful not to intentionally give them these drugs nor neglect to put them in places within pet's reach.

Is it okay to feed your cats with dog food?

2011-04-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

Maybe you ran out of cat food. Or your cat passionately prefers to eat your dog's food than eat her own food. Or maybe you see no difference between the two that you don't mind feeding whichever is available. At one point or another, maybe you've encountered such situations and wonder if it's okay for your cat to eat dog food.

If you indeed asked yourself that question, you are a responsible pet owner who is concerned about your cat nutrition. There's nothing wrong when you give your cat dog food from time to time. However, studies show that it is bad for your cat's health when given in a long period of time.

Dogs and cats do not have the same physiological design and ability to synthesize certain nutrients in the body which accounts for the difference in their nutritional needs. Cats are strict carnivores while dogs are omnivores. Pet food companies address the differing nutritional requirements between cats and dogs therefore feeding a cat with dog food deprives the cat of essential nutrients needed for optimum growth and metabolism.

So, what are the differences between cat food and dog food?

1. Dog food contains a lower proportion of protein content.
Cats require higher amount of protein because they use protein as an energy source (unlike in dogs and other mammals). Cats fed with insufficient amount of protein over time are more prone in developing hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease).

2. Dog food does not contain Taurine and Arginine which are essential nutrients in cats.
These are essential amino acids which play a critical role in a cat's normal heart function and vision. Unlike dogs, cats cannot synthesize these nutrients and it is important that these are provided in their diet.

3. Dog food contains a higher carbohydrate content which may cause digestive issues in cats.
Cats have decreased ability to utilize carbohydrates compared to dogs and other mammals due to lack of specific enzymatic pathways and a salivary enzyme called amylase which are responsible for carbohydrate digestion. Excessive amounts of carbohydrates can cause diarrhea and/or vomiting in cats which may then lead to dehydration and shock.

4. Dog food does not contain Vitamin A.

Beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, is present in certain plants and fruits which is usually converted to vitamin A in dogs and humans. However, cats lack this ability and must receive Vitamin A from meat sources which is also present in cat food.

Most if not all of the essential nutrients in cats can be derived from meat sources which makes them true carnivorous species. The importance of the above-mentioned nutrients should not be overlooked because nutritional deficiency in cats would take toll in your cat's health and may cause disorders later in their life. For more information about cat nutrition, click HERE.