Victoria Park Animal Hospital: Warning signs your cat may be sick

Victoria Park Animal Hospital: Warning signs your cat may be sick: Detecting illness in a cat can be tricky, simply because they can't talk and their bodies are (usually) covered with fur. Because of the di...

Warning signs your cat may be sick

Detecting illness in a cat can be tricky, simply because they can't talk and their bodies are (usually) covered with fur. Because of the difficulties, cat owners should take their pets to the vet at least once a year for a check-up. If the cat is a senior (over 7 years old) or has known health issues, the vet will probably recommend more frequent visits. There are also signs of illness to watch for in between visits to the vet:

1) Litter box issues

If your cat has always been perfect about using the litter box, and then suddenly starts making messes outside the box, there's a problem. This is especially true once you've ruled out such obvious concerns as cleanliness. (Cats won't use a dirty litter box anymore than a human would use a dirty toilet.)

If the cat appears to be straining to urinate and/or defecate, get her to the vet. If the cat is trying to go to the bathroom and not producing anything, it could have a blockage somewhere, which could be fatal if left untreated. This is especially true if the cat also seems to be in pain, i.e. it cries while trying to go to the bathroom.

2) Unexplained weight gain or loss

If the cat is losing or gaining weight for no obvious reason, it's time to take her to the vet. This is especially true if the weight change seems sudden. Because of their small size, a cat's gaining or losing a single pound is roughly comparable to a human gaining or losing 10 pounds. Some weight loss in older cats is normal as they lose muscle mass, but extreme gauntness can point to something serious like cancer.

Marked weight gain can result in obesity, which will lead to many health problems. An obese cat can develop many of the same health problems that an obese human will, like diabetes or heart disease.

3) Blood in urine, stool, or vomit

Blood in the urine can indicate a urinary tract disorder, especially if accompanied by straining while trying to urinate and/or increased visits to the litter box. Blood in the stool can indicate a variety of illnesses, some relatively minor. Others, like certain parasitic infections, are more serious. Vomiting blood, however, is always a sign of a serious illness. In some cases, the cat will vomit what looks like coffee grounds, and this is actually partially digested blood. A cat vomiting blood needs to be taken to a vet immediately.

4) Diarrhea or constipation

Untreated diarrhea can result in dehydration, which can be fatal. Diarrhea is caused when too much water is expelled with the stool, thus creating a loose or watery stool. Diarrhea is also associated with an increase in frequency of defecation.

With constipation, the cat produces small, hard, and infrequent stools. A cat typically defecates once or twice a day. Constipation is most commonly caused by hairballs, and can lead to weight loss and anorexia. The occasional watery or hard stool won't hurt a healthy cat, but persistent diarrhea or constipation should be treated by a vet.

5) Changes in appetite or drinking habits

If the cat refuses to eat or drink, get her to the vet. Refusal to eat or drink often means the cat is in pain or is otherwise feeling poorly. Increased thirst, especially when accompanied by increased urination, can point to feline diabetes. Increased appetite can also indicate disease.

6) Repeated vomiting

If the cat vomits up the occasional hairball, that is probably normal. If she vomits several times a day, get her to the vet. If she vomits blood, get her to the vet immediately.

7) Mobility problems

Stiffness, limping, and the like indicate problems, especially in a young cat. In an older animal, they can indicate a condition like arthritis. In any event, have the vet examine her, so he can rule out the more serious problems and/or recommend ways of making your cat more comfortable.

8) Behavioral changes

Sudden changes in behavior also indicate trouble. For example, if a normally outgoing cat suddenly starts hiding all the time, this may mean that they are sick or in pain. Similarly, a cat in pain may become aggressive, especially if you unwittingly touch a sore place.

Basically, any change from a cat's normal appearance or behavior can indicate a problem.

Holiday Pet Hazards

While you are busy making your festive plans for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas, please don’t forget to include your pets. The holidays are a time for giving, but there are some things you should not share with your furry friends. Once you know the hazards, a little precaution and prevention will make holidays a happy time for everyone.

Some of the more common holiday hazards include:

Bones: The holiday turkey or chicken will leave a lot of tantalizing bones, but don’t feed them to your pet. Beware of steak bones, too. Small bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach, and intestinal tract.

Holiday plants: Holly and mistletoe are extremely poisonous when eaten. The lovely poinsettia may not be truly poisonous but its milky white sap and leaves can certainly cause severe gastric distress. With so many hybrid varieties available each year, the best approach is to keep the plants out of your pet’s reach.

Electrical cords: Holiday lights mean more electrical cords for kittens and puppies to chew. Be sure you have cords secured and out of the way.

Candles: Lighted candles should never be left unattended and that is even more important if left at kitty’s eye level or within puppy’s chewing zone. An exuberant tail or a swat of a paw can turn candles and hot wax into an instant disaster. Anchor candles securely and away from curious faces and feet.

Pine needles: Check around holiday trees frequently. Ingested pine needles can puncture your pet’s intestines.

Holiday tree: Make sure your tree is well secured. If you have a tree-climbing cat or large dog with a happy tail, anchor the top of the tree to the wall, using strong cord or rope. Preservatives often used in the water in a tree stand can cause gastric upsets, so be sure it is inaccessible or not used. Avoid sugar and aspirin additives in the water as well.

Ornaments: Sharp or breakable ornaments, dreidels, and even aluminum foil should be kept out of reach. String objects, especially tinsel and ribbons, are to be safeguarded at all costs. They are thin and sharp and can wrap around intestines or ball up in the stomach.

Stress and company: With everyone coming and going, watch out for open doors and sneaky pets. Make sure your pets have updated collars and tags on in case of escape. Micro chipping your pet will also help if your pet escapes. All pets should have at least two forms of id on them at all times. Ask guests to keep an eye out for pets under foot and remind them that sometimes your normally friendly dog or cat may be less than willing to deal with enthusiastic children and rooms full of unfamiliar people. Provide a special quiet place with a blanket and fresh water for your pets to retreat to when the festivities get too stressful.

SAVE THE DATE!

 It's almost here!

 Saturday November 19th, 12- 3pm
 Our first annual PET RESCUE ADOPTION! We will be having the THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATER FOOD TRUCK, a DJ, Raffles, Games, Informative Booths, Microchips, Giveaways and most importantly.....Coastal Poodle Rescue, The Underdog Foundation, Abandoned Pet Rescue adoption booths with animals needing forever homes! Come out for a great cause! Hope to see you there!

COME JOIN US!!!

Meet our little survivor Apple!

Apple came to Victoria Park Animal Hospital after being found outside living with a feral cat population.  She was picked up by Animal Control and taken to the shelter.  Her future mommy knew she was taken away by Animal Control and called repeatedly until they agreed to let her adopt her.  When Apple first came to Victoria Park Animal Hospital she appeared just like every other 4 month old puppy, happy, healthy and full of energy.  Dr. Birken examined her, dewormed her, as well as administered her first set of puppy vaccinations.  About 1 week later, Apple’s mommy brought her back in saying she was not feeling well.  She started coughing, her eyes and nose became crusty, and she was not as active as she once was.  On Physical examination, Apple appeared depressed, however her vital parameters were all within normal range, and she did not have a fever.  Her lungs and heart auscultated normally and she was stable.  Dr. Birken felt perhaps she picked up a mild kennel cough at the shelter and started her on broad spectrum antibiotics. Apple and her mom went home.  1 day later, Apple returned with much worse clinical signs.  Her cough was getting worse, she did not want to eat or play at all, and she appeared like she had a fever.  Dr. Birken examined her and she had a fever and was very depressed.  Upon auscultation of her lungs, crackling and wheezes were noted.  Thoracic Radiographs were taken and revealed a severe pneumonia.  A CBC and Chemistry (bloodwork) was performed as well, which was within normal parameters. 



Thoracic Radiographs



Note how the lungs appear extremely consolidated and it is difficult to make out the heart borders.  Lungs that are healthy and aerated should appear black on radiographs.  Any white opacity to the lungs generally means there is infiltrate or disease in the lungs.

Immediately we knew Apple had contracted something more than just kennel cough!  Apple was admitted for hospitalization, started on IV fluids, IV antibiotics, and treated for pneumonia.  Every few hours her vital parameters were taken, and nebulization and coupage was started 2 times per day for her pneumonia. 

Dr. Birken took swab samples of her nasal discharge, ocular conjunctive, and gums to submit for PCR analysis for Distemper.  Sure enough…Apple’s results came back positive for Canine Distemper. 

Canine Distemper

Canine distemper is a highly contagious, systemic, viral disease of dogs seen worldwide. Clinically, it is characterized by a fever, leukopenia, GI and respiratory catarrh, and frequently pneumonic and neurologic complications.  Canine distemper is caused by a paramyxovirus closely related to the viruses of measles and rinderpest. The main route of infection is via aerosol droplet secretions from infected animals. Some infected dogs may shed virus for several months.

Canine Distemper is a disease that veterinarians SHOULD REQUIRE all dogs be vaccinated for.  The vaccine should be administered and boostered as puppies, and given annually thereafter. Once adults, you can discuss with your veterinarian administering the vaccine every 3 years, or performing blood titers to make sure your pet is protected. 

We cannot stress enough the importance of vaccinations in our pets.  Apple is a good example to show these diseases are still being contracted and pets are getting sick.  In fact, Miami Dade Shelter had to be closed down a few months ago because of a Distemper outbreak.  Our pets rely on us to protect them.  Please make sure they are receiving the vaccinations they need.

In Apple’s case, she either contracted the disease outside while living with the feral cats, or when she was picked up and taken to the shelter before she was adopted. 

 Generally there is not a cure for Distemper.  The goal of therapy is to treat for secondary infections and the secondary diseases as a result of Distemper (in this case, pneumonia) and hope with a great medical care, and a fighting spirit, their bodies can fight off the disease. We were providing Apple with the best medical care and treatment she could get.

Apple’s amazing, dedicated, and wonderful mom wanted to do more.  She looked on every website and read literature to see if there was something more we could do.  She came across a veterinarian that created a serum that helps dogs infected with Canine Distemper fight through the disease.  We contacted him, had the serum overnighted, and started administering it to her in addition to her regular treatment regime.  

Apple started improving every day.  Her fever broke, she began eating, and she was coughing less and less.  After 3 days in the hospital Apple was discharged and therapy was continued at home.  Apple just recently came back 2 months later for a follow up examination.  She has gained 25 pounds and is as healthy and happy as ever. Her mom has reported that she is doing AMAZING at home, eating avocados in the back yard, and playing with her sister. 

We are so pleased to announce that Apple is a CANINE DISTEMPER SURVIVOR thanks to lots of love and dedication from her mommy and VPAH!  Apple showed us what a true fighting spirit and “the will to live” can do to rise above adversity.  Her mommy showed us the miracles of love and dedication!

We love you Apple!



Apple today



The Importance of Pre Anesthetic and Routine Annual blood work

Many people overlook the importance of pre anesthetic and routine annual blood work for their pets.  A common misconception is my dog or cat is acting normal and showing no signs of sickness, therefore it is not necessary to spend the extra money for additional testing.  As a veterinarian I cannot stress enough the importance of routine blood work and pre anesthetic blood work.  Too many times I perform a CBC and Chemistry on completely health animals, and discover underlying diseases that have not become clinical yet.  Or I will schedule a routine dental or surgery for a pet, and have to cancel the surgery because there are some abnormalities on the blood work and anesthesia is too risky. 



Sugar



Meet Sugar.  Sugar is a 10 year old female spayed Maltese that came to see me for an examination of her mouth and to schedule a routine dental cleaning.  On physical examination moderate dental tartar and grade II gingivitis was noted, heart and lungs auscultated clear, and all vital parameters were within normal reference range.  Her physical examination was normal and she looked great other than needing her teeth cleaned.  Her parents reported that she is doing great at home and have noticed no changes in her behavior, eating, or drinking habits.  She had blood work performed 2 years prior which was all within normal parameters.   We performed a senior wellness profile which included a Urinalysis, CBC, Chemistry 17, and electrolytes.

Blood work revealed moderately elevated liver enzymes.   We immediately recommended further diagnostics to evaluate her liver.  Bile Acids were performed which were elevated indicating that her liver was not functioning properly.  An abdominal ultrasound was performed which showed an enlarged liver and a nodule.  A needle was placed in the nodule via ultrasound guidance, aspirated, and submitted for Histopathology .  The report concluded an active inflammatory hepatitis.  

Sugar was placed on liver supplements, steroids to bring down inflammation, and her diet was changed.  She will be coming back in 2 weeks for follow up blood work to reassess her liver enzymes.

Sugar is doing great at home.  We have caught her liver disease early and are hoping to will respond well to medications and her new diet.  Needless to say, we have elected to not place her under anesthesia and delay her dental cleaning until she has stabilized. 



My dog Nemo



Sugar’s story is one of many that I see.  In fact I recently performed routine blood work on my own dog Nemo and found out he was hypothyroid (his body was not producing enough thyroid enzyme).  Nemo is now getting thyroid supplementation daily and has a new swing is his step.  I would have never thought anything was different for him.

Animals cannot tell us subtle changes with their bodies that they may be feeling.  A person can say, my head hurts, or I feel weak, or I am not feeling 100% myself.  Dogs and cats cannot tell us these subtle clinical signs that they may be feeling.  Often times, it is not until they are very sick where we are actually seeing a change in their behavior or obvious clinical signs.  Many times their disease is so advanced at that point that there is very little we can do.

 Sugar and my dog Nemo are great stories.  We have diagnosed their diseases in the early stages and prevented further degeneration and advancement.

Our pets rely on us to keep them healthy and happy.   They cannot tell us when they are not feeling just right, or something is off.  Routine and pre anesthetic blood work is a great way to ensure our pets are healthy and are not at risk for anesthesia.  Our pets deserve the best! 

 Lets give back to them the health and happiness they deserve for a lifetime of love and devotion they give to us.   

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At Hill's, nutritionists and veterinarians have developed clinical nutrition especially formulated to help support your dog or cats liver function during its healing process. 

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