Potential Pet Concerns

The following are possible conditions that may ail your pet.

Foxtails

"Foxtails" are the dried seed heads of western grasses. When the winter grasses turn brown in the spring and summer, the seed heads break off easily. These foxtails are pointed on one end and spiked on the other, like a fishhook.

After attaching to an animal, the foxtails tend to move in only one direction, inward. They may work their way beneath eyelids, down ear canals, inside noses, and between toes. Removal generally requires veterinary assistance.

To avoid foxtail problems, keep lawns mowed, and avoid fields where dried grass is visible. When hiking with pets, keep them on trail. Seek veterinary care if your pet is squinting, tilting his head constantly, sneezing, or is chewing and licking at his paw.

Intestinal Parasites

Pets are very curious and come into contact with parasites located in other animals’ stools, as well as in contaminated water supplies. Parasites are often passed from a mother to her offspring before birth and can be passed shortly after birth, through her milk.

Common intestinal parasites include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Other microscopic parasites like coccidia and giardia can make your pet sick. These internal parasites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and/or weight loss.

These parasites can be transmitted to humans through ingestion of contaminated soil, sand, or plants. Dogs and cats infected with parasites contaminate their surroundings by passing eggs or larvae in their feces. These eggs and larvae can survive in areas like parks, playgrounds, yards and inside homes.

A yearly examination of your pet's stool helps locate these parasites and treat them effectively with medication. There is no all-encompassing de-wormer. Identification of the parasite is necessary for proper treatment.

For more information about safe and healthy pet ownership see the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets.

Rabies

Rabies is a deadly disease that is present in many areas of the United States. It is carried by a number of species, including dogs, raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes. In California, rabies is found most frequently in bats and skunks. The disease is transmitted through a bite from an infected animal, or any transfer of saliva which contains the virus.

Rabies can be effectively controlled in the dog and cat population through vaccination. The vaccine can be administered to puppies and kittens after 4 months of age. The first vaccination produces immunity for one year, while later vaccinations provide immunity for 3 years. In California, it is required by law that dogs be vaccinated for rabies.

The county of Ventura has recently warned pet owners about the increased incidence of rabies in skunks, bats, and raccoons. If your dog or cat has had exposure to wild animals, it is essential to re-booster your pet within 48 hours or face a strict 6 month quarantine. For further rabies information, please contact http://ccr.oal.ca.gov. Title 17, Section 2606.

Ticks and Fleas

Ticks can spread disease and, in heavy infestations, can cause anemia from blood loss. These diseases include tick fever (ehrlichiosis), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme disease. Lyme disease is the most prevalent of these diseases in California. Symptoms of all three diseases include fever, listlessness, anemia, weight loss, unexplained bleeding, seizures, joint pain and poor appetite. Prevention of tick infestation is the primary means of controlling these diseases, but treatment is available. Topical tick control products like Frontline Plus kill ticks once they latch on and begin consuming blood. There is also a yearly Lyme vaccine to prevent transmission of such blood-borne diseases.

Just one flea can cause an allergic reaction over your entire pet’s body. Fleas can be prevented by using a monthly topical treatment like Advantage or Frontline Plus. These products kill not only the adult fleas, but also fleas in various stages of development to break the cycle of hatching fleas.

Heartworm Disease

HEARTWORM DISEASE is a concern wherever mosquitoes are present. Each year thousands of pets become permanently debilitated or die from lung, heart or circulatory problems caused by heartworms. Pets can have heartworms for several months before symptoms are detectable. By then, the disease may be difficult or impossible to treat successfully.

SYMPTOMS:
An infected pet becomes less active and tires easily. They may exhibit coughing, weight loss, chronic fatigue and fainting in advanced disease stages. Adult heartworms are found in the heart, lungs and major blood vessels. Secondary liver and kidney disease may result.

DIAGNOSIS requires laboratory testing of a blood sample that can be done by your veterinarian.

SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT depends on early detection & close veterinary supervision. After permanent damage occurs, prognosis is poor.

Ear Infections

OTITIS (ear disease) is an inflammation of the ear. It may involve the outer ear - otitis externa, middle ear - otitis media, and/or the inner ear - otitis interna. Although usually not life-threatening, ear infections are often very painful for your pet. In some cases ear infections can recur after treatment. Chronic infection causes the ear canal tissue to become thick and rough. This can severely impair hearing and may lead to difficulty hearing.

CAUSES: Ear parasites (mites), bacterial or yeast infection, matted hair in the ear canal, allergy, foreign objects, injury and moisture retained in the ear can all cause otitis. Over-the-counter ear cleaners can cause or aggravate infection when ears do not drain and dry properly after cleaning. Your veterinarian can prescribe ear cleaning solutions that clean and dry the ears and medication to treat an infection if necessary. Chronic infection may require surgery.

SYMPTOMS: Pets with otitis often shake their heads, scratch their ears, or rub their ears against objects. Inside, the ear is sometimes red, and a foul-smelling discharge may be present. Head tilting and poor coordination can be a result of inner ear infection.

DIAGNOSIS: The type of ear infection can be determined by microscopic examination of the ear discharge in addition to visual inspection of the ear canal and ear drum with an otoscope. A bacterial culture to identify disease causing organisms may also be necessary. When severe inflammation is present, anesthesia may be required to properly examine and treat the ear.

TREATMENT: Treatment varies with the type of infection and length of time it has been present. The ears may be flushed to remove debri. Antibiotics and other medications may be required. Long-term treatment may be necessary to control chronic infections.