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Pets provide many benefits to humans. They increase mucus production and water in the
comfort us and they give us companionship. colon.
However, some animals can also pass diseases to
people. 3 Common diseases in a clinic
CANINE DISTEMPER
5 Common Toxic Plants and Cleaning Materials ● Canine distemper is caused by a very
to Dogs and Cats contagious virus. Puppies and dogs usually
become infected through virus particles in the air
SAGO PALM or in the respiratory secretions of infected dogs.
Toxins: Cycasin Infected dogs typically develop runny eyes, fever,
Severity: Very high snotty nose, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea,
Malicious Parts of the Plant: The whole plant
Symptoms: Vomiting, jaundice, increased thirst,
hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, clotting
disorder, liver damage, liver failure, and death
SYMPTOMS
● Racing heart (tachycardia)
involve loss of consciousness. ● Altered mental state
● Weak pulse
CAUSES ● Low blood pressure
Epilepsy is often an inherited condition and is the ● Muscle contractions
most common brain disorder in dogs. The ● Trembling, shaking, or twitching
incidence is much higher in some breeds, such as ● Difficulty breathing
Beagles, English Springer Spaniels, Vizslas, and ● Loss of consciousness
Shetland Sheepdogs. ● Loss of bowel/urinary control
Epilepsy in dogs can be idiopathic or ● Swelling of the brain
symptomatic. Idiopathic epilepsy is a form of
epilepsy that does not have an identifiable DENTAL DISEASE
underlying cause. Symptomatic epilepsy occurs By three years of age, an average 80% of dogs
when a cause for the seizure activity can be and cats have developed periodontal disease.
identified; examples include brain tumors, stroke, Dental health is a critical component of your pet’s
or other head trauma. overall health and longevity, which is why your
pet’s teeth should be checked at least annually by
Types of Seizure your veterinarian for early signs of a problem.
There are several types of dog seizures, generally
classified as focal (partial or petite mal) seizures
or generalized (grand mal) seizures. Focal seizures
affect only a small part of the brain, whereas
generalized seizures tend to affect both sides of
the brain as well as the entire body.
As the frequency and length of seizures increases,
so does the probability of damage to the brain.
This in turn increases the likelihood that the dog
will seize again. Multiple seizures within a 24- SYMPTOMS
hour period may be life threatening There are many signs of poor dental health,
including
STAGES OF A SEIZURE ● Bad breath,
“Prodome” – This stage precedes the seizure by ● Loose teeth,
hours or days and is characterized by changes in ● Discoloration,
the dog’s mood or behavior. ● Excessive tartar build-up
● Drooling,
“Aura” – This signals the start of a seizure. The ● Bleeding from the mouth
dog may show nervousness, whining, trembling, ● Loss of appetite
salivation, restlessness, hiding, and apprehension. ● Loss of weight.
● You may also notice your pet is more sensitive
“Ictus” – the actual seizure. This is a period of in the area surrounding
intense physical activity usually lasting 30 to 90 the mouth, or that your pet prefers wet food over
seconds. The dog may display loss of dry food.
● Loss of appetite
CAUSE ● Weight loss
● Periodontal disease begins with the ● Sporadic vomiting
accumulation of plaque on the teeth, which then ● Lethargy
hardens into tartar. Tartar accumulation causes ● Sudden death
sensitive, sore, and swollen gums as well as
gingivitis. RABIES
● The progression of dental disease is affected by ● Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain
breed and diet. In dogs, smaller breeds tend to and spinal cord of all mammals, including cats,
experience dental problems at a younger age dogs and humans. This preventable disease has
than their larger counterparts. In cats, mixed been reported in every state except Hawaii.
breeds do not suffer from dental disease as much There’s good reason that the very word “rabies”
as purebreds do. Many years ago, it was believed evokes fear in people—once symptoms appear,
that animals should always be fed dry food to rabies is close to 100% fatal.
help keep tartar at bay and prevent dental issues.
HEARTWORM
● Spread by infected mosquitoes, heartworm is
increasingly being recognized as an underlying
cause of health problems in domestic cats. Cats
are an atypical host for heartworms. Despite its
name, heartworm primarily causes lung disease
in cats. Rabies Transmission
● Rabies is most often transmitted through a bite
from an infected animal.
● Feral cat populations remain a reservoir host
for the rabies virus
● Unvaccinated cats who are allowed to roam
outdoors are at the highest risk
for rabies infection.
● Less frequently, it can be passed on when the
saliva of an infected animal
Causes and Signs of Heartworm Disease
enters another animal’s body through mucous
● When a mosquito carrying the heartworm
membranes or an open, fresh wound.
parasite, Dirofilaria immitis, bites a cat, larvae are
transmitted into the bloodstream. The larvae
Symptoms of Rabies
migrate toward the heart over a period of around
● Changes in behavior (including aggression,
four to six months, maturing as they go, then
restlessness and lethargy),
settle in the heart, pulmonary arteries and blood
● Increased vocalization
vessels of the lungs.
● Loss of appetite
● Outdoor cats are at greater risk because of
● Weakness
increased exposure to mosquitoes. However,
● Disorientation
indoor cats are also susceptible to mosquito
● Paralysis
bites.
● Seizures
● Sudden death
The following signs may indicate that your cat has
been infected:
Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV)
● Persistent cough
● First discovered in the 1960s, feline leukemia
● Breathing difficulties (panting, wheezing, rapid
virus is a transmittable RNA retrovirus that can
or open-mouthed
severely inhibit a cat’s immune system. It is one
breathing)
of the most commonly diagnosed causes of
● Depression
disease and death in domestic cats. Because the
virus doesn’t always manifest symptoms right
away, any new cat entering a household—and - Bleach or bleach-based cleaners.
Bleach can also be incredibly harmful to our
much-loved pets if ingested because of the
chlorine content. 'If you have to use bleach make
sure to rinse the area with plenty of water and
allow it to dry. Keep your pet away until it is
completely dry.
When collecting a fecal sample, it is important to Proper Restraining of Dogs and Cats
remember that with improper technique, there RESTRAINT OF DOG IN SITTING POSITION
is a health risk to you Place one arm under the dog’s neck so that the
- Wash your hands immediately after completing forearm holds the dog’s head securely against the
the collection of the sample, before touching restrainer's body.
your face, clothes, or anything else.
- Keep the container (ziplock bag, other) wide Place the other arm around the hindquarters to
open when depositing the sample so as to not prevent the dog from standing or lying down
contaminate the edges during the procedure.
- Avoid bending or placing tension on the plastic
spoon when collecting the sample so there is no Pulling the dog close to the chest allows more
risk of spreading the sample (flicking/splashing) control if the animal attempts to move.
To collect a sample from a dog, walk the dog on- Pulling the dog close to your body allows more
leash outside. Confirm that the feces sample to control if the animal attempts to move.
be collected is fresh and not old. Collect the
sample with a plastic spoon or, if the feces is firm, RESTRAINT OF DOG IN LATERAL RECUMBENCY
use the inverted plastic bag approach, as
described above. Only a small amount of feces
With the dog in standing position, reach across
the dog’s back and take hold of the foreleg and
hindleg closest to you.
Gradually lift the dog’s legs off the table (or floor),
and allow her body to slide slowly against your
body until she is lying on her side with feet
pointing away from the handler.
RESTRAINT AND POSITIONING FOR CEPHALIC Requirements or needs of dogs and cats
VEINIPUNCTURE Energy - The First Priority
Place the animal in sitting position or sternal ● The single most important requirement in
recumbency. canine and feline nutrition. All animals eat to
supply energy. It is the first requirement of life.
Extend the animal’s front leg by placing the palm Food energy (calories) is made available through
of one hand behind the animal’s elbow. the process of digestion – the breakdown of
protein, fats and carbohydrates that ultimately
Compress the cephalic vein with the thumb, and provide the chemical energy units that can be
stabilize the vein by rolling the skin laterally. used inside living cells.
● Dogs and cats require energy to support body
For IV injection, slowly lift the thumb off the vein, metabolism during maintenance, growth,
leaving the hand in position behind the elbow to reproduction, lactation, physical activity and
prevent the animal from withdrawing the leg. during their senior years.
RESTRAINT OF CAT FOR FEMORAL Protein - The Most Critical of all Nutrients
VEINIPUNCTURE Protein provides essential amino acids that dogs
Take the scruff of the cat’s neck in one hand, and cats cannot synthesize yet are required for
grasping as much of the loose skin as possible the construction of the many organs and tissues
along the neck. Grasp high up between the ears, of the body. Protein also provides dispensable
or the cat may be able to turn her head and bite. amino acids (those that can be synthesized if
Wrap the fingers of the other hand around and appropriate nitrogen and carbon sources are
through the cat’s hind legs. provided).
Gently stretch the cat out by separating your Fats and their Fatty Acids
hands. Brace the cat's back and neck firmly Fats and oils are the most concentrated source of
against your forearm. food energy providing more than two times that
of protein or carbohydrate on an equal volume
The hand holding the hind legs can then be used basis. Fat, in moderation, is also the most
to hold the top leg and tail out of the way, while digestible of the food sources thus, balancing the
the person performing the veinipuncture pulls fat content of the diet is important. Too little
out on the leg closer to the table. leads to dry, scaly skin and harsh coats while too
much produces weight gain, diarrhea and may
Pressure placed vertically on the inner thigh will overwhelm the pancreas leading to a very sick
occlude and raise the femoral vein. pet.
Carbohydrates Minerals
A dietary requirement of carbohydrate has never Minerals are inorganic compounds found in the
been scientifically established for either the dog earth. Minerals are not required in large volume
or cat. Let me repeat neither the dog nor the cat like other basic nutrients, but their function in
– not even those subjected to hard work – canine and feline health is vitally important.
require any carbohydrate at all in their diet. Some Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium are primary
carbohydrate (10% of the diet) may be beneficial components of bone metabolism. Sodium,
during late pregnancy, lactation and weaning as potassium and chloride are responsible for
these periods pose an extreme nutritional maintaining extra-cellular and intra-cellular fluid
challenge. volumes, one of the most important functions of
any animal’s system. Minerals also play important
Fiber roles in most enzymatic and hormonal functions
A dietary requirement of carbohydrate has never of the body. Like vitamins, minerals are also
been scientifically established for either the dog critical components to overall pet health.
or cat. Let me repeat neither the dog nor the cat
– not even those subjected to hard work –
require any carbohydrate at all in their diet. Some
carbohydrate (10% of the diet) may be beneficial
during late pregnancy, lactation and weaning as
these periods pose an extreme nutritional
challenge.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic molecules that in very small
quantities act as regulators. With few exceptions,
they cannot be synthesized in the body and
therefore must be obtained from food sources or
through supplementation. Vitamins must be
considered essential for life.
Vitamins are highly vulnerable to inactivation by
oxidation (contact with air) and other chemical
reactions that are accelerated by light, heat, acid
or alkali. Thus, many of the natural vitamins in
food are destroyed by most kinds of food
processing, prolonged storage, open containers
and moisture.
INTRODUCTION
An animal’s behavior is influenced by many
factors. Some of these factors include genetic
predisposition, experience and learning,
environment, and physiology. Several dog studies
have shown that behavior can be inherited to
some degree. In addition, maternal influences can
affect personality and temperament.