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Name: DogWatch of North Alabama
Address: Huntsville, Alabama
Telephone: 256-880-1888

Category: Tips

May 25, 2019

Pet Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. It’s important to know how common it is, what to look for, and how to proceed if you think your pet may have cancer. Cancer in pets is more common than one might think, and with advances in veterinary medicine, treatment and survival is more possible than ever before.

One in four dogs will develop neoplasia, an abnormal growth of cells and almost half of dogs over 10 will develop cancer. There are limited known facts regarding cancer in cats.

Cancer in a pet is diagnosed much like in humans. Many times, it is found through a physical exam or bloodwork. From there a sample of cells or a biopsy is performed to confirm diagnosis and can help determine if a tumor cancerous or not. If the biopsy does show cancer, further biopsies may be performed to determine how much it has spread.

Also, much like human diagnosis and testing, CT scans and PET scans are performed to give the veterinarian a better idea of the location and treatment options.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, possible signs of neoplasia includes the following:

Abdominal swelling
Bleeding from the mouth, nose or other body openings
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty eating
Lumps, bumps or discolored skin
Non-healing wounds
Persistent diarrhea or vomiting
Sudden changes in weight
Unexplained swelling, heat, pain or lameness
Visible mass/tumor

Although these symptoms do not always mean a tumor or cancer, they should receive prompt veterinary care. Early diagnosis is key to treating and beating cancer in pets.

Many of the treatments for cancer in pets is just the same as humans including surgery, freezing, chemo, radiation, and many others. There’s no clear-cut treatment for cancer in general. Treatment will be tailored to the type and stage that your pet is in.

The key to a good outcome is early detection and treatment. If your pet is exhibiting any of the symptoms above, please see medical advice for them as soon as possible. You can learn more by visiting the link below.

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Cancer-in-Pets.aspx

May 1, 2019

Lyme Disease: How do I protect my pet?

I’m sure at some point, all pet owners and even non pet owners have been affected by the tick population. May is Lyme Disease Prevention Month. With pets being outside a lot, and being in the south, our pets are very susceptible to tick borne illness, one of which is Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease can affect humans and animals alike, and the good news is, there are ways to prevent your pets from becoming infected.

Lyme Disease can be prevented by using a reliable tick-prevention product. It’s a good idea to try to avoid areas of tall grass and wooded areas since ticks are commonly found here. Keeping your own yard maintained (cutting the grass consistently, weed eating, trimming shrubbery) can aid in keep the population of ticks down. Also, it’s important to check your pets (and yourself) once you are inside. Ticks tend to like areas where they may be easily hidden like under the legs, between toes, and in the ears.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in pets include fever, loss of appetite, swelling of the joints, decreased activity, and difficulty walking. These symptoms could not show until months after a bite. Lyme disease can mimic other illness so it can go undetected at times. Luckily, antibiotics have been developed to treat Lyme Disease.

Lyme disease is only passed through tick bites so it is not something that can be passed from animal to animal, human to animal, or animal to human; however, if you or your pet is diagnosed with Lyme disease, it is recommended that the other be tested since you live in a shared environment.

Lyme Disease can be a deadly disease but with prevention and early detection, the prognosis can be good for pets and humans. The first place you want to start is by reaching out to your veterinarian regarding getting your pet started on tick prevention. If you do not have a vet, please contact us. We have several local vets that we are able to recommend with the confidence that they will provide you and your pet with exceptional service.

April 17, 2019

Heartworms: What do I need to know to protect my pet?

April is Heartworm Awareness Month. Many people don’t do any type of heartworm prevention, and it is so important for your pet’s overall health.

How Heartworms Affect Cats and Dogs Differently

According to the National Heartworm Society, dogs are natural hosts for heartworms. This means that in dogs, heartworms can mature into adults, mate, and reproduce. If left untreated, this can be fatal for your dog. A dog can harbor several hundred worms in its body and if they don’t die, can have severe, long term damage to their organs. Prevention of heartworms is the key to keeping your dog healthy and heartworm free.

Cats are an atypical host for heartworms. Because of this, most worms do not have a chance to mature into adulthood, and if cats do have adult worms, there are typically only one to three worms. Often times, cats’ heartworms go undiagnosed.

Spreading From One Pet to Another

It’s important to treat all of your pets for heartworms, as they easily spread from one to another. Heartworms are spread through mosquitos. Adult female worms produce small worms that are present in the blood stream. When a mosquito bites an infected pet, they carry these small worms to their next host.

Symptoms of Heartworms

Symptoms of heartworms are different in dogs than cats.

Many dogs don’t show any symptoms in the early stages. As the heartworms mature, symptoms become more severe and include the following:

Persistent cough
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Heart failure
And many other severe symptoms

Symptoms in cats include the following:

Coughing
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Fainting and seizures

Being in the south, our pets are much more at risk for heartworms than other parts of the nation, although anyone can be affected by them.

How Do They Test For Heartworms?

If you want to have your pet tested but don’t know where to start, contact your veterinarian and make an appointment for a test. If you don’t have a veterinarian, we have several local vets that we can recommend to you. Once there, they will take a small blood sample. If the test is positive for heartworms, there may be other tests ordered.

Dogs and cats should be tested for heart worms annually since many times there are no symptoms until the disease is progressed. Once a diagnosis is made, there are many lifestyles changes for your pet in order to prolong their lives and hopefully cure them of the disease.

How Can I Prevent Heartworms?

The first step to preventing heartworms is to test your pet. If the test comes back negative, preventative measures can be taken. Your primary veterinary clinic can prescribe what best fits your lifestyle and your budget. Some heartworm preventative options may be combined with other medicines such as flea and tick medicines, whereas some are intended for heartworm prevention only.

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Category: Tips

Pet Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Lyme Disease: How do I protect my pet?

Heartworms: What do I need to know to protect my pet?

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