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My pet keep shaking
it's head, and the ears have a bad smell:
This could be ear infection. It seems to happen more often with dogs that have long ears i.e. Basset and cockers. The ears will need to be cleaned or flushed and will need antibiotic ointment to help clear up the infection, which will either be bacteria, yeast, or both. Dogs and cats have longer ear than humans so when debris or water gets down in the ear canal it’s harder to get out even when they shake their head. Which is why the long ear dog can get an ear infection more often.
My pet keeps scratching his ears:
This could be an ear infection (above) or ear mites. Ear mites will cause black gritty debris. More often cats get it, but dogs can too. A small mite lives and multiplies in the ear canal. Your pet will need to come in and get it’s ears thoroughly cleaned and medicated.
My pet has a lump on its ear:
This can be a cyst, tumor, or hematoma. The doctor will need to identify it. If soft and pet has ear infection or had one recently, it could be an ear hematoma. This happens when pet shakes it head often (usually because of infection) and breaks a blood vessel in ear that begins to fill up with blood. It usually starts small then gets bigger as it continues to fill. It can either be drained or will need surgery to suture skin back together so it doesn’t have a “pocket” anymore.
My pet is missing or losing hair:
There are several reasons why a pet may be losing hair below are some of the possible causes.
Mange: there are two kinds of mange.
1) Demodex- most common. All animals have this mite, but when the immune system is down or immature the mites grow rapidly. It is NOT contagious to other animals or humans. Using special shampoo that flushes the hair follicle, and dipping the pet or using topical medication treats mange.
2) Sarcoptic (scabies)- This mite will burrow beneath the skin and cause irritation. The pet will start itching or biting that causes hair loss. This mite IS contagious to other animals and humans (it cannot complete its life cycle in human, but can cause itching). The pet will need to be dipped and/or get oral medication.
Ringworm: Usually round patches of hair loss, but can be irregular and sometimes itchy. It is a fungus and takes 10 – 12 days to appear after being exposed. It IS contagious to other animals and humans (is more susceptible to children, adults usually resistant to infection unless there is a break in the skin i.e. scratch). It can be treated with oral or topical medication.
Allergy: There are 5 different types of allergies.
1) Contact allergy - local reaction of the skin, can be from detergents the bedding is washed in, carpet cleaner, flea collars, and the material the bedding is made out of. If you are using something new like detergent, it could be the cause of the reaction.
2) Flea allergy - flea allergic dogs and cats have a severe reaction to flea bites, even one bite can cause intense itching. The pet may severely scratch or chew itself, leading to hair loss.
3) Bacterial allergy - there is several species of bacteria that live on the pet’s skin. Some dogs and cats develop an allergy to different kinds of bacteria. They develop hair loss that looks a lot like ringworm. It can be treated with antibiotics.
4) Inhalant allergy - Dogs and cats can be allergic to all of the same inhaled allergens that effect humans. These include tree pollens, grass pollens, weed pollens, molds, mildew, and the house dust mite. Many of these allergies occur seasonally, and some are all the time. A dog and cats reaction usually produces severe, generalized itching.
5) Food allergy - Dogs and cats are not born with food allergies. They can develop allergies to food they have eaten for a long time. The allergy usually is from the protein in the food. I.e. beef, pork, chicken, or turkey. Clinical signs are itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress.
My pet has been vomiting and/or having diarrhea:
Vomiting and/or diarrhea can be the symptom(s) of several different diseases. Minor problems could be intestinal virus, parasites, and dietary problems. If accompanied with dehydration (sticky skin and tacky gums), loss of appetite, abdominal pain, fever, lethargy, or bloody/watery diarrhea, and/or blood in vomit your pet needs to be seen ASAP.
My pet has been urinating frequently and/or urinating outside of the litter box:
The most common reasons are urinary tract infection and cystitis. Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary bladder, and occurs in male and female cats. It could be bacterial, but we are not completely sure of cause. The cat will only urinate a couple drops (sometimes looks like constipation) and on hard surfaces such as tile floors, sinks, bathtub, and countertops. In the female cat stones can develop. Male cats can develop crystals, which can cause an obstruction that prevents them from being able to urinate or become “blocked”.
If you have not noticed your male cat urinate in past 48 hours, and you have seen these symptoms your pet needs to be brought in ASAP!
Other possible reasons for elimination problems:
- Geriatric constipation.
- Litter box is not as clean as the cat wants it to be.
- Change in brand or type of litter.
- Change in the location of the litter box.
- The purchase of a new litter box.
- Cleaning the litter box with too harsh a cleaning product.
- The location of the litter box is too busy, not private enough.
- The home is too large for just one litter box.
- The cat inadvertently gets locked out of reach of the litter box.
- The cat is kept from using the litter box by another animal in the house.
- Too many cats and not enough territory.
- Too many cats and not enough litter boxes.
- Stray cats can be seen/smelled near the cat’s territory.
- Unspayed female in heat.
- Over time the cat has developed an aversion to the texture of the litter.
- Cat was never properly trained to use the litter box in the first place.
- The cat is stressed by a change in routine or environment, including a new baby, new furniture, work schedule changes, vacations, overnight guests, or a move.
My pet has a lump or
bump:
This can be an insect bite, cyst, or tumor. If it is a small lump with a red ring around it is probably a tick bite. The
doctor should examine all unknown lumps that are getting bigger, and/or have changed in color.
My pet is coughing:
Coughing can be from an upper respiratory infection and/or ”kennel cough” which, sometimes is a deep cough that produces mucus. Your pet may have some sneezing too. Both of these infections require antibiotics.
Coughing and/ or shortness of breath can also be caused by heartworms. If your pet has these symptoms, and has not been on heartworm prevention you should bring your pet in for heartworm testing. CATS TOO!!!!
Pregnancy:
How long is my pet in heat?
Cats - 15 days
Dogs- 17-21 days
How can I tell if my pet is pregnant? Sometimes the
doctor can palpate the abdomen and feel if the pet may be pregnant. There is also a pregnancy blood test available. After 35-42 days of gestation radiographs can be done to determine pregnancy and litter size.
What is the gestation period? Cats - 56-69 days average is 62 days.
Dogs - 56 -70 days averages is 63 days.
What are some signs of going into labor? Cats - nesting increased grooming, pacing, panting, vocalizing, seeking seclusion. Dogs- pacing, shivering, panting, vomiting, chewing and/or scratching at floor, and a Temperature less than 100 degrees.
What are some indications that I need to seek veterinary care during whelping?
1. More than 30 – 60 minutes of strong abdominal contractions with out delivering.
2. More than 4 hours has passed since last puppy/kitten delivered.
3. More than 4 hours of resting without straining between deliveries when owner knows there are more puppies/kittens.
4. More than 2 hours between delivery with weak intermittent abdominal contractions.
5. Signs of illness: fever, vomiting, profound weakness.
6. Failure to deliver within 24 hours or body temp dropping below 99 degrees.
7. Crying and signs of pain or constant licking/biting at vulva during delivery.
8. More than 70 days since first mating without delivery.
9. Purulent or bloody vaginal discharge (> 1TBSP)
10. More than 23 – 30 minutes after crowning without being able to deliver puppy or kitten.
11. Continued bloody discharge after delivery (greater than 6 weeks in dogs and 3 weeks in cats) or if acting ill.
You can get more information on frequently asked
questions by visiting
Healthypet.com
or
Veterinarypartner.com
 
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