ANAPLASMOSIS

• Transmitted by the deer tick or black legged Ixodes tick

CLINICAL SIGNS

•   Lethargy
•   High fever
• Swollen painful joints
•  Inappetent
• GI signs
• Silent infection

*     Snap test- will always be positive, even after treatment

• CBC-low platlet numbers, low white blood cells,
• Disease progression 
• Chronic joint pain
•  Rare neurologic signs
• Treatment- doxycyline, tetracycline
• Prognosis-may not be cured completely but appropriate therapy should help with a good quality of life
• No vaccine available

Heartworm Disease and Cats

Most of us have probably heard of heartworm disease in dogs.  But did you know your cat can also become infected?  Heartworm disease incidence is increasing in both indoor and outdoor cats.  Just like the disease in dogs, it only takes one mosquito bite to infect your cat.  Indoor cats are just as likely to become infected as outdoor cats.  In fact, it is thought indoor cats may be at a higher risk for infection because they have not developed a resistance to infection like outdoor cats have.  

A mosquito bites your cat to cause infection and injects a larval worm into the body.  The worm migrates through the body causing inflammation and damage on the way.  The worm, most of the time, ends up in the heart and associated arteries where it grows into an adult worm approximately the size of a piece of spaghetti.  Rarely the worms can migrate to the skin or brain.  

The clinical signs observed in infected cats vary.  They can range from no signs to severe cardiopulmonary or neurologic conditions.  Most commonly owners report a cough or difficulty breathing (due largely in part to the inflammation caused by larval migration through the lungs), lethargy, chronic and random vomiting.
  

Diagnosis of feline heartworm disease can be performed using a blood test that will detect the presence of the worms actively in the body (antigen) and antibodies that the body produces against the worms.  Other blood work may also be run.  Radiographs to look at the heart and lungs may also be recommended.  Your veterinarian can help recommend appropriate tests and provide interpretation.

Unfortunately there is no safe, approved treatment to eradicate heartworms once your cat is infected.  Your veterinarian can provide medications to help treat the symptoms your cat is experiencing, and in some situations, this may be enough to allow your cat time to clear the infection after several years.  For this reason, monthly heartworm prevention is key to preventing this disease.  Prevention needs to be used monthly even in the winter months because in this area we still have mosquitoes year round, therefore the chance of infection is still possible.  

There are a couple of options available for prevention.  The most common ones are Revolution and Heartgard.  Revolution is a topical application that prevents heartworms, fleas, certain intestinal parasites, and ear mites.  Heartgard is a chewable tablet that prevents heartworms and intestinal parasites.  Consult with your veterinarian about which one is right for you and your cat. 

Microchips

Microchips have become a more common means for identification in pets. Clients come into our clinic with several common questions that I would like to share with you to help you make the decisions whether a microchip is right for your pet.

First, let's start with what is a microchip? A microchip is a very small computer chip that has a number programmed in it that is unique for every microchip. It is small enough to fit into a hypodermic needle to be injected below the skin, between the shoulder blades. Once injected, it will remain in your pets its entire life. It cannot be felt or seen.

Why would you want to microchip your pet? Microchips are a way to permanently identify your pet. They cannot be lost, damaged, or changed unlike tags that are attached to collars. Some pets have been reunited with owners thousands of miles away and over long periods of time!

How young can a pet be microchipped, and does it hurt? Pets as young as 6 to 8 weeks of age can be microchipped. It doesn't feel much different than when your pet receives vaccines. Your pet does not have to be sedated to be microchipped, though lots of owners elect to have the procedure done while their pet is already under anesthesia for its spay, neuter, or dental procedure. The microchip is designed not to cause an allergic response.

If your pet gets lost how will it be reunited with you? Most veterinary clinics and shelters have a microchip scanner. Whenever a dog or cat is found, it is scanned for a microchip. The scanner is similar to the one at a grocery store check-out and retrieves the chip number by sweeping it around the area of implantation (shoulder blades). The number appears on the scanner which can be used to contact the company of the chip and obtain the owner's contact information. Make sure you keep your identification information up to date with the microchip company. If your information changes the company can be called to update it.

Microchip identification has many advantages and is becoming common practice to have them implanted in pets. Many owners are electing for the procedure for extra piece of mind in case their pets are lost or stolen. The ease of updating information and the permanence of the identification are convenient and can be life-saving in many instances. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your veterinarian. They will be glad to help you any way they can.

Hero Saves Poisoned Dog

Ultrasound Technology at Riverside Veterinary Hospital

We offer ultrasonography here at Riverside.  An ultrasound machine uses sound waves to produce an internal image of the body and its organs.  We routinely perform abdominal ultrasounds.  This allows us to look at the internal structure of the body's organs such as the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines, and bladder.  We can identify diseases or abnormalities and can obtain tissue samples of the organs for evaluation.  It provides a less invasive way to see what's going on inside the body without surgery.  We periodically do heart ultrasounds or echocardiograms.  This allows us to look at the internal structure of the heart and its vessels.  If an animal has heart disease or a heart murmur we can use the ultrasound to find out what is causing it and monitor its progression.

Did you know Riverside just recently got their AHAA accreditation?

Did you know Riverside just recently got their AHAA accreditation? This accreditation helps us go above and beyond for our clients. It provides a certain set of standards to follow that ensures good quality medicine practices with our patients. It challenges us constantly to provide more and better services, ensuring we are up-to-date on all the latest changes in veterinary medicine.

Click here to learn more about AAHA! 

 

Pet of the Month

This is Layla. She was found in Rocky Mount last week by one of our employees. She is approximately 12 to 14 weeks old and very sweet! She loves being held and her tail never stops wagging. She plays well with other dogs & is very humble. She has had her first vaccines and de-worming. She is looking for a loving home and is available for a small adoption fee. Please call us if you are interested.