Pet questions with Dr Lulu

 

A. Consider visiting your local rescue centre and meeting some adult cats. Many have been stuck in the shelter for months and may be on death row, so your apartment and lounge will be a very welcome change. Adult cats are often quite happy with their own company so there won't be too much pressure to spend a lot of time with them. Also you won't have the fuss of toilet-training a kitten, nor the expense of it's vaccination and sterilisation program which costs hundreds of dollars. The staff at the rescue centre will also be able to tell you a bit about their personalities and help match your lifestyle with the perfect companion. Other easy-care pets include rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and mice, all of whom will often be in desperate need of rescue from a shelter. Go on, save a pet today!

 

 

 

A. Heartworm is a parasite spread by mosquitoes. A single mosquito bite can inject the worm larvae into your pet's bloodstream. The larvae hatch and grow into adult worms in the heart, eventually causing a fatal heart attack. Treatment is very difficult so year-round prevention is absolutely essential! A prevention in injection can be given to puppies from 3 months of age. They will need a booster at 6 months, and then a yearly booster. Adult dogs who have not been on regular prevention will need a blood test first to make sure they are not already infected, followed by a yearly injection. Otherwise you will need to be vigilant with using a monthly chewable or spot-on product. Not all products are effective so it is best to purchase those products recommended by your vet.

 

 

 

A. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, causing a painful abdomen, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, dehydration and depression.
The pancreas is a glandular organ under the stomach which acts to produce enzymes which digest food, as well as several hormones including insulin.
Inflammation of the pancreas causes a leakage of these enzymes into the organ itself so it essentially starts to ‘digest’ itself.
Causes include duodenal reflux, concurrent hormonal imbalances (diabetes, hypothyroidism, and hypercalcemia), trauma, eating a fatty meal, obesity, and concurrent infections.
Treatment is supportive, consisting of intravenous fluids, pain relief, and management of concurrent infections and other related problems. After discharge, a low fat diet is recommended.
The condition can be very serious, so if your dog has any of the above clinical signs, then please see your vet immediately.

 

 

A. More than 85% of dogs and cats older than four years have periodontal concerns, so it’s important to check!! Smelly breath (halitosis), excessive salivation (ptyalism), going off their food, pawing/rubbing the face and loose teeth may be noticed. If you lift the lips and look at the gums, they may be red, bleeding, and inflamed. On the teeth, you may notice white plaque (composed of bacteria and dead cells) or yellow calculus (hardened layers of plaque). The hard calculus irritates the soft gums, causing inflammation and bleeding. Infections can enter the bloodstream via this bleeding which can potentially be very dangerous. Daily brushing, using gum gels, dental biscuits, dental chews such as Greenies, and chew toys can help prevent dental disease.

 

 

A. Check closely for fleas in case your product isn’t working. Fleas love living around the tail base area. Your dog may have a skin infection in the area, enlarged anal glands inside the anus, worms, or matted hair and foreign objects around the anus.