Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Banfield pet hospital’s quick referencing guide on canine and feline preventative care introduces new and current employees to a broad spectrum of basic canine and feline preventative care. This quick referencing guide offers a more efficient way to learn and to relay preventative care information to clients. The sections in this guide are divided into: diseases in pets, vaccination schedules, heartworm prevention, flea prevention, and parasitic diseases. This quick referencing guide is an organized and reliable referencing source in the hospital that will increase: the quality of canine and feline care, the client experience with Banfield pet hospital, and the value to employees and clients of canine and feline preventative care.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Early diagnosis and treatment can slow the progression and spread of diseases. Banfield
Pet Hospital promotes a healthcare process of early prevention to diseases compared to treatment of diseases. Prevention of diseases compared to treatment of diseases is usually less expensive in treatment and helps ensure a longer and healthier life for canine and feline pets. The following chart provides the most common diagnoses at Banfield Pet
Hospital locations for the year 2010:
Periodontal disease (associated with dental calculus and gingivitis), otitis externa (ear infections), and overweight are a few of the top diagnoses and will be discussed in the next section.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Periodontal disease is the most common disease in canines and felines that affects more than 85% of canines and felines. Periodontal disease is the most common disease however; this disease is can be easily prevented with proactive dental care. The veterinarian recommended home dental care for canines and felines to help prevent periodontal disease include: dental chews, water additives, and teeth brushing. An annual dental prophylaxis (an anesthetic dental cleaning) may be recommended by Banfield veterinarians. A dental prophylaxis is a very proactive preventative as well as a form of treatment for dental disease.
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Dental Chews- Enzymatic dental chews will help prevent progression of dental calculus and gingivitis in canines and felines.
The hospital carries an over the counter product named Glenhaven
Dental Chews that are available to clients.
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Water Additives- Water additives for both canines and felines will help prevent plaque build-up on teeth.
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Teeth Brushing- The recommended amount of brushing pets teeth to help prevent periodontal disease is once a day. Canine and feline tooth paste should be used when brushing their teeth
Pictured left is a photo of a canine after a dental cleaning. An instrument called a scaler is used to remove calculus and tartar from the teeth and gum lines.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
The following chart is a reference to identify periodontal disease:
Otitis externa is an inflammation of the ear canal. Ear infections occur in over
20% of all canine and feline diagnosis at Banfield pet hospital. Symptoms for otitis externa in canines and felines are shaking head, scratching ears, strong pungent odor from infected ear, and/ or black or brown exudate on the pinna of the ear. Basic protocol for diagnosing and testing for otitis is an ear swab that tests for the type of infection (yeast, bacterial, parasitic (mites), or fungal. Treatments for ear infections will depend on what is seen under the microscope from the ear swab. Most medications for ear infections will include either an anto-fungal, antibacterial, or an anti- parasite ingredient as an ointment. Some treatments are also coupled with a medicated ear flush. The following chart gives a spectrum of different causes and factors for otitis externa in both canines and felines:
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Typical causes for ear infections in canines ranges from bacterial infections, fungal infections, yeast infections, and allergies. Typical causes for ear infections in felines are mites.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Rabies is a virus that is deadly to humans and animals. In 2011, about 55,000 human deaths occur annually worldwide from rabies. Approximately 95% of the human deaths from rabies are from Asia and Africa and about 95% of the rabies cases were reportedly from dog bites. Rabies certification is regulated by law in the
United States and is necessary for all canine and feline pets. The rabies virus is transferred by the saliva of an infected animal. Pictured above is a dog with rabies.
The symptoms for rabies include: abnormal behavior, aggression, inability to swallow, and foaming at the mouth.
Overweight and obesity in felines and canines is a growing concern in the small animal health field. It is estimated that 54% of canines and felines in the United
States are overweight or obese and an estimated 21% of the canines and felines in the United States are obese. In Banfield, pets are rated on a body condition score on a scale of 1-5. A body condition score of 1 would be anorexic, 2 would be underweight, 3 would be ideal, 4 would be overweight, and 5 would be obese. A pet with excess weight runs the following health risks:
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Osteoarthritis I
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Insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes) H
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High blood pressure
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
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Heart and respiratory disease
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Cranial Cruciate ligament injury
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Kidney disease
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Forms of cancer
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Decreased life expectancy
Prevention and management of overweight and obesity in canine and felines include daily exercise and a controlled diet and target weight. Pictured below are obesity in feline and canine.
Canine distemper (Morbrilivirus) is a viral infection that is very contagious and spreads through direct contact and is airborne. Symptoms of canine distemper are: runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, coughing, labored breathing, and a decreased appetite. Vaccinations give prevention against canine distemper. Pictured to the left is a canine with distemper and has excessive discharge from the nasals.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Canine parvovirus is a viral infection that is extremely contagious and spreads by indirect or direct contact with infected feces. This disease is very dangerous in younger canines and felines because of the lack of a developed immunity.
Symptoms include an acute onset of vomiting, diarrhea (usually bloody), lethargy, and fever. Pictured to the left is a puppy infected with the
Parvovirus.
Canine leptospirosis ( Leptospira interrogans ) is a bacterial infection and is spread by urine. Leptospirosis virus can remain in the soil for up to 6 months. Since the virus is spread through urine, canines and animals that spend a lot of time in and around water are at an increased risk for contracting Leptospirosis.
Symptoms of this disease include: loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and blood in urine.
Canine bordetella, also known as kennel cough, is a viral infection that is very contagious and spreads through direct contact and is also airborne. Symptoms of this disease include a dry coughing, sneezing, and snorting.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Feline Leukemia virus is a retrovirus that impairs immunity and is usually fatal.
Feline Leukemia virus is transferred by an infected feline’s saliva or nasal secretion.
Symptoms of feline leukemia virus are varied and include: loss of appetite, poor coat condition, skin infections, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), lethargy, fever, weight loss, anemia, diarrhea, and jaundice. Pictured to the left is feline leukemia virus.
Feline Distemper (feline panleukopenia virus) is a viral disease of the blood and the intestines. Feline distemper is spread through contact with an infected animal’s body fluids, and fleas. Symptoms of this disease include: depression, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and loss of skin elasticity due to dehydration.
Kidney disease in feline (renal failure) involves the breakdown of the kidneys, which regulate blood and water levels, and filter and process waste. Two common diagnoses for kidney disease are chronic renal failure (CRF) and acute renal failure.
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Chronic Renal Failure (CRF)- Chronic renal failure is a gradual deterioration of nephrons in the kidney. Nephrons are what process waste and maintain water balance. Symptoms of CRF include: drinking more water, frequent urination, drooling, dehydration, weight loss, and bad breath. CRF is an irreversible damage on the kidneys. CRF is a progressive disease but a feline may slow the progression and be kept comfortable with diet changes and medications. Pictured below are feline kidneys. The kidney on the
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013 left is within normal limits and the two kidneys on the right are in renal failure (CRF).
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Acute Renal Failure- Acute renal failure is a quick onset of an illness in the kidneys. Typical causes include ingestion of antifreeze. Symptoms of acute renal failure include: straining to urinate, not eating, vomiting, seizures, and bad breath. Acute renal failure needs immediate attention from the veterinarian. Treatment of acute renal failure usually includes intensive IV therapy.
Recovery and prognosis of a feline with acute renal failure is dependent on the severity of the damage on the kidney. Pictured below is a feline with acute renal failure and is undergoing IV fluid therapy.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
The Banfield pet hospital location in Flower Mound offers fore core vaccinations: rabies, leptospirosis, canine distemper, parvovirus, and bordetella (and lyme as an accessory vaccination) for canines. The three vaccinations for felines are rabies, feline leukemia virus, and feline distemper. When a puppy or kitten is born, their immune system is not fully developed. The immunity that a puppy or kitten does have is a passive immunity from the mother. After weaning a puppy or kitten from the mother, it is important to begin vaccinations and preventative measures to keep them from catching pathogenic diseases.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Puppy vaccinations begin at the age of 8 weeks and are boosted every 3 weeks. Rabies vaccinations may occur as early as 16 weeks of age.
* Indicates Distemper Parvoviris vaccination combination
Kitten vaccinations begin at the age of 8 weeks and are boosted every 3 weeks. Rabies vaccinations may occur as early as 16 weeks of age. Feline leukemia vaccine (FeLV) is given after kitten/ adult cat tests negative for feline leukemia. FVRCP an acronym for: feline viral rhinotracheitis calicivirus panleukopenia, and protects against feline distemper.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Heartworm is a deadly parasitic disease that both felines and canines and contract from mosquitoes. Continuous heartworm preventives such as Proheart, Wormshield, and
Trifexis will prevent heartworms from infesting canines and felines. All that the transfer of heartworm disease needs to one pet is one mosquito. The way that heartworm preventatives work is by killing the larvae form of the worms so the worms are unable to mature into adult heartworms where they can migrate to the heart of a pet. The following diagram below illustrates the development of heartworm disease in a canine:
Symptoms of heartworm disease are: asymptomatic, chronic soft coughing, short-winded, difficulty breathing, and congestive heart failure.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
The following diagram is a map that shows the concentration and prevalence of heartworm disease in the United States:
Heartworm disease is dominant most in the Southeast portion of the United States.
After a pet has tested positive for heartworm disease they may undergo treatment to get rid of the parasites.
Heartworms may be removed surgically or by a heartworm treatment of cage rest and medication for a period of 4-12 months. Pictured left are heartworms that have been surgically removed from the heart of a canine.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Heartworm prevention in pets begins at the age of 8 weeks and testing for heartworm disease in pets begins at 8 months of age. Testing begins at 8 months of age because if the pet does have heartworm, the antigen for heartworm will take at least 7-8 months to be present for the heartworm test. At Banfield, the requirement to sell any heartworm prevention over the counter is to have a current heartworm test completed by a Banfield veterinarian. Banfield has pill and injectable options for heartworm prevention including:
Proheart Injection, Wormshield pill, and Trifexis pill.
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Proheart Injection (pictured bottom left)- Proheart injection is a six month heartworm preventative. Benefits of Proheart include; six months of continued heartworm prevention and convenience in once every six months administration.
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Wormshield (pictured top right)- Wormshield is a once a month pill form of heartworm prevention. Benefits of Wormshield include; monthly heartworm prevention and low affordable cost.
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Trifexis (pictured below)- Trifexis is a once a month pill form of heartworm prevention. Benefits of Trifexis include; monthly heartworm prevention, added flea prevention, and intestinal parasite prevention.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Fleas are a parasite that infects both canines and felines. The below picture illustrates a flea pyramid. The fleas on canines and felines account for only 5% of the total population.
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Canine and Feline Preventative Care 2013
Flea prevention is a cheaper, easier, and safer way to keep fleas off of canine and felines compared to treating pets and the house. Banfield pet hospital Flower Mound offers First
Shield Trio, Comfortis, and Trifexis as flea preventatives and treatment options.
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First Shield Trio (pictured below)- First Shield Trio is a topical flea preventative for both canine and felines.
Application of the medication is once a month.
First Shield trio has active ingredients that kill fleas on contact and regulate the home environment for fleas.
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Comfortis (pictured below)- Comfortis is oral (pill) medication for flea prevention. Administration of Comfortis is once a month. The benefit for
Comfortis includes a convenient way of administering flea prevention with a non-greasy application.
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Trifexis (pictured below)- Trifexis is The benefits of Trifexis is that it doubles as both a heartworm preventative and a flea preventative and that it is a convenient way to give a flea monthly prevention.
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