Know These
Threats To Pets:
Lyme disease.
A tick-borne
bacterial disease that can cause
lameness, kidney damage and death
in
dogs.
Ehrlichiosis.
Also
spread by ticks, ehrlichiosis can cause
chronic weight loss, lameness, bleeding
disorders, seizures and other neurological problems in
dogs.
Leptospirosis.
The No. 1 cause of
acute renal failure in dogs', "lepto" is
a deadly bacterial disease spread by
contact with urine from wildlife, other
pets and even livestock. Lepto can be
transmitted from dogs to people.
Rabies.
A fatal viral disease transmitted
by saliva, typically through bite
wounds, rabies is a threat to both
people and pets.
Heartworm disease.
A preventable, mosquito-borne disease
in
dogs and cats that eventually affects
multiple organs and causes
death
if untreated.
Feline leukemia virus (FeLV).
Spread by direct contact between cats or
through shared food bowls and litter
boxes, FeLV attacks the immune
system, leaving cats vulnerable to
secondary diseases.
Feline immunodeficiency
virus (FIV).
Like FeLV, FIV attacks
and weakens the cat's immune system. It is
spread primarily through
bite wounds between fighting cats.
Control
Ticks and Fleas:
Ticks
and fleas are extremely common,
blood-sucking
parasites
that become active in warmer weather. They
will feed on your dog, cat, kids or you.
Ticks and fleas can carry several diseases
that affect
pets and people. It is possible for a person
or pet to be infected with more than
one disease at a time.
Tick-borne diseases include:
Flea bites can cause
severe skin irritation and itching,
especially for pets and people with
allergies.
Scratching can cause secondary bacterial
infections. Tapeworm infection and in rare
cases,
anemia may also occur.
Protect yourself. Protect your pet.
-
Brush
your pet after each outing.
-
Use
tick/flea treatments or medications as
recommended by your veterinarian to kill fleas and ticks
on your pet.
-
Ask
your veterinarian how you can protect your
pet
from Lyme disease through vaccination.
-
Cut
or mow tall brush or grass where your pet
plays.
-
Do
daily "tick checks" on yourself, pet and
children.
-
Use
tweezers to remove any ticks you find, and
apply antiseptic to the affected area.
-
Vacuum
your house and wash your pet's bedding
regularly to remove flea eggs and larvae.
Keep your
pet healthy with twice-a-year exams.
-
Pets
age faster than people. By age
two, most pets have already reached adulthood. By
age seven, many pets are entering their
senior years.
-
Because dogs and cats age so
rapidly, major health changes can occur in a
short amount of time.
-
Today's pets are living longer
than ever, increasing the chance they will
experience a potentially serious illness
during their lifetime.
-
Twice-a-year wellness exams
can help your veterinarian diagnose, treat
or prevent problems before they become
life-threatening.
-
Twice-a-year wellness exams
provide an opportunity to discuss nutrition,
pet behavior and other concerns with your
veterinarian.
-
Twice-a-year wellness exams
can help your pet live a longer, healthier
and happier life.
Prevention
begins now!
Warm
weather is when disease-carrying
mosquitoes, ticks and wildlife become
active.
The risk of your pet encountering a
disease-carrying
vector is most likely to increase during
this time.
Protecting your dog or cat from these
warm
weather
threats can be difficult, especially
if your pet enjoys playing outdoors.
That's
why your veterinarian may recommend a
prevention program to protect your pet
before
it encounters a disease threat.
Which products are right for your pet?
The answer depends on your pet's behavior,
contact with other animals, places you
travel with your pet, the disease threats in
your area and other factors. With your
assistance,
your veterinarian will assess the disease
risk to
your pet, and tailor an appropriate
vaccination program.
Wellness Exam Checklist
(The most important health screenings for
cats and dogs)
