Many diseases can be prevented by vaccinating your pets. Take a look at some options to prevent heartworm, intestinal worms, fleas and ticks
As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure. The regular preventative treatments available for your dog and cat will ensure your pet stays happy and healthy and extend their life through simple measures. Not only that, you won't be hit with a massive bill for the treatment of a preventable disease or parasite.
Below are some diseases preventable through vaccination - we send yearly reminders!
Canine Cough - usually presents as a hacking cough, at times producing phlegm. Spread from direct contact between dogs. Parvovirus - vomiting, diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain are the initial clinical symptoms. Due to its stability, the virus is easily transmitted via the hair or feet of infected dogs, contaminated shoes, clothes, and other objects. Therefore, direct contact between dogs is not always required to spread the virus. (Source: www.pet360.com). Canine Distemper - Distemper is a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease affecting dogs of all ages. This virus attacks the nervous system and typical signs include fever, discharge from the eyes and nose, respiratory problems, loss of appetite, skin reactions, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle spasms and convulsions. (Source: Virbac) Canine hepatitis - A highly infectious disease which causes liver damage and potentially death in dogs. Puppies are most at risk and signs of infection include fever, ocular lesions, depression, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain (due to liver enlargement). The virus is contracted through contact with the urine, faeces or saliva of infected dogs. Canine Leptospirosis - rarely seen in Aspley, usually associated with rodents and native wildlife in the North Queensland area
All of the infectious diseases listed can be prevented by a C5 annual vaccination. Most of these diseases are rarely seen clinically due to the success of regular vaccinations within the population.
Puppies require vaccinations at eight, twelve and 16 weeks of age.
Feline Infectious Enteritis - cats usually present with depression, vomiting, diarrhoea, marked dehydration and severe abdominal pain. Feline Calcivirus & Rhinotracheitis (Herpesvirus & Cat Flu) - sneezing, nasal and ocular discharge, depressed appetite and ulcers on the tongue and/or conjunctivitis of the eyes.
All the infectious diseases listed can be prevented with the F3 annual booster. Kittens require vaccinations at eight, twelve and 16 weeks of age. It is not uncommon for cats to become carriers after they have recovered from feline herpes virus and to infect other cats. If an infected cat is unable to fully fight off the infection, the herpes virus disease may become latent (hidden) just like in human herpes with the virus that causes cold sores in people. In this regard it would become a lifelong disease being continually re-awaked when the cat becomes stressed or ill (Source: Virbac).
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) - fever, gingivitis, wounds that won't heal, sneezing, weight loss, anaemia, conjunctivitis. Cats which have never received previous FIV protection must be tested for FIV before the vaccination is given. It is transmitted through the saliva of infected cats mainly through cat bite wounds.
We recommend all outdoor cats be vaccinated against FIV. Cats receiving the FIV booster for the first time require a series of three injections, 3 weeks apart. This then coincides with the F3 booster, yearly.
Below are some parasites and products which help prevent or eliminate them Heartworm - transmitted by mosquitoes so all pets including indoor-only animals are still susceptible to this parasite. Larvae migrate from the bite wound through to the dog’s body until they reach the heart and blood vessels of the lungs, a process that takes approximately six months. The larvae mature in the dog’s body - an adult heartworm can grow to be about 12 inches long (Source: PetMD.com). The adult will usually live within the ventrical of the heart and the pet may present with signs of congested heart failure. Treatment for the adult heartworm is harsh - using a cyanide-based compound which kills the adult heartworm or, surgery in heavily-infested cases. Heartworm prevention is extremely important and is responsible for the diminished numbers presented clinically.
Heartworm prevention only acts upon the larval stages of heartworm. It is best to have a heartworm test before proceeding with prevention for the first time or if prevention has lapsed for more than 3 months. DOGS Annual Proheart (SR12) heartworm injection is the most common preventative used at The Ark. The convenience of the yearly injection coincides with the annual vaccination meaning one less thing to remember! Tablets given monthly, are an economical option. The Ark stocks a selection of products (Interceptor, Nexgard Spectra, Milpro) to suit different needs and routines so ask which is best for your dog. Most tablets also protect against intestinal worms while some also protect against fleas and ticks (Nexgard Spectra).
Advocate is a spot-on application on the back of the neck and is given monthly. It also protects against fleas and most intestinal worms. CATS Milpro tablets cover heartworm as well as all intestinal worms if given monthly. Advocate & Bravecto Plus spot-on applications cover fleas and most intestinal worms as well as heartworm.
Intestinal wormers -
hookworms, roundworms, tapeworm and whipworm live in your pets intestines absorbing nutrients and causing irritation. Eggs are usually ingested by your pet. Intestinal worms can be transmitted to humans, especially children, so treating your pet is important.The Ark stocks a selection of tablets for both dogs and cats which are either given every 3 months or monthly depending on your routine (Interceptor, Nexgard Spectra, Milpro).
Advocate is a spot-on treatment applied to the skin monthly and covers all intestinal wormers except tapeworm. Together with Popantel tapewormer, given every 3 months, this provides complete coverage. Bravecto Plus Spot-on covers all of the above plus ticks.
Ask us which routine is best for your pet. For flea and tick advice and prevention click here
With so many different products and options it can be overwhelming. We're here to break it down and make a routine to suits your pet, your budget and make it easy to follow. Call us now for advice 3263 9977.