Screening for the Silver Years – Pre-emptive Testing for Older Cat and Dog Companions
Just like people, advances in medicine mean our canine and feline companions are living longer than ever before. As they age, different issues may arise. Being one step ahead of you pet’s illness can help catch things early, slow down disease progression and ensure your companion animal lives a comfortable and happy life. Common age-related illnesses: We have the benefit of being able to speak to our doctors, friends and family. Our companion animals can’t talk, so symptoms can include decreased energy, decreased mobility, weight loss, fur loss, panting, not eating, not wanting to run or jump, increased urination and drinking and more. One thing we recommend on our older patients, which usually (depending on breed, size, etc.) is at 8 years onward, is annual lab work to look for things like diabetes, issues with the kidneys, liver changes, increased thyroid levels (for cats). But we can go one step further and do imaging of the chest and abdomen to look for other developing issues – tumors, heart and lung issues, arthritis of the spine, hips and shoulders and more. These pre-emptive screening tests can help us pick up problems before they turn into significant health issues or worse, an un-planned emergency. Talk to you veterinarian about what he or she thinks is recommended in your senior or maturing companion animal so that you always stay a step head!
Chronic Pain Caused by Osteoarthritis in Companion Animals
Just like people, cats and dogs as they age experience changes to their joints. Over time cartilage wears down and can no longer pad the bones associated with the joint and arthritis (bony changes) occur. Ligaments that hold bones in place to prevent abnormal and excessive motion fray and tear, too, abnormal bone rubbing also leads to arthritis. As companion animals live longer and healthier lives than ever before, arthritis and joint issues along with ligament tears are seen more commonly. While in dogs, most pet owners notice a slowing down from walking or a reluctance to jump or run, many have trouble seeing the issues in cats. One reason for this is cats are less frequently watched as they go on leash walks and they can often still jump – just maybe not as high. Additionally, they are also better at hiding pain. Close observation with cats is needed as well as seeing if they move more slowly, jump to lower surfaces and your veterinarian can also palpate their joints, flexing and extending each one to see if motion is reduced, pain elicited or ‘creaking’ felt. In addition, some arthritic cats have a harder time climbing into high sided litter boxes or position themselves the same way they used to for urinating or defecating. Things that help: For both cats and dogs, we can help by making sure they are not overweight, providing steps for areas they previously liked to jump on and off and make sure they have ways to access favorite spots without much discomfort. Nutraceuticals: Non prescription products that are available over-the-counter may help. Products like Dasuquin can be protective to the joints over time. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation. Adjuvant Treatments: Cold laser therapy provided by a number of veterinarians can help reduce pain and inflammation by encouraing blood flow to damaged areas. Injections of medications like Adequan can also help with joint pain Prescription Medications – oral and injectable: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID) such as Carprofen (for dogs) and short-term use of robenacoxib brand name Onsior (for cats) can help reduce pain and inflammation. But these medications can have side effects that include liver and kidney issues. A new injectable anti-body specific for dogs and cats Librela and Solensia, respectively, interferes with the binding of inflammatory and pain molecules from binding to their receptor, reducing pain and inflammation. These injections last a month and can be repeated monthly to address ongoing arthritic pain. Gabapentin is another medication (brand name Neurontin) can also help both cats and dogs address pain but it doesn’t address inflammation and initially can cause sedation. Gabapentin along with an NSAID or antibody injection and some of the above mentioned treatments can all interact favorably to help your aging animal companion feel better and return to the activities they used to enjoy when younger. It is recommended to bring your pet in to be evaluated by your veterinarian and see what treatment or combination of treatments may give your companion the best outcome. In some instances, x-rays of the joints may be recommended to see exactly what is causing the issue.
Two New Options for Chronic Pain in Cats (yes Cats!) and Dogs – Enter Solensia and Librela
As our feline and canine pets live longer, we are seeing the conditions that arise from a long, happy life with its wears and tears on the body, much as we do with people. One common complication is osteoarthritis – or commonly referred to as just arthritis. As pressure is repeatedly placed on joints, the more time that goes by, the more wear and boney cartilage damage we see. People commonly notice the issues in their canine friends but sometimes miss it in cats as they are not being walked or taken outside to run and interact in the same ways. But cat joints get damaged too over time. For over a decade there have been a number of treatment options for the management of arthritis including joint protectors including glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate products as well as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories). There are options such as omega-3 fatty acids and also pain medications like gabapentin which don’t address inflammation and may cause sedation. The NSAIDs are probably the best sole agent for addressing pain and inflammation. But they come at a cost. They can cause issues in patients with kidney problems, lead to gastro-intestinal symptoms and cats cannot clear these products from their bodies as well as dogs and are more likely to have kidney issues, so in the US there are no products for cats labeled for long-term use. That’s where two new products come in and are creating quite the buzz. These products are monthly injections and work in similar ways in cats and dogs for reducing pain and inflammation. Solensia Solensia is a new veterinary product, It works as a cat-specific antibody designed to recognize and attach to a nerve growth factor (NGF), which is involved in the regulation of pain. When the antibody binds to NGF, it prevents NGF from attaching to its receptors on nerve cells. It is here, when bound, that NGF signals pain through pathways in the body. Since Solensia blocks this attachment, it reduces NGF’s ability to cause pain associated with osteoarthritis. Librela This is the dog equivalent of Solensia. It is also an antibody that recognizes and interferes with its attachment to receptors that transmit pain. . Both of Librela and Solensia come as injectable medications for monthly use. The recommended dose depends on pet’s weight, and the medicine requires a prescription and is usually given at your veterinarian’s practice. If can only be obtained with a prescription, you should consult with your family vet to see if these are good options for your cat or dog – or both!for the best possible recommendation for your pet. These two antibody medications circumvent the typical ones associated with kidney issues and intestinal problems as well as clearance issues in cats. That said, all medications have some type of contraindication. But, compared with traditional treatment, the impact and damage on patients will be less. The most common side effects with Solensia are skin reactions (itching, skin inflammation and hair loss); and the most common side effects with Librela are mild injection site reactions, e.g., swelling and heat. That said, as both of these injections are protein, in animals with auto-immune issues where the body attacks itself (often proteins and DNA) a medication like Librela or Solensia might not be the ideal choice. In most instances, however, these two new options to combat long-term pain represent a promising option for older pets. We recommend that you talk to your veterinarian and see if Solensia and Librela might be good options for your older canine and feline companions.
New Year’s Fears for Cats and Dogs
New Years can be fun for people – get togethers, spirits, food and fireworks! Great for us, yes. For our cat and dog companions, often less so. Many dogs and cats get anxious around loud groups of people. If your pet is slightly shy, it’s important they have a place to go and escape the festivities. For dogs this may mean another room they can enter. For cats it may mean a room or rooms along with safe places to hide. Cardboard boxes, cat trees with hideaway cut outs can all be very helpful. 1-2 days before the holiday have Adaptil (for dogs) and Feliway (for cats) diffusers plugged in around your home. These are calming pheromones which really do help and lessen anxiety. Noise Make sure your doors and windows are closed so your four-legged friends can’t run and accidently get out if they are scared. For both cats and dogs, loud noises such as fireworks can be very frightening. Your veterinarian can help by evaluating your pet and listening to you report how they responded on previous occasions. there are calming drugs that can be given to both species if anxiety is a concern. Fatty Foods and Toxins Skip the Sweets: Most owners know that chocolate is bad for pets. But the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause severe side effects. Pets may go to extraordinary lengths to put tasty things in their mouths and swallow. In addition, fatty foods (or regular people food) can cause intestinal upset as well as pancreatic inflammation, called pancreatitis. Keep pets away from your table: Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills. Leave the Leftovers: Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won’t lead to costly medical bills. Careful with Cocktails: If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, make sure unattended alcoholic drinks are placed where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure. Emergency treatment is needed! Pet-friendly stocking stuffers: Looking to stuff your pet’s stockings? Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline’s dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that’s too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer. Lilies: A common pretty flower found in many holiday arrangements. This flower is highly toxic to cats and can cause life-threatening kidney failure if ingested Summary for Planning a Pet-Safe Gathering Be Prepared Your animal may become poisoned in spite of your best efforts to prevent it. You should keep telephone numbers for your veterinarian, a local emergency veterinary service, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-4ANI-HELP (1-888-426-4435, for a fee) in a convenient location. If you suspect that your pet has ingested something poisonous, seek medical attention immediately. With thought and attention into planning your party, you can ring in the New Year in a way that’s fun for you, your family and friends and still keep your pets calm and safe. If you have questions, reach our to your family veterinarian for a consultation before the New Year arrives!
New Respiratory Infection In Dogs
Many pet owners have heard of a new respiratory infection that has recently been found in a few states this year. The new infection is still of unknown etiology. It has been reported in Colorado and the Pacific Northwest, specifically Oregon and Washington State. The infection seems to start out with a dry hacking cough and can initially seem similar to kennel cough – a common and often self-limiting respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella. While the newly reported infection starts out seeming similar, the difference is the cough and symptoms don’t respond to antibiotics or cough suppressants. The reports of the new upper respiratory disease often progresses to pneumonia. The majority of the dogs do recover, however, they may have a cough that persists for up to three months. The infection is considered contagious and until more is known about the infection, infected dogs should be isolated from other dogs until symptoms have resolved. How do you know if your dog is infected? Initially, you may not know what type of infection your dog has. A history of being exposed to other dogs increases the likelihood of an infectious process – such as daycare, boarding, dog parks or sharing communal water dishes on walks. A cough or sneeze that does not improve over a 7-10 day period and gets worse, let’s you and your veterinarian know that this is a more complicated infection. Symptoms at this stage are typically a reduction in energy, reduced appetite and increased coughing. Your veterinarian may recommend chest x-rays to look for bronchitis or pneumonia. A respiratory panel via PCR (polymerase chain reaction) which amplifies the DNA of viruses and bacteria is a very helpful tool in knowing the underlying cause of an infection as well. For the new infection, since it is new and not yet identified, it is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that our tests for identifying the cause such as respiratory PCR does not find it along with the symptoms, duration of coughing, failure of conventual treatment to work and in many instances, progression to pneumonia. It is important to remember that other respiratory diseases can lead to pneumonia and similar symptoms, though coughing typically doesn’t last for several month. Until we know more about the new infection, there may be some guesswork involved. But working with your veterinarian to ensure making your dog is eating, drinking, has a reasonable amount of energy along with providing supportive care should pneumonia develop, is essential. At this time, no cases seem to have been reported in Texas. Over time this may change. If you are concerned that your dog has a respiratory infection of any type, please visit your veterinarian and start with an examination. Your veterinarian will work with you and help you make the best decisions for next steps and emerging information.
Dental Disease and Routine Cleaning in Cats and Dogs
The mouth isn’t the cleanest place to be in any individual. Over time, food and other materials eaten by our companion animals get stuck in between the teeth and leave a buildup on the surface of the teeth that builds up into bacteria-laden plaque. As time goes on, plaque move under the gums (gingiva) and continues creating irritation and an infection and can lead to early bone loss and gum infection (periodontal disease) and ultimately cause serious dental infections such as abscesses. Pet owners often overlook the teeth because unless we open their mouths we don’t always see how bad things are. Cats and dogs are also great at hiding pain and have few ways to show the people that their mouths hurt. 18 Signs that your pet could have dental disease Our pets can’t talk and tell us what’s hurting the. That’s why it’s so important that we watch our animal companions for things like dental disease. There are 18 signs to look out for that could indicate your dog has dental disease, including tooth decay, bad breath, excessive drooling, and bleeding from the mouth. Treatment for dental disease in dogs and cats If you see any of these symptoms, take your pet to your veterinarian for a complete oral examination. Your veterinarian may need to sedate or anesthetize your pet, in order to complete the examination. Dental radiographs (X-rays) is often needed to make a proper diagnosis. Not every veterinarian has the equipment to take dental radiographs. Make sure yours can and has the expertise to treat your pet’s mouth. If he or she can’t, most general practitioners can consult with and make a referral to a veterinarian who has an advanced certification in dentistry. Recommendations will often include a dental hygiene routine such as daily brushing with a fluoride-free toothpaste, or if your pet won’t tolerate this, there are dental chews such as CET chews or Greenies that can help reduce plaque. While there are oral additives, this is not as highly suggested. The additive can sink to the bottom of the bowl and its efficacy is also dependent on how much water is drunk. Additionally, some water additives are only stable in water for short periods of time. Even with daily brushing or appropriate chews as mentioned above, cats and dogs like people still need yearly dental cleanings and oral x-rays. In addition to keeping the teeth and gums healthy, in older pets, these procedures also allow your veterinarian to look at the entire mouth – under the tongue, the tonsillar region, and the cheeks. In older cats and dogs, oral cancer can occur and can be caught early with routine dental cleanings and procedures. Conclusion If a dental procedure and oral hygiene is something you haven’t considered before, talk to your veterinarian and see what she or he recommends. Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital conveniently located in the Heights, has dental x-ray and we incorporate this into our dental procedures. When we find complicated issues below the gum line, we can refer to the type of veterinary dentist mentioned above. Otherwise our well-equipped dental suite lets us diagnose and treat most dental issues including retained baby teeth, fractured teeth, mobile teeth, tooth root infections and more. If your pet is experiencing one of the symptoms listed above, call Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital in the Heights and make an appointment today.
Cats and the Kidneys as They Age
Cats more so than dogs are prone to kidney failure as they age. Often issues are noted after 10 years of age but in some cases are seen earlier – usually no younger than eight years unless there is a genetic pre-disposition. Signs of kidney failure start as very mild. Pet owners may see increased drinking with no explanation. Your feline friend may also start urinating more. The increased thirst occurs when the kidneys are unable to continue returning water to the body. The healthy kidney does not allow too much water (in normal conditions) to leave the blood stream and spill into the urine. The disease kidney is no longer able to pull the water back and so more water is lost when the individual urinates. the result is anything from mild to more significant dehydration, which in turn makes your cat drink more. Cats with kidney failure are more predisposed to urinary tract infections as the dilute (extra water) in the bladder loses defense mechanisms for fighting off bacteria. females get UTIs more frequently than males who have a longer urethra – the inside ‘tube’ that runs from the bladder through the genitalia and to the outside. Shorter lengths means bacteria can more easily travel to the bladder. Male cats can still get infections but it’s easier for a female cat to get infections with compromised kidneys. If vales of products excreted by the kidneys from the blood are still normal or relatively low and the main thing noted early on in the disease is dilute urine, the focus can be on increasing fluid intake. This can begin with adding circulating water fountains or anything that will encourage your cat to drink. There is also a product by Purina called HydraCare that is somewhat water-y and tasty for most cats. they consume it and gain some water and this product promotes drinking. As disease progresses over time, fluid losses increase and you cat may start having rising levels of products in his or her blood that the healthy kidneys normal remove. If the cat tolerates it, this is where you veterinarian can work with you and prescribe an human-grade hospital injectable fluid that can be given to your pet under the skin 2-3 times a week. This isn’t regular fluid but a physiologic balanced pH fluid that comes in sterile liter bags. This can help replenish hydration and support the kidneys in removing waste from their systems. Two common products that build up in an individual’s body with kidney failure are blood urea nitrogen (called BUN) and creatinine. BUN is the breakdown product of proteins. It’s acidic and if it gets high can lead to intestinal irritation and nausea. Creatinine is a muscle breakdown by product. in emaciated and poorly muscled animals, it can be lower not because the kidneys are working well but because it reflects the overall muscle state of your pet. As these values rise, it suggests disease progression. It is also a great time to work with your veterinarian and have him or her prescribe a kidney formulated diet. These diets have restricted protein, reduced phosphorous and increased potassium to address the imbalances that are expected to occur with kidney disease. By lowering the protein intake, the BUN can also be lower and result in less acidic products building up. Things that happen as the kidneys fail are: Your veterinarian will diagnose kidney failure through bloodwork and a urinalysis. Routine blood pressures are needed to ensure hypertension doesn’t occur and if seen, medication given to lower the blood pressure. urine cultures should happen every 3-4 months to make sure one isn’t present which over time can ascend to the kidneys and cause a kidney infection. If anemia is seen and starts to go from mild to moderate or severe, there are medications we can give by injection to correct the anemia caused from kidney disease. Many cats have a slow progression of disease if infections are hypertension is addressed early on. Some cats with supportive care live comfortable happy lives for many years with kidney failure. That some, in some cats, disease does progress faster. So working with your veterinarian to monitor your pet’s progression is important and you can learn what are symptoms to be concerned about. Kidney failure is a disease that is not uncommon in older cats and your cat companion has many options for treatment to minimize the side effects and feel good. You and your veterinarian can review a plan that best fits the needs of your cat.
Helping Fearful Patients Receive the Best Veterinary Visits
Not all dogs and cats are the same. Some patients are comfortable and happy inside and outside their home and on visits to new places including the veterinarian. Other pets are fearful. This article will focus on veterinary visits for the fearful pet and how to ensure the visits become less stressful each time. Dogs and cats are a little different in how they interact and socialize. Dogs are more pack oriented and unlike indoor cats, often are walked and may go to daycare or dog parks and more frequently travel with owners to new places. Dogs For fearful dogs at the veterinarian, it is important that your veterinarian and staff make your canine friend more comfortable each time. This should start with friendly greetings in the lobby and treats to help relax your friend. In the exam room, we don’t want your dog with his/her tail tucked between legs and hiding in a corner. We want to go slowly and offer treats and praise until your pet gets comfortable moving around the examination room. This may take one visit or we can work with your pet weekly until they get comfortable walking on to the table and having their body pet and ultimately pinched lightly to mimic getting vaccinations. A lot depends on the level of anxiety your pet shows. Your veterinarian should always do things in front of you, assuming your presence relaxes your pet, as long as it’s not involving radiation, surgery or a procedure that human precautions need to be taken. Restraint should be gentle and as minimal as can be allowed to keep your dog safely on the table and (in case of fear-related aggression) the veterinarian and staff safe too. Many dogs are food motivated, so distraction with high value treats can often help warm up a frightened dog. Again, this may take more than a single visit but your veterinarian and staff should go slowly until your canine companion is as comfortable as possible. Talk with your veterinarian about coming in for just friendly visits and also working with the practice’s staff to get your dog more comfortable in general. Cats By nature, cats are less pack oriented than dogs and if indoors, often have less familiarity with car rides and traveling places. You can help reduce cat anxiety by spraying a towel in the carrier with the pheromone called Feliway. This mimics the lactating mother cat’s pheromone and produces a calming effect. Keep the carrier open and let your cat wander in or place him or her into it with the door open and pet them. start with 15-30 second periods and gradually increase. The next step is car rides. You can also spray Feliway into your car and place your cat in the carrier in the car. At first just get your cat comfortable being in the car for a few minutes. high value treats for cats can be found in the squeeze food Churros. You may offer this while petting your cat in the car in his/her carrier. Once your feline friend is more at ease go for short car rides. If vomiting occurs, ask your veterinarian if they can get you a medication for motion sickness. Like people, some cats do not travel well. Check ahead of time if your veterinarian offers fear-free practices. this should include separate cat and dog exam rooms, Feliway in the cat rooms and staff comfortable with handling feline patients. Not all cats not to be handled the same way. Just like dogs, less can be more. Some fearful cats do well with a towel placed over their heads. other may need gentle restraint. All should at least be offered treats during the visit, though some cats are more reluctant than dogs to take treats. At Urban Animal, we have found about 75% of cats respond well to treats during visits and even some that are aggressive forget about aggression when properly distracted with treats. If you feel that your cat isn’t being handled the way you would like, talk to your veterinarian and work with them to create a plan that best suits the needs of your cat. no two pets are the same and customized care is needed for the fear-stricken or shy animal.
Allergies in Cats and Dogs
Just like people, cats and dogs can get allergies, too. They can be broken down into environmental allergies, food allergies and allergies to flea bites, which is especially common in an area like Houston. Unlike people, companion animals tend to manifest allergies in their skin – basically they start to itch. Sometimes they get runny eyes and noses the way people do but the majority start chewing on themselves or lick excessively. For seasonal allergies, different regions can cause more dramatic symptoms. Hot humid areas with high pollen counts (Houston is one of these spots) is often worse than cooler, less humid climates as found in the Midwest and Northeast. Animals with food allergies can be found anywhere. The same can be said of flea bite allergies but the prevalence of fleas is found in certain areas more than others. What owners typically see: The distribution of skin lesions can be helpful in pinpointing the problem: Sometimes these issues overlap and it is hard to know what the inciting cause is. The first thing your veterinarian should want to do is remove any possible issues that are contributing. Your veterinarian may make sure a good flea medication is being given monthly. Even if fleas are not seen, to the allergic pet, one bite is all it takes to drive them crazy Looking microscopically at areas that are affected called cytology may also be recommended. Scabs can be lifted and the ooze underneath picked up on microscope slides that can be evaluated.For more complicated issues skin biopsies and even cultures may be warranted. Cats and dogs with environmental allergies and flea bite allergies often respond to certain medications. They typically do not respond to food allergies. So failure to respond to veterinary prescription allergy medications may give your family veterinarian clues if food allergies are present. If so, there are special hypo-allergenic diets that can be tried. Don’t confuse that with grain-free diets which have an association with heart disease. As a side note, grain-free diets haven’t shown any benefit to cats and dogs with allergies and have been linked to a specific type of heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Typically, it is the protein that causes the majority of the problems in animals with food allergies. So, if a food allergy is suspected, work with your veterinarian on finding an appropriate diet. It should also be noted that only a small percentage of patients with allergies, about 12-15%, have food allergies as the cause of their issues. Treatment for Flea and environmental allergies Over the last several years, several new products have become available to manage allergies without the side effects associated with older medications such as steroids. While use is off-label for cats, there are off-label (non-FDA approved) options for cats that have approval for dogs. Additionally, for both cats and dogs allergy testing by serum (the non-cellular portion of blood) or intra-dermal testing (similar to what’s done in people) are available and oral allergy immuno-therapy formulations are available through a variety of laboratories and pharmacies that make up custom treatment vials for a specific pet’s allergy profile. If your companion animal is scratching or chewing at his or herself throughout the day and seems uncomfortable, bring them in to see your family veterinarian. Today there are many options to help your cat or dog live more comfortable lives!
Canine Parvovirus and Feline Panleukopenia Virus
The virus known as Parvovirus often seen in young, unvaccinated puppies originated from a cat virus that causes the feline infection Panleukopenia. While the two viruses are variations of the same virus and can be infectious to either species and share some overlap, they do present slightly differently in cats versus dogs. In general, parvoviruses are non-enveloped viruses (no fat / no lipid covered coating around it) that contain a single strand of DNA. The lack of the lipid envelope means the virus requires more than just soap and water, which can penetrate into fat, destroying its envelope and leaving the virus unprotected. By not having a lipid envelope, parvoviruses requires other disinfectants to kill it. But this article is less about the viruses structure and more about the disease it causes in cats and dogs, how to prevent it and if your pet has it, how to treat it. Similarities: Parvoviruses like to attack rapidly dividing cells, which explains its penchant for bone marrow and the intestinal tract. Cells here are being rapidly made all the time, so cell division is common. Parvovirus infections in the dog are classic for symptoms initially to be gastrointestinal – vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. In more severe infections, the bone marrow is affected and one can see a drop in the number of white blood cells found. Infections in the cat often affect the bone marrow first but diarrhea, vomiting and decreased appetite can also occur. The disease in cats is called panleukopenia which refers to a drop in most of the white blood cells. It should also be noted that panleukopenia is a little more refractory to treatment and the mortality rate is higher. In both species, a drop of the white cell lines requires broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and gastro-intestinal symptoms are treated with anti-emetics, appetite stimulants, fluid therapy to replenish losses from diarrhea and vomiting and in many cases assist feeding of a nasogasto feeding tube may need to be placed to trickle small amounts of food into the sick patient. More mild cases (more referring to parvovirus) can be successful with diligent treatment by the owner on an out-patient basis) whereas more severe cases and usually panleukopenia require in-patient hospitalization and ongoing supportive care. There is a simple in-house test that picks up most cases of canine parvovirus and panleukopenia virus. This coupled with the symptoms, vaccine history and labwork can help your veterinarian confirm the diagnosis. In both cats and dogs, vaccinations are available and should be started between six and eight weeks of age to prevent infection with this virus. puppies and kittens should be vaccinated with this vaccine every 2–4 weeks until between 18–20 weeks of age. While they are being vaccinated and developing their immune system, puppies and kittens should be kept away from other dogs and cats and areas they inhabit as the virus is eliminated in fecal matter and can live for some time in the environment. Vaccination is very effective in preventing the virus. It should be noted that puppies and kittens are more susceptible but any dog or cat, even if older, that has not been properly vaccinated and boostered, is also susceptible to contracting the virus. So if you have a mature dog or cat that has never been vaccinated or has an unknown vaccine history, please talk to your veterinarian as they will likely need a 2-injecton vaccination series to develop initial immunity, followed in a year by a third booster