So what is cat flu?

Cat flu is a respiratory disease of cats caused by a number of infectious agents – herpes virus , calici virus and chlamydia.

It can be easily spread from cat to cat through sneezing and can be carried on hands and shared bowls and equipment.

What are the signs?

Initially sneezing , loss of appetite, and fever, but signs can progress to severe ulcers and secondary problems such as pneumonia in severe cases.

How is cat flu treated?

There are no drugs available to specifically kill viruses so treatment generally involves supportive care while the cat’s immune system fights off the infection.

Treatment might involve antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infection, decongestant drugs, and intravenous fluids to combat severe dehydration.

During this time the cat is treated in an isolation ward to prevent spread to other cats in our care.

At home treatment for mild cat flu might include cleaning discharge from the eyes and nose, providing warmed palatable foods to increase appetite, and nebulizers or simply breathing in steam in your bathroom after a shower as a decongestant.

Most cats have an uneventful recovery but some cats may go on to have periodic bouts of cat flu or become carriers of the virus.

How can I prevent my own cat from getting cat flu?

The good news is that the chance of getting cat flu is greatly reduced by regular vaccination, and if your cat does get cat flu the severity will be greatly reduced.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus may predispose your cat to cat flu and other diseases so vaccination for this disease is also recommended.

Can I catch flu from my cat?

No. Cat flu and human flu are different diseases.

Where can I get more information?

The Veterinarians at the Lost Dogs’ Home provide treatment and advice for both stray and privately owned cats , not just dogs.

Tumours can appear anywhere on the body although areas most commonly affected are the ears, nose, mouth & eyelids. Older outdoor cats are more commonly affected than younger ones. Squamous cell carcinomas are slow to spread and can take months or years to develop.

Symptoms of Squamous cell carcinoma:
As the new owner of this cat, you will need to be aware of symptoms related to this disease. These symptoms include –
• Lesions or sores which are slow to heal
• A red spot on the skin
• Crusty like lesion
• Hair loss in the affected area

If you see any lumps, bumps, scabs, crusty areas on your cat, you are strongly urged to seek veterinary attention. Some symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma can mimic other diseases such as ringworm, so it is important that you seek a proper diagnosis so the appropriate treatments can be given.

Prevention of squamous cell carcinoma:

• Limiting your cat’s exposure to the sun by confining him/her indoors .
• Application of an animal specific sunscreen.
• DO NOT USE ZINC CREAM as it is toxic when ingested by cats.

All future veterinary costs associated with this condition are the responsibility of the adopter.

If you have any queries regarding this condition, please feel free to discuss it with a member of our veterinary staff.
This handout provides general advice only. For specific advice regarding your pet please speak to your veterinarian at The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic.

The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic, 2 Gracie St, North Melbourne, 3051.
Phone: 9329 2755

People, cool themselves by sweating via exposed skin. Dogs, however, don’t sweat like we do. Their main cooling comes from panting. As the moisture evaporates off of their tongue, the blood is cooled and then circulated to keep the pet comfortable.

Clipping your dog in Summer can help to keep your dog cool during the steamy summer months. Please ensure you have adequate sun protection for pets with lightly pigmented skin.

If you do not wish to clip your dog it is important to keep your dog well groomed. This will allow airflow through the coat thereby cooling the skin. If however your dog is not well groomed debris such as grass awns can build up and cause mats and significant skin problems.

Questions about shaving your dog should be directed to your veterinarian and staff. They are best equipped with the knowledge of how shaving may affect your pet.

This handout provides advice only. For specific advice regarding your pet please speak to your veterinarian at The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic.

The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic, 2 Gracie St, North Melbourne, 3051.
Phone: 9329 2755
Email: vetclinic@dogshome.com

Foods such as grains and nuts, including walnuts, almonds, and pecans have all been associated with these mycotoxins. Symptoms will occur rapidly and can include drooling, panting, restlessness and mild incoordination. More severe symptoms, including muscle tremors, will be seen with higher doses of the toxin and death can occur in some cases.

If your pet exhibits these signs, and is known to scavenge in the garbage, you should seek veterinary help immediately. Treatment consists of inducing vomiting and introducing activated charcoal to the stomach. These steps help to minimize absorption of the toxin. Tremors and seizures can be controlled with medications and with supportive care and with early aggressive treatment, the prognosis is good.

It is important to finish all of a pet’s food in a can or bag prior to adding new food. Adding new food on top of old food can allow for the growth of molds. In addition one should ensure that all garbage containers are closed and secure.

Most importantly, if you wouldn’t eat it, then don’t feed it to your pet!

This handout provides advice only. For specific advice regarding your pet please speak to your veterinarian at The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic.

The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic, 2 Gracie St, North Melbourne, 3051.
Phone: (03) 9329 2755

For all pet owners, it is very important to realize that some human drugs can be poisonous to their pets. Given that most households stock a number of medications, knowing the drugs to watch out for can help minimize the risk of accidentally poisoning your pet.

(1) NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs):
These are common pain-relieving medications we all keep around the house. Whether you refer to them by brand name (e.g. Volatren) or by generic (ibuprofen, diclofenac), these medications are very dangerous to pets.

• Most pets will experience stomach and intestinal upsets, with gastric ulcers being common. Some NSAIDs can also cause kidney or liver damage.

• Toxic doses vary. If your pet has consumed any amount of human NSAIDs, contact your veterinarian immediately. Given daily, NSAIDs will certainly cause potentially fatal gastric ulceration.

(2) Antidepressants: As we begin to understand more of how chemical imbalances can affect our moods and our mental stability, an increasing number of Australians are now taking these drugs. Examples include: Prozac®, and Zoloft®.

• Vomiting and lethargy are common symptoms of an overdose. In some cases, a condition known as serotonin syndrome can occur. Pets will exhibit elevated body temperatures, increased heart rates and blood pressure as well as disorientation and vocalization

• Toxic doses vary. Contact your veterinarian if your pet ingests any of these drugs.

(3) Acetaminophen (Aspirin): One of the most common pain relievers in Australia is Aspirin® may be great for us, but it can be deadly to cats. Dogs are also affected, but often not to this extreme.

• Dogs can experience liver damage and occasionally red blood cell damage.
• A single extra strength Aspirin® has been known to kill cats.

(4) Methylphenidate (Ritalin): This medication is used for treating attention-deficit, hyperactivity disorder.

• This medication can elevate a pet’s heart rate to a dangerous level and has the potential to cause abnormal heart rhythms and seizures.
• A 5 mg tablet or patch could be fatal for a cat or small dog. The more common sizes of 15 or 20 mg can be fatal for any dog if not treated.

(5) Fluorouracil: This anti-cancer drug is used to treat minor skin cancers in humans. Discarded cotton swabs used to apply this medication are a prime source of pet poisonings.

• This drug is rapidly fatal, causing severe vomiting, seizures, and even cardiac arrest in pets. This drug should not ever be used in cats.
• Any unintended contact by your pet with this drug is reason for a call to your veterinarian

(6) Isoniazid: This is a first line tuberculosis drug with a very narrow margin of safety.

• Extremely dangerous to dogs. Dogs will have serious seizures and then enter a stuporous state.

• Toxic doses: Five 300 mg tablets are fatal to a 10 lb dog.

(7) Pseudoephedrine: This very popular decongestant is found in a variety of cold and sinus products (Dimetapp®, Sudafed®, etc).

• Acts as a stimulant to dogs and cats, your pets will act hyperactive. Head bobbing, agitation, tremors and seizures are all common.
• Toxic doses: Clinical signs can be seen in dogs up to 10 lbs ingesting a single 12 hour Sudafed® (120mg pseudoephedrine). 2 tablets could kill most toy breed dogs.

(8) Anti-diabetic medications: Glipizide (GlucotrolR) gliclazide, and glyburide (MicronaseR) belong to a class of drugs known as sulphonylureas. These tablets work by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Medications like glipizide and glyburide can cause sudden and major drops in blood sugar of pets.

• Symptoms include disorientation, lack of coordination, and seizures.
• Toxic doses: Cats exhibit liver problems at higher doses. Toxic dosages vary according to the size of the pet; however any exposure is dangerous. For glipizide, poisoning occurs most often after ingestion of large amounts, for instance, greater than ten 5 mg tablets. Glyburide and gliclazide are longer lasting medications and smaller dosages result in prolonged low blood sugar and complications thereof.

(9) Vitamin D derivatives: Vitamin D is often used in humans to treat psoriasis (skin condition). It is available in ointments or solutions.

• Dogs develop vomiting, depression, anorexia, diarrhea and increased urination with 12-24 hours.
• Toxic doses for pets are very small. Since it might be difficult to quantify the amount your dog ate, you should contact your veterinarian in the case of ingestion.

(10) Baclofen: Baclofen is used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis and spinal disorders, including spasm, pain and stiffness.

• Dogs show signs of vomiting, weakness, and disorientation. Dyspnoea and respiratory distress can occur.
• The prognosis is not good as deaths can occur from small numbers of 10 mg tablets.

This handout provides general advice only. For specific advice regarding your pet please speak to your veterinarian at The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic.

The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic, 2 Gracie St, North Melbourne, 3051.

1. Prevent unwanted litters: Each year in Australia hundreds of thousands of unwanted puppies and kittens are born due to non deliberate matings. Often, owners of male dogs fail to realize their pet’s contribution to the litters of puppies being born daily. Desexing can stop your pet being part of the problem.

2. Eliminate the risk of testicular cancer: This seems pretty straightforward…no testicles, no risk of testicular cancer! Don’t forget, if your pet has only 1 testicle that has dropped, your veterinarian will need to find and remove the second testicle, otherwise there is a large risk of testicular cancer.

3. Reduce the risk of prostate enlargement, abscesses, or cancer: Without testosterone’s influence, the possibility of prostatic problems diminishes greatly. In dogs, an enlarged prostate can cause difficulty urinating or even cause constipation.

4. Reduce the risk of perineal hernias: A hernia is a tear in a body wall. In this case, body fat, or even organs, can migrate through a tear in the muscle wall and end up under the skin, along the side of the anus. This is an uncomfortable condition and can only be corrected with surgery. Intact male dogs are at high risk of developing this condition.

5. Decrease the urge to roam: Intact male dogs and cats love to patrol their “territory”. Whether they are just checking out the neighborhood or looking for females, the chances of getting into a fight or being hit by a car are much higher for intact dogs.

6. Reduces aggressiveness: Neutered pets tend to be better behaved than their intact counterparts.

7. Decrease odors in your home: Almost everyone is offended by male tomcat urine or embarrassing urine stains around furniture. Neutering your pet can minimise odours and remove “marking” behavior.

8. Decrease fighting behavior: Besides breeding, male tomcats are known for getting into fights, often resulting in severe lacerations and large abscesses. Male dogs also tend to have scars as a result of battles.

9. It might be medically necessary: If your dog has a perineal hernia, enlarged prostate or certain types of tumors around the anus, neutering will help resolve the issue and improve his prognosis.

10. Avoiding spreading bad genes: Preventing unwanted litters was already mentioned, but a secondary effect of neutering is to stop the spread of genes for hip dysplasia, hereditary heart issues, and other genetic problems.

This handout provides general advice only. For specific advice regarding your pet please speak to your veterinarian at The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic.

The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic, 2 Gracie St, North Melbourne, 3051.

2. Many species of lilies are highly toxic to cats leading to kidney damage. All parts of the plant are considered toxic, and poisoning can occur with ingestion of less than one leaf. To date, the toxic component has not been determined.

3. Within the first two to six hours of lily ingestion, a cat may manifest intestinal upset including vomiting, loss of appetite, and depression.

4. Signs may temporarily subside only to return within twelve to eighteen hours as kidney damage ensues.

5. Treatment consists of rapid decontamination (inducing vomiting to remove plant material and administration of activated charcoal), and intravenous fluid.

6. Postponing treatment for more than eighteen hours can result in renal failure, and death; therefore, prompt and aggressive veterinary care is paramount. With prompt treatment, full recovery is possible. However, if treatment is delayed, varying degrees of permanent kidney damage will occur. If the cat is not treated at all, death usually occurs in three to seven days.

7. Cats can be extremely inquisitive, and may graze on plants in and around a house. Therefore, cat owners are encouraged to avoid placing lilies where cats reside, whether indoor or outdoor.

Internet Resources
Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA). Easter lilies can be deadly for your cat!!!. http://www.cfainc.org/articles/lilies.html

http://www.cfa.org/articles/plants.html

(Note: These website contains pictures of various lily species.)

Lilies know to cause kidney failure in cats include*:

Common names Scientific names
Easter lily Lilium longiflorum
Tiger lily Lilium tigrinum
Rubrum lily Lilium speciosum
Japanese show lily Lilium lancifolium
Daylily Hemerocallis species

* Other members of the Liliaceae family are suspected to also be toxic to cats.

This handout provides advice only. For specific advice regarding your pet please speak to your veterinarian at The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic.

By: Dr Bryan Oon BVSc (Hons), MRCVS
The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic, 2 Gracie St, North Melbourne, 3051.
Phone: 9329 2755

With an ability to jump 45cm from a standstill, the 3mm long common cat flea is one of the hardiest pests that our dogs and cats will encounter. An appetite for blood, an uncanny ability to reproduce, and a short life cycle make this parasite difficult to control or eradicate. What’s worse, the fleas can carry diseases that can affect our pets and us! How can we help protect our dogs and cats from this annual menace?

Several thousand species of fleas exist, but the cat flea is the most common in Australia Fleas are not choosy feeding on the blood of both dogs and cats, these fleas may even choose to dine on us! With a preference for warm weather and higher humidity, fleas are most often encountered during the spring and summer months. Increasing global temperatures are also lengthening the flea season for many pets across Australia. In addition, our warm homes in winter create a livable environment so fleas can quickly become a year-round problem!

Once adult fleas attack your pet, you can expect to have flea eggs in the environment within 36 hours. These small oblong eggs will fall off of the pet into the carpet, bedding, or yard and hatch into larval forms of the flea within 1-10 days. The larval forms will spend time munching on organic debris, such as dead skin cells and flea dirt. The larvae then form cocoons from materials it finds in the environment. The adult fleas can actually hatch out of the cocoon within 1 second when stimulated by light, movement, or heat. Given optimal conditions of humidity and temperature, this flea life cycle can be completed in as little as 12 days!

Besides their ability to reproduce quickly, fleas also can reproduce in almost unimaginable numbers. A single female flea has the ability to lay about 2000 eggs during her short 100 day lifetime and a group of 25 female fleas can swell to thousands in just 30 short days! To make matters worse, adult fleas comprise just 5% of the total flea population in the environment; more than 95% are present as eggs, larvae, or the hardy cocoon.

Although itchy pets are the hallmark of a flea infestation, fleas also bring several other concerns to pets and their owners. Severe infestations of fleas can actually cause young kittens or puppies and older pets to become anemic from blood loss. Blood parasites, as well as intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms, are commonly spread through fleas.

Fortunately, recent advances in flea control technology have given the pet owner a wide range of products that are not only effective, but very gentle as well. Utilizing differences between mammal and insect physiology, leading veterinary pharmaceutical companies have developed long lasting insecticides for our pets.

Although many flea control products can be found in over the counter outlets, pet owners are urged to see their family veterinarian before choosing a product. Some flea control products that can be found in supermarkets, TV ads and mass merchants should not be used on certain pets, such as cats.

The flea control products that are recommended by veterinarians have additional benefits above control of the adult fleas. These products will actually help to break the life cycle of the flea by killing the adult flea before they have time to reproduce. Most flea products sold at veterinarians will actually kill the adult fleas within 24 hours of application and this speed of kill helps prevent the females from laying eggs.

Your veterinarian can help you decide what product is going to be best for you based on several factors: what type of pets you have, what part of the country you live in, and what other parasites your pets are exposed to routinely. As an added bonus, your veterinarian is available to you if you have concerns about the performance of the flea products.

This handout provides general advice only. For specific advice regarding your pet please speak to your veterinarian at The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic.

By: Dr Bryan Oon BVSc (Hons), MRCVS
The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic, 2 Gracie St, North Melbourne, 3051.
Phone: 9329 2755

Most of us understand the importance of good oral health for ourselves and visit our dentist at least twice a year. But only a small percentage of people would do the same thing for their pets. Studies in human dentistry and medicine have shown that there appears to be an association between heart disease and dental disease.

Is this true for our pets as well?

In a recent veterinary study, more than 45,000 cases of dogs with serious dental disease were reviewed. These dogs were compared with another 45,000 dogs of similar gender, age, and breed that did not have any dental disease. Their report shows that there appears to be a strong association between the health of your pet’s mouth and the incidence of other health issues, such as heart murmurs or even infection of the lining of the heart.

Dental care of dogs and cats is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care. A recent report on compliance within veterinary practices showed than less that 35% of pets who need a dental cleaning ever receive one. The reasons for this level of non-compliance are many, but often, pet owners will report that they just didn’t know their pets needed dental work or even that their pets suffered from periodontal disease.

Just as with people, periodontal disease in our pets starts the same way. It begins when food particles, saliva, and bacteria attached to the teeth produce a filmy matrix called “plaque”. If this matrix is not disrupted, “calculus” forms. More commonly known as tartar, the calculus makes the surface of the tooth rough and provides a better hold for more bacteria and helps to protect the bacteria from being dislodged. These bacteria will then infect the gums, causing a condition known as gingivitis. If not treated appropriately, gingivitis can progress into periodontal disease, destroying the bone that supports the tooth. It’s hard to believe, but there may even be an association between dirty teeth and other serious diseases. The same bacteria that cause dental disease have been found in the hearts of dogs with heart disease.

To help prevent dental problems from becoming a serious health issue, veterinarians recommend that oral health care start early. Your new puppy or kitten should become comfortable with you examining its mouth. Early training will help the pet to learn to tolerate brushing and other preventive measures and will help you recognize abnormalities. Simple awareness of the health of your pet’s mouth can help you to provide better health care for your pet.

As your pet ages, a weekly check of the mouth may also help to find issues before they become dangerous. You should take time to look for plaque and tartar, especially on the large canine teeth in the front of the mouth and the big shearing teeth in the back of the mouth. Other potential areas of concern include fractured teeth, gum tissue that is overgrown or does not appear to be a healthy pink color, bleeding from the gums or any ulceration in the mouth. In addition to using your eyes, your nose can be an important tool as well. Pets are not supposed to have bad breath! If you can detect any foul odor, or if you see any problems in your pet’s mouth, your pet should be seen by your family veterinarian.

You are an important part of the fight against dental disease. Working with your veterinarian, you can learn to identify potential problems earlier and help your pet lead a, healthier life.

This handout provides general advice only. For specific advice regarding your pet please speak to your veterinarian at The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic.

Bt Dr. Matt Pascall

The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic,
2 Gracie St, North Melbourne, 3051.
Phone: 9329 2755

If a dog growls or snaps without cause you should see your veterinarian! There are a variety of medical conditions that can cause pain or brain problems that would cause this behavior. Watch your dog around strangers; your dog should be alert but not suspicious and aggressive. Your dog should calm down after you tell him the situation is “okay”.

Why do dogs suddenly turn on someone?

Dogs do not normally simply turn on someone. For a dog to unexpectedly turn and bite out of aggression is extremely rare. Dogs are very social creatures and most view their family and other humans as part of their social structure. However there are various reasons a dog might act aggressively, the most common of which are:
• Fear and anxiety – if dogs are afraid they may strike out.
• Protection – some dogs feel a strong need to protect their people, pack members or territory.

What should you do if attacked?

What are the Do’s and Don’ts when faced with an aggressive dog?

DON’T:
• Approach fast
• Make eye contact
• Stand over the dog
• Make erratic movements
• Turn and run
• Try to kick

DO:
• Stop
• Remain still
• Avoid eye contact
• Speak gently – say sit stay (they may obey)
• If the dog relaxes – get some distance between you and the dog
• Use an object for a shield

If your dog’s behavior seems abnormal or unusual, what should you do?

See your veterinarian immediately. Most likely it is only a minor medical problem, but other more serious problems can occur. Vets have medication for pain, senility and other more rare conditions that can alter behavior. Alternatively, if there is no underlying medical condition, then the vets at The Lost Dogs’ Home can offer you behavioral and training advice.

What things can be done to try and prevent your dog becoming aggressive?

The Lost Dogs Home Veterinary Clinic,
2 Gracie St, North Melbourne, 3051.
Phone: 9329 2755