AZAIAH-Cat Highlight

 Azaiah is a three and a half year old, domestic short-haired feline. She is owned by Rebecca, Veterinary Assistant. Azaiah likes feathers, friends and food.

Azaiah is microchipped. This ensures that if she escapes from the house, she will be returned home. It is important to register her with the correct company to ensure the fastest return home possible.  Did you know that 41% of people with lost cats described their cats as strictly indoors? Also, only 2% of unchipped lost cats make it home versus 75% of microchipped cats making it home. Visit www.petparents.com to read more information about microchipping your pet. 

ASHER-Cat Highlight

ASHER is a domestic short hair, three year old cat. It's human owner is Charlene, a Licensed Veterinary. Asher likes playing air guitar, wrestling with the dogs, talking and cuddling with mom.

Asher must have regular electrocardiograms (ECG). This test is important to monitor his heart murmur. The test makes a graph of the electrical activity of his heart so the doctors can detect any changes. His murmur is not at a stage where he needs regular medications. He is still very active and sweet.

When any irregular heart rhythm is detected on clinical examination, an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) should be performed. The small electrical impulses normally generated by the heart are amplified 3,000 or more times and recorded by the ECG machine. An ECG can detect minor disturbances in the heart beat or rhythm and allow your veterinarian to diagnose many types of heart disease.

An ECG is a simple test to perform. Your pet is usually placed in a standing or lying position and electrodes are attached to the elbows and knees. A jelly or liquid is applied to improve electrical conduction between the dog and the electrodes. The ECG machine merely records the electrical impulses from the cat (or dog) and there are no unpleasant sensations nor is there any danger to the pet.

Often an ECG examination is combined with chest radiographs (x-rays).  ECG analysis is a safe, simple test that provides your veterinarian with valuable information about your pet’s health.

Pets and Fireworks

Fourth of July is one firecracker of a day…. but…maybe not for your pet.  We recommend keeping your pet away from sparklers and other fireworks that may be ingested.  Pets have sensitive ears so remember this during the beautiful firework displays.  We can give you suggestions about how to reduce your pet’s anxiety to loud firecrackers. We want you and your pet to enjoy safe summer holidays.

To obtain more information about Fourth of July celebration, please visit here.

Unlikely Friends

PET OF THE MONTH - CALI

Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital is proud to honor CALI as our June Pet of the M...onth. Here is what her owner had to say about her first encounter with Cali....

"I had gone to Petsmart to get stuff for our two cats, of course my husband was on deployment, and I walked over to the pet adoption area. There she was in a cage. She didn't look sad but she was mad. How dare someone put her in cage and how dare someone turn her in. What a great cat! Cali has been the best, most entertaining cat I have ever had. She even lets me put costumes on her for various parties that we host. The funniest moments are how long it takes her to get in empty boxes. Like moths to a flame…as soon as we get a box, there she is…"

NAMIR-CAT HIGHLIGHT

NAMIR is a seven year old Bengal male cat. His owner is Pamela, Licensed Veterinary Technician. Namir is an indoor cat and likes hunting and attacking his toys!  

Namir has recently had his teeth cleaned. During the cleaning the veterinarian noticed a few lesions on some of his teeth. These turned out to be resorptive lesions. The lesions are painful and would have caused many problems had they not been extracted. It is very important for his future dental health to monitor him for signs of difficulty chewing, suddenly missing teeth, or teeth whose gums look inflamed as these can signal another lesion.

In the interest of your pet’s optimum health, we are providing a dental care program to ensure your cat (and dog) will avoid common dental problems.  Residues often build up on the teeth of  many pets.  The rate at which this build up occurs depends on many factors, including the breed, jaw structure, type of food eaten, and dental home care by the owner.  Thus, some dogs and cats are more prone to this problem than others.  Never the less, well over half of the pet population is prone to develop tooth and gum disease by the time they are a few years old. 

The team at Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital is genuinely interested in maximizing the companionship you have with your pet by sensibly avoiding preventable health problems.  Here are some simple measures you can follow to keep their teeth in good condition.

1.  Visual Inspection:  First, check the mouth (some pets are a little head shy and this may take a little patience on your part).  Gently fold back the lips and look at the teeth and gums.  Ideally, the teeth should be ivory or light-tan colored and the teeth should be smooth and shiny.  The gums should be a nice pink color and free of any areas of localized redness or swelling.  If your pet has tartar or plaque build-up, you will notice it as tan or brownish debris accumulated on the teeth where they meet the gumline.  It is most noticeable on the “cheek teeth”, the larger teeth along the sides of the jaw.

2.  Foul Odor:  Pets with tartar or plaque build-up commonly have a foul odor to the breath.  This is from the effects of the bacteria feeding on the plaque that builds up on the teeth.  This infection can spread to the gums, causing irritation (gingivitis).  If you suspect any of the conditions noted above, it is best for your pet to have the teeth cleaned and treated.  Please call our hospital.  We will be happy to answer any questions you have.

3.  Time for the toothbrush!  Brushing your pet’s teeth?  Yes!  In many cases it will help.  Cats and dogs can benefit when you brush their teeth daily with an approved veterinary dentifrice (tooth cleansing solution).  Contact our hospital for recommendations on proper dental care for your pet.

 These tips are offered as a service to you, our valued client.  If you’d like to make an appointment for an examination and cleaning, please call.  Visit www.petdental.com for more information.

Fleas & Ticks

Summers coming and you may not be the only one taking a vacation. Fleas and ticks are out and about looking for a summer cottage. Your dog's skin is the hot spot for these pesky critters. Be sure to bring your dog in or pickup a flea and tick preventative before the season is in full swing. For more information on preventative, visit www.summitvetpharm.com as well as www.lymeprevention.com. 

 

KEELY-Cat Highlight

KEELY is a six year old domestic short-haired indoor cat. Her owner, Debbie, is a Veterinary Assistant at Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital. Keely's favorite things are catnip, bird on a string toy and looking out the window at the birds and squirrels.

Keely has herpes (upper respiratory disease). This feline disease is not transmitted the same way that the human version is transmitted and is not contagious to humans. Cats catch it by contact with other infected cats via grooming, sharing bowls, or fighting. In Keely’s case, she was born with it (which means her mom had it). Her human mom keeps her indoors for two reasons: to keep her health at top-notch and to keep other cats from becoming infected by her. Keely is a beloved part of the family.

                                                                  

Feline Herpesviral Conjunctivitis is a medical term used to describe inflammation of the tissues surrounding the eye. These tissues include the lining of the lids and the third eyelid as well as the tissues covering the front part of the eye or globe. Conjunctivitis may be a primary condition (caused by an infection) or may be secondary to an underlying systemic or ocular disease.

Feline herpesviral conjunctivitis is a form of primary conjunctivitis caused by the highly infectious feline herpesvirus (FHV-1). Herpesvirus infection is common in cats and is the most common cause of conjunctivitis in cats. Many cats are infected with FHV-1 and do not show any signs of clinical illness (i.e. they have a latent infection). Fortunately, less than 45% of adult cats with latent herpesvirus infection develop recurrent ocular disease such as conjunctivitis. In most cases, herpesvirus conjunctivitis is self-limiting and will resolve within two weeks.

The most common clinical signs of conjunctivitis are squinting or closing of the eye, red, swollen tissue surrounding the eye and eyelids, ocular discharge that may range from clear to yellow-greenish in color, and upper respiratory infection symptoms such as sneezing or nasal discharge. These signs often appear suddenly and are especially common after stressful situations such as travel, boarding, surgery or illness. Chemosis, a condition in which the membranes that line the eyelids and surface of the eye appear to have fluid in them, is more commonly associated with chlamydial infections.

There is no cure for herpesviral conjunctivitis. The therapeutic goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of recurrences. Most cats respond well to medical management and lead relatively normal lives. Minimizing the chance of infection, feeding a premium diet, supplementing the diet with l-lysine daily, reducing stressful situations and proper vaccination against preventable causes are your cat’s best defense

Pets and Cookouts

Cookouts are in full swing! We want to remind you that barbeque and picnic foods should not be fed to pets.  Please bring plenty of food and treats for your pets so that they can join in on the fun and food.  

Puppy Obedience Class

Join us for our Puppy Obedience Class tonight from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Dear Cat Lover

Dear Cat Lover,

Cats are fascinating creatures because of their intelligence, sophistication, and sense of mystery.  We enjoy the company of a cat because of their beauty and lovable nature.  People who have not had the privilege of being owned by a cat are missing out on the many ways that a cat can enrich our lives, a soothing, rhythmic purr in the ear, a playful pat on the pant leg, an agile, entertaining adventure. 

There are 82 million pet cats in the United States compared to 72 million dogs, making cats the most popular pet in the country! Yet studies show a continual decrease in veterinary preventive examinations and veterinary care visits for our feline companions. What’s more, cats are living longer than they did 20 years ago. That’s why putting off veterinary visits can put your cat’s health at risk. 

Cats are masters at hiding illness. Your cat needs regular vaccinations and exams to stay healthy and live a long, happy life. Your cat could be giving you subtle signs of sickness, letting you know that it’s time to visit your veterinarian. We recommend semi-annual wellness visits and examinations any time you suspect that your pet may be showing signs of illness. Visit www.healthycatsforlife.com for a detailed list of subtle signs of illness, which include inappropriate elimination behavior or litter box use, changes in food and water consumption, changes in sleeping habits, or even bad breath. 

We understand that getting your cat to Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital can be challenging sometimes, but it’s worth it to both you and your beloved feline companion.  Here are a few tips to make it easier for both of you:

·         Help your cat be more comfortable in the car by using a pet carrier and taking frequent short rides to places other than the veterinary office.  This will help to acclimate your pet to both the carrier and the car.

·         It should be easy to get your pet in and out of your carrier.  This will lessen the stress to both you and your pet. Top-loading carriers work best.

·         Cats are extremely sensitive to smell, so take your cat carrier out of storage several days prior to taking a trip. Place a familiar blanket inside the carrier along with the cat's favorite toys.

·         Cats travel best on an empty stomach.  Do not feed your cat for several hours before traveling.

·         Place a towel or blanket over the carrier when driving.  Limiting the cat’s vision of moving objects during travel will help to reduce car sickness.

For more information about how you can help your feline companion stay healthy and live a long, happy life, call our office at (757) 547-1600 or visit our website at www.greatbridgevet.com.  Additionally, visit www.catalystcouncil.org and www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc  for more educational information and videos.

Sincerely,

Your Doctors and Veterinary Care Team

At Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital

UNO-Cat Highlight

UNO is a five year old domestic short haired cat. She is owned by Heather, Pet Bather.She has been spayed and stays indoors. She loves staring out the window as if the outside were a fishbowl.

As soon as Uno was adopted, she was tested for feline leukemia and aids. Because Uno was found outside in a barn with other cats, her risk for having contracted these infectious diseases was high. Luckily, the test is fast and within 15 minutes the results showed she had not contracted either of the diseases. She has lived with her family as an exclusively indoor cat for about 4 years and is very happy. These feline diseases are not transmitted the same way that the human versions are transmitted and are not contagious to humans.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is one of the most important infectious viruses of cats. It was first discovered in cats with a form of leukemia, hence its name. FeLV is the cause of a variety of diseases, not just leukemia. Like all viruses, FeLV is a minute micro-organism consisting of nucleic acid and a few proteins and glycoproteins in a simple structure. Viruses can only replicate themselves inside living cells. FeLV is specific to members of the cat family and does not pose a risk to other animals or people.

FeLV infection is found worldwide. In general, around 1-2% of the cat population is persistently infected with this virus, and many more are exposed. The proportion of cats infected differs according to the geographical location, environment and the life-style of the cat. Infection is more common in colonies of cats where there is close contact between individuals.

Direct contact between cats is the most frequent method of FeLV infection. The virus is fragile and cannot survive longer than a few hours in the environment outside of the cat. A cat with FeLV sheds a large quantity of the virus in its saliva as well as in other bodily fluids such as urine and feces. However, FeLV is not a highly contagious virus, and transmission generally requires a prolonged period of close contact between infected and susceptible cats. Close contact activities include mating, mutual grooming, and sharing of litter trays and food bowls. Cat bites by an infected cat can readily transmit infection.

There is currently no specific treatment for FeLV-infected cats. There is no treatment to eliminate the virus from the body.  PREVENTION is the best method! Vaccines are available to protect cats against FeLV infection. Their use is highly recommended for any cat that goes outside at any time and therefore could have contact with FeLV- infected cats. As with other vaccines, an initial course of two injections is required, and regular boosters are necessary to maintain immunity. Your veterinarian will discuss the most appropriate options for your cat with you. All cats should be tested for FeLV prior to vaccination.

Although vaccination is very helpful in preventing infection with FeLV and thus controlling FeLV-related disease, no vaccine is 100% protective. Where possible do not allow your cat, particularly if a kitten, to come into close contact with known FeLV-infected cats or cats without a known history of proper vaccinations.

Visit American Animal Hospital Association for more information about Feline Leukemia.