What Cats and Dogs Need,…
A HEALTH PLAN AND REGULAR VETERINARY CARE
Regular and ongoing veterinary care is important to ensure that cats and dogs stay healthy. Veterinarians should be contacted anytime there is a concern about abnormal behaviour and/or signs of disease or illness.
Establishing a relationship with a veterinarian helps ensure that the veterinarian is familiar with the pet in the event that a problem occurs.
One role of the veterinarian is to develop a partnership with cat owners that will pave the way for a lifelong health care plan.
Observation and twice-a-year wellness exams are often recommended by veterinarians, as changes in health can occur in a short period of time and ill dogs may not show signs of disease. Early detection of ill health, change in body weight, dental problems or changes in behaviour allows for earlier treatment and prevention.
What do veterinarians do?
Veterinarians provide guidance on housing, nutrition, humane handling, and management; and, when necessary, provide humane euthanasia. Sound knowledge of animal physiology and behaviour gives veterinarians the perspective that allows them to assess animal care balancing science and ethics to protect the well-being of animals.
Dogs:
Vaccinations are also a critical aspect of controlling infectious diseases because, in many instances, owners cannot prevent exposure.
Vaccinations
While vaccines are necessary to reduce the risk of disease, they perform best if the disease challenge is minimized.
Vaccines contain small quantities of altered or “killed” viruses, bacteria or other disease-causing organisms. When administered, they stimulate a dog’s immune system to produce disease-fighting cells and proteins – or antibodies – to protect against disease.
How often does a dog need vaccination?
Vaccinations typically require several doses to make sure the animal develops the antibodies it needs to protect it against diseases. Puppies up to 8 weeks of age still have some protection passed on from their mother. A puppy’s vaccination program should typically begin when the puppy is 8 weeks old, and should be repeated at 12 and 16 weeks.
Dogs should get vaccinations again when they’re one year old, and then on the schedule recommended by their veterinarian.
The frequency of rabies vaccination is set by many municipalities as well as for travel anywhere with a pet.
Dogs that are older than 16 weeks when first vaccinated should receive 2 doses, 3 to 4 weeks apart.
Vaccination protocols should be designed individually, for a given operation, by the consulting veterinarian with input from the client, considering the relative risks and benefits.
Most veterinarians recommend a combination vaccination that protects dogs against diseases such as:
- Canine distemper
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine adenovirus (infectious canine hepatitis)
- Kennel cough
- Rabies
- Canine coronavirus (in high risk environments).
When should a dog NOT get vaccinations?
Dogs should not be vaccinated when they are pregnant or unhealthy.
Dogs need people who watch for signs of parasites and work with a veterinarian to de-worm the animal.
Internal parasites, fleas, ticks and heartworms are among the most common parasites that affect dogs. Internal parasites, including roundworms, coccidia, giardia, hookworms and whipworms, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and anemia. Since some of these parasites carry serious diseases that can be transmitted to dogs, especially puppies, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to actively protect the dog.
What does the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Code of Practice for Kennels say about veterinary care for dogs?
“All dogs should be under the supervision of a consulting veterinarian(s) responsible for prevention and control of diseases, the provision of adequate veterinary care, and, if the need for euthanasia arises, provision of a humane, rapid death that minimizes fear and anxiety.
If a dog is sick, injured, in pain, or suffering, prompt and adequate veterinary care must be provided.
A veterinarian should be consulted to assist the breeder in developing the best breeding program for a particular kennel and breed.
Breeders should be aware, through reading consultation with their veterinarian, of the genetic defects prevalent in their breed.
Parasite Control
Internal parasites are common in puppies and in kennels housing adult dogs. A control program should be instituted, including fecal examinations and appropriate de-worming.
External parasites require immediate treatment, as well as thorough cleaning and sanitization of the kennel to prevent infection of other dogs.
Outside runs, particularly those with crushed stone or dirt floors, are difficult to clean. This can lead to poor control of parasites. Good drainage, daily cleaning of feces and preventing contact with wild and stray animals will facilitate parasite management.”
Excerpts obtained from the Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations (2nd Edition, 2007) by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association have been used with permission.
Cats:
Regular and ongoing veterinary care is important to ensure that cats stay healthy. Veterinarians should be contacted anytime there is a concern or doubt about abnormal behaviour and signs of disease or illness.
Establishing a relationship with a veterinarian helps ensure that the veterinarian is familiar with the cat in the event that a problem occurs.
One role of the veterinarian is to develop a partnership with cat owners that will pave the way for a lifelong health care plan.
Vaccinations
While vaccines are necessary to reduce the risk of disease, they perform best if the disease challenge is minimized.
Vaccines contain small quantities of altered or “killed” viruses, bacteria or other disease-causing organisms. When administered, they stimulate your cat’s immune system to produce disease-fighting cells and proteins – or antibodies – to protect against disease.
Vaccinations are also a critical aspect of controlling infectious diseases because, in many instances, owners cannot prevent exposure.
Kittens have some immunity due to antibodies passed through their mother’s milk. However, after the kitten is about nine weeks old, this immunity begins to diminish. Initial vaccinations should be started at this time and followed with boosters. Cats will require regular vaccinations throughout their lives. A vaccination schedule should be developed with a veterinarian.
Most veterinarians recommend vaccinating cats against common diseases that are contagious. These diseases may include feline panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, feline chlamydiosis, feline leukemia and rabies. Veterinarians may recommend other vaccinations, depending on their evaluations of the cat’s lifestyle, environment, medical history, problems and medications.
The purpose of giving a vaccine is to sensitize an animal’s immune system to a specific bacteria or virus, without actually causing the disease.
WHAT CATS NEED: A PARASITE CONTROL PROGRAM
Internal parasites, fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are among the most common parasites that affect pets. Since some of these parasites carry serious diseases that can be transmitted to cats, especially kittens, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to actively protect the cat.
Cats need people who watch for signs of parasites and work with a veterinarian to deworm them.
What does the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Code of Practice for Catteries say about veterinary care for cats?
“All cats should be under the supervision of a consulting veterinarian(s) responsible for the prevention and control of disease, the provision of adequate veterinary care, and, if the need for euthanasia arises, provision of a humane death.
Breeders should be aware, through reading and consultation with their veterinarian, of any problems prevalent in their breed.
Vaccines should be boosted at intervals as recommended by the consulting veterinarian. Veterinarians may propose a different vaccination schedule according to specific requirements. Vaccine sites may vary according to the veterinarian, but should be documented clearly in the kitten’s medical record and never given in the “scruff” or intramuscularly.
Vaccines form an integral part of the cattery preventative health program. Disease control and prevention should be a primary consideration. Catteries are encouraged to develop a comprehensive preventative health program with a consulting veterinarian that is supported by cattery visits, annual health checks of the queens and toms, regular FIV and FeLV testing of queens and toms, appropriate diagnostic testing, accurate record keeping, and follow-up regimes.
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can affect all mammals. In Canada, pet owners are advised to vaccinate their pets according to provincial recommendations. Rabies vaccination is required every year in some areas and in other areas every three years after the first booster vaccine. Local authorities should be consulted. Although there is some risk of reaction to vaccinations, the public health consequences of not vaccinating are high. Consult your local veterinarian for advice on routine vaccinations.
Certain internal parasites of cats are remarkably resistant to normal cleaning and disinfection and can remain viable in the environment for long periods of time. Even indoor-only cats may cycle low levels of the parasites from litter pan to mouth for years, undetectable by fecal examination. It is recommended that all cats be maintained on a parasite control program, and that kittens be routinely dewormed from 3 weeks of age.”
Excerpts from the Code of Practice for Cattery Operations (1st Edition, 2009) by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association have been used with permission.