Feline Heartworm Can Be Fatal

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

The Wild Side Column is usually dedicated to lighthearted stories about owners and their pets.  This particular story takes a more somber premise, about an owner named Fumiko and her cat Chisai, that tragically passed away over night. 

Fumiko brought her beloved cat to the hospital, and after it was confirmed that Chisai had passed, she eventually allowed post mortem procedures to find the cause of this sudden death.  It was determined that a single heartworm was wrapped around one of her heart valves, which led to heart failure. 

Fumiko was assured that her pet died quickly and painlessly.  These heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and can live up to eight years.  They are much more common in dogs, although they do occur in cats as well.  Single worms such as this case can be tolerated by dogs, but with cats the effects are lung and kidney damage as well as sudden death.  

This is why dogs and cats should be given a monthly heartworm preventative.   Hopefully Fumiko’s story can spread the word and save the lives of other animals! 

Is Your Pet Overweight?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

As many of us know, the importance of managing and watching our own weight is vital to our overall health. Well, it’s just as important to watch our pet’s weight- but many pet owners are overfeeding their pets and contributing to obesity. 

In the past 5 years, the number of overweight cats has increased 90%, and the number of overweight dogs has increased by 37%. Not impressed?Last year, veterinarians at Banfield Pet Hospitals reportedly saw over 2 million dogs and nearly 430,000 cats. “It’s an epidemic,” says Dr. Jeffery Klausner, medical director for Bandfield. 

Although it’s the animals that are overweight, it’s the owners who are directly responsible. It is important for animal owners to schedule routine visits with their vet to check on their pet’s health conditions. 

By visiting the Bregman Vet Group regularly, you could prevent your pet from harmful diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, and kidney disease. 

Click HERE to find out other facts and figures about pet obesity. To schedule an appointment at the Bregman Vet Group, visit BregmanVetGroup.com. 

A Searing Narrative of Rabies, and the Desperation to Forget It

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

When thinking about vaccinating your pets, do you ever think about protecting not just them, but yourself as well? James Gorman, read a book, “Rabid: A cultural History of the World’s Most Diabolical Virus,” considering himself a public health hero, for simply vaccinating his dog.  

Gorman read that, “rabies, on its inexorable death crawl through the nervous system to the brain, can cause sustained erections, and on rare occasions frequent, and uncontrollable ejaculations in human males.” Although, in developing countries rabies is not a common disease to get, in the rest of the world, mainly Africa and Asia, 55,000 people die each year of rabies. 

People assume rabid dogs are stray, but in Africa, most of these rabid dogs are owned.  

This ARTICLE goes to show just how important it is to vaccinate your pets, not only for their own health, but for your own! 

Should you Leave the AC on for your Cat or Dog?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Mother Jones DC covered the long debated topic of whether leaving the AC on for your pet is the right thing to do.  Both sides of this argument state very valid points.  These pets usually try to make themselves as flat as possible on the floor to try and beat the heat, they also can’t take off their year round fur coats.  These seem like two good enough reasons to try and make the pet you love as comfortable as they can be.  But on the other hand, round the clock AC can be quite expensive and also contributes significantly to climate change, as the New York Times recently reported.  By the year 2050, air conditioning units could account for more than 27 percent of global warming.  

So, is it necessary to keep your AC running all day for your pet?  Dr. Helen Myers, veterinarian at the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center concluded that humidity is just as important as temperature, and when they both rise it is crucial to keep pets cool, comfortable and safe.  Animals cool themselves by panting, a process that exchanges warm air from their lungs for the cooler outside air, which does not work when it is excessively humid.  Thermostats should ideally be set at 78-80 degrees, an appropriate level for most pets.  Basements are typically cooler than the rest of the house, so if your basement is a suitable environment for your pet, have them spend more time down there during a heat wave.  Access to fresh water is also important to prevent dehydration.  

Cats are usually more likely to manage their activity so as not to combine heat and muscle activity.  Elderly, overweight pets and those with heart or lung diseases should be carefully watched, as they are highly susceptible to heat stroke. Pets with short muzzles like pugs, bulldogs and Persian cats are at a higher risk of becoming overheated because they cannot effectively pant. These pets are the best candidates for round the clock AC.

Kimberly May, a veterinarian and spokeswoman for the American Veterinary Medicine Association, added that not every pet is the same it is important to observe the habit of your pet and adjust to their particular needs.  For example, if your pet always hangs out by the AC vent it might be smart to keep it on, but if you see the dog sitting in the sunlight, you might have a little more leeway.  As for the argument that the ancestors of these pets survived fine without AC, should not be heeded.  We have domesticated these animals changing their lifestyles and diets among many other things.

Here are a few final tips.You can put ice in your pet’s water bowl, if they are comfortable with it.  Or a more pricey option is a cooling pad sold at most pet stores and on the internet.  You should walk your dog early in the morning or evening and keep the walks short.  Avoid taking your dog on a run, because they will keep going even if they are overheating.

What You Need To Know About Canine Lymphoma

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Dogs’ immune systems are often put at risks when they begin chemotherapy for canine lymphoma cancer. Recent studies at Texas A&M University and University ofTexas MD Anderson Cancer Center have since found that the t- cells taken from a dog before chemotherapy is begun can be cultured to produce more of the important t-cells and be implanted back into the blood stream once the chemotherapy is completed, which can help fight the B-cell lymphoma.

One of the Veterinary Oncologists at Texas A&M, Dr. Heather Wilson, explains how her results were better than expected and looking forward to moving along with the study. The next phase would include, genetically altering the t-cells to make them more specific, allowing for long term remission. It is thought that it has very minimal side-affects and seems to be a perfect option for humans who can’t tolerate chemotherapy’s harsh side effects, especially for young children.

One of the main problems with canine lymphoma cancer is that dogs given standard chemotherapy often only experience one year of durable remission, along with the side-affects.

Did you find this information helpful? Check out more helpful ways to protect and care for you furry friends on our Facebook page!

How Can The Bregman Veterinary Group Help You?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

The Bregman Veterinary Group presents a client education seminar on their site.  This will include information and videos on procedures you may have to perform on your pet. Also, there will be an excellent interview available with noted Psychologist Dr. Tom Ferraro about how to deal with the grief of a pet that has passed.