What Can You Do If Your Cat Has Feline Herpes Virus?

People always say "Prevention is better than cure." About 80% of cats have been exposed to FHV at some point in their life. It is difficult to prevent infections. Vaccination is available for FHV, however it is not 100% protective. Vaccinations can only help to reduce the severity of the cat flu and conjunctivitis. The normal 4-in-1 or 3-in-1 vaccination that your cat receives does cover FHV along with other viruses.

To attempt to lessen the severity of viral cat flu in cats, it is recommended that all kittens receive their three kitten vaccinations starting from 6 to 8 weeks of age and an adult booster vaccination 1 year after the last kitten vaccination. The subsequent booster vaccinations frequency can then be determined by the vet based on the risk of infection.

If there is low risk of infection by the viruses that the veterinarians vaccinate against, then it be best to give a booster vaccination every 3 years instead of yearly vaccinations.

Can I catch herpes from my cat?
No, only domesticated cats and their close relatives can catch Feline Herpes Virus.

Cat flu has many causes apart from FHV. Please seek veterinary attention should your cat develop cat flu and/or conjunctivitis. Do not attempt to self-medicate at the detriment of your cat or kitten.

Read More On Related Topics:

1. What Is Feline Herpes Virus Infection?
2. Is There Any Cure For Feline Herpes Virus?
3. What Are The Treatments For Feline Herpes Virus?
4. What Can You Do If Your Cat Has Feline Herpes Virus?

What Are The Common Diseases In Rabbits?

Common diseases in rabbits are not too difficult to spot. That's only if you really take the time to observe and interact with your bunny everyday. We take a look at some of the common rabbit diseases so that you'll know when to seek veterinary advice if your rabbit does have any of them.

Common Diseases In Rabbits

• Dental Disease In Rabbits
• Diarrhea In Rabbits
• Snuffles: Respiratory Tract Infection In Rabbits
• Rabbit Disease: Red Urine
• Rabbit Disease: Sore hocks
• How To Get Rid Of Fleas, Lice, And Fur Mites On Rabbits?
• Help! My Rabbit Has A Bent Neck!
• Ocular Diseases In Rabbits: Epiphora and Dacryocystitis

Ocular Diseases In Rabbits: Epiphora and Dacryocystitis

Rabbits with epiphora (watery eye) or dacryocystitis (infection of the tear sac) often present with staining and wetness of fur at the corner of the eye and occasionally accompanied by squinting and redness of the eye, thick mucous discharge or fur loss around the eye.

Epiphora is the production of excessive tears whereas dacryocystitis is the production of mucoid discharge. Causes of ocular discharge include:

• Dental disease
• Primary bacterial infections
• Conjunctivitis
• Corneal disease
• Eyelid problems
• Foreign body and tear duct problems
• Environmental irritation by perfumes, fragrances, hair sprays, paint or cooking fumes, smoke, dust, etc.

To effect the best treatment, we will need to first try to identify the underlying cause and in order to do so, certain diagnostic tests may need to be performed before treatment may be instituted.

The What, the Why, and the Benefits of Sterilizing Our Pets

Sterilizing a pet involves a one-time surgical procedure to remove part of its reproductive organs. This permanently prevents the pet from reproducing.

Sterilization is most commonly carried out on dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs from the age of six months and upwards. Males have their testicles removed; females have their ovaries and uterus removed.

The surgery is performed by licensed veterinarians, and the animal is under general anesthesia throughout. Most are back to normal in 24 to 48 hours after surgery.

Why Do We Sterilize Our Pets?

The most pressing reason for sterilization is to prevent unwanted young from being born. There are already more than enough abandoned animals in the world, so sterilizing pets helps control the situation.

You may be responsible owner with no intention of breeding your pet, but "accidents" do happen. Your pet may escape from home and mate outside; another animal may enter your home without your knowledge; or it may mate with someone else's pet at a pets-and-owners gathering!

The Benefits and Precautions

Besides preventing unwanted litters, sterilization affects pets' hormones so they become less likely to wander in search of a mate or behave aggressively. They are also less prone to disease such as womb infections, and mammary and testicular cancers.

Because sterilized pets often become more home-loving, they may gain weight because owners do not correspondingly reduce their feeds! So control your pet's food intake and give it more exercise. And watch for complications like loss of bladder control in older pets - this can be treated with medication.

What Are The Treatments For Feline Herpes Virus?

Like with most viral infections, a lot of the treatment is relied on the cat's own body immunity to fight the virus. The human antiviral medications used to treat human herpes viral infections can be used in cats but not without grave side effects and high costs. Therefore they are not routinely used unless in life-threatening situation.

The human alpha-interferon and a newer feline omega-interferon are alternative treatment drugs that may aid in the management of some cats. It is unlikely to lead to a cure but used only to try to lessen the severity of the clinical signs. Both are costly drugs with low success rates.

Some veterinarians would normally treat cats with suspected FHV-related cat flu or conjunctivitis with an oral L-Lysine supplement. L-Lysine is an amino acid (building block for protein) that has some antiviral properties and is very safe to use in cats with little or no side-effects at all.

It does not cure the cat of the virus but it helps to lessen the clinical signs of disease in the cat. In my opinion this is by far the best and most cost-effective "treatment" for FHV with favorable results obtained in many cats.

L-Lysine supplements come in several forms: from liquid syrups (usually together with other B vitamins in Children syrups) to tablets (GNC Lysine tablets) and recently a newly introduced paste form (Enisyl-F) specially formulated for cats have been introduced in many veterinary clinics.

If there is severe conjunctivitis or greenish nasal discharge, topical antibiotic eye drops or oral antibiotics may be prescribed concurrently. L-Lysine supplementation is also recommended in times of stress or illness even if the cat does not show signs of cat flu or have an eye problem yet.

Read More On Related Topics:

1. What Is Feline Herpes Virus Infection?
2. Is There Any Cure For Feline Herpes Virus?
3. What Are The Treatments For Feline Herpes Virus?
4. What Can You Do If Your Cat Has Feline Herpes Virus?

Dog Breed: Yorkshire Terrier

Origins: The "Yorkie" was developed in Yorkshire, England, most likely from various small terriers and the Maltese.

Size: Small. About 23cm tall at the shoulder.

Physical Appearance: Glossy-coated, with fine, straight, silky hair. Yorkies should have hair of a dark steel-blue covering the body from neck to root of tail. This contrasts with tan-colored hair over the head, chest, and front legs. The contrast is especially striking in flawlessly groomed show dogs. Show Yorkies' coats need a tremendous amount of care.

Characteristics: Affectionate, lively, alert, fearless.

Colors: Dark steel-blue and tan.

Special Facts: Although Chihuahuas are generally acknowledged as the smallest breed of dog, the smallest officially recorded individual was a two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier which was only two-and-half inches tall at the shoulder, and which died in 1945. Even the smallest living dog is also a Yorkshire Terrier from the UK which stands three inches tall.

Help! My Rabbit Has A Bent Neck!

Head tilting is a common problem in rabbits. Affected rabbits have a bent neck with the head flopping to one side to varying degrees (up to 90 degrees). These rabbits may be anorexic, wobbly when walking, trembling, paralyzed, or have more severe neurological signs.

This condition is usually due to an ear infection, middle ear infection or brain infection with either a bacteria called Pasteurella or an organism called Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Some rabbits appear to spontaneously recover from the head tilt whilst others never do despite treatment. Depending on the severity, some rabbits can go on to lead "normal" lives despite having a head tilt. Treatment usually consists of lone term supportive care, antibiotics and/or antiprotozoal medication.

Building Trust With New Adult Pets

Because I raised my dog from puppyhood, I know him very well. I know his moods. I have no fear about rubbing noses with him, putting my face between his jaws to check his teeth, or touching foreheads and staring straight into his eyes (normally a sign of aggression).

However, I would never be so foolish as to try any of that with a dog I am unfamiliar with. And I know well not to startle even my pooch when he is in a jumpy mood. I could lose an eye - and knowing that it was an accident will be no consolation after the event!

When you adopt an adult pet, build trust slowly and patiently. A cat you reared from kittenhood may know you're being affectionate if you grab it and nuzzle its coat, but do the same to a new adult cat and it may think you're about to bite it. Facial lacerations (yours, not the cat's) should not be a surprising result of such an impulsive act.

You do not know what abuse the pet experienced before you rescued it; you do not know its trigger-points and fears. Always approach gently; when it is asleep, do not wake it suddenly; do not exhibit threatening behavior; speak calmly but authoritatively; spend time showing that you will never harm it.

Strictly supervise its interactions with children, visitors and other pets; you do not know if it has had bad experiences with kids, strangers or other animals before, and if it will react aggressively to them.

Is There Any Cure For Feline Herpes Virus?

Unfortunately, there is no effective cure for FHV in the cat. There is a saying that says: "Herpes is forever!" Like in the human, once infected, a cat can either eliminate the virus from the body, or it becomes a carrier and lives with the virus for life. This virus enters and hides in the nerve systems of the cat, thus protecting it from being killed by the cat's immune system. There it stays dormant in the nerves until in times of illness or stress, when the body's immune system is suppressed, the virus then resurfaces to cause disease.

Your cat will subsequently either start sneezing again or get its eye problem back. It is through this clever mechanism that FHV results in chronic recurrent cat flue or eye problems. Cats have an increased risk of becoming carriers if they are infected at a young age before they have vaccination immunity or mature immune systems.

Read More On Related Topics:

1. What Is Feline Herpes Virus Infection?
2. Is There Any Cure For Feline Herpes Virus?
3. What Are The Treatments For Feline Herpes Virus?
4. What Can You Do If Your Cat Has Feline Herpes Virus?

Dog Breed: Australia Silky Terrier

Origins: "Silkies" resemble Yorkshire Terriers so closely because the latter were used in the development of the breed in Australia in the 1800s. Other dogs involved in the Silky Terrier's genes include Australian Terriers and Skye Terriers.

Size: Small. About 23cm tall at the shoulder.

Physical Appearance: Straight-coated, with fine, glossy, long hairs often kept neat by being parted down the middle of the dog's back. The tips of the hairs are usually darker than the roots, and in show dogs, these dark tips should contain black. Like the Yorkshire, "typical" Silky Terriers have tan-colored hair around the head, chest and feet, and darker-colored hair over the body.

Characteristics: Lively, friendly, alert, active.

Colors: Blue and tan, gray-blue and tan, sometimes even cream-colored.

Special Facts: These tiny, dainty little dogs considered a "toy" breed make surprisingly good watchdogs because they are so alert, and they are also quite efficient at hunting pests such as mice.

How To Get Rid Of Fleas, Lice, And Fur Mites On Rabbits?

Fleas, lice, and fur mites are three of the most common ectoparasites that can affect rabbits. Being completely indoors does not preclude a rabbit from getting infested with ectoparasites.

To look for these ectoparasites, use your fingers to part the hair to look for little white or black dots on the hair shaft or one the skin scurrying away from light. The vet may even pluck some of these hairs for microscopic examination. Itchiness along with scaling of the skin may indicate an ectoparasite infestation.

These ectoparasites are transmitted through close contact with infected rabbits or contaminated environment or bedding.

Once diagnosed, these ectoparasites are easily treated with Revolution.

Sarcoptes scabeii is a mite that commonly affects rabbits. It causes a skin condition called scabies where the feet, nose, and ears become very crusty, scabby, and very itchy. Diagnosis requires the identification of the mite through skin scrapings of the affected areas.

Treatment will involve either fortnightly injections with ivermectin or topical treatment with Revolution. This skin disease is highly contagious to humans, dogs, cats, and other rabbits living in close contact with the infected rabbit.

Tips On Bringing An Adult Pet Home

A new pet will need time to get used to your home. Your household must also get used to the animal's personality and needs.

Do not overwhelm the new pet with too much attention. It is likely to be already frightened and disoriented. While baby animals especially need a lot of time to sleep and rest, full-grown ones must also be given space to check things out. You should, of course, have pet-proofed your home so nothing within reach poses a danger to it.

If you have adopted a stray or abandoned animal, take these important first steps:

• Have a vet give your pet a thorough check-up. It may have picked up illnesses during its time on the streets, or through a previous owner's mistreatment. A vet will identify the health problems and advise you how to manage them.
• Get it vaccinated against serious disease common to its species. It is always heartbreaking for any caring owner to lose a pet to an illness that could have been prevented.
• Try to learn what its regular diet was before you adopted it so that you can gradually ease it into a new one. If you just take a stray off the streets and feed it nothing buy top-grade commercial pet food, it may suffer digestive upsets. First, give meals that are three quarters of its usual food with a bit of the new, then decrease and increase the relevant quantities over a week until it is comfortably eating eh new food only.
• Toilet-training, obedience-training and understanding household rules will take time. Be very patient. Never hit, frighten or scream at the pet if it makes a mess.

What Is Feline Herpes Virus Infection?

Feline Herpes Virus of FHV is one of the most common viruses infecting cats all around the world. The word "herpes" brings a shudder to many people as we immediately think of genital warts or cold sores in our human counterparts. Do not panic for your beloved cats as these feared disease conditions do not occur in the cat.

Instead, FHV is one of the two most common viral causes of the cat flu and conjunctivitis (eye infection) in our feline friends. Affected cats often present with sneezing, nasal discharge and can have concurrent conjunctivitis. The virus usually affects only one eye in the cat. Corneal ulcers may also be present in the affected eye. These clinical signs of a FHV infection can range from being very mild to very severe and may be self-limiting in some cats. The more severe clinical signs are often seen in the young and old cats with compromised immune systems.

Diagnosis of FHV cannot be confirmed through routine diagnostic tests like a blood test. The virus may be documented by testing conjunctival samples through complicated laboratory testing however these diagnostic tests are not available in some cities. Therefore diagnosis of a FHV infection in the cat is often one of a presumptive diagnosis based on history and clinical signs.

Read More On Related Topics:

1. What Is Feline Herpes Virus Infection?
2. Is There Any Cure For Feline Herpes Virus?
3. What Are The Treatments For Feline Herpes Virus?
4. What Can You Do If Your Cat Has Feline Herpes Virus?

Dog Breed: Scottish Terrier

Origins: Developing in Aberdeen, Scotland, to catch vermin. It used to be known as the Aberdeen Terrier, or the Broken-haired Terrier.

Size: Small. A short dog at about 25cm tall at the shoulder, but substantially built.

Physical Appearance: Short-legged and thick-set, with a harsh, wiry outer coat. Also has a finer, dense undercoat. Noted for its long head, attractive beard and prominent eyebrows. Heat ears and a tail of moderate length.

Characteristics: Agile, sporty, playful, loyal, intelligent, independent, bold, affectionate to owner but may be reserved with strangers.

Colors: Most familiar in black, but also bred in wheaten and brindle colors.

Special Facts: The short-legged, bearded profile of the Scottish Terrier or "Scottie" is so distinctive that it is used in many designs for all kinds of items from fashion accessories to biscuits, especially for products relating to Scotland or the UK in general. Pet lovers who grew up reading Enid Blyton's "Five Find-Outers" books may remember that Fatty's little dog, Buster, was a black Scottish Terrier!

Rabbit Disease: Sore hocks

The medical term for sore hocks is pododermatitis. Sore hocks as it is commonly called start off as pressure sores that affect the underside of both hind feet of a rabbit. These pressure sores may vary in how they look from bare skin on the point of the hocks to inflamed, ulcerated, bleeding, infected swollen lumps with pus. In severe cases, the infection can extend deep to the underlying bones and tendons, resulting in permanent disability.

Sore hocks can be a painful condition and can cause lameness in rabbits. It is a disease that can developed secondary to trauma from keeping rabbits on wired/soft/slippery/hard surfaces or on dirty/damp bedding. Conformational or physical abnormalities such as in pregnant, overweight, underweight, or giant rabbit breeds as well as repeated "thumping" of the hind legs, hind leg injury or arthritis, soiling of the feet with diarrhea or urine can also predispose rabbits to sock hocks.

Sore hocks can be a very difficult problem to treat in rabbits. Treatment is aimed in providing suitable bedding such as a dry lawn, deep bed of hay, thick towels, foam rubber, bandaging and medicating the lesions. In very severe cases, amputation or even euthanasia may be indicated.

Keeping Ticks Under Control

Ticks, a species of arachnid, feed on blood and can transmit serious illnesses such as Lyme disease and tick fever to pets and people. They also cause skin irritation, and if an infestation gets out of control, anemia could occur.

To manage ticks, ask your vet about treatments designed to be applied monthly to an area the pet cannot reach by licking (usually, the skin between the shoulder blades). Such treatments kill ticks within hours of contact with the pet's coat.

Because ticks also live and lay eggs in places such as fields, under rocks and in crevices, treat surroundings, furniture, and pet bedding occasionally with a pet- and human-safe insecticide. After taking dogs on walks, check thoroughly to make sure no parasites have attached themselves.

Whenever you find a tick, regardless of its size - whether it is one of the small reddish-brown ones or a bloated, grayish one - do not squeeze or crush it. This may release its eggs and any viruses it is carrying into the environment.

Do not listen to people who tell you to kill ticks with hot matches. You may accidentally burn your pet instead. Some advise removing attached ticks by killing them with a pyrethrin spray, then picking the dead ticks off with tweezers; others just pull them out. However, the latter method often means that the tick's mouthparts remain embedded in the pet's skin, irritating it.

After removal, clean the bite and apply antiseptic cream.

Rabbit Disease: Red Urine

Normal rabbit urine can be clear to turbid, and the color can vary from yellow to orange and red. Red urine can be due to pigments from the food that is the rabbit is eating or blood which will then indicate a urinary tract infection, cystitis, bladder stones, or womb cancer in female rabbits.

Your vet will need to analyze the urine in order to differentiate between pigmentation or blood and then the appropriate treatment or further diagnostics can then be instituted.

How You Can Help Abandoned or Lost Pets?

If you com across an animal that has obviously been abandoned (that is, it looks frightened, unfamiliar with its surroundings, ill-fed, and dirty), help it.

If it is friendly and you are able to approach it, find a suitable leash/rope or carrier and take it home. After that, call an animal welfare organization to see if they have fosterers available to take the animal in. If the animal is in good shape, young, and friendly, the SPCA too may be able to put it up for adoption.

If you can adopt the animal, all the better! Call a welfare society or see a vet for advice about caring for your new pet. If you can't adopt, and the welfare groups have no fosterers but you want the animal to live, perhaps you will be generous enough to sponsor its maintenance elsewhere?

If you cannot catch an animal that clearly needs help, yet runs away from you despite your efforts, some welfare organizations have volunteers who may be able to help you catch it. However, not all have sufficient manpower, so try your best first.

Do no confuse sterilized strays with abandoned pets. Sterilized strays are cared for by animal welfare volunteers. You will recognize them by their familiarity with where they live, and their healthy appearance.

Also, if you see a young kitten on its own, do not take it away. Its mother is probably out looking for food and will be very distressed if she returns to find it missing. To be certain, remain at a distance to observe. You may have to wait a long time, or return later in the day to check. If the mother is still caring for the kitten, let her do her in peace.

Snuffles: Respiratory Tract Infection In Rabbits

"Snuffles" is a respiratory tract infection also known as Rabbit "Flu." Affected rabbits are sneezing and have nasal discharge (watery or mucous).

There are 3 main causes of "snuffles" in rabbits, namely infectious causes, nasal foreign bodies such as hair, grass, hay, seeds etc, and tooth root abscesses/infections. The most common cause for snuffles is a bacteria called Pasteurella. However not all "snuffles" cases are due to this bacteria. There are other bacteria and viruses that can lead to respiratory tract infection too.

Infected rabbits present in varying degrees of severity. Some just present with mild clinical signs like sneezing and nasal discharge, while others present with breathing, difficulties and lung involvement.

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and/or chest x-rays and endoscopy findings. Most rabbits will respond to antibiotics but some may require long term antibiotics.

What Can Happen When Pets Are Abandoned or Lost?

A domesticated animal is very different from a wild one. It does not know how to fend for itself. It might barely know how to feed itself. If abandoned, it is vulnerable to countless dangers:

* It may be attacked by predators or territorial animals of its own species. Even if it does not die from an attack, the resulting wounds may slowly infect and kill it.
* It may be abused by cruel people.
* It may wander onto the roads and be hit by a vehicle.
* It may die of heatstroke.
* It may die from thirst or starvation.
* It may suffer the pain of disease, infections, or injury.
* It will be bewildered, disorientated, and unable to defend itself.

If you can no longer care for a pet, never abandon it. Try to have it rehomed. If that fails, take it to the SPCA or a veterinarian to have it put down. Some people may think it extreme to put a pet to sleep if it can't find a new home, but seeing animals suffering severe illness, a quick and humane death is infinitely preferable to a long-drawn-out one.

Dog Breed: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Origins: Interbred with the Cardigan Welsh Corgi until the 1930s, after which the two became separate varieties. Originally used to herd cattle.

Size: Small. About 25 0 30cm tall at the shoulder, but very sturdily built.

Physical Appearance: Dense-coated, foxy-faced, and generally a "prettier" dog than the Cardigan, which has a bushy, long one. Otherwise similarly built, with upright, prominent, slightly rounded ears.

Characteristics: Alert, active, bold, outgoing, with plenty of stamina. As Pembroke Welsh Corgis were bred to herd cattle by nipping at their heels, most individuals of this breed are naturally rather nippy, even more so than Cardigans, so they do not make good pets for children.

Colors: Red, sable, fawn, black and tan, with or without white markings.

Special Facts: This is the favorite breed of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II!

Diarrhea In Rabbits

The presence of soft stools in rabbits can be misinterpreted as diarrhea. These "soft stools" that look like a bunch of tiny grapes stuck onto the backside of rabbits are often caecotrophs which are normal.

Rabbits with diarrhea often have watery stools and are ill. Inappropriate diet, sudden changes in diet, certain antibiotics, stress, intestinal parasites, and enteritis are some of the causes of diarrhea in rabbits.

A fecal analysis is often performed to look for intestinal parasites. Treatments include giving probiotics to restore normal gut flora and supportive treatment.

Diarrhea in rabbits is a serious medical condition and warrants immediate veterinary attention especially if the rabbit stops eating and becomes dull and listless. Rabbits can die from severe diarrhea.