WOLF WORM Wohlfhartia is also known as the cuterebra sp. The common name is "wolf worm". Flies lay maggots directly on the skin of kits. The larvae penetrates the skin and produces chronic inflammation and lesions that resemble abscesses. Affected kits become restless, and lose condition, and may die.
WHIPWORMS Whipworms are intestinal parasites seen in dogs. Whipworms cause diarrhea and blood in feces as well as weight loss, lethargy, and even death in severe cases. Diagnosis is made by performing regular micro-scopic fecal examinations. Treatment consists of oral medications. Some heartworm preventatives assist in prevention. Re-infestation may occur due to contact with areas
WARFARIN TOXICOSIS (RAT POISONING) When pets are exposed to and ingest the modern rat poisons (warfarin, coumarin and derivatives), they lose the ability to clot blood for 4-6 weeks. The coagulopathy (clotting disorder) and resultant blood loss requires close monitoring and vitamin K capsule administered daily for 6 weeks to be absolutely safe. Any signs
VIRAL ENTERITIS OF DOGS Viral enteritis is an inflammation of the intestinal track caused by a virus. Viruses that cause enteritis include parvovirus, coronavirus, herpes virus, astrovirus, enterovirus and reovirus. Some of these viruses cause severe life-threatening illness, while others cause only amild digestive upset. The herpes virus of dogs does not affect people. Viral
VACCINATION PROTOCOL The most important thing to remember is that vaccines are given based on age. Puppies should be vaccinated every 3-4 weeks until they are 18-20 weeks old. Kittens should be vaccinated every 3-4 weeks until they are 14-16 weeks old. The reason pets have to be vaccinated monthly is due to an immature
URETHRAL OBSTRUCTION Signs of urethral obstruction include attempting to urinate frequently, straining to urinate, and passing bloody urine. The disorder can be life threatening. Therapy is geared toward removing the obstruction and treating its cause. Most common urethral obstruction develops when your dog has bladder stones, and one or more of these stones lodges in
UMBILICAL HERNIA An umbilical hernia is the protrusion of abdominal contents beneath the skin at the navel (umbilicus). The umbilicus is the healed scar ("belly button") in the mid-abdominal area. It marks the opening through which the prenatal blood vessels and other fetal structures pass before birth. After the umbilical cord is cut at birth,
TUMORS OF THE MAMMARY GLAND These are tumors found in the mammary glands (milk-secreting organs). They are the most common tumors found in female dogs. Usually appearing in middle-aged or older dogs, these tumors are sometimes cancerous. Hormonal influences are suspected causes. The first sign noticed is usually the appearance of small lumps in mammary
TICK INFESTATION Ticks are ecto-parasites that carry Lymes disease, Ehrilicia, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, Babesiosis, Tick paralysis, zoonotic diseases and provide a vector for human diseases. Ticks can be effectively prevented by applying Frontline every month over the back between the shoulder blades. There is a very effective Lymes vaccine available on the market to
TAPEWORMS Tapeworms are long, segmented worms found in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats. Diagnosis is made when tiny, rice sized, white segments are seen in the feces or on the hair around the anus of affected animals. Because the segments seen are actually the egg casings, tapeworms are not easily detected during a
