Small Animal

Do you have a new kitten?  Are you considering bringing a kitten into your household?  Coventry Animal Hospital will give you the scoop on kitten ownership and what to expect in the first six months of its life.

Kittens begin developing personalities at a very early age, once their eyes and ears are open.  Generally, kittens are adopted between 6 to 8 weeks.  It is a good idea to select a kitten that has been raised with positive interactions with humans.  We encourage you to pick a healthy-looking kitten that has been socialized with other kittens and people.

Kittens are more likely to injure themselves through exploration than mature pets.  Showing them the ropes from the beginning of their life is important to their safety.  When bringing a kitten into your home, have a designated room prepared with food and water on one side and a new litter box on the other.  Many kittens will instinctively use a litter box, but their chances of success are improved if they have a quiet private area in which to use it.  The kitten will also need a scratching post, cat toys and several places to hide and safely climb.  This room should be “kitten-proof” with secure window screens that they cannot escape from and without elastic bands, string or other small objects that could be ingested.         

Developing a consistent feeding schedule can also decrease a kitten’s stress level when faced with its new surroundings.  After a week or so, when the kitten has acclimatized to its surroundings, it may be integrated into the household, but always returns to its safe room.

As with all pets, the best way to train them to adopt appropriate behaviours is to praise them when they behave in a positive manner.  Kittens love being spoken to in a gentle voice, being petted on their own terms and being offered tasty treats.  They will naturally be curious and want to play, so they should be directed to toys that they are allowed to play with.  Kittens should not be allowed to play with fingers, toes or articles of clothing.  It is recommended to expose your kitten to a carrier, as well as nail trimming, brushing its teeth, wearing a collar, getting brushed and having gentle play time.

An advantage of keeping a kitten separate for the first few weeks from other pets is preventing the spread of disease and parasites.  Kittens should have their first visit to a veterinarian as soon as they are adopted, in order to make sure they are healthy.  During the kitten consultation, preventive care, such as nutrition, behavior, deworming and vaccinations is discussed.  Other topics addressed during the series of kitten visits include dental health, pet insurance, microchipping and neutering or spaying.

Feline Vaccines

There are core vaccines and non-core vaccines:

Core vaccines:

1.  FVRCP -Combination vaccine which provides protection against1) feline herpes virus, 2) feline calicivirus (both of which cause upper respiratory tract infection) as well as 3) feline panleukopenia virus, which is also known as distemper.  Generally given at 8 weeks of age, then again as a booster at 12 weeks and 16 weeks.
2. Rabies – Generally given at 4 months of age.

Non-core vaccines:

1.  Feline leukemia virus -May be appropriate for kittens that could have exposure to other cats outside.  The kitten is tested for feline leukemia, inoculated at 12 weeks of age and again at 16 weeks. There is a small risk of vaccine reactions and ways to minimize these risks can be discussed with a veterinarian.

Very young kittens have maternal immunity (antibodies from the mother cat) which fade in the first few months of life.  Early on, maternal immunity will block disease, as well as vaccines, but when it has faded, will not prevent disease.  The purpose of the series of boosters is to ensure that the kitten is protected against disease during the window of time where maternal immunity is no longer protective.

Many kittens have parasites when they arrive at their new home including intestinal worms, giardia and fleas.  We recommend bringing in a fecal sample at the time of the kitten’s first visit in order to screen it for parasites.  The kitten will be sent home with safe dewormer and flea medication.

Spaying and neutering is recommended at 5 to 6 months of age, prior to sexual maturity.  Please take a look at our blog on heat cycles in female cats, as well as OVARIOHYSTERECTOMY. You can log on to our website to see our library of veterinary written health articles.

Take lots of photos of your kitten, it will be an adult before you know it!  Coventry Animal Hospital recommends annual exams for adult cats for ongoing preventive care.  Getting your kitten on preventive care at an early age will maximize its likelihood of many healthy years to come.

Just like people, pets can get allergies! It’s that time of year again in Perth County  – we are seeing flare-ups in allergy-prone pets. Signs can be as subtle as feet licking or can be as severe as pets chewing themselves raw. Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to what is typically a harmless substance. Usually the cause of the allergy is some sort of protein. The immune system overreacts to the protein and causes substances to release that can lead to intense itchiness and inflammation of the skin.

What are signs my pet has allergies?

• Feet licking
• Bum scooting/chronic anal gland issues
• Itchy ears/chronic ear infections
• Red/itchy/ulcerated skin
• Itchy skin around head and ears in cats
• Itchy/watery eyes
• Coughing/sneezing
• Diarrhea/vomiting

What is causing my pet’s allergies? How can allergies be treated?

There are many different types of allergies. Your pet can have one type of allergy or a combination of a few. More often than not, a pet with one allergy tends to be prone to developing others.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis        

Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is an allergy to flea saliva. While all pets will be itchy with fleas, those with FAD have severe reactions, sometimes to the point where the skin becomes very inflamed and painful. The most common area you would see this is in the lower back area near the base of the tail. However, other areas can also be affected. This allergy tends to worsen with age and with more flea exposure.

Treatment involves regular flea prevention medications. It is best to use a veterinary specific medication as there is guaranteed efficacy of the products when used properly. Prevention is the best approach as even a single flea bite can cause a severe reaction. Some dogs with severe reactions may also benefit from other medications from your veterinarian that can help stop the itchiness. Some may even require antibiotics for bad skin lesions.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (Atopy) occurs when your dog or cat is allergic to environmental allergens. These allergens include pollen, mold, dust mites, and grasses. These allergens are all over the environment and impossible to avoid. Your pet can be exposed to these by inhaling them or through the allergies contacting and travelling through the skin. Common areas that become itchy because of this are feet, groin, armpits and belly. Some dogs can be itchy over their entire body. Other signs include sneezing coughing and itchy, watery eyes,

Treatment can be difficult with atopic animals. First line treatment often involves using a steroid medication to help itchiness and inflammation. Antihistamines can also be used but are often ineffective.

The best option is allergy testing. This allows us to figure out exactly what allergens are causing the issue. We can use this information to develop “allergy shots”, which are actually small doses of the allergen you give your pet to help desensitize them. Sometimes, in more severe or complicated cases, referral to a dermatologist may be the best option.

Food Allergy Dermatitis

Food allergy dermatitis occurs when an animal has adverse skin reactions due to allergens in their food. Most commonly the allergens stem from the protein or carbohydrate source. Some common food allergens include chicken, beef, soy, corn, dairy, lamb, salmon, rice, wheat and tuna. In dogs, signs associated with food allergy dermatitis are commonly itchy feet, itchy ears/chronic ear infections and itchy bums/chronic anal gland issues. In cats, the most common signs are itchy skin around the head and neck. Sometimes, food allergies in dogs and cats can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Treatment for pets with food allergy dermatitis involves a strict food trial. This means feeding a hypoallergenic food prescribed by your veterinarian. The key to doing this properly is to make sure that your pet only gets the prescribed food and nothing else! Even a tiny piece of meat can cause a bad allergic flare-up in an allergic animal.

Are allergies common?

Allergies are a fairly common finding in pets. Some breeds that are predisposed to allergies include Bulldogs, West Highland Terriers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds and Cocker Spaniels. That being said, any dog or cat can develop allergies.

What should I do if I suspect my pet has allergies?    

The first thing you should do is take your pet to see a veterinarian! The veterinarians at Coventry Animal Hospital will take a detailed history and perform a thorough physical exam. This will allow us to determine whether your pet indeed has allergies and what type is most likely. We will also treat for any other secondary issues such as infections and recommend a plan to help keep your pet as comfortable as possible.

Can pets with allergies be cured?

Unfortunately allergies are not something that can be cured but they can be managed. The sooner the issues are addressed, the better off your pet will be. Seeing your vet as soon as possible when you have concerns means your pet will live a more comfortable and happier life.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by spiral-shaped bacteria known as leptospires.  The bacteria are transmitted by the urine, blood or tissues of infected animals.  Infection most frequently occurs in dogs but has the potential to occur in all animals, including humans and cats.  This is why we take this infection seriously at Coventry Animal Hospital.

The primary route of exposure is from wildlife such as rodents, raccoons or ground hogs.  For this reason, hunting dogs or pets camping, cottaging or living in rural areas have a greater risk of exposure.  Infected individuals may shed the bacteria into their environment for several months.  It can survive in water or soil for several weeks.  A domestic dog can become infected by drinking, swimming or walking through contaminated water.  The leptospires enter the body through a cut, eyes, nose or mouth. 

Leptospirosis may cause a range of symptoms in pets.  Certain pets may be carriers and not show any symptoms but have a risk of spreading the bacteria to other individuals.  Dogs often have vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, excessive drinking, abdominal pain, severe weakness, fever and muscle pain.  Many patients have severe liver and kidney damage that is seen on their bloodwork.  Blood and urine testing can be performed by a veterinarian to determine if a pet has been exposed to leptospirosis. 

Treatment is available for leptospirosis.  This involves antibiotics and frequently, hospitalization on IV fluids is also necessary.  Without aggressive therapy, or if not treated early, this disease may be fatal.  We recommended avoiding contact with your infected pet’s urine before the pet has received treatment. If necessary, gloves and protective clothing may be worn.  Due to the human health risk, we recommend informing your physician if you have had contact with a pet’s urine, blood or tissues during its infection.

Leptospirosis is preventable through vaccination of our dogs.  The vaccine is not 100% protective, since if does not provide immunity against all the different strains of the bacteria.  Vaccines may reduce the severity of the disease but will not prevent infected dogs from becoming carriers.  The veterinarians at Coventry Animal Hospital recommend removing standing water and controlling wildlife in the pet’s environment.   This will help reduce the risk of your pets coming into contact with the bacteria.

What are fleas?

Fleas are very small wingless insects that feed on the blood of animals. They have flat bodies and long legs that make them perfect for jumping great lengths and quickly moving through fur.

Flea Life Cycle

A flea lays eggs on the host, but these eggs tend to fall off into the environment. They eventually hatch out as larvae. The larvae like to live in dark places such as carpets and crevices where they feed on flea feces (called “flea dirt”). Eventually the larvae form a cocoon called a pupa. They can stay dormant in this stage for months until conditions are perfect for them to hatch into adults. Fleas thrive in warm and moist conditions, which is why we tend to see outbreaks in spring and autumn.

Once an adult flea hatches, it has one week to find a host to feed off of. When it jumps onto the host, it take its first meal within 30 minutes, and will start producing eggs within 24 hours of its first meal. Typically fleas live 30 to 90 days but can live longer under ideal conditions. In total, a flea’s entire life cycle can range anywhere from two months to one year.

What are signs my pets have fleas?

Flea bites can cause intense itchiness to the point where your pet may be excessively scratching or even chewing at itself. Typically fleas like to spend time around your pet’s lower back/base of tail area, inside the thighs, on the belly and on the neck. In more severe infestations, you may actually see fleas on your pet.

Some animals can have allergies to flea bites. This can cause even worse signs like hair loss, inflammation and ulceration of the skin and lethargy. This is called Flea Allergy Dermatitis. Animals with Flea Allergy Dermatitis should be on regular flea prevention as even one bite can cause a severe reaction.   

 Animals with severe infestations, especially kittens and puppies, can lose a significant amount of blood and become extremely weak due to anemia.

 How would my pets get fleas?

Fleas are very common in the environment. Your pet can be exposed to fleas by being around other animals with fleas or even spending time in an area where flea infested animals may have been (including wildlife). Fleas can also hitch a ride on humans into a house, so even indoor pets can be exposed. It only takes one flea to begin an infestation.

How do I prevent my pets from getting fleas?

We recommend all dogs be on flea prevention medications available from your veterinarian from spring to winter (this is often a combination product with heartworm and intestinal worm prevention). This is the best way to prevent fleas from becoming an issue. Cats that go outside or live with other animals that spend time outdoors should also be on regular flea prevention.

How do I treat my pets if they get fleas?

There are many flea treatment options available for your pet. Here at Coventry Animal Hospital, we believe products available through your veterinarian are the safest and most effective to use for your pet and to be used around your family.

Here are some reasons why we don’t recommend the following products:

Flea Collars:

While flea collars can be effective in some cases, we have seen a number of animals with bad skin reactions and fur loss due to the collars. Furthermore, we have seen many pets with fleas while wearing a flea collar. Pets have fleas while wearing the flea collar. Some products may also lose their effectiveness when they become wet. Often times in our experience, the collars tend to only kill fleas around the collar.

Topical Flea Medications from Pet Stores:

We never recommend store bought topical medications to be used on cats. Some of these products, specifically the ones meant for dogs, can be extremely toxic and fatal if applied on cats. Every year a startling number of cats will die because of improper use of these products. For dogs, we have seen these products fail many times or only provide a very short duration of action. Furthermore, unlike veterinary products, these companies do not offer any guarantees as to the effectiveness of their products.

Flea baths:

Flea baths do not offer residual protection so you would most likely have to bathe your pet more than once. They will not take care of fleas in the environment; therefore you would have to spray your home with flea spray, which is undesirable as all family members need to evacuate the house first.

Treat all pets in Household:

When fleas are noticed on one pet in the house, then all pets that come into the house should be treated with prevention for three consecutive months to break the flea life cycle.  This is important as fleas can live in the pet’s environment and jump onto the other pets. 

 Why Flea Medications from Your Veterinarian are the Best Choice:

For the above reasons, Coventry Animal Hospital, recommends using medications from your veterinarian. These medications are safe and effective. Talking with a member of your veterinary team will allow him/her to choose a product that is suited to the specific needs of your pet. Using these products alone is often enough to clear fleas out of your house, as well as eliminating the need for flea sprays. The companies we work with stand behind the quality of their products and guarantee they will work when used properly. These products often have superior pest control, are easy to use and are the safest option for both your pet and your family.

Welcoming a baby to the family is an exciting time and we should keep in mind that changes in our lifestyle may impact our pets. Cats and dogs are creatures of daily routine, so a new addition to the household can dramatically change their schedules and it is best to plan ahead.

Baby Proofing

A young child should never be left with a dog or cat unsupervised.  Coventry Animal Hospital recommends crating your pet, using baby gates and closing the nursery door, to prevent such situations.  When your child gets older, you don’t want him/her to enter the pet’s space unless the contact is under your supervision. 

You can spend time training your dog now, before the baby comes, to minimize its anxiety and ensure it continues to respond to commands once the baby is home.  Your dog will need to be able to come when called, sit, calmly stay in its crate or designated area, “drop it”, take treats gently, have no teeth contact with human skin and allow any part of its body to be handled.  In addition, your dog should respond to these commands from all of its family members.

Consider calming products for your pet in the home for a month before your baby is due.  Offering your pet a blanket carrying the scent of your baby can give it time to familiarize itself with the new family member.  Babies can make strange loud noises that may frighten your pet and it is important to use positive reinforcement to encourage your pet to remain calm.  Consider having mom greet the pet before introducing baby.  Initially, have one adult hold the baby while a second adult handles the pet.  You want your pet to form a positive association with the baby.  When your pet is calm around the baby, reward it with praise and treats.

Pet Proofing

In addition to “baby-proofing” your house, it’s important to “pet-proof” your home before the baby comes home!  Prenatal vitamins may contain high doses of iron, which can lead to toxic levels of iron in a pet if consumed.  Signs of toxicity include bloody vomiting and diarrhea, heart problems or even organ failure, seizures and death. 

Believe it or not, some dogs find dirty diapers to be quite tasty!  Disposable diapers themselves are not toxic, but due to their absorbent nature, they increase in size in the stomach and may cause an obstruction.  Pacifiers and nipple shields are also at risk of causing a foreign body obstruction. 

Diaper rash creams contain zinc oxide and often cause vomiting if consumed.  If this product is ingested for multiple days, it also has a risk of zinc toxicity. 

Vitamin D3 supplements for babies may cause fatal kidney damage to a pet unless hospitalized.  Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is extremely toxic to cats even at baby dosages.  It can cause death within 1 to 2 hours.  The toxic dose is slightly higher in dogs, but can still be fatal even with critical veterinary intervention. 

Teething products (such as Orajel) contain benzocaine, which can numb the throat and create a risk for aspiration.  In cats and dogs, benzocaine metabolizes into a poisonous component that results in blood that cannot transport oxygen.

 As with any potential toxin ingestion, if you believe your pet has consumed something that may be hazardous to its health, please do not hesitate to call our clinic at any time.

A little extra planning early on can go a long way to maintain a harmonious household when your bundle of joy comes home. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact Coventry Animal Hospital at 519-273-3471.

With the hot weather approaching, many of us in Perth County will be spending a lot of time around water and sharing that experience with our dogs. Whether it is by the pool, a lake, or a river, here are some safety tips from Coventry Animal Hospital to ensure that you and your dog have a happy and safe summer holiday.

• Always supervise your dog around water. While your dog may be a good swimmer, injuries and disorientation can happen easily with lethal results. If you have a pool, make sure it is fenced off so your dog cannot access it when you are not around to watch.
• Teach your dog to swim. Not all dogs are born great swimmers. Gradually introduce your dog to water for short periods of time. Allow them to practice and learn proper doggy-paddle technique! Start in shallow water first. If they really do not want to swim, do not force them. Not all dogs are water dogs.
• Consider your dog’s breed. Some breeds are built better for swimming than others. Short-nosed muscular breeds, such as bull dogs, may have a more difficult time staying afloat due to their body composition. They may also have difficulty keeping their short nose out of the water. Consider always using a life jacket for these breeds to keep them above the water while swimming.
• Teach your dog where the steps out of the pool are. It is important that they always know the easiest way out of the pool. Place a flag or large object at the steps that is easy for them to see while swimming and train them that that is where the exit is. Reward them for using the steps to reinforce it as the exit point.
• Always have a life jacket on your dog while boating. Even if your dog is a good swimmer, if he or she falls out of the boat and injure itself, his or her swimming ability could be severely affected. A life jacket will also allow him or her to swim longer and give you time to go back and find your dog in the water.
• Check water conditions before heading out. If there are reports that there is rough or fast flowing water, it would be best to avoid that area that day.
• Try to prevent your dog from drinking water outside. Pool water contains chlorine and can cause some stomach upset. Water from lakes and rivers can contain intestinal parasites and cause diarrhea. This water can also contain a bacteria called leptospirosis that can cause lethal kidney failure. If you feel it would be difficult to prevent your dog from drinking water outside, speak to us about getting your dog vaccinated against leptospirosis.
• Rinse off your dog. The chlorine in pools can cause skin irritation so it is best to give them a quick rinse when they are done swimming.
• Dry your dog thoroughly after swimming. Use cotton balls to dry out ears, as damp ears can lead to ear infections. Dry off other parts of the body as much as possible, especially around the head and neck area, as these areas are common for skin infections known as “hot spots”. This is especially true in long haired breeds such as Golden Retrievers. Consider keeping your pet’s hair trimmed short if you know they will spend a lot of time in the water.

We hope that by following these tips, you, your family and your dog will have a fun and safe summer!

The ground is starting to thaw in Perth County! Although winter temperatures likely killed most larvae from last year, the soil is now warm enough to incubate roundworm eggs. Adult roundworms are intestinal parasites. Here at Coventry Animal Hospital, we see many of these white spaghetti-looking worms in pets’ feces. Roundworm eggs cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Cats and dogs become infected by eating infective eggs or hunting rodents, birds or insects, which often contain larvae in their tissues. Once ingested, the larvae hatch out of the pet’s gut and migrate through its muscle, liver and lungs. After several weeks, the larvae enter back into the intestine where they mature into adult worms. The adult worms then breed and hatch eggs, which the pet releases into their environment when they poop.

Puppies and kittens are more likely to be infected as the parasite is also transmitted through their mother’s milk or the placenta (in the case of puppies). Many puppies and kittens don’t show symptoms of roundworm infection, but it may be the cause of being underweight or “runty”, having a pot-belly appearance and looking sickly. An animal with a roundworm infection may vomit or have diarrhea, both of which may contain adult worms.

We recommend testing all puppies and kittens for roundworm eggs by bringing us a fresh fecal sample on their first visit to the clinic. Our Registered Veterinary Technician performs an intestinal parasite screen in which the sample is examined for a variety of parasite eggs. Once your pet has a negative fecal test, we recommend a yearly intestinal screening test at the time of its annual examination.

If your pet is positive for roundworm, we recommend treating them with a veterinary-approved product. Larvae in migration cannot be killed by any products, so it is important for deworming to be repeated 2 weeks after the first dose. Due to the high likelihood of puppies and kittens being infected with roundworms, we put them on a deworming protocol when they come in for their first series of vaccines. Adult pets benefit from monthly deworming in the summer months. There are prescription products available that provide flea and heartworm prevention as well as intestinal parasite control.

Roundworm eggs develop into larva in their environment as early as 4 weeks, but may survive up to 5 years. A human is at risk of ingesting infective eggs from a contaminated environment – including children playing in sandboxes, gardening, eating unwashed vegetables and fruit or improper hand washing after handling animal feces. The larva has the potential to migrate through the human body, causing headaches, blindness and other symptoms.

Cleaning up your pet’s feces daily will dramatically reduce the presence of infective eggs for both your human and furry family members. We at Coventry Animal Hospital believe that through treatment and prevention, roundworms don’t have to impact our pets’ health or our interactions with them.

Ticks are found at the edges of grassy fields, low-lying underbrush, near water (including swamps) and urban areas, especially if deer are present.  Ticks have been reported in Perth County and have been found on many dogs and cats.  According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, certain locations are endemic, such as Point Pelee, Rondeau Provincial Park, Turkey Point, Long Point, Prince Edward Point and Thousand Islands.

There are two “blooms” in the tick population each year, occurring in the early spring and late fall.  Tick bites will be most common during these times.  When the tick bites, it attaches by its head and engorges by ingesting blood.  Several days later, the engorged tick falls off its host.  The bites are not painful, but can cause irritation (reddening) of the skin and minor swelling which can last up to a few weeks.

There are several species of ticks.  The Deer tick, also known as the Blacklegged tick, feeds primarily on white-tail deer in its adult form, but all life-stages of the tick will feed on dogs, cats and humans.  The Brown Dog tick is becoming more common in Eastern Ontario.  This species of tick can live inside homes and dog kennels.

Deer ticks transmit Lyme disease.  In 2013, our clinic diagnosed one positive Lyme disease case in a dog that lives in Mitchell.  Although cats can get tick bites, they are not prone to the Lyme disease infection.  Here in Perth County, we are not in a high risk region, but the trends would suggest that ticks are on the rise in this part of the country. 

When a tick bites a human or dog it can transmit the bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) through its saliva.  The majority of dogs show no symptoms after becoming infected; however, a small number of dogs do develop symptoms.  In the early stages, 4-6 weeks after a bite, symptoms can include fever, decreased energy, swollen lymph nodes, decreased appetite and limping.  The treatment for dogs that get sick is a course of antibiotics.  If left untreated, certain dogs may develop irreversible kidney damage.  Symptoms of Lyme disease in a person are different from those in dogs.

The big question is: what should we do about ticks?  Prevention of tick bites plays a key role in preventing Lyme disease.  You can keep your pet on a trimmed lawn and on a leash when in the woods.  It is recommended to look for ticks by combing through your pets’ fur when they come back from playing in wooded or long grass areas.

If a tick is on your pet, you can remove it at home by twisting it at the head with tweezers, or it can be removed by a technician at our Stratford office.  There are several topical veterinary products that kill and repel ticks.  For dogs traveling to a high risk region for Lyme disease, vaccinating dogs is also an option.  Coventry Animal Hospital tests your dog for exposure to Lyme bacteria at the same time we perform a blood test to screen for exposure to heartworm.

Over the past decade, there has been an increased interest in the use of natural supplements for our pets. At Coventry Animal Hospital, we are exploring natural options to maintain and improve our pets’ health and wellbeing. These supplements are known as “nutraceuticals” – an active component is isolated from a plant or food and used to treat or prevent chronic disease.

Cranberry extract supports urinary tract health. It contains compounds called proanthocyanidins that interfere with the ability of bacteria to attach to the bladder wall. This is effective against E. coli, which is the most common cause of urinary tract infections in dogs.

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate support joint health and work better if given together. These products are normally found in healthy joint cartilage and shellfish. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can slow down and even reverse joint degeneration in animals with arthritis. This may mean better mobility and less pain for senior pets or pets with joint injuries.

Lysine is an amino acid that has anti-viral properties for cats infected with herpes virus. Herpes virus can cause an upper respiratory tract infection in cats. This supplement can minimize the symptoms of sneezing, nasal discharge and goopy inflamed eyes.

Milk thistle supports liver function. It contains the active component known as silymarin. This component acts as an anti-oxidant and scavenges free radicals. Patients with damage to their liver by toxins or diseases, as well as pets on long-term medication that can potentially harm the liver, benefit from this product.

Omega-3 fatty acids have mild anti-inflammatory benefits. These products are often found in marine sources. Conditions that involve inflammation, such as skin allergies and chronic kidney disease, benefit from a high dose of this essential nutrient.

Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that promote intestinal balance. These good bacteria populate the intestine and protect it from harmful bacteria and pathogens. This supplement may improve stool quality in pets with diarrhea and restore healthy bacteria in patients that have taken antibiotics.

Unlike prescription drugs, nutraceuticals are not regulated. This means that they can be sold without scientific proof of efficacy and mandatory testing to determine the correct dosage. Research has shown that many commercial products may be contaminated or do not contain the active ingredient. There are a lot of reports of these supplements improving animal health, but scientific investigation is ongoing and not all products are created equally. For this reason, we recommend consulting our Veterinarians at Coventry Animal Hospital before starting your pet on any nutraceutical.

Some small breed dogs may start their cycle as early as four months of age, whereas giant breed dogs may not have their first heat cycle until 18 to 24 months.  A female dog that is not spayed is known as the “bitch”.  Your female pet can become pregnant on their first heat cycle, as they are sexually mature.  This is inadvisable, as they are not done growing and are more likely to have complications associated with the birthing and be poor mothers.  At Coventry Animal Hospital, we recommend spaying (ovariohysterectomy) your pet at six months of age.

Dogs generally have one heat cycle every six months.  The cycle starts with the proestrus phase for approximately nine days: the bitch will develop a swollen vulva and have bloody vaginal discharge.  The male dog will show interest in them, but the female will not yet be receptive.  This is followed by the estrus phase, which lasts for approximately 10 days.  During this phase, the vaginal discharge becomes straw-coloured and the female may accept a breeding male.  The female then goes into either the diestrus phase or pregnancy for approximately 63 days.  If she is bred, but does not conceive, she may develop a “false pregnancy”, where her body has pregnancy hormones, but no puppies.  Unlike human women, when female dogs get older, they do not stop cycling.

It is recommended to spay a female pet before their first heat to eliminate their risk of accidental pregnancy and minimize their risk of reproductive diseases.  Please refer to our website www.coventryvets.ca for Pet Health Articles under ‘Spay’.  A female pet that is not spayed is at risk for life-threatening pyometra (an infection in their uterus), as well as breast cancer.

Accidental pregnancy can easily happen as separation within a household can be extremely difficult.  If the male and female are together for a 10 minute time-frame, that is long enough for them to breed.  Brothers and sisters will mate once they become sexually mature – they do not know that they are related.  Pets living on the farm will be more likely to roam off their property in search of a mate.

Here at Coventry Animal Hospital we encourage having pets spayed when they are not in heat.  Pets can be spayed while in heat, but there is a higher risk of bleeding during surgery, as their reproductive organs have increased blood flow.  It is more expensive to spay a pet that is in heat, pregnant, obese, or older than one year of age, as these are all factors that make the surgery more difficult.

If you have any questions about spaying your dog, then don’t hesitate to contact Coventry Animal Hospital.  We would love to discuss it with you!