Pets 'N' Vets

18/01/2024

16/01/2024

Core Vaccines- The AVMA defines core vaccinations as those “that protect from diseases that are endemic to a region, those with potential public health significance, required by law, virulent/highly infectious, and/or those posing a risk of severe disease. Core vaccines have clearly demonstrated efficacy and safety, and thus exhibit a high enough level of patient benefit and low enough level of risk to justify their use in the majority of patients.”
Source pic- jen'sadoptable cats

13/01/2024

Giardiasis is infection with the flagellated protozoan Giardia duodenalis (G. lamblia, G. intestinalis). Infection can be asymptomatic or cause symptoms ranging from intermittent flatulence to chronic malabsorption.
Diagnosis is by identifying the organism in fresh stool or duodenal contents, by assays for Giardia antigen, or molecular testing for parasite DNA in stool.
Treatment is with metronidazole, tinidazole, or nitazoxanide or, during pregnancy, paromomycin.

Source- MSD manual

11/01/2024

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health defines a drug as hazardous if it has 1 of the following characteristics: carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, teratogenicity (or other developmental toxicity), reproductive toxicity, organ toxicity at low doses, or mimicking of existing hazardous drugs in structure or toxicity.

Source~TVN

05/01/2024

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is caused by an arenavirus. It usually causes a flu-like illness or aseptic meningitis, sometimes with rash, arthritis, orchitis, parotitis, or encephalitis. Diagnosis is by viral isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or indirect immunofluorescence. Treatment is supportive.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is endemic in rodents in many places around the world. Human infections are probably significantly underdiagnosed. Infection results most commonly from exposure to dust or food contaminated by the gray house mouse or hamsters, which harbor the virus and excrete it in urine, f***s, semen, and nasal secretions.

Source~ pic- Histopathology India.net; text- CDC

04/01/2024

Aeromonas hydrophila is a freshwater, facultatively anaerobic, chemo-organoheterotrophic bacterium that distressed fishes with gastroenteritis, septicemia and causes a disease known as Motile Aeromonas Septicemia (MAS), which affects the aquatic environment. Haemolysin, aerolysin, cytosine, gelatinase, enterotoxin and antimicrobial peptides have been identified as virulence factors in A. hydrophila. Medicinal herbs/plants and their uses are the instant, easily available, cost-effective, efficient and eco-friendly approach for socio-economic, sustainable development of modern aquaculture practice. Phytotherapy either through a dip or by incorporation into the diets is an alternative approach to synthetic pharmaceuticals to diminish the pathogenicity of aquatic environmental pathogens.

05/09/2023

Cardiac-specific biomarkers play a crucial role in identifying cardiac perturbations. A biomarker can be objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal or pathological biological processes.1 Some common biomarkers include pulse and blood pressure, basic chemistries, and more complex laboratory tests utilizing blood and tissue samples. Cardiac biomarkers can provide rapid, accurate information regarding myocardial necrosis/cell injury and hemodynamic stress. The most widely studied cardiac biomarkers in veterinary medicine include N-terminal fragment pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I.
Source~ DVM360

18/08/2023

A dermoid sinus, also known as a pilonidal sinus, is a tubular skin defect caused by incomplete separation of the skin and the nervous system during embryonic development. The sinus can be found at any point along the back or neck, but most commonly affects the neck or upper spine. The depth of the defect varies, the tube:

may extend into the tissue just beneath the skin,

may extend deeper and connect to the membrane covering the spinal cord (dura mater) or

it may be a blind ended sac beneath the skin

Dermoid sinus is most common in Rhodesian ridgebacks, in which it is congenital and heritable. Therefore, affected pets should not be bred. The condition has also been reported in other breeds.

Source- ACVS

15/08/2023

Psyllium husks are part of the seed of the plant “plantago ovata” grown mainly in India and Pakistan. These husks are indigestible and are used as dietary fibre in man to help in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and diarrhoea.

Psyllium is useful in horses grazing areas of sandy soil, especially after long dry spells and should be used in the Autumn before stabling to clean out any material ingested when at pasture.  A Kg of sand/ gravel is a Kg of extra inert weight that horses, especially competition horses, do not need.  The presence of heavy inert material in the colon of the horse does predispose to episodes of colic.
Psyllium has been used in India on horses, elephants and people for hundreds of years. 
Source -Debenvalleyvet.co.uk

11/08/2023

Thyroid tests and Dx table.
Source - Michigan University

10/08/2023

Healthy food means a healthy mind and body.❤️‍🩹 Banana + blueberries+ dry fruits smoothie🫐, peanut butter sandwich with hummus.

07/08/2023

Hiatal hernias occur through the esophageal hiatus. Type I, the sliding hernia, is the most common in small animals and is characterized by intermittent displacement of the lower esophageal sphincter and gastric fundus into the thoracic cavity. Type II is less common and involves only the displacement of the gastric fundus. Brachycephalic breeds are overrepresented, with a hereditary nature suspected in Shar-Pei.

Clinical signs of hiatal hernias include dysphagia, regurgitation, vomiting, ptyalism, and esophagitis due to decreased function of the lower esophageal sphincter. Diagnosis is based on radiographic or fluoroscopic evaluation; however, the intermittent nature can make diagnosis challenging. Medical treatment of esophagitis is required. Hiatal hernias are surgically corrected by a combination of hiatal plication, esophagopexy, and left-side gastropexy.
Source-Text- MSD manual; Pic- Health.com

04/08/2023

A Salter–Harris fracture is a fracture that involves the epiphyseal plate or growth plate of a bone. It is a common injury found in children, occurring in 15% of childhood long bone fractures.

Type I – transverse fracture through the growth plate (also referred to as the " physis "): 6% incidence
Type II – A fracture through the growth plate and the metaphysis , sparing the epiphysis : 75% incidence, takes approximately 2–3 weeks to heal.
Type III – A fracture through growth plate and epiphysis , sparing the metaphysis : 8% incidence
Type IV – A fracture through all three elements of the bone, the growth plate , metaphysis , and epiphysis : 10% incidence
Type V – A compression fracture of the growth plate (resulting in a decrease in the perceived space between the epiphysis and diaphysis on x-ray): 1% incidence.

01/08/2023

What is Hypokalaemic Myopathy?
This condition is normally a secondary problem associated with renal failure, hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus. 
A second type of hypokalemic myopathy has been reported in young Burmese kittens, 2 to 6 months of age although the disorder has also been reported in a 2 year old Burmese cat. 

What does hypokalaemic myopathy mean for your cat and you?
This condition is characterized by periodic muscle weakness and downward flexion of the neck associated with intermittent hypokalemia and increased serum creatine kinase values.

The condition has also been termed periodic hypokalemic myopathy. Attacks occur suddenly and are transient and may be precipitated by stress or vigorous exercise. The variable clinical course is characterized by improvement followed by relapse, and there may be weeks between episodes. A head tremor is seen in some cats. Cats are reluctant to walk and tire easily, have a stiff, stilted gait with front limb goose steeping, and a wide-based stance in the hind limbs. Wrist knuckling can be a distinctive clinical feature and some cats sink on their hocks.
How is hypokalaemic myopathy diagnosed?
It can be diagnosed by your vet with a blood test.
How can hypokalaemic myopathy be treated?
Your cat may need to be stabilised using intravenous potassium supplementation initially. Continued dietary supplementation of oral potassium usually produces a favorable response. Some kittens improve without treatment.
Source- Fetch

25/07/2023

Lymphoma is connected with feline leukemia, a viral infection (see handout “Feline Leukemia Virus Disease Complex”). More cats are now being vaccinated for feline leukemia; therefore, lymphoma is becoming less common. It is still frequently seen, accounting for approximately 30% of new feline cancer diagnoses. Common sites of lymphoma in cats include:

Intestinal lymphoma. This term describes lymphoma that affects the gastrointestinal tract. This is, by far, the most common type of lymphoma in cats, accounting for 50-70% of feline lymphoma cases. It is most common in senior cats, with the average age at diagnosis ranging from 9-13 years old.
Mediastinal lymphoma. In this form of lymphoma, lymphoid organs in the chest (such as the lymph nodes or the thymus) are affected. Mediastinal lymphoma is often seen in young cats, with an average age of onset of 5 years old. This type of lymphoma is strongly associated with the feline leukemia virus (FeLV); 80% of affected cats test positive for feline leukemia.
Renal lymphoma. Lymphoma in the kidney can lead to signs of kidney failure, as functional kidney cells are replaced by cancer cells. This type of lymphoma is also associated with feline leukemia, with 50% of affected cats testing positive for feline leukemia.
Source~ VCA, Table source - TVP

23/07/2023

Pillow Foot in Cats (Plasma Cell Pododermatitis in Cats) is a rare disease of the footpads of cats. Due to the accumulation of a specific type of white blood cells called plasma cells, the footpad becomes inflamed. Plasma cells play a major role in the immune system.
Causes of Pillow Foot in cats:
The cause is unknown but is thought to be immune-mediated; that is, the immune system causes or aggravates inflammation. Some studies have found a link between pillow foot and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection so it is important to screen an affected cat for this virus.
Source-NVH Vettalk

20/07/2023

Procedural anesthesia in cats.
Source AAFP

18/07/2023

The veterinary profession has had to adjust the treatment of the diabetic patient due to changes in insulin production and availability.

Most of the products used in dogs and cats are dictated by products used in humans. However, there have been 2 insulins that have been modified or relabeled for use in dogs and cats. One such product, Vetsulin (Merck, vet sulin.com), was very similar to the intermediate-acting insulin, Lente, which is used in humans, but is currently unavailable in the U.S. because it did not meet stability specifications. Merck Animal Health is working to resolve this issue.

Source -TVP

11/07/2023

Cats affected with feline dysautonomia may be of any breed or age, but younger cats may be more commonly affected. Initially, affected cats are anorectic and often have upper respiratory signs or transient diarrhea. The onset of more definite signs varies from peracute to chronic. Failure of the autonomic system of the GI and urinary tracts can cause esophageal distention and/or dysfunction, gastric and bowel distention and hypomotility, and urinary bladder distention.

Other common signs include:

dilated, unresponsive pupils
ptosis and third eyelid protrusion
a dry rhinarium
reduced lacrimal secretion

In addition, dry oral mucous membranes, prolapse of the nictitating membrane, bradycardia, and urinary or f***l incontinence may be seen.

These signs reflect both sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction, and there is a wide range in the severity of presenting signs. A dilated a**s is sometimes noted, but the underlying somatic lesion is undetermined. Clinical pathology findings are nonspecific.
Source~Merck Manual

05/07/2023

Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, commonly called brain worm or meningeal worm, is a parasitic nematode (roundworm) that infects multiple species of hooved mammals. The white-tailed deer serves as the definitive or natural host, meaning that worms are able to reproduce and lay eggs within the animal, and infected deer shed larvae in their f***s.

Approximately 80% of white-tailed deer are estimated to be infected in endemic regions, and although it is rare for them to appear sick, they can contribute to spreading the parasite to other animals.

Clinical signs of infections are rare in white-tailed deer except at very high parasite loads, but if they do exhibit signs, they can include temporary lameness (particularly in fawns), circling, and other neurological abnormalities.

Transmission occurs by accidental ingestion of infected gastropods (snails) while grazing. The larvae move through the digestive tract of the host and travel along spinal nerves to get to the spinal cord and brain, where they mature into reproducing adults and lay eggs. The eggs hatch into larvae and migrate through the bloodstream to the lungs. Larvae are coughed up and swallowed and travel though the gastrointestinal tract to be shed in the deer’s f***s.

Diagnosis in white-tailed deer requires f***l analysis by a modified Baermann technique to isolate larvae for confirmation by PCR. Detection in f***s without PCR identification is inadequate because larvae are identical to muscle worm (P. andersoni) larvae. In other species, there is no diagnostic test, but therapy may be initiated in suspect cases.

In animals with neurologic signs, early initiation of treatment is key. Not all drugs effectively pe*****te into the central nervous system, and any anthelmintic drugs won’t reach therapeutic levels in the brain.
Picture source -Semanticscholar.org
Description source-CWHL.VET.CORNELL.EDU

28/06/2023

Tick-borne Diseases

Anaplasmosis: Anaplasmosis is a bacteria transmitted by Deer ticks and Brown dog ticks. It can cause fever, depression, lethargy, weakness, and an enlarged spleen

Babesiosis: This disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted by many species of ticks. It can cause fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, anemia, low platelet count, enlarged spleen, vomiting, swollen abdomen (ascites), edema, and bleeding of the gums.

Ehrlichiosis: Ehrlichiosis is caused by a bacteria transmitted by the Brown dog tick and American dog tick. It can cause fever, anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, depression, discharge from the eyes and nose, swollen lymph nodes, anemia, low platelet count, and low white blood cell count.

Feline Infectious Anemia (FIA): This disease of cats is caused by a bacteria called Mycoplasma hemofelis. It is transmitted by different species of ticks and can cause anemia ranging from mild to severe depending on the stage of the infection. Cats affected by FIA may show signs of anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, weakness, pale gums, vomiting, fever, rapid breathing, heart arrhythmias, icterus, and kidney failure. FIA can be fatal if it goes untreated.

Lyme Disease: This disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted by the Deer tick. See our page on Lyme disease for more information.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: RMSF is caused by a bacteria that can be transmitted by the American dog tick and Brown dog tick. It can be transmitted to dogs and humans. In dogs, signs of disease include fever, anorexia, depression, lethargy, stiffness, edema, swollen lymph nodes, and neurologic signs.

Tick Paralysis - This condition is caused by a neurotoxin produced in the saliva of some female ticks. An affected dog will have ascending limb paralysis, change or loss of voice, coughing, vomiting, and pooling saliva in the mouth. Clinical signs will resolve once the attached tick is identified and removed.

Source~ Burbonvet

18/06/2023

13/06/2023

Watch our story and answer the question!!

11/06/2023

Can you differentiate various respiratory sounds?

Source~ online anesthesia.com

22/05/2023

22/05/2023

18/05/2023

Make your study area beautiful and interesting. Send pictures of your NAVLE battle ground to get featured on our insta story!💗🥳

17/05/2023

Some bird topics now.