SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. It has been postulated that this virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or talking amongst people in close proximity or enclosed areas. The disease can be present in both symptomatic and non-symptomatic individuals. Many of the facts about this virus spread has been proposed. CDC states that in rare instances human to animal transmission can occur in close contact. It appears that a small number of dogs and cats with close contact COVID 19 infected individuals developed clinical signs. The CDC and USDA reports showed cats appear to have mild respiratory illness in New York. This appears to be the first confirmed case of COVID -19 in cats. Sparse information regarding clinical signs of SARS-CoV2 infection in animals include but not limited to vomiting, diarrhea coughing, respiratory distress, fever, lethargy, sneezing, and oral/ocular discharges.

Exam/visit to Woolbright veterinary Clinic:

Social distancing while providing curbside service with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is currently the best way to deliver efficient service to the sick veterinary patients and preventative care. We follow this at our clinic diligently.

Disinfecting the movable and non-movable fixtures of the clinic after every patient visit will minimize spread. This procedure is followed strictly.

Communicating/Informing clearly to the clients prior to the visit/appointment to follow strict CDC guidelines and clinic policies regarding exposure can greatly reduce the misconceptions and anxiety in clients and pet care givers.

The guidelines are periodically updated at CDC COVID-19 website.

Full article: COVID-19: animals, veterinary and zoonotic links (tandfonline.com)

Four ways veterinary medicine is fighting COVID-19 | MSUToday | Michigan State University

Vaccination of Veterinary Personnel Against COVID-19 - Chicago VMA

If You Have Pets | COVID-19 | CDC

Coronavirus and Pets: FAQs for Owners - Veterinary Medicine at Illinois

As a puppy or kitten grows up they need to be examined for any teeth abnormalities as early as possible just like children since the temporary teeth are replaced fairly quickly. Many problems these pets encounter are at times misunderstood, unnoticed, overlooked or disregarded due to the rapid development.

The puppies and kittens have temporary or milk tooth replaced by permanent tooth. The tooth development occurs similar to children but is much faster in weeks to months as opposed to months and years in children. Failure to address the problems can eventually lead to potential detrimental effects on the tooth itself and health of the pet. Developmentally, tooth can have defects in mineralization if improperly fed. Administration of certain non- prescription medications and fluorides can lead to tooth discolorations and fluorosis. Puppies or kittens can have developmental defects like hare-lip or cleft palate that can be surgically rectified if detected early in life. Very commonly, puppies suffer from retention of temporary tooth along with the erupted permanent tooth displacing it. This can result in retention of food particles and improper mastication of food resulting in initiation of plaque formation and stomach upset. Plaque is nothing but bacteria, certain secreted components from mouth and cells. This can become mineralized as plaque migrates from surface of the tooth to the gumline. This can lead on to gingivitis, stomatitis and periodontal disease like children. If retained tooth is detected early, the temporary tooth can be extracted leading way to the permanent tooth.

Preventive home dental care is at most important for a long life of the pet with fewer dental problems. Do not use any human dental paste on your pets as it can cause severe fluorosis. Use of a fluoride paste (C.E.T.) once a day with softer tooth brushes or gauze pads with flavored products can make the animal look forward to brushing sessions and in almost all cases more tolerant towards these sessions. The other alternative would be to perform annual dental prophylaxis and give them canine t/d prescription diet. Throughout the pet's wellness program, veterinarians educate clients on diet, exercise, heartworm disease and prevention, flea and tick prevention and birth control measures along with preventive oral maintenance. The mouth will generally be examined for signs.

Healthy life of your pet is a road to your wealthy life. Despite the high cost of living, it still remains popular. As young children go through a wellness visits with their pediatricians, the puppies need to visit their veterinarians for their wellness visits. These visits will ensure a healthy long life of your pets.

As soon as the puppy is born or as soon as you acquire a pet, it is better to get them evaluated by a licensed veterinarian as they need a preventive health checkup. As the newborn child goes through a series of scheduled vaccinations, the puppies need to go through a series of vaccinations to help them protect against various highly contagious pediatric infectious diseases. Vaccinations earlier than 4 weeks is not suggested as puppies do have antibodies from their mother, if mother is naturally exposed to or has been vaccinated. A 4-6 week of age visit is a preferred time for first visit. During this time, the veterinarian performs a thorough physical examination, vaccinates your pet for early pediatric diseases, deworms and gives you tips for feeding along with behavioral advice. The vaccine prevents pediatric diseases such as distemper, hepatitis, parvoviruses and parainfluenza (viral cause of kennel cough). For complete protection, the pets need to be vaccinated every 2- 4 weeks until the pets are 16 weeks old. A second (8-10 week of age) visit is important as the pet needs a second sets of vaccinations for the pediatric diseases and deworming medications. This is also a critical period in a puppys life as they begin to socialize at this age. Get your pet accustomed to complete physical examinations by your veterinarian. The puppy should have lots of positive reinforcement with no fearful experiences during the 8-12 week period. Along with this, the veterinarian talks to you about the heartworm disease and prevention, flea and tick prevention that pets can be exposed to in the environment and dental prophylaxis.

A third (10-12 weeks of age, or 12-16 weeks of age) visit would complete the wellness program visit as the puppy will get the third booster for the pediatric infectious diseases along with antirabies vaccination mandated by the state of Alabama. The pet also receives a completed health record indicating various vaccinations, deworming schedules, and heartworm check dates and prevention. From this period all pets require.

All through the pets wellness program, veterinarians educate clients on diet, exercise, heartworm disease and prevention, flea and tick prevention and birth control measures along with preventive oral maintenance. Early spay/neuter not only eliminates unwanted pregnancies, but prevents your pet from serious medical conditions such as mammary tumor in females and prostatic disease in males. Hence, preventive medicine is always the best medicine for puppies and kittens.

Like children, puppies also are exposed to various pediatric infectious diseases which are highly contagious. Vaccinate the pets against deadly communicable diseases like rabies as it is the law. Early spay/neuter not only eliminates unwanted pregnancies, but prevents your pet from tumors and other diseases A rapport with the veterinarian, your pet and you is required to ensure a long, happy and healthy life of your pet.

Indoor or outdoor plants can be poisonous by virtue of potential toxins present in them. Prescription and non-prescription medications can be a source of toxin if accidentally consumed by the animal. House hold cleaning solutions, antifreeze, rat or mouse baits, pesticides, herbicides, lead-based paints and potpourries can be toxic. Topical products such as flea powders, sprays, shampoos, and dips as well as inhaled toxins such as carbon monoxide can pose severe toxic manifestations. Even household foods such as chocolate and moldy bread, butter, cake and cheese can cause severe toxicity.

The toxic principles can be ingested, inhaled or topically absorbed through the skin. The signs of poisoning can occur within hours to days after exposure. Animals show signs like vomiting or diarrhea. It can either be bloody or can contain particles of the ingested toxin. Animals also show sings of seizures, trembling, depression, acting drowzy or can even be comatosed. Affected animals also show signs of profuse salivation (either drooly or foamy) along with red irritated skin or eyes. Mouth of the affected animal might have ulcers, burned lips, or skin. Affected animal can also show signs of bleeding from the anus, mouth or any other body cavity.

Reduce the toxin exposure by removing the source of the toxin if possible. Find out animals mental state, look for seizures. Call your veterinarian or veterinary emergency hospital with the exact name of the poison, how much did the animal eat or gotten exposed to, when did the exposure occur, approximate weight of the animal.

For topical poisons, call the veterinarian or National Animal Poison Control Center for information about specific poison involved. Wash the animal with large volumes of water, if your pet is exposed to a flea product, mild hand soap, or baby shampoo can be used. For petroleum products, use dishwashing liquid. Call your veterinarian before using as water may activate some poisons. If toxin is in the eye, flush with large volumes of water or sterile eye wash solutions. If the poison is a powder, you will have to dust or vacuum powder off.For inhaled poisons, move the animal into fresh air as quickly as possible. Call the veterinarian for instructions. Install carbon monoxide detectors in homes.

For ingested poisonings, call and speak to the veterinarian or National Animal Poison Control Center before inducing the vomiting. Do not induce vomiting, if your animal has difficult breathing, seizuring, unconscious, in instances where you know the animal has ingested a caustic (drain opener), an acid (batteries) or petroleum product, consumed object is sharp or pointed, animal is bloated or when the container from which the toxin has been ingested says not to. To induce vomiting, give 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of household (3%) hydrogen peroxide by mouth. This can be repeated every 15-20 minutes upto 3 times, on the way to the veterinary hospital.

In any case of poisoning, you need to take your pet to the veterinary hospital as soon as possible. Depending on the poison, there may be serious bodily consequences including organ failure that must be treated with intravenous fluids and medications by your veterinarian.

• For inhaled toxins, take the animal to a place where it can get lots of fresh air as quickly as possible
• For topical toxins, bathe the animal to wash off the toxin
• For ingested toxins, depending on the toxin, make the animal vomit with the house hold dilute hydrogen peroxide.
• Always check with your veterinarian or National Animal Poison Control Center at 888 426-4435 at cost or visit www.aspca.org  You can also call Poison center at 800-222-1222 or visit www.poison.org

Bruises can be caused by a mild blunt trauma, a bleeding disorder or a tumor. Most commonly they appear as red marks on the skin along with swelling that can be blood filled (hematoma) or serum filled under the skin. For this type of injuries apply cold compresses 4-5 times a day of 15 minutes duration for several days. If the swelling is not going down or new areas of bruising appear contact your local veterinarian.

Burns can be obtained by staying too close to open flame, jumping on a hot stove (cats), caught in a house fire, animal abuse, hot water, heating pads/hair dryers, or chemicals. The severity depends upon the depth and the extent of the burn. Superficial skin burns heal well with veterinary care. They are generally red, tender and or painful to touch, with swelling. Apply cold water as soon as possible as it decreases the pain and further penetration of heat into the tissues. The animal can be immersed in cold water if the burns involve only one part of the body.

Burns involving the deeper layer of the skin also heals well but with some scarring. They usually have blisters, redness, swelling, and tenderness. Apply cold water as soon as possible as it decreases the pain and further penetration of heat into the tissues. If more than one part of the body is involved, do not immerse the pet as immersing can cause cooling too soon and result in shock. Run cold water or apply cold compresses directly over the affected area.

Burns involving all layers of skin and blood vessels often heal with lots of scarring that requires intensive care and may even require surgery. These types of injuries often have swelling under the skin, loss of skin and skin is not sensitive to touch. In such instances, wash with cold water, place a sterile no-stick pad or clean moist cloth over the burned area and do not place any ointments, butter or petroleum jelly. Transport the animal to the nearest veterinary hospital.

Smoke inhalation is usually seen in animals that are caught in burning structure or grass or due to animal abuse. Animals show rapid, labored breathing to no breathing, singed hair with smoky odor to the coat, coughing, ocular, oral or nasal discharge, bright red gums due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Remove the animal from the smoke immediately to fresh air. Transport the animal to the nearest veterinary hospital.

Electrocution can occur in pets that chew the electric cord particularly the puppies, and kittens. Signs can be immediate or delayed. Collapse on the floor near an electrical cord, loss of appetite, drooling, foul odor from the mouth, ulcers in parts of mouth, missing tongue, and difficulty in breathing and cough due to pulmonary edema. Do not attempt to free the animal from the cord if the power is on and the cord is still plugged in. Turn off the power and unplug the cord. Take the pet to a veterinary hospital immediately. To prevent from chewing cords, rub the cord with hot pepper sauce or bitter apple. Keep cords inaccessible whenever possible. Unplug cords when not in use. Provide appropriate chew toys. Use sleeves to cover the electric cords that prevent direct access to electricity.

Nose bleeds are commonly seen in injury, infection, tumors, bleeding disorder, or due to a foreign object. In times of bleeds, apply ice pack, wrapped in cloth to the nose. Place steady pressure on the bleeding nostril with a clean cloth or gauze. Keep the animal as quiet and still as possible. If bleeding does not stop, take the animal to your local veterinarian or veterinary hospital. A small amount of bleeding from one nostril could be an early sign of a tumor.

The endocrine disease is generally seen in 10 years and older cats with no sex prediliction. This disease occurs due to excessive circulating concentrations of thyroid hormones namely, thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). The disease occurs most commonly due to a functional adenomatous hyperplasia (adenomas) involving one or both thyroid lobes. Thyroid carcinoma, common cause of canine hyperthyroidism does not appear to be the primary cause of hyperthyroidism in cats.

The disease is slowly progressive. The cats maintain good to excellent appetite and hyperactive, the clients do not tend to pick up the abnormality until they see an obvious weight loss. The cats show signs of weight loss in early disease. Some cats are polyphagic; some cats vomit. Some cats have unkempt haircoat, excessive shedding and matting of hair. Cats tend to have impaired tolerance for stressful situations. The stress of car ride to the veterinary hospital combined with the restraint for physical examination can put the cat in respiratory distress, weakness, with development of cardiac arrhythmias and sometimes resulting in cardiopulmonary arrest.

Increased Thyroid hormones make cats hyperactive, irritable and/or aggresssive. A detailed history about behavioral abnormalities may not shed light as much as the physical exam can. Cat does not remain still for a physical exam, and they become aggressive even with minimal restraint. Cats become voracious eaters and the rapidity of eating makes them vomit shortly after eating. Intestinal hypermotility appears to be the cause of frequent defecations and diarrhea. Because of the diuretic action of thyroid hormones, the cats frequently show polyurea and compensatory polydipsia. The disease is a multisystemic affecting the gastrointestinal, neuromuscular, renal, respiratory and cardiovascular system.

If the cat shows any of afore mentioned clinical signs, the veterinarian recommends to perform a minimum database including a CBC, CHEM and UA. Since the existence of concurrent disease and disorders that mimics hyperthyroidism like diabetes mellitus, renal failure, cardiac disease, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease and neoplasia need to be ruled out, getting a minimum database would not be out of the ordinary.

The veterinarian requests tests such as total T4 measurement and free T4 measurement to diagnose an underlying hyperthyroidism, after ruling out the non-thyroid related diseases. Finding out High free T4 is consistent with hyperthyroidism. Thyroid imaging using uptake of radionuclides is another useful adjunct diagnostic procedure to detect extent of thyroid gland involvement, and possible regional or distant metastasis.

Once diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, the approach to therapy is dependant on several factors including the age, associated other major clinical conditions, cardiovascular status, availability of skilled surgeon, nuclear medicine department, clients willingness to accept the modality. Therapy can either be Surgical thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine (131I) or chronic administration of antithyroid drug like Methimazole. Short term methimazole therapy is very useful before the thyroidectomy. Radiation, and Surgery are the only approaches in offering a cure to the hyperthyroid state as antithyroid medications do not destroy the adenomas, relapse is common if the medicine is discontinued.
This is probably the most common endocrine abnormality of cats and is one of the most frequently diagnosed endocrine disorder in a small animal practice.

Methimazole is the drug of choice as it does not cause hypothyroidism or hypoparathyroidism unlike surgery or radionuclide uptake therapy.

Normalization of thyroid hormone concentration is reversible with methimazole therapy unlike surgery or radionuclide uptake.