Located in Illinois, the Naperville Animal Hospital welcomes companion animal patients of all types. Among the conditions treated at Naperville Animal Hospital is the feline distemper virus.
Caused by the parvovirus, feline distemper affects the immune and intestinal systems of cats, possibly increasing the chance of secondary bacterial infections. Distemper can lead to diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, and eventual death. Unvaccinated kittens aged 3-5 months are at the greatest risk, although the disease also can affect unvaccinated adult cats, as well as raccoons, ferrets, and minks. Infected pregnant cats may transmit the disease to their kittens, resulting in stillbirths and deformities. Environmental factors increase the risk. Distemper outbreaks can occur in facilities where large cat populations are kept in close quarters, such as animal shelters, kennels, and pet shops. Environments in which proper cleaning practices are not carried out pose even greater risks. Further, the virus spreads quickly during the summer months in cities, especially among feral cats.
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For owners of senior pets, Naperville Animal Hospital provides a targeted wellness program designed to identify and treat common conditions of aging. Twice-annual wellness exams allow the veterinarians at Naperville Animal Hospital to screen for arthritis and other disorders related to the joints. Many senior dogs experience arthritis, a condition that involves inflammation or degeneration of the joints. It may be difficult to identify in its earliest stages, as dogs have evolved to hide their pain and thus only show signs when they are in the end stages of degeneration. If a dog is limping, avoiding movement, or yelping in pain, its arthritis may be extremely advanced. Dogs with earlier-stage arthritis are more likely to show their struggle through behavioral changes, such as lower levels of alertness and an increase in time spent asleep. The dog may start to gain weight as its activity decreases, even though it may become less interested in eating. Discomfort may also cause the dog to become more irritable or to fall into a depression. Even if the dog is able to hide its pain, the owner may still notice that its stance has changed. This often occurs when the dog shifts its weight to take the load off of the painful joint. Owners may also see that joints have changed shape slightly or are warm to the touch, due to inflammation. Any of these signs should prompt a visit to the veterinarian, as there are a number of medications available to help treat canine arthritis. A veterinarian can also advise the owner on massage therapy and other alternative medication, while also providing support in altering the dog's environment so that moving around causes less discomfort A cat-friendly practice, Naperville Animal Hospital provides a reassuring environment for its feline patients. In this context, Naperville Animal Hospital offers preventive care and treatment for urinary tract infections and other diseases common to cats. Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, occur when bacteria grow in a cat's otherwise sterile urinary passageways. The condition is particularly common in middle-aged to older cats but is rare in cats younger than one year of age. A cat is particularly susceptible to a UTI if he or she has diabetes, feline leukemia, or feline immunodeficiency virus. Trauma to the urinary tract and structural abnormalities, such as kidney stones or polyps, can contribute to a cat's risk as well. Sometimes, a cat develops a UTI as the result of irritation in the bladder or the urethra. This is often the case if a cat develops gallstones, urinary crystals, or urinary plugs, which commonly result from long-term debris accumulation in the urinary tract. Male cats are often at risk of a UTI due to irritation or blockage, as the male cat has a narrower urethra. A female, however, may be particularly susceptible to UTIs that arise from the transmission of bacteria from the anal region, as the female's urethra is shorter. These risk factors are difficult to address from a preventive standpoint. Still, owners often find that consistent availability of clean water can help their cats’ bodies to flush out irritants and potential causes of infection, while regular veterinary care can identify potential problems before the cat becomes ill. Naperville Animal Hospital provides top-quality veterinary care for clients living in the Naperville, Illinois, area. In addition to offering free unlimited office visits and physical exams, Naperville Animal Hospital performs spay and neuter surgery. Animal welfare organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA) recommend spaying and neutering as a way to control pet overpopulation. Of an estimated six to eight million pets that enter animal shelters every year, less than half of them are placed in homes. Because many of the animals that are euthanized are the offspring of family pets, spaying and neutering provides a safe, effective way to reduce unnecessary suffering. Spaying and neutering also has a number of health benefits for pets. Spayed or neutered dogs live between 18 and 23 percent longer than their unspayed and un-neutered counterparts. Pets that are not spayed or neutered have an increased urge to roam, exposing them to hazards such as cars or fights with other animals. Additionally, spayed and neutered pets enjoy a decreased risk of fatal uterine infections and cancers of the reproductive system. |
AuthorAt Naperville Animal Hospital, located in Naperville, Illinois, a team of qualified, veterinary professionals work hard to ensure that pet owners have a trustworthy and reliable resource for all of their pet care needs. Archives
February 2019
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