Miscellaneous Ailments of Cats and Dogs

M. K. HEATH AND W. M. DILLARD.

FELINE distemper is known also as feline infectious enteritis and feline infectious panleukopenia. It is a highly infectious and contagious disease of cats. It is characterized by a sudden onset, pronounced leukopenia, a rapid course, and high mortality. A virus causes it.

Symptoms usually do not appear until 6 to 9 days after the cat is exposed to the infectious agent or to an animal that is sick with the disease. Some infected cats may seem well or have only slight impairment of appetite, and recover in a few days. But the more severe cases have fever and then become listless, remain prone, and refuse all food. Vomiting, diarrhea, and nasal and eye discharges may occur. The disease runs its course in 6 to 9 days.

Death may occur anytime after the cat refuses food. Death often comes before weakness develops sometimes in a few hours.

Recovery if there is recovery usually begins 2 to 4 days after the onset of symptoms. The first sign of recovery is improvement of appetite. Once the animal begins to eat, it very likely will recover. The period of recovery usually lasts 5 to 6 days.

Diagnosis can be confirmed by making a count of white blood cells.

The antibiotics are useful in treatment of feline distemper. Among them are Chloromycetin, Aureomycin, and Terramycin.

Feline distemper serum has some value if it is given in the early stages of the disease. A 5-percent dextrose solution and the vitamin B complex should be given in the treatment of the more severe cases.

Active immunity is produced by a tissue vaccine prepared from the spleen and liver of artificially infected cats.

Approximately 3 weeks, calculated from the time of the first injection of the vaccine, are required for the complete development of active immunity. The duration of the immunity is not known. Passive immunity is produced by giving serum from hyperimmune cats.

All cats that recover from the disease are immune the rest of their lives. A naturally immune cat may transfer immunity to her offspring.

INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTION is the complete blockage of movement of the contents of the intestines. Incomplete blockage of the intestinal canal can be termed intestinal stasis. A differentiation of the two conditions therefore is merely one of degree intestinal stasis may lead to obstruction.

Obstruction is usually mechanical in origin and occurs oftenest in very young and old animals. There are several causes. Dogs and cats often eat sticks, straw, garbage, and hair; all might cause obstruction. Hair balls are peculiar to cats and are due chiefly to their cleaning and grooming habits. Intestinal parasites (roundworms) are another common cause of obstruction in young puppies. Hernia and twisting or telescoping of the bowel are common causes or contributing causes of intestinal obstruction.

The first step in treatment is to remove the cause, if it is known. Normal evacuation of bowels is accomplished through surgery or the use of laxatives. In most instances, the laxatives should be lubricants (mineral oil) and such drugs, as milk of magnesia, and epsom salts.

If necessary, enemas should be used with caution to avoid rupture of the intestine and peritonitis.

Early treatment is necessary in order to prevent toxemia, which may be caused by the reabsorption of intestinal toxins.

HEAT EXHAUSTION is the direct result of long exposure to abnormally high temperatures. It may occur without sunshine.

Symptoms develop quickly. The animal becomes depressed and then may stagger and become unconscious. The body temperature may rise to 110 F. Respiration becomes difficult, the nostrils are dilated, and mucous surfaces are greatly congested. The animal may die without regaining consciousness.

Recovery usually takes several days.

Early treatment is necessary. The body temperature should be lowered gradually and steadily by sprinkling cool water over the body, applying ice packs to the head, and establishing adequate ventilation. Electric fans are a valuable aid in providing ventilation. Cool water enemas may be given carefully. Constant observation of body temperature is necessary in treatment to avoid chilling and shock. Removal of the cause in heat exhaustion should be given primary consideration.

Heat exhaustion, of course, is of seasonal occurrence. It happens oftener in dogs than in cats.

ECLAMPSIA, a disease of females in lactation or the final stage of pregnancy, is marked by excitability, stiffness, staggering, and convulsions.

Affected animals are unable to stand. The muscles become rigid. Respiration is rapid. The temperature rises. The patient emits cries of pain. This condition may resemble tetanus, or lockjaw, and poisoning by chlorinated hydrocarbons, particularly in the cats. Death may come quickly if there is no proper care.

The administration of calcium salts provides prompt relief from symptoms. Nursing offspring should be permanently removed, or at least temporarily, if possible. Complete rest should be provided. Sedatives may be necessary.

Recurrence of symptoms, necessitating repeated treatment, is not uncommon. Eclampsia seldom occurs in the latter half of the lactation period.

MOTION SICKNESS or carsickness is a systemic condition of dogs and cats that results from continued motion. Salivation, nausea, and vomiting are symptoms. Younger animals, less used to motion, are most susceptible.

Fear often is a contributing factor. Depression and yawning may recur. Prevention should be directed to adapting the animal first by taking it on short, frequent rides; withholding feed and water 4 hours before a ride (or very light feeding if food is necessary); and sedatives, in recommended dosages.

Prompt recovery, with relief from symptoms, usually follows removal of the cause, regardless of severity.

WOUNDS in small animals are frequent and result from various causes. The more common causes are automobile accidents, bites of other animals, cuts or punctures from glass, wire, and similar objects; and placement of rubber bands, wire, and similar materials accidentally or intentionally around the neck, tail, and limbs.

Wounds in animals may be obscure, and careful observation often is necessary to detect them. Puncture wounds of cats are an example. Hunting dogs should be examined carefully following hunting exercises for wounds and the possible presence of such things as wire, sticks, thorns, and glass.

Treatment and care of wounds in animals should include control of bleeding by direct pressure over the bleeding part or applying a tourniquet to bleeding limbs, ears, or tail. It is important to prevent infection of wounds; that can be done by applying a bandage and confining the animal in clean quarters.

Proper healing should be promoted with daily application of healing oils or salves. Healing powders are of equal value and convenient for use. Kerosene, turpentine, and similar solvents should not be used because they often cause further tissue destruction and discomfort.

Injuries suffered in automobile accidents should be checked by qualified individuals for possible fractures and rupture of the internal organs. Many wounds of small animals, including extensive lacerations, may be sutured, or closed, by the veterinarian if he is called in time.

M. K. HEATH is professor of small animal surgery and medicine in the School of Veterinary Medicine, Alabama Polytechnic Institute at Auburn. He is secretary and treasurer of the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association and a past vice president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

W. M. DILLARD is assistant professor of small animal surgery and medicine in the School of Veterinary Medicine, Alabama Polytechnic Institute.