Advice to get your pets vaccinated
AS a veterinarian, I have frequently been asked how I communicate with animals. My answer is simple. We listen first to what the owners say about their pets. When there is no owner, we observe the animals and its behaviour which is very critical. After getting the information, we will focus our attention on the problem.
The other day, I had a case of a cat not being able to urinate. The owner described how her cat kept on changing position while trying to urinate but nothing came out of it. The cat was found to have normal body temperature, the mucous membrane was pinkish and the capillary filling time was good.
On palpation of the abdomen, I found at least three hard solid objects. It was a male so being pregnant was out of the question. The bladder was normal so I came to the conclusion that it was constipated. So the cat was given enema and within few minutes he was busy trying to defecate.
I hope my nurse has followed up with the owner, but it would be nice if the owner would contact the clinic to inform of the outcome of the treatment. Unfortunately, some owners do go to other clinics for second opinion which is normal and fair.
I have also encountered one dog that would eat and vomit. His stool was more like a case of diarrhoea. On palpation of the abdomen, I felt a hard object. When we opened up his abdomen, we found the hard object in the small intestine. It turned out to be a corn cob about six inches long which had been stuck in the intestine for some time. Today, we have ultrasound machine to help in the diagnosis.
Owners of pets must and should be very responsible. They are the source of information, especially problems faced by their pets. Animals obviously cannot talk and are unable to take their medicine, hence, the owner must give it to them. Some pets are difficult when it come to oral medication. To give a tablet can cause one to be bitten. I would recommend to owners to always open the mouth of their pets, examine it, place their hand inside the mouth and also to give multivitamin tablets. This will help and allow the animals to get used to the idea of getting their mouth open and examined. Do this when they are still puppies.
One of the satisfactions of being a veterinarian is when we are able to treat and see a sick animal coming back to health. There are difficult cases such as being run over by a car, bitten by poisonous snakes, viral infection and malignant tumours.
Otherwise, most cases coming to the clinic are not eating, skin problem, watery eyes and nose and for routine check-up. The latter is good decision on the part of the owner. But lately, my partnership veterinary clinic is moving more towards house calls. This is very convenient for pet owners. Despite paying for more, pet owners are actually showing their concern and love for their pets. Talking about responsibility, pet owners should get their animals neutered when necessary, help your local SPCA and assist in ‘enforcing’ the animal welfare enactment.
I hate to see sick animals. In many of my talks, whether on a personal basis or in seminars, I spoke about vaccination. Puppies as young as six weeks must be vaccinated against parvo virus, a disease causing bloody diarrhoea, dehydration and death. They should also be vaccinated against few common viral diseases of which canine distemper (anjing gila) is one of them. The puppies should also be vaccinated against Leptospirosis. The puppies can receive three doses administered at three weeks interval followed by an annual booster dose. In cats, the four-in-one vaccine provides protection against three viral diseases and Chlamydiosis. Healthy cats are best vaccinated at 12 weeks of age and a second dose 3-4 weeks apart and thereafter an annual booster dose. By following the vaccination program, your pets can be assured of better health which in turn minimises your veterinary bill.
In addition, the puppies must be protected against heartworm. Adult heartworms are found in the chambers of the heart and will compromise on the health of the animal. Prevention is better than cure. This is done by giving tablets or injection on a monthly basis commencing as young as three months. I know of some people who buy their anti-heartworm drug and inject their animals or for their friends. Let me say this, leave the injection to the qualified veterinarians as they know better. An overdose of drugs can be detrimental to your pets and under dosing is also a problem.
As in antibiotics, antibioticresistant bacteria can develop if they are given without proper supervision. My advice is to bring your pets to qualified veterinarians. I like to see that veterinary drugs are not made available to any Tom, Dick and Harry. We must protect and give the best to our pets and leave the treatment to qualified veterinarians.
Today’s medication for animals has advanced so far. We have good antibiotics which is long-acting and given under the skin. Most of the drugs are now administered subcutaneously. Gone are the days when we have to struggle with animals which are given painful intramuscular injections. We have a wonder drug which can prevent heartworm, kill heartworm microfilaria, ticks and mites all in one injection. It takes five years to be a veterinarian. It is compulsory to be registered with the Malaysian Veterinary Council (MVC) and to possess a valid current practising licence.
In Malaysia, there are not many specialist veterinarians as yet unlike in the western developed countries. The veterinary facility, expertise and medicine in zoos in these countries are the best one can find and see. They also work closely with human medicine.
The concern for animals in our country is picking up fast. We have seen laws being passed on animal welfare and the existence of few NGOs that focus on rescue of stray animals and finding them homes.
I believe that veterinary practice in our country will be more exciting and challenging in the years to come.