Vet’s Views
Dr Kaushlendra Kumar
The doctor has been practising in Lucknow for the past 20 years in canine and other pet animal medicine and surgery
Q: My two-year-old Labrador, Bruno, has been unusually lethargic and off his food since winter started, and I noticed a few ticks on his coat recently. What are the early warning signs of tick-borne illnesses like babesiosis or ehrlichiosis, and how can Indian pet parents protect their dogs year-round?— Aarav Sharma
A young Labrador, two-year-old, having tick infestations is bound to be dull and lethargic. Ticks are bloodsuckers and continuously feed upon the host's body, making animals sick with various ill effects like listlessness, gastric issues, and, in very complicated cases, tick fever, which can lead to many problems. Ticks, mites and fleas are well taken care of these days by anti-tick shampoos, powders, spot-ons, tablets and collars. Each one is very effective depending upon the company's standards. Each of these will take care of your pet for at least one to 3 months, and collars up to 7 months. Certain drug-sensitive issues are present in specific breeds, which can be ascertained by your vet.
Q: We recently adopted an Indie puppy who is yet to complete his vaccination schedule. With Canine Parvovirus being such a serious threat in urban neighbourhoods, what preventive steps should we take before his shots are done, and what symptoms call for an emergency clinic visit? — Meera Nair
Young puppies of Indian origin, till they are mother-milk fed, have good immunity to fight environmental stressors, like viral, bacterial or other infections. The reason why they fall sick is their low immunity. Even if the mother is not well vaccinated, puppies do not develop good humoral immunity. The moment you adopt these puppies, give proper care with a little warmth in the house or cage. After keeping them for only three days, deworming with the required dose should be started. Only after deworming can vaccination be started. High numbers of polyvalent vaccines should not be used in weaker puppies. Monovalent vaccines are better to use in weaker puppies. Temperature, healthy food, deworming and vaccination are the main factors in taking care of young puppies.
Q: Every summer and monsoon, my Golden Retriever develops red, itchy patches and hair loss around his paws and belly. How do we tell the difference between a simple seasonal allergy and a fungal or bacterial skin infection, and what daily grooming habits help prevent flare-ups? — Vikramaditya Singh
Any seasonal allergy during the change of season occurs in the form of redness in the skin, itching and heat in the area. If grooming or anti-allergic medication is not given on time, this allergic reaction of the body picks up an infection. Initially, a bacterial infection starts with the formation of pustules, and wet eczema-like conditions develop. If the bacterial infection is not taken care of in time, fungal infections set in, producing dryness of skin, hair fall, mousy odour, etc. Any such type of infection starts with allergy, and then bacterial and fungal infections follow. Local application of dusting powder, shampoos and lotions works in certain cases. But the majority of cases are chronic or delayed types, and the result is insignificant. When these skin problems are going on skin immunity depletes at a higher rate and that is why skin infection never gets cured. Nutrition will play a role in improving the gut and skin health of the body.
Q: My six-year-old indoor cat, Simba, has been visiting the litter box frequently without passing much urine. How common are urinary tract issues and chronic kidney disease in Indian house cats, and how do diet and hydration help keep their kidneys healthy? — Ananya Deshmukh
Cats need a 50:50 ratio of dry and wet food. Any deviation in this ratio will result in calculi formation, concentration of urine and infection in the urinary tract. Good, hygienic water is essential for each cat. Not visiting the litter box is the first indication that they are showing discomfort in urination. This should be taken seriously. Once urinary incontinence or infection sets in, it hardly gets cured. Therefore, take care of food, water and micro-environment.
Q: Our seven-year-old Indie-mix loves home-cooked treats, and our vet recently mentioned he is overweight. Beyond extra weight, what long-term diseases like arthritis or diabetes does obesity trigger in pets, and how can we safely help him slim down? — Rajeshwar Iyer
The theory of obesity is based on calories consumed and calories burnt. This is true for both humans and animals to a large extent. A dog that is eating and doing no or minimal exercise is bound to get obese. Obesity will lead to arthritis, diabetes, heart problems, fatty liver disease and hypertension, etc. These can be managed by diet and exercise. Many companies are preparing diets for obese pets. These are mainly high-fibre and low-carbohydrate diets. For obesity control, certain herbal preparations are also available. Use a prescribed dose only. Give homemade food containing lots of fibre by adding vegetables and fruits to the diet.
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