Welcome to Alvin Animal Clinic

Without this energy, the cells starve and die. Diabetes can present with many symptoms, but the most common are:

• Weight loss
• Excessive thirst and urine production
• Loss of energy/lethargy

Weight loss begins when the cells of the body begin starving because they are not getting the glucose that they need. This weight loss can be gradual or sudden. Sudden severe weight loss occurs when diabetes has been present for a little while and the body has converted some of its cells from metabolizing sugars to metabolize fats. As the body breaks down the stored fats, ketones, a by-product of fat metabolism, are released. The ketones can cause a state of metabolic shock to occur which can lead to death.

Weight loss begins when the cells of the body begin starving because they are not getting the glucose that they need. This weight loss can be gradual or sudden. Sudden severe weight loss occurs when diabetes has been present for a little while and the body has converted some of its cells from metabolizing sugars to metabolize fats. As the body breaks down the stored fats, ketones, a by-product of fat metabolism, are released. The ketones can cause a state of metabolic shock to occur which can lead to death.

Excessive thirst and urine production occurs when the average blood glucose is in excess of 180 g/dL (normal blood glucose is 60-100 g/dL). The kidneys of our cats and dogs cannot handle this level of glucose, so the excessive glucose spills over into the urine. Once in the urine, the glucose pulls water with it (osmotic diuretic) causing the animal to become dehydrated, which in turn leads to increased thirst sensation.

Loss of energy and lethargy can be secondary to many things. They may indicate a state of mental confusion to elevated blood sugar, dehydration due to osmotic diuresis, infection or metabolic shock (ketoacidocis).

If you see your pet experiencing weight loss despite having a good (or increased) appetite, excessive urine production and water consumption, or just seems tired all the time, diabetes should be a concern. If you believe your pet may have diabetes we can perform blood tests in clinic which require only a small amount of blood. Pets to be screened for diabetes should fast for 12 hours prior to the blood draw. By diagnosing diabetes early, we can avoid the need for stressful, costly hospitalization and start out pets on proper dietary management and insulin therapy to give them the best possible quality of life.

If you are interested in having your pet tested for diabetes, please give one of our friendly receptionists a call, they will be more than happy to help you with what ever needs you would like addressed.

FeLV- is a common infection of cats. It is the cause of more cat deaths, directly or indirectly, than any other organism and is widespread in the cat population. This infection can be prevented with yearly vaccines. FeLV can be transmitted by the saliva of infected cats contaminating the eye, mouth and nose membranes of non-infected cats via licking, passing infected blood to non-infected cats, from mother to fetus (developing kittens) during pregnancy and can be transmitted sexually during mating.

FIV- a virus that causes AIDS in cats; however, there is a long period without symptoms before AIDS occurs and our job is to prolong this asymptomatic period. The major route of virus transmission is by the deep bite wounds that occur during fighting. There are other means of spreading the virus but they are less common. Mother cats cannot readily infect their kittens except in the initial stages of her infection. FIV can be transmitted sexually and through improperly screened blood transfusions. Casual contact such as sharing food bowls or snuggling is unlikely to transmit the virus. This virus can be prevented with yearly vaccines.

Feline Heartworm Disease- heartworms affect dogs and cats differently. Heartworm disease is primarily a lung disease in cats, not a heart disease. Heartworm disease in cats is caused by the inflammatory reaction generated by the larval worm's presence. In dogs, heartworm disease is mostly about the obstruction of blood flow from the physical size of the worms. Cats are not a natural host for the heartworm, which means the migrating larval heartworm is not likely to complete its life cycle. Heartworms are prepared to read canine directions to get to the pulmonary arteries and may become lost in the feline body. The larvae that actually make it to the pulmonary artery die soon afterwards due to the massive immune attack from the feline body. Very few larval heartworms survive to adulthood in cats. In dogs, heartworm infection may involve 25 to 50 adult heartworms, in cats it is typically less than six. Because the heart and blood vessels are so small in the cat six worms can wreak havoc. Feline Heartworm disease can be prevented with monthly preventions.

There is a simple blood test we can perform right here at the clinic, it takes 10 minutes for results. So we will know before you leave if your feline friend has one of these diseases.

From now until February 1st, 2012, we will be running a special on this Feline Combo test, a $10.00 discount. We will record the results of all the tests we run. Based on these results we will have a map of our region displayed in the clinic where you will be able to see what areas are “hot spots”.

If you would like to bring your feline in for testing, please give us a call and we would be happy to set you up with an appointment. 281-585-5183. Also, if you know anyone with cats, please pass this information on to them. We want to spread awareness of these deadly diseases.

If you have any questions about anything you have read in this newsletter, please feel free to call us. 281-585-5183. You may also send us an e-mail alvinanimalclinic@gmail.com.

Some information has been obtained from www.veterinarypartner.com.