General Health Inquiries

• Veterinary Partner (searchable pet medical library) 
• AAHA (reliable pet health information provided by the American Animal Hospital Association)
• OVMA (Ontario Veterinary Medical Association) Resources for Pet Owners
• Cat Community
• Ontario Animal Health Network 
• Worms and Germs Blog (fantastic resource for zoonotic diseases)

Arthritis

Here is a good video overview of arthritis in pets:

• Cartrophen (plant-based injectable pain reliever)
• Dasuquin (oral joint nutraceutical for dogs & cats)
• Pets in Motion (local chiropractor for pets)
• Guelph Veterinary Surgery Services (board certified surgeon performing orthopedic surgery at Park)
• Pawsability (custom braces, & walking aids)
• Help 'Em Up (shoulder & hip harness system that provides a pair of handles with which to lift your dog – especially good for big dogs)
• Eddie's Wheels (wheelchairs for dogs)
• Pawz Dog Boots (anti-slip indoor/outdoor paw-wear)
• Dog Quality (on-line store specializing in products for senior pets)

ENDOCRINE DISEASES

Cushings

• Vetoryl (the ideal medication for treating pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism)

Here is a good overview of what Cushings is:

Diabetes Mellitus

• Caninsulin (commonly used type of insulin in dogs and cats) 
• cat-dog-diabetes.com (by the makers of Caninsulin)
• Pet Diabetes
• Feline Diabetes

Consider using the free Pet Diabetes Tracker app by Intervet or PetDialog by Zoetis.

Here is a good video demonstrating how to give a dog an injection.

3 key points not mentioned in this video:

1. Make sure your pet has eaten just before giving the injection.
2. Insert the needle with the bevel facing up.
3. As you become more comfortable giving the injections, vary the location to reduce the formation of scar tissue which could otherwise interfere with absorption of the insulin. For simplicity, give the morning dose on one side of the body and the evening dose on the other, and work your way from neck area to lower back from then beginning of the week to the end of the week. 

HERE you will find useful information on how to check your kitty's blood sugar levels at home.

PLEASE NOTE: All needles can be returned to pharmacies in Ontario free of charge as long as you have picked up a "sharps container" (also free). Click HERE for more information.

ORGAN DISEASES

Kidney Disease

Here is a good 5 minute video to help you understand kidney disease:

Here is a good video on how to get comfortable giving your cat fluids at home.

3 little details to remember:

1. Warm the fluids to body temperature.
2. Insert the needle with the bevel facing up.
3. Do this at a time when both your and the cat are relaxed. 

Heart Disease

Sleeping Respiratory Rate (SRR)

Canine Influenza (H3N2 & H3N8)

View Fact Sheet & Outbreak Map

Overview of H3N2: 

Transmission is possible by direct contact, short-distance airborne or indirect transmission from contaminated objects including clothing and skin.

Infected dogs can start shedding the virus ~24 hours before onset of symptoms and continue for up to 24 days. Cough is not a good indicator of risk of viral shedding because it can persist after elimination of active infection. 

Diagnosis usually involves detection of the virus using nasal swabs and is best done early in disease.

H3N2 influenza is indistinguishable from ‘kennel cough’. Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, eye discharge, decreased appetite and fever are the main signs. Fever is often transient and may not be present by the time of veterinary examination. Most dogs fully recover within 2-3 weeks. Complications are uncommon, pneumonia being the main concern. Fatal infections are rare but can occur. Disease is more likely to be severe in very young and old dogs, as well as brachycephalic breeds (bulldog-types). 

There are no specific treatments. Cough suppressants should be provided as needed. Antibiotics are not always needed.

Like with human flu, vaccines do not guarantee protection but do reduce the risk of disease. 

There is currently no evidence that H3N2 can infect people, however, the potential for human infection cannot be discounted. Of greater concern is the potential for re-assortment of the human and canine influenza viruses, i.e. if a dog (or person) is infected with both strains at the same time it can potentially result in a virus that is readily able to infect people but is different enough from other human influenza viruses that people have no immunity from previous influenza infection or vaccination.

Cats can be infected but this appears to be rare.