Dear Uncle Matty: My dog, Sam, has been losing weight recently, yet he still has a good appetite and eats like he always has. Could it be that he is just getting more exercise because he is outside more this time of year? — Wendy Cross, Bridgeport, Conn.
Dear Wendy: It could be a lot of things, but one thing's certain. Sam needs to see the vet. Any time a dog continues to eat well and still has a weight loss, it is a sign that something is wrong. For example, this is one of the symptoms of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), which is caused by a parasitic worm that infests the pulmonary arteries after the dog has been bitten by a mosquito that has previously bitten an infected dog. The disease is life-threatening and must be treated promptly. Other signs of an infected dog include coughing after physical exertion and labored breathing. You can protect your dog by avoiding their exposure to mosquitoes, which is virtually impossible if your dog goes outside and mosquitoes are in season. So the best protection is preventive medication, which can only be administered if your dog has not been infested.
Kittens and puppies need to start their basic vaccinations at about 6 to 8 weeks of age. Follow-ups continue every four to six weeks until the pet reaches about 4 months of age. Until that time, dogs and cats are really not protected from some of the more prominent and serious diseases — cats from upper respiratory diseases and feline distemper; dogs from distemper and parvovirus. The length of time required for shots that fully protect your pet is one of the reasons I object to taking little ones to doggy parks and group classes when they are too young, not to mention they're vulnerable to older dogs that may be aggressive to other animals.
Both internal and external parasites are problems for both dogs and cats, especially at this time of year. Beware of fleas, ticks, flies and lice, all of which carry disease and cause serious allergic reactions. Fleas can also transmit internal parasites.
So what can you do about the problems? First, you need to inspect your pet regularly. Look beneath the fur to the skin for signs of fleas and ticks. Check your pet from head to paw. Fleas are sneaky little devils, and there is more than one variety. Some prefer ears. Others lurk in armpits. And when you come searching for them, they scatter so rapidly that you may miss them if you are not diligent in the search.
If your pet is scratching frantically or digging into his skin ferociously with his teeth, you can be sure you have a problem that needs tending.
There are a number of different types of flea protection, and you should ask your veterinarian about the best solution for your pets. Embedded ticks must be removed immediately and disposed of, and this is no easy task. You may want your vet to handle this. Ticks cause blood loss and eventual anemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other blood diseases. Among the most common today is Lyme disease. Once any and all pests have been removed from your dog or cat, you must treat your home with thorough cleaning and the use of an appropriate, non-toxic pesticide. Disinfect all areas including your pet's bedding. If your home is infested, a professional exterminator may be the best choice. —Uncle Matty
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