Educational Articles
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Feline poxvirus is a relative of the human smallpox virus seen mainly in Asia, Europe, and England. It causes skin lesions around the head, neck, and forelimbs, such as ulcerations, scabs, or abscesses. Cats often recover on their own with no further symptoms unless they are immunocompromised. There is no specific treatment or vaccine. Antibiotics may be used to control secondary infections. The virus can be transmitted to humans but can be significantly reduced by basic hygiene precautions.
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Poxviruses can infect many species of birds, and each species of bird may have its own unique species of poxvirus. This handout explains three forms of the virus: cutaneous, diphtheroid, and septicaemic. Each of these forms has distinct clinical signs. Diagnosis, treatment, and ways to minimize the risk of infection in your bird are explained.
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Pradofloxacin (brand name Veraflox®) is an antimicrobial medication used to treat bacterial infections. It is used to treat skin, urinary tract, and respiratory tract infections in cats. Pradofloxacin is approved for use in dogs in certain countries. It is used "off label" or "extra label" to treat other types of infections in cats and some types of infections in dogs.
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The most common conditions affecting pet prairie dogs are: obesity, dental problems, cardiac disease and intestinal parasites. Regular scheduled veterinary examinations will be of great benefit to help discover problems or diseases before they cause a critical illness.
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Like rabbits and guinea pigs, prairie dogs require a diet high in fiber. As they are hind-gut fermenters, they need alfalfa up to one year of age and Timothy hay after one year of age plus a high quality prairie dog pellet. Treats should be kept to a bare minimum as prairie dogs are prone to obesity.
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In the wild, prairie dogs burrow in the ground and make tunnels. Indoor caging must be long enough and deep enough whereby the pet has a chance to dig and make a borrow. Boxes and tubes large enough to crawl through make excellent additions to the cage.
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Praziquantel is given on and off label and by mouth or injection to treat various internal parasites in cats, dogs, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and large animals. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it, in puppies less than 3 weeks old, or kittens less than 6 weeks old.
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Praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate (brand name Drontal) is an oral antiparasitic drug used to treat and control hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms in cats and kittens that are at least 8 weeks of age and weigh at least 0.9 kg (2 lb), and in dogs and puppies that are at least 12 weeks of age and weigh at least 2.7 kg (6 lb). Praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate comes in tablet form.
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Praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate/febantel (brand name Drontal Plus) is an oral antiparasitic drug used to treat and control hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and tapeworms in dogs and puppies that are at least 3 weeks of age and weigh at least 0.9 kg (2 lb). Praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate/febantel comes in tablet form. It may be used “off label” or “extra label” in other species (not recommended in cats) for certain conditions.
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Prazosin is given by mouth and is used to reduce urinary sphincter tone to relax the bladder and allow easier urination in dogs and cats. It may also be used as a treatment for congestive heart failure, systemic hypertension, or pulmonary hypertension in dogs. Give as directed. Common side effects include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and constipation. This medication should be used with caution in pets with kidney disease or other conditions that cause low blood pressure, as well as in MDR1-positive dogs. If a negative reaction occurs, contact your veterinarian.
