Category Archives for "Pet Management"

0 Cat Diseases: Do You Know What Feline Infectious Peritonitis Is?

Feline Infectious Peritonitis – is this the same as COVID 19?

This is a disease caused by a coronavirus (this is a different virus that causes Covid-19 in humans).  Normally a benign condition unless the virus mutates. 

This is a fairly common disease.  There is typically a low incidence of actual clinical cases in most populations,  especially in single cat households.

Places with multiple cats are a higher risk factor.

Mostly found in cats from 3 months to 3 years of age and is rarely seen in older felines.

Symptoms of Feline Infectious Peritonitis

There is a wide range of signs where there are two classic forms.  The wet/effusive for which targets the body cavities.  This is relatively easy to diagnose compared to the other form.  The other one is the dry form which affects the organs.

In mild cases there will probably be only diarrhea.  In more severe cases; there is depression, weight loss, dull rough hair, abdominal enlargement, ocular and neurologic problems.

Sadly, this is considered as an untreatable condition.  Treatment provided is mostly supportive.

Get to Know The Infectious Cat Diseases

As a cat owner, it is your responsibility to know the various cat diseases. Know more about these conditions and learn how to protect your cat from these conditions. Here is the list of common cat diseases.

Not sure when is the right time to vaccinate your cat? Click here to find out.

Do you need to have your cat vaccinated? Contact us at our hotlines: (02) 8896-6386 / 8896-2860 / 0908-896-7113 so we can set an appointment. No walk-ins for now.

Do take note that Makati Dog and Cat Hospital serves you and your pet from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays.

Be social! Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. Share your cute pet photos on our social media accounts and get featured!

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

0 What is Feline Leukemia Virus (or FeLV)?

Another infectious feline disease is caused by the Feline Leukemia Virus (or FeLV).  It is mostly found in cats between one and six years of age.

Males have a bigger chance of getting infected. Outdoor cats and those coming from a multicat household are also more likely to contract this virus.

Signs are similar to that of FIV-induced immunodeficiency. 

Tumors are a possibility.  Respiratory signs like rhinitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis are noted.  Persistent diarrhea is also present.  Dental problems such as gingivitis, stomatitis and periodontitis may be observed.

Infections of the ear and skin are seen.  Fever and wasting may later be experienced.

You have to consider FeLV if progressive weakening of the legs (ataxia) is observed.

FeLV like FIV may be transmitted with bites.  In addition, close casual contact such as grooming, sharing of dishes or litter pans are risk factors for transmission.

Infected pregnant queens may pass down infection to kittens.  Fetal and neonatal deaths (abortions) may happen. 

Typically outpatient care may be done.  Sometimes hospitalization is necessary. There is the possibility of blood transfusion in some cases.

Get to Know The Infectious Cat Diseases

As a cat owner, it is your responsibility to know the various cat diseases. Know more about these conditions and learn how to protect your cat from these conditions. Here is the list of common cat diseases.

Not sure when is the right time to vaccinate your cat? Click here to find out.

Contact us at (02) 8896-6386 / 8896-2860 / 0908-896-7113 so we can set an appointment.  

Do take note that Makati Dog and Cat Hospital serves you and your pet from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays.

Be social! Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. Share your cute pet photos on our social media accounts and get featured!

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

0 What is FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

When you are a cat owner, you would have heard of the FIV or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Cats can be infected by a lot of diseases.  As a pet owner, it is wise to be familiar with the possible infections that your furbaby may contract during its lifetime.

 The first that I would like to discuss in a series of articles is the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) infection. 

As the name connotes,  it belongs to the same genus as HIV, the causative agent of AIDS in humans.   This may cause a lot of discomfort and may eventually be fatal.

Cats are more likely to get FIV as they get older and typically are diagnosed at 5 years of age.  A lot of systems are affected such as white blood cells, kidneys and nervous system.  Patients are observed to have repetitive movements, anxiety and increased aggression. 

Recurrent minor illnesses like upper respiratory and gastrointestinal signs may be observed. Dental issues and problems with the eyes may be noted. 

Fever and wasting may happen later.

The virus is normally transmitted by bite wounds between cats.  Sometimes perinatal transmission may  happen.  Free roaming and males are more likely to have this.

The infection is slowly progressive and cats with signs will have recurrent or chronic health problems.  Most of the time this may be managed but when severe secondary conditions occur, hospitalization may be necessary.

It is important to screen cats before mixing them up with others.  It is also recommended to minimize the exposure of infected cats to secondary pathogens and to keep them indoors to prevent the spread of this disease.

Need more information on this? Ask your veterinarian about Infectious Cat Diseases like FIVE or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

Get to Know The Infectious Cat Diseases

As a cat owner, it is your responsibility to know the various cat diseases. Know more about these conditions and learn how to protect your cat from these conditions. Here is the list of common cat diseases.

Not sure when is the right time to vaccinate your cat? Click here to find out.

Contact us at (02) 8896-6386 / 8896-2860 / 0908-896-7113 so we can set an appointment.  

Do take note that Makati Dog and Cat Hospital serves you and your pet from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays.

Connect with us on our Facebook and Instagram.

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

0 Important Cat Infectious Diseases: What Every Responsible Cat Owner Should Know

Cat owners, do you know about Cat Infectious Diseases?

Cats aren’t small dogs.  They are different animals.

While they may have similar diseases like Rabies and Leptospirosis, cat owners should be concerned with diseases specific for cats.

There are several diseases of concern for cats. These three specifically attack the immune system:

1.       Feline Panleukopenia
2.       Feline Immunodeficiency Virus 
3.       Feline Leukemia Virus

Other cat infectious diseases that you should also consider. They are as follows:

1.       Feline Infectious Peritonitis
2.       Feline Rhinotracheitis
3.       Feline Herpes virus
4.       Feline Calicivirus
5.       Chlamydia
6.       Cat Scratch Disease

It is best to visit your veterinarian when your cat is sick.  They can check if your furbaby may have one or more of these diseases (Yes! Your cat may have more than one  infection!).

Your vet can guide you in the prevention, treatment or management of these diseases.

P.S.  Cat Scratch Disease isn’t exactly a disease of cats.  It is an infection that humans may get from cats.

Stay tuned as I give you more details on these diseases that your cat can have in the coming days. With this information, you will be made aware and know what is the best option for your cat to avoid these infectious diseases.

Need to have your cat checked? If you are a responsible pet parent you will choose to go to an expert veterinarian.

Contact us at (02) 8896-6386 / 8896-2860 / 0908-896-7113 so we can set an appointment.  

Do take note that Makati Dog and Cat Hospital serves you and your pet from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays.

Connect with us on our Facebook and Instagram.

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

0 One Of The Deadliest Parasites Of Dogs Is Coming Soon!

Summer is almost over, and what comes next?  

The Rainy Season!  It will bring us cooler weather; with it are a lot of problems that we have to be ready for.

With the Rainy Season, not only will we be wetter, but we will have a lot more mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are considered to be one of the more dangerous insects in the world for humans.  They spread dengue, malaria, Chikungunya, West Nile virus and many other diseases that are detrimental to our health.

For dogs (and for some instances cats), mosquitoes also spread  Dirofilaria immitis, the common name is Heartworm.  This is considered as one of the deadliest parasites of dogs. 

What Heartworm Does To your Dogs

Heartworm causes a lot of problems for dogs.  Minor cases may cause your pet to fatigue easily,  cough and appear unthrifty.  Worse cases may cause heart and liver problems which may actually kill your dog if left unchecked.

What to do?  Many years ago,  the only way to prevent your pet from getting heartworm infection was to keep them from getting bitten by mosquitoes.  In an old veterinary book, it was recommended that they be placed in  a mosquito net (kulambo), which is very impractical.

It used to be that dogs were recommended to be treated for Heartworm every six months.  

This is both risky and expensive.

Heartworm Preventatives Now Better

Nowadays,  there are safer and more practical options.  Initially, monthly shots from a medicine used for livestock is recommended.  Next, there were daily tablets given to prevent Heartworm infection.  Later,  monthly meds were given as preventives.

These days, monthly medicine that not only prevents Heartworm infection, but would also keep your pet from getting other parasites such as ticks and fleas are available.  Even a once a year injection can prevent Heartworm for your dog.

How about you? If you are a responsible pet parent you will choose to go to an expert veterinarian for your pet needs.

Contact us at (02) 8896-6386 / 8896-2860 / 0908-896-7113 so we can set an appointment.
Do take note that Makati Dog and Cat Hospital serves you and your pet from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays.

Connect with us on our Facebook and Instagram.

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

0 Do You Know That Your Pet Doesn’t Sweat As Much As You Do

This is one of the hottest summers ever!  I’m sure you’ve been sweating a lot recently.

There have been records of temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius in the country!  This is very uncomfortable and is also potentially dangerous for you and your pet.

Specially your pet!

You have to be aware that your furbabies do not handle the summer heat like you do.  Dogs have less sweat glands than humans.  Most of them are found in their paw pads.

Dogs regulate overheating in a different way than people.  Humans would basically sweat.  A lot.

Our canine companions can’t perspire like we do.  They would mostly use panting to make themselves cooler.

Other ways dogs regulate heat is by drinking water, lying down on a cool surface and moving to the shade.

Signs that your dog is overheating are:

1)      Excessive panting and dribbling
2)      Collapsing
3)      Increased heart rate
4)      Tremors
5)      Loss of coordination

When your furbaby overheats, you should do the following:

1)      Move to a cooler place
2)      Offer water to drink
3)      Wet the coat (don’t use ice water)
4)      Call a veterinarian!

Why go to a professional veterinarian? Read more here.

Keep these in mind to prevent your dog from getting a heat stroke:

1)      Make sure your fur baby is well hydrated.
2)      If you exercise your pet,  make sure you do it during the cooler times of the day.
3)      Never leave your dog inside your car.
4)      It may be good idea to keep your dog indoors, with air conditioning if necessary.
5)      Avoid concrete, asphalt or any other surface that could absorb a lot of heat.
6)      Stay in the shade.

Enjoy the summer break. Just make sure that you keep not only yourself safe,  but also your canine companion!

How about you? If you are a responsible pet parent you will choose to go to an expert veterinarian for your pet needs.

Contact us at (02) 8896-6386 / 8896-2860 / 0908-896-7113 so we can set an appointment.
Do take note that Makati Dog and Cat Hospital serves you and your pet from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays.

Connect with us on our Facebook and Instagram.

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

0 Don’t You Wish You Can Always Bring Your Pet With You?

Dog Boarding, what is that? Who do you turn to when you need to go and travel without your pets?

Don’t You Wish You Can Always Bring Your Pet With You?

Part Of The Family

A pet is like  a family member.  You have to take care of their needs and wants.

You have to feed them, keep them clean, make sure they have a comfortable place to sleep and also to keep them company.

Vacations With Pets or Dog Boarding?

I see a lot of people bringing their pets with them to the office, malls and even when they travel on their vacations.

Quite a lot use their cars to travel with pets.  Some hand carry them on public transportation. There are others who even get private jets to assure comfort.

There was even one who couldn’t bring her pets to a famous beach by plane,  she decided to take a boat with them going there.

Medical Needs

Some of our senior pets may already need special attention.  Maybe they need medicine given to them once or twice daily.

You might not have someone at home to do that for you.  Maybe you can’t take them with you where you’re going.

Proper Dog Boarding for Your Loved Ones

Take advantage of Pet Boarding Facilities.

Taking your pets with you or leaving them home may not be an option for you. What to do?

It would probably be best to look for a place where you feel that your furbaby will be taken cared of.

Questions that come into your mind:

• Will my baby be comfortable?
• Will he be safe?
• Am I sure that the humans that will take care of him or her are capable?
• In case of an emergency, will the facility be able to give the proper medical attention?

Know what important questions to ask regarding Pet Boarding.

There are lots more,  but those are the main things that you are looking for.

For Peace of Mind

For  your peace of mind, it’s best to look for a dog boarding place that will take care of your pet!

You can call us at these numbers during hospital hours to book your pet’s boarding reservation and schedule:  (02) 8896-6386 / 8896-2860 / 0908-896-7113. 

Makati Dog and Cat Hospital serves you and your pet from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays.

Connect with us on our Facebook and Instagram.

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

0 Pet Deworming: Do You Know You Can Get Worms From Your Pet?

Protect Yourself From Your Pet Dog’s Worms with Pet Deworming

Your Pet Dog May Have Worms

Not to cause any panic but right at this moment, there’s a big chance that your pet may have worms.  

Of course, the presence of worms depends on the environment, presence of other pets, presence of mosquitos, presence of fleas and what you feed your furbaby.

There are four worms that stand out and could affect your dog namely: dog roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and heartworms.  

All of these worms can also infect people and that includes you as a pet owner.

The roundworms and hookworms are transmitted through swallowing.  Hookworms can also be transmitted by ground contact.  The tapeworm is transmitted through fleas.  Heartworms are transmitted by mosquito bites.

The roundworm, hookworm and tapeworm are typically found in the intestine.  The heartworm – as the name suggests – is found in the heart/lungs. 

Pet Adoption by Dra. Rhodora Carlos

Signs Your Pet is Already Infected

There are several signs that may show your pet is infected with worms.  Some of these symptoms are coughing, weakness, exercise intolerance, vomiting and diarrhea.  Sometimes, the worms can be seen in the stool.

Have Your Pet Tested

Tests are available to detect the presence of these common dog worms.  As a responsible pet owner, you should ask your family veterinarian about this.

Your vet will recommend that your dog will undergo such tests regularly.  Test result will determine if your dog is worm-free or not. And if there are worms present, the test will help him figure out what is the best solution for your pet’s health.

There are specific meds required for the treatment for each type of worm.  Knowing what worm is infecting your pet will help in identifying the right meds for your pet.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure . . . 

Another thing to ask your family veterinarian is if there are preventatives available for each worm.  Medicine that will work on the large roundworm and the hookworm may not work on the tapeworm.  There is also a specific preventative medicine for heartworms.

Why Go To A Licensed Veterinarian

Prevention is much better than treating the presence of worms.  This is especially true for heartworms.  Once your dog has this kind of worm, the treatment has some risks and can be expensive. The treatment can even drag to several months.  In the worst cases, it cannot be treated at all.

When your pet is infected with a lot of hookworms, this can be detrimental to your pet’s health.  Your pet will become very sick and may even lead to death.

The roundworm and tapeworm may not be as bad as the two mentioned earlier, but can also cause your pet to get very ill.

Pet Deworming and Prevention

Get your pets, especially your dogs, to avail of pet deworming services. 

It’s best to go to your veterinarian so your pet can be dewormed if he has any intestinal worms.  He can also prescribe preventives if there are worms detected.

With heartworms, he will recommend a special preventive program for this.  Hopefully your dog doesn’t have any.

You can call us at these numbers during hospital hours to book your pet’s deworming appointment:  (02) 8896-6386 / 8896-2860 / 0908-896-7113. 

Makati Dog and Cat Hospital serves you and your pet from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays.

Connect with us on our Facebook and Instagram.

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

0 Pet Adoption: Rhodora Carlos – My Mother, A Vet – Adopts Dogs

Are you open to pet adoption?

My mother has been a veterinarian for over 50 years.

People ask her: does she have pet dogs at home?

The answer:  A LOT!

If you visit her, you will notice that the dogs are all different. They’re all of different sizes, age and breeds.

You’ll see an overweight Dachsund,  a playful Doberman, a hairy mutt, a gregarious Retriever, a shaky Aspin and a few more… 

Why? This is because she has a soft spot in her heart for these dogs.

What is the tie that binds all of them?

Age? No. Breed? Of course not. Sex? They’re a mix of male and female dogs. 

What ties them all together is that they are all adopted!

Vet Life Is Not Easy

Being a veterinarian is a difficult life.  One of the perils is that a lot of owners just choose to abandon their pets when maintenance and medical bills pile up.  Sometimes they ask if they can have their pets adopted.  A lot of times they just choose to leave them behind without giving a second glance.

In other words, abandon them. 

This puts the veterinarian in a difficult position. The dog is abandoned so he already loses financially.  Then when he adopts, he or she has to spend to make sure they are well taken care of.

My mother just couldn’t leave them . . .

Oprah the Dachshund was supposed to be put to sleep.  My mom took pity and adopted her and treated her for her medical condition.  She now trudges around the garden slowly. 

The playful Doberman?  He just got too big and the owner couldn’t take care of him anymore.

And it goes on . . .

Love is Not Enough when Caring A Pet

Some of the owners actually had good intentions of taking care of a pet dog.  They just didn’t realize that  loving a pet is not enough.  You need to be responsible, have the time and also have the finances to have one.

Having any pet for that matter is not a privilege, it is a luxury.

Pet Adoption: Five Freedoms Animals Need

From my personal experience, having a pet  dog is like having a child.  Not only do you need to make sure they don’t go hungry and have a place to sleep comfortably, but you need to spend time with them. 

You need to be familiar with the five freedoms animals need before taking care of them.

1)      Freedom from hunger and thirst.

2)      Freedom from discomfort.

3)      Freedom from pain, injury or disease.

4)      Freedom to express normal behavior.

5)      Freedom from fear and distress.

If you can assure that these five freedoms are provided for the pet for all its life, then you have the right to get a pet.

Pet Adoption: Responsible Pet Owners Should Do These

Being a responsible human to her adopted pets, my mother had all of these done to them:

1)      Proper vaccinations.

2)      Tick, flea and heartworm prevention.

3)      Proper food and water available all the time.

4)      A  safe and comfortable place to sleep.

5)      Proper dental care

6)      All of them are spayed and neutered to prevent more orphaned dogs.

7)      All other things necessary to keep them healthy and happy.

This may seem a lot but when you treat your pets like family, doing these will not be a burden to a responsible pet owner.

Learn more about managing ticks and fleas here.

My Mother – A Pet Lover At Heart

My mother is almost 80. She’s not young anymore. It does cost my mom money, time and effort to keep the adopted dogs healthy and happy. She just couldn’t leave them and be maltreated somewhere else.

Oprah, Tachi, Coffee, Tisay, Paris and Tiny all thank her for this!

How about you, are you looking for a pet hospital for the needs of your dog and cat? 

Contact us at (02) 8896-6386 / 8896-2860 / 0908-896-7113 so we can set an appointment.  

Do take note that Makati Dog and Cat Hospital serves you and your pet from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays.

Connect with us on our Facebook page.

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

0 Ivermectin: Can It Safely Treat Covid-19 in Humans?

Ivermectin is a drug that has been in a lot of discussions lately as an option in fighting against the Covid-19 virus.

We have been using this drug in veterinary medicine for decades already.  It is considered a very effective and relatively safe drug. 

This drug belongs to a group of drugs called Macrocylic lactones. This works by paralyzing the target parasites.  It affects both external (e.g.  ticks, fleas and lice) and internal (e.g roundworms).

Ivermectin, because of its effectivity, took the market by storm. Many of its competing drugs were actually retired due to its popularity.

This Medicine Is Effective – To An Extent

Yes, it is effective, but like everything else has its flaws.  It works well  on roundworms (which includes hookworms, heartworms and ascarids) but is ineffective against tapeworms and flatworms.

Dogs may experience toxicity if too much is given to them. Hypersalivation, vomiting,  imbalance, cardiovascular problems and even seizures may occur.  Other side effects may be blindness, coma and even death.

While generally safe, some breeds such as Collies and Sheepdogs are sensitive to Ivermectin toxicity.

Ivermectin Used for Other Animals

Ivermectin is also used for cattle, horses, sheep,  swine, goats and even cats.

The problem with this drug is that people would use the livestock form for dogs and cats. While this is actually an accepted practice for trained veterinarians, a drawback is when laymen give the drug themselves.  It is already challenging to give the proper dose. If you have not undergone the proper training, most likely the Ivermectin is either overdosed or underdosed.

Ivermectin in Human Medicine

Ivermectin is also used in human medicine.  It is effective against certain filarial worms which may cause blindness. It is also used in human scabies caused by mites.

Recently, there have been claims in using Ivermectin for the treatment of prevention of Covid-19. This is controversial.  At the moment of this writing, the local FDA has not approved Ivermectin for this use.

Until such time that there is enough evidence that it works for the Covid-19, it is not recommended.

Looking for a pet hospital for the needs of your dog and cat? 

Contact us at (02) 8896-6386 / 8896-2860 / 0908-896-7113 so we can set an appointment.  

Do take note that Makati Dog and Cat Hospital serves you and your pet from 8AM to 3PM, Mondays to Saturdays.

Connect with us on our Facebook.

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM, MS
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC