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An Attractive Way to Make a Difference...
Maybe you’ve seen our reception staff wearing spiffy new DAMC t-shirts
since this past summer. These whimsical shirts are now available for anyone who
wants to make a difference in the lives of shelter animals and our local community.
For $18, you can buy these shirts in your size - or a hoodie to fit your small
pet - and all proceeds collected will benefit Animal Lifeline and Friends of
the Doylestown Dog Park. And with the holidays coming up, these shirts make great
stocking stuffers! Stop by DAMC and purchase your t-shirt today!
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May/June 2008
Before You're Heartbroken - Get the Facts about Canine Heartworm
Disease
Canine Heartworm Disease (CHD) affects dogs in many areas
of the country including here in the Delaware Valley. Despite
the incidence of CHD significantly diminishing in the past
two decades due to increased awareness, routine testing and
effective prevention, the recent influx of heartworm-infected
Hurricane Katrina rescue dogs has raised concerns for a rebound
of the disease locally.
Heartworm disease is transmitted among dogs and cats by the
mosquito. After feeding on an infected dog or cat, the mosquito
transmits the microscopic larvae to subsequent hosts. Over
a period of several months, the larvae will migrate to the
heart and lungs of the dog or cat and develop into adult
heartworms—up to 4” to 12” in length.
Clinical signs of CHD occur when the adult heartworms have
already infected the heart and lungs. The symptoms, as CHD
progresses in the pet, include the development of a progressive
cough, exercise intolerance, and possibly liver and kidney
trouble. Unfortunately, by the time the dog shows clinical
signs of CHD, the damage to the heart may be too advanced
for treatment. (Treatment itself is expensive and, sometimes,
very risky since dying heartworms can form emboli that may
lodge in the lungs, brain, or other organs in the dog.)
The best way to protect your dog is to prevent CHD from occurring
and have your pet screened for the disease every year. Screening
can reveal the presence of CHD in the dog even if no clinical
signs are present and treatment can be initiated. To prevent
CHD altogether, several safe and effective products have
been developed including chewable tablets and topical products.
These products are administered once monthly (at home) year
round. In addition to preventing CHD, many of these products
also treat other kinds of common intestinal parasites.
If your pet is not on heartworm prevention, please call or
contact DAMC and make an appointment for screening and to
purchase heartworm prevention medication.
Heartworm Disease in Cats?
Yes, It’s True.
Researchers and veterinarians at Auburn University recently
discovered that symptoms such as intermittent coughing, gagging,
and increased respiratory effort in cats may be caused by
the presence of heartworms. This study also found a greater
incidence of heartworm disease in cats than previously documented.
Other information uncovered in this study:
Strikingly, the study revealed the incidence of mosquito-borne
heartworm disease
in indoor cats is much higher than previously suspected.
Heartworm is a misnomer since the worms are more frequently
found in the
lungs, not the heart.
The larvae (immature heartworms) at all stages of their development
can causeserious health problems, especially in cats.
Diagnosis is difficult. Even with the most advanced tests
available, negative blood
results are not always conclusive.
How Do Cats Get Heartworm?
Cats get heartworm disease the same way dogs do—from
mosquitoes that carry the parasite. The infected mosquito
transmits the parasite while feeding on the cat. And from
there, the larvae migrate to the cat’s lungs.
What can you do?
Simple: Prevention. In light of this recent study, we recommend
that cat owners consider the effects of feline heartworm
disease and use monthly prevention to stop the disease from
occurring. DAMC offers heartworm prevention products for
cats in easy-to-use topical gels and tasty prescription treats.
Call or contact us today if your cat has any of the following
symptoms:
Coughing
Vomiting
Difficulty breathing
Lethargy
Anorexia
Recent weight loss
Any of these signs could indicate the presence of heartworms
or other illnesses that veterinary intervention could help.
Open Your Heart and Your Home to A Rescue Cat
Patty Bolich, Rescue Coordinator
Looking for a great companion? Consider adopting a homeless
pet from DAMC!
How We Rescue
Unwanted Cats and Kittens—we take friendly cats and
kittens that clients can no longer care for on their own.
And while we would like to take all the cats in need, our
kennel space is limited and only three cages can be used
for rescue purposes at a time.
Kittens: We take litters of kittens that have lost their
mother and have been weaned off bottle feedings.
Adult Cats: We take adult cats who have friendly dispositions
and that are well socialized to people. Frequently, these
cats come to us in the event of an owner’s death, a
change in living situation (i.e. move to a residence that
does not accept pets), medical problems in the cat that are
treatable (but not behavioral in nature) but present a financial
burden to the owner.
How You Can Rescue
If you are interested in adopting a DAMC rescue cat:
Spend time with the cat. Get to know the cat and his/her
disposition in our office. You can spend as much time as
you like visiting–and we welcome all family members
who will be a part of the pet’s life.
Fill out an adoption form. Forms are available at the front
desk. You will be briefly interviewed to see if your goals
as a pet owner are compatible with the needs of the pet.
Pick up your new pet. When your adoption application is approved
(typically in 24 hours, except on weekends when rescue cats
are not discharged), your new pet will be given a thorough
medical exam before discharge. You will be given a vaccination
record and a spay/neuter certificate.
If, within the first 30 days after adoption, your new cat
becomes ill, DAMC will provide veterinary care free of charge.
Donations
In most cases, new adopters donate $50 for our rescue fund.
We greatly appreciate the support but donations are not a
requirement for adoption.
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