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Dr. Chris N. Duke
Dr. Michael L. Dill
Dr. Don Palermo
Dr. Stacey Randall
Dr. Angela Stephens
Dr. Cindy Culpepper
Dr. Grace Woodrell

CATS

Cats make wonderful pets. It is important to bring your new kitten as well as your older cat to the veterinarian for vaccinations and health check- ups. Vaccinations are available to prevent many cat diseases. Prevention costs less than treatment, and makes your cat healthier. Without a vaccination program, many cats will come down with a serious or even fatal disease. Vaccinations help prevent diseases by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that help fight viruses and bacteria that cause diseases. The protection provided by a vaccine gradually declines after a pet is vaccinated, so it is important to provide regular boosters for your pet. Nursing animals receive antibodies from their mother's milk that aid in protection from disease during the first months of its life. However, these same antibodies can also decrease the effectiveness of a vaccine. During the first few months of life, maternal antibodies gradually decrease. This is why veterinarians give a series of vaccine doses from 6-16 weeks of age. If maternal antibodies are present, later doses will stimulate the animal's own antibodies to be formed against the disease. Kittens should be weaned and be in good health for a vaccination program to be effective. What do we vaccinate for?

FIV: For some time, veterinarians have faced a tragic disease known as FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus).  This disease complex has been nicknamed "feline AIDS" for many years, although the disease has no immunological link to the human counterpart.  However, just as in the human HIV infections or feline leukemia infections, there are no sure-fire cures once a cat has been deemed FIV positive.

Recently Fort Dodge released the first FIV vaccine, Felo-Vax FIV which has been marketed to protect FIV negative cats from the FIV disease process should they be exposed to it.  The vaccine does not provide a cure from the disease, only protection against it.  For informational purposes, Fort Dodge is the enterprising veterinary pharmaceutical company which introduced the West Nile Virus vaccine for our equine patients.

Veterinarians have tested cats for some time utilizing the combination feline leukemia/FIV test kits.  Therefore pre-testing (of kittens in most cases) paves the way for vaccination protection for both feline leukemia and FIV disease complexes once this negative carrier status is proven.  Kittens should receive three doses of the vaccine beginning at eight weeks of age, followed by annual boosters.

Felo-Vax FIV by Fort Dodge is the first and only such vaccine for protection against the FIV virus in cats.  Like most vaccines it is not perfect, but showed about an 85 per cent protection rating in challenge studies prior to its release.  Side effects and shedding rates of the vaccine look minimal.  Cats vaccinated with Felo-Vax FIV will show a light positive on the antigen test post vaccine, but this indicates a protective status.

See the veterinarians at Bienville Animal Medical Center regarding other questions concerning the new FIV vaccine.  Particularly for outdoor cats, the vaccine has its place in protecting our feline companions against one of the most devastating infectious disease processes we see as veterinarians.  Protection needs to be where emphasis is placed, as active treatment of clinical FIV in cats is quite expensive and in many cases disappointing when attempting to extend the life of the FIV-infected cat.

Feline leukemia(FeLV): A virus that attacks and weakens a cat's immune system. FeLV can follow two pathways. The first attacks the immune system, leaving the cat susceptible to a wide variety of infectious diseases. The second causes cancer to form in the cat's body. Two initial doses are given three weeks apart, followed by a yearly booster. A blood test is available to test for this disease, and is recommended before initial vaccinations are given.

Feline panleukopenia: Also known as feline distemper, is a virus that can affect many parts of a cat's body, causing fever, appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, tremors, and incoordination. Death can occur within a week. This vaccination should be given at 8 weeks of age, and every three weeks for a series of three shots, then every year.

Rabies: All warm blooded animals (dogs, cats, livestock, wild animals, and humans) can become infected with rabies. Mississippi State Law recomends the three-year rabies vaccine. Yet, in accordance with AAHA,s recommendations of regional flexibility as well as that of the AVMA's NRC panel, we are continuing to recommend annual rabies boosters due to the active cases of rabies in our region(active rabies in both Mobile and Pascagoula in 2003). Therefore, Bienville AMC uses a three-year vaccine for added protection for our dogs and cats (at no additional charge as opposed to the one-year vaccine), but still recommends annual boosting of both dogs and cats for optimal protection.

A virus that attacks the nervous tissue is responsible for rabies. It is spread by bites or saliva of infected animals. Cats should be vaccinated at 16 weeks of age, and yearly thereafter.

Feline respiratory disease: These diseases are easily spread from one cat to another by coughing and sneezing. Affected cats may have runny eyes, discharge from the nose, inflamed eyes, fever, and sores on the nose or mouth. Two viruses are responsible for the majority of respiratory diseases- feline rhinotracheitis (a herpes virus), and feline calicivirus. Chlamydia psittaci is another organism that may also cause respiratory diseases. Cats are vaccinated beginning at 8 weeks of age, and receive boosters every three weeks to age 16 weeks, then every year.

Feline infectious peritonitis: FIP is caused by a virus. The risk of this disease is low, with cats in catteries and shelters being at higher risk. Instead of a shot, nasal drops are instilled into a cat's nose for the vaccine. The first dose is given at 16 weeks of age, with a booster 3 weeks later. It is then administered once a year.

Nutrition and parasite control are very important for cats as well. Cats should only be fed cat food, since dog foods do not offer cats the essential amino acids they need. A fecal exam should be done on kittens at each visit and annually for older cats to check for intestinal worms. Cats can get heartworm disease, too! It is important to start your kitten or older cat on a heartworm prevention program.

It is very important to have your cat spayed or neutered. It lessens the chance of them catching diseases, lessens their chances for some types of cancer, and lowers the excess cat population, as well as making them healthier overall.

Geriatrics: Older pets ( <6 years for cats) are prone to age related diseases. They can experience heart disease, arthritis, poorly functioning liver and kidneys, metabolic changes, and weight problems. It is particularly important that older cats receive an annual geriatric exam in conjuction with their annual vaccinations. We offer complete bloodwork, urinalysis, x-rays, ECG's, and ultrasound for the evaluation of your geriatric cat. We will discuss with you what your pet may need, and offer special packages for our geriatric patients.

DOGS

Dogs truly can be your best friend. It is important to bring your new puppy as well as your older dog to the veterinarian for vaccinations and health check- ups. Vaccinations are available to prevent many dog diseases. Prevention costs less than treatment, and makes your dog healthier. Without a vaccination program, many dogs will come down with a serious or even fatal disease. Vaccinations help prevent diseases by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that help fight viruses and bacteria that cause diseases. The protection provided by a vaccine gradually declines after a pet is vaccinated, so it is important to provide regular boosters for your pet. Nursing animals receive antibodies from their mother's milk that aid in protection from disease during the first months of its life. However, these same antibodies can also decrease the effectiveness of a vaccine. During the first few months of life, maternal antibodies gradually decrease. This is why veterinarians give a series of vaccine doses from 6-16 weeks of age. If maternal antibodies are present, later doses will stimulate the animal's own antibodies to be formed against the disease. Puppies should be weaned and be in good health for a vaccination program to be effective. What do we vaccinate for?

Rabies: All warm blooded animals (dogs, cats, livestock, wild animals, and humans) can become infected with rabies. Mississippi State Law recomends the three-year rabies vaccine. Yet, in accordance with AAHA,s recommendations of regional flexibility as well as that of the AVMA's NRC panel, we are continuing to recommend annual rabies boosters due to the active cases of rabies in our region(active rabies in both Mobile and Pascagoula in 2003). Therefore, Bienville AMC uses a three-year vaccine for added protection for our dogs and cats (at no additional charge as opposed to the one-year vaccine), but still recommends annual boosting of both dogs and cats for optimal protection.

Canine hepatitis: This disease is spread primarily through infected urine by a virus. The virus can attack organs throughout the dog's body, causing fever, eye damage, liver damage, diarrhea, respiratory problems, and changes in the blood. Initial vaccination is given at 6 weeks of age, boostered every three weeks to 16 weeks of age, then annually.

Canine distemper: This virus can affect up to 75% of unprotected dogs, especially puppies. Signs may include diarrhea, fever, respiratory problems, seizures, muscular twitches, and discharge from the eyes and nose. Initial vaccination is given at 6 weeks of age, boostered every three weeks to 16 weeks of age, then annually.

Canine leptospirosis: This bacteria can affect dogs of all ages, damaging liver, kidneys, and other major organs. Dogs infected can shed the bacteria for months after it has been sick. Other dogs and even humans can pick up the bacteria from the infected dog's urine.

Viral diarrhea: Parvovirus and coronavirus are the two main causes of viral diarrhea in dogs, especially puppies. It is very easily spread through vomitus and diarrhea, and can be deadly, especially in young puppies. Initial vaccination is given at 6 weeks of age, boostered every three weeks to 16 weeks of age, then annually. Some breeds of dogs are more susceptible than others, and may need more initial boosters.

Respiratory disease: A wide variety of bacteria and viruses are involved with canine respiratory disease. The three most common are parainfluenza virus, adenovirus type 2, and Bordetalla bronchiseptica bacteria. Vaccines against all three of these are available.

Nutrition and parasite control are very important for dogs as well. Dogs should be fed a high quality dog food. A fecal exam should be done on puppies at each visit and annually for older dogs to check for intestinal worms. Heartworm disease is very common among dogs here in the South. Mosquitoes transmit the disease, and left untreated, causes heart failure. It is very important to start your puppy on a heartworm prevention program to avoid contracting this deadly but preventable disease.

It is very important to have your dog spayed or neutered. It lessens the chance of them catching diseases, lessens their chances for some types of cancer, and lowers the excess cat population, as well as making them healthier overall.

Geriatrics: Older pets ( the age depends on the breed of dog) are prone to age related diseases. They can experience heart disease, arthritis, poorly functioning liver and kidneys, metabolic changes, and weight problems. It is particularly important that older dogs receive an annual geriatric exam in conjunction with their annual vaccinations. We offer complete bloodwork, urinalysis, x-rays, ECG's, and ultrasound for the evaluation of your geriatric dog. We will discuss with you what your pet may need, and offer special packages for our geriatric patients.

EXOTICS

Exotic pets are becoming increasingly popular. Unfortunately, many owners are misinformed or do not realize the special needs of their exotic pet. We at Bienville Animal Medical Center offer client handouts on a wide variety of exotic species that outlines nutritional, health, and housing requirements. If you need information on an exotic species, please call or come by and pick up one of these handouts. All pets should have an initial exam upon acquiring them, and yearly check- ups thereafter.

Ferrets: These animals require vaccinations. They are susceptible to canine distemper, and once infected with this virus, death always occurs. Vaccination against canine distemper should start at 8 weeks of age, be boostered every 3 weeks to 16 weeks of age, and yearly thereafter. Ferrets should also be vaccinated against rabies. A special rabies vaccine is available for ferrets, and should be given at 16 weeks of age, followed by yearly boosters. Ferrets require special housing and nutritional requirements, so please ask us about them. Ferrets have an average life span of 5-7 years. They start to show old age or geriatric problems around 3 years of age. We feel that this is a good time to recommend some extra veterinary care as well as home care to try to catch disease problems early, so they can be eliminated or treated. With this "geriatric program", we have been able to prolong life in many pets in a quality manner for up to 11 years of age.

Birds: Always make an appointment for your bird and have a specific time to bring your fine feathered friend in so he or she won't have too long in a waiting room and get too excited or stressed. Remember to transport your bird in its own cage. The owner needs to cover the bottom of the cage with waxed paper 24 hours before the visit. A bird stressed by the car ride will tend to have a watery droppings, so the previous day's droppings will give us a better idea of the quantity and consistency of the droppings. Nutrition is a very important part of your pet bird's health. Inadequate diets can lead to immune deficiencies leaving your pet bird susceptible to infectious diseases. Please contact us for a recommended feeding regimen for your bird. Also remember to keep your pet bird out of drafts. Routine veterinary care is recommended for your bird, and may include beak, nail and wing trimmings.

Iguanas: These unique animals are becoming very popular, as well. Housing and nutrition are the two biggest concerns with pet iguanas. The most common disease problem of captive iguanas results from gross malnutrition and is a widespread problem. Most new iguana owners are not given proper dietary information at the time of acquisition, and some are, in fact, given wrong information. Contact our office for a handout or with any questions concerning your iguana.

Other exotic animals: Rabbits, pocket pets (hamsters, chinchillas, gerbils, mice), snakes, miniature pot belly pigs, frogs, hedgehogs, and other such pets need routine veterinary check-ups, too. As with the other exotic animals, they require special diet and housing needs. Zoo animals are welcome, as well. Dr. Palermo has worked with several "different" species , including alligators, sharks, turtles, and large cats (lions, tigers, etc).

FIRST AID

If an emergency should occur, please call our office number at 228-872-1231 to obtain immediate assistance. Keep in mind that after business hours, our answering services may refer you to the Gulf Coast Emergency Hospital in Woolmarket, where all-night care is provided.

Some first aid tips: First and foremost, protect yourself. An injured pet may not realize you are trying to help it and may bite or scratch from fear or pain. If the animal is bleeding, wrap a towel or apply pressure over the area. For poisonings, call us immediately for instructions, and bring the container of poison to the clinic. For all emergencies, please call us for instructions and information.