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Maxim VetZine #2024 Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC): Difficulty Urinating in Cats August 2024 So, you know, your beloved cat suddenly has difficulty peeing? Don't panic yet! It could be that he has FIC, or in cool terms Idiopathic Bladder Inflammation. Yes, it's also called idiopathic, so even veterinarians are confused about the cause. Usually, cats that have FIC complain of pain when they pee, often go back and forth to the litter box but only have a small amount of urine, or even have blood in their pee. Poor thing, right? Stress, the environment, or perhaps another disease could be the culprit. But don't worry, the vet can help reduce the complaints. The veterinarian may give you medication, special food, or tell you to relax first. It's very important to keep the litter box clean, give it good food, and give your cat time to relax so it doesn't get stressed. If your cat does this often, don't hesitate to take it to the vet, okay? We will slowly discuss Difficulty Peeing in Cats . What is Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC)? FIC is a disease that causes inflammation of the cat's bladder. Idiopathic means the exact cause is not known for certain. Even so, experts suspect that stress, environment, and perhaps other medical conditions play an important role in the occurrence of FIC. FIC generally has gone through a series of diagnostic examinations with various causes, but the cause may not be known for certain. Why does FIC often occur in cats? Stress: A change in environment, the presence of another cat, or even a change in routine can stress a cat. This stress can trigger inflammation of the bladder. Environment: The dirt in the litter box, the type of litter used, or even the location of the litter box can affect a cat's urinary tract health. Medical conditions: Although they rarely occur together, there are several medical conditions that can trigger or worsen FIC, such as infections, chronic inflammation, tumors, and obesity. High salt feed: there are no definite reports, but cats fed dry-food with salt mineral content such as high levels of magnesium are a risk factor, and lack of fluid intake too. Race : there is no research that definitively proves that certain races are more susceptible to FIC. Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC) is more often associated with environmental factors, stress, and overall cat health management, rather than a specific breed. What are the symptoms of FIC? Difficulty urinating: Cats will often try to urinate but little or nothing will come out. Crying in pain when urinating. Constant licking of the genital area. Blood in urine. Behavioral changes: Cats may become more aggressive, shy, or lose their appetite. How is FIC diagnosed? The veterinarian will perform a physical examination, urine tests, microscopic examination, ultrasound, and possibly blood tests to rule out other possible causes such as infection or urinary tract stones. How to treat FIC? FIC treatment aims to reduce inflammation and stress in cats. Some treatments that may be given include: Medicines: To reduce infection, inflammation and pain. Special diet: Special foods designed to help maintain urinary tract health. Reduce stress: Create a calm and safe environment for your cat. Behavioral therapy: Helps cats deal with stress and anxiety. Important to remember: FIC is a disease that often recurs. Appropriate and consistent treatment is essential. Take your cat to the vet if you suspect symptoms of FIC. Prevention: Keep the litter box clean: Change the litter regularly and clean the litter box daily. Provide quality food: Healthy food can help maintain a healthy urinary tract. Consult a veterinarian, okay? Reduce stress: Create a calm and safe environment for your cat. Get your cat checked regularly: Regular health check-ups can help detect health problems as early as possible. Conclusion FIC is a fairly common health problem in cats. With proper care, your cat can live a comfortable and healthy life. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to consult a veterinarian. Author: Dr Mahardhiko Widodo Reference: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery

Parasite and Anemia August 2024 Hello Pawrents. Did you know that fleas don't just land on them and make you itchy? It can even make your little one anemic! Fleas are parasites that suck the blood of animals. When they suck blood, lice can also transmit diseases and other parasites. One of the most serious effects of tick bites is anemia. Why Can Fleas Cause Anemia? Blood Loss: Ticks suck a significant amount of the animal's blood. If the flea infestation is severe and lasts a long time, the pet may lose a lot of blood. Infection: Flea bites can cause skin infections. This infection can worsen blood loss and cause anemia. Other Diseases: Some types of ticks can also transmit other diseases that can cause anemia, such as Lyme disease in dogs. Signs Your Pet Has Anemia Due to Fleas: Weakness and Lethargy: Pets will appear more lethargic and less energetic. Pale Skin: The gums and mucous membranes inside the mouth will look pale. Rapid Breathing: Pets will have difficulty breathing. Fast Heartbeat: The heart will work harder to compensate for the lack of blood. Weight Loss: Reduced appetite and decreased body weight. How to Prevent and Treat Anemia Due to Fleas: Flea Control: Brush regularly: Brush and comb your pet's fur regularly to remove fleas. Bathe regularly: Bathe using a special anti-lice shampoo. Use flea medication: Consult your veterinarian to get the right flea medication. Clean the environment: Wash pet bedding, carpets and furniture frequently used by pets. See a Vet: If your pet shows signs of anemia, take him to the vet immediately for examination and treatment. Important: Flea-induced anemia is a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention. Don't delay taking your pet to the vet if you suspect a flea infestation or anemia. Additional Tips: Prevention: Prevention is better than cure. Use flea prevention products regularly as recommended by your veterinarian. Pay Attention to Tick Season: In certain seasons, flea populations usually increase. Increase vigilance and take extra precautions. With proper treatment, flea-induced anemia can be cured. Don't hesitate to consult a veterinarian for further information. Author: Dr Mahardhiko Widodo Reference: CDC animal health 2024

Do you need to brush your teeth? Dr Mahardhiko Widodo August 2024 Halitosis Every time a dog or cat eats, within 4 hours a " plaque " will form, a thin biofilm covering the teeth which will become a good growth medium for bacteria. The anabul's ability to clean its teeth is only if it is used to eating dry food and dental snacks. However, what if the anabul is a picky eater? It is very possible that he will get used to eating foods that easily form plaque. Once formed, it will stick and accumulate day after day, week after week, and signs of bad breath will appear. Plaque is formed by bacteria, salivary products, and feed particles. The accumulated plaque is called tartar. Once tartar appears in the mouth, tooth and mouth damage has occurred. Why? Because the metabolism of growing bacteria produces enzymes that cause damage to teeth, gums and jaw bones. Over time, it results in inflammation such as gingivitis and periodontal disease. Animal mouth disease can cause foul-smelling breath, this develops very easily, and if severe requires action by a veterinarian, and possibly the extraction of several teeth that are rotting down to the roots. Generally doctors recommend dental scaling and dental surgery. It is important to know carefully that the main goal is to prevent tartar from appearing again, preventing inflammation and tooth loss. For this reason, as a pet owner, starting small habits such as dental care at home is key, and planning with a doctor to regularly check the child's oral health. Stages of Tooth Damage Nice Job! - Healthy mouth No plaque or tartar was found on the teeth. Gums look healthy and pink. There are no abnormalities in the teeth. Brushing your pet's teeth every day is ideal. Stage 1 - mild gingivitis If you pay attention, you will see redness and inflammation at the boundary between the teeth and gums. It may not be complete, but plaque begins to form slowly. Start taking care of your animal's teeth every day from now on. Stage 2 - moderate gingivitis The whole gum is inflamed! It appears reddish and inflamed at the boundary between the teeth and gums. Pain when eating may occur and bad breath. Opportunities for bacteria to damage the roots of the teeth and spread through the blood capillaries. In this condition, bacteria can spread to other organs of the body. There's no time left, start considering your health by going to the doctor and scaling. Stage 3 - severe gingivitis Mouth pain becomes a sign, and the animal experiences hypersalivation or drooling all the time. Tartar is easily visible to the naked eye. Inflammation occurs throughout the gums like cherry red! The bacteria has spread to other organs, and the tartar hardens into calculus or petrification. The heart and kidneys may experience serious inflammation. Dental Scaling and surgery are needed to evacuate several decayed teeth. Home care will unfortunately become a routine activity from now on, to prevent mouth pain, tooth loss and infections in the future Stage 4 - End-stage periodontal disease Chronic infections occur, destroying part or all of the mouth, teeth, gums, and possibly the jawbone. The spread of bacteria or sepsis has occurred in the heart, kidneys and liver. Dental Scaling and surgery are needed as soon as possible to evacuate some or all of the decayed teeth. Home care will unfortunately become a routine activity from now on, to prolong the child's life expectancy. Don't be discouraged, because your little one never refuses any food we give. Choose good food, think about dental snacks and take care of your dental health from now on. Actions that may be needed in Scalling-Dental Surgery Pre-anesthesia blood profile . Anabul needs to be examined hematologically and blood chemistry for appropriate anesthesia and surgical protocols including pain medication management. Insertion of an intravenous (IV) catheter and infusion therapy , required for injection treatment, includes anesthesia protocols. IV infusion helps maintain body temperature and blood pressure which are vital for the body's organs. Anesthesia and Monitoring Process , in the anesthesia procedure, the child will monitor breathing, inhalation and oxygen, heart and lung rhythm, pulse, oxygen saturation, ECG, and blood pressure in monitoring the patient. Complete oral exams, in this procedure a thorough assessment of the entire mouth is carried out, including teeth, gums, tongue, and bones of the upper and lower jaw to assess swelling, decay, tumor masses, bleeding, and calculus. Dental scaling , using an ultrasonic scaler to clean plaque and tartar, especially on the biofilm, between the teeth, until it reaches the lower gum line. This procedure is similar to scaling in a human dentist Tooth Evacuation and Extraction , some dead teeth are rotting down to the roots, must be evacuated by removing the tooth because it is the main door for the spread of bacteria or sepsis. Antibiotics are required during surgery and home care. Pain management , like living creatures that have a good quality of life, babies will be prioritized to receive local anesthesia, painkiller injections, and prescription drugs to control oral health and pain at home. Author: Dr Mahardhiko Widodo Reference: Royal College Vet 2024

The Golden Time to Sterilize June 2020 Some people may ask questions like "Doc, if i want to sterilize my kitty, how old do you think?" or "Doc, can my dog ​​/ cat be sterile or not?" The questions above are the frequently asked questions by some of our clients, and the answer is Yes! However, this needs further consideration by the veterinarian. Sterilization in males is known as castration, and sterilization in females is known as ovariohisterectomy. Sterilization helps control the dog and cat population in your neighborhood. In addition, sterilization helps reduce the level of fighting during the mating season, reduces animal noise during mating season, reduces spraying and marking activities, helps maintain health, and reduces the risk of reproductive diseases in the future. Kitten According to quotes from various journals of the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the best time to sterile kittens is when the animal weighs 1 kg, and is at least 6 weeks old. Some practitioners around the world may use these criteria as a recommendation "When" is the golden time to be sterile. Many considerations are beneficial when sterilization focuses on pediatrics. Young animals have very high rates of tissue growth and repair, kittens will bleed less than adult cats, and are more responsive to pain treatment than older cats. So, your little one's recovery will be more comfortable without feeling pain after surgery. It should be noted that early sterilization of kittens is not associated with serious health problems and does not appear to affect skeletal, physical, and behavioral development. Puppy A few decades ago, recommendations for sterility in adult dogs were applicable at any age. While the puppy recommendation is after passing the first puberty. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recommended the best time when weights 1 kg and are at least 8 weeks old. Puppy recovery rates also tend to be high, as is the case with kittens. And the most important thing is to avoid inherited reproductive diseases or breed-borne reproductive diseases. Both types of animals will experience changes after sterilization. In male castration, habits such as 'spraying and marking' in unfamiliar areas will be more quiet and friendly. Competitor traits may decrease among other dogs / cats, resulting in decreased fighting rates. Sterilizing the female will eliminate the heat cycle. Usually 'the heat' is characterized by vocalization or animal noise in attracting male attention. This sterilization prevents males from coming to your house. Female cats are in heat for 5 to 7 days, 3 to 6 weeks. While female dogs are in heat for 6 to 12 days, twice a year. This varies depending on the breed and the individual animal. In large or giant dogs, the likelihood of heat is once a year. When the mating season arrives, the female heat will release 'pheromones' that attract males. Loops bleeding in female dogs may occur in the vicinity of household furniture, and the scent of these 'pheromones' is very attractive to males to a large radius. That's why your male dog can disappear 6 to 12 days when mating season arrives, as can male cats. Opinion of Indonesian Veterinarian Due to the sensitivity of young (pediatric) animals to anesthesia, the safety of the pediatric individual, and the caution of veterinarians in pediatric anesthesia is very varied, so veterinarians in Indonesia consider postponing the sterile period. Some veterinarians in Indonesia use the criteria for male castration, at least one month after the descensus testiculorum (time of descending the testicle into the scrotum), for easy testicular outreach. This period generally occurs around the age of two months. Whereas in females sterilize, at least they have gone through the first estrous cycle, which means that the animal has reached puberty and is already showing symptoms of heat. The average age for dogs and cats to reach puberty is 6 months. Editor: Drh Mahardhiko Widodo Reference: American Association of Feline Practitioners. AAFP Position statement: Early spay and castration. AAFP website. http://www.catvets.com/public/PDFs/PositionStatements/EarlySpay&Neuter.pdf. Diakses Juni, 2020. American Veterinary Medical Association. AVMA Animal health & welfare: Elective spaying and neutering of pets. AVMA website. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/elective-spaying-and-neutering-pets. Diakses Juni 2020. Root Kustritz MV. Early spay–neuter: clinical considerations. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract. 2002;17:124-128. Hoffman JM, Creevy KE, Promislow DEL. Reproductive capability is associated with lifespan and cause of death in companion dogs. PLOS One. 2013;8(4):e61082. VCA. 2020. Know your pet: Estrous cycles in dogs and cats. VCA website. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/estrus-cycles-in-dogs#:~:text =Most% 20dogs %20come%20into%20heat,cycle%20once%20every%2012%20months. Diakses Juni 2020.