The news and social media are filled with updates surrounding the new novel coronavirus that began its spread late last year, also known as COVID-19. One of the biggest points of concern for families with pets stems from the knowledge that the virus strain was likely transmitted from animals in a livestock market in China. Since it’s believed that people caught COVID-19 from animals to begin with, it’s natural to wonder whether or not other animals like our family pets can transmit it, as well.
As much as we’d love for our furry friends to stay sprightly and healthy forever, the reality is that cats become more susceptible to health problems as they age. There are many reasons for these complications—general wear and tear on the body, exposure to toxins and a buildup of waste products are among the most common.
When a cat gets sick, most pet owners are able to pick up on the signs and get them in to the vet as soon as possible for an examination. Typically, just a few simple tests can clue vets into the cat’s ailment, and vets can use that information to prescribe a cure or treatment.
One of the most commonly discussed dangers to pets is heartworm—a disease caused by parasitic worms that affect the heart, lungs and blood vessels of animals. Unlike worms that live in the gastrointestinal tract, heartworms find their way to your cat’s heart, blood vessels and lungs, where they can grow to around a foot long and cause damage.
If only our beloved friends, who have been by our sides through thick and thin, could stay forever. But we know they can’t and that is hard to face. Maybe your dog has a chronic disease or has lived a very long life and you know that soon it will be time to say goodbye to your friend. All of us wish our older pets would pass away peacefully in their sleep, but that is usually not the case and we are left with a difficult decision. It quickly becomes a question of, “When is the right time?"
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