Pet owners, we have a problem: according to a first of its kind study, diabetes, diseases of the heart worm and other vaccine-preventable diseases by vaccination are rising in dogs and cats.
Even flea and tick infestations are more common that they were five years ago according to a report published in April by Banfield Pet Hospital, a national system of veterinary hospitals. The reason for the increase, said Jeffrey Klausner, Chief Medical Officer for Banfield, perhaps having to do with the financial strain.
"People are going to vet," Klausner said LiveScience. "They see ads on television for PetMed Express, saying:"You can skip a visit to the vet".". Well, you can, but what you missed on is a physical examination and a discussion with the veterinarian on what is the next step. ?
Veterinary Jessica Vogelsang, blogs at Pawcurious.com, stated that some of the increases could be a sign of better holding, but agreed that people appear to be reducing the care for pets because of the economy.
"In particular, people were less inclined to spend money on preventive care since it is perhaps perceived as less urgent that when a pet is sick, que Vogelsang, who was not involved in the report, told LiveScience. "Although people understand its importance, when they have to choose between a dental cleaning and the payment of the car, it is a trend toward postponed [cleaning] for a month or two or twelve."
Banfield report is based on medical records electronic 2.1 million dogs and cats near 450 000 treatment in hospitals through the United States in 2010. Klausner and his colleagues focused on preventable conditions, including parasites, dental diseases and diabetes. In almost all cases, they saw the frequency of these conditions of Mount.
Diabetes and dental diseases
Diabetes, for example, increased 32 percent since 2006, 12.2 case of 10 000 to 17.4 per 10 000 dogs. Diabetes Cat has increased by 16%, 55.5 cases per 10,000 in 2006 to 64.3 cases per 10,000 in 2010.
Cat diabetes is strongly linked to obesity, says Klausner who is also on the rise in pets. The reason for the increase in diabetes doggie is less clear, as obesity and diabetes are not as strongly related in dogs. Much of the increase in dog diabetes can be a result of better diagnostic tests, said the North Carolina veterinary Ernie Ward, who was not involved in the report. For our population more contents fat cats, he says, he was surprised that the number of diagnoses of diabetes was not yet higher.
"All these conditions closely track with the increase of pet obesity and it is not a surprise to me that we will document more diseases linked to the weight in pets," Ward told LiveScience.
Obesity is one of the five disorders top diagnosed in dogs and one of the three main in cats, the Banfield report. [Read: is Fido bold?] [Human diet tips could help]
The most common in dogs and cats, disease was dental disease, inflammation, tartar and gingivitis. Small races seem more prone to dental disease, researchers have found, which may have broad implications since the report has also found a tendency more small breeds of dogs to the United States. During this time, large dogs, such as German shepherds decreased in popularity by about 40 percent over the last decade; Pink Chihuahuas in popularity by approximately 116 p that period, reported researchers and Banfield hospitals also served approximately 87 per cent more shih tzu.
Since 2006, dental disease has increased by 12.3% in dogs and 10.2% in cats; It is now diagnosed in 78% of dogs and 68% of cats over 3 years. And the effects are much more serious than the simple dog breath.
"The disease can spread mouth to other organs such as kidneys and liver," Klausner said. However, he said: "it is easy to prevent disease." "It is completely avoidable all with professional teeth cleanings once per year by a veterinarian."
Parasite problems
Another easily preventable disease that veterinarians seems not ready to shake is an infection of the heart worm. These thin parasitic worms are transmitted by mosquito bites. They can grow up to a foot long, and their preferred environment is at the heart a pet. Once worms occur, they can be difficult to remove safely, says Klausner.
The heart worm disease prevalence is relatively stable, with only a slight tendency to increase over five years.
"Perhaps worst is that this will not", he said. "It y preventive.".
These preventive products include the heart worm or injections, pills that dogs should receive throughout the year. Cats living in the areas of the heart worm, especially in the Southeast should get monthly prevention meds too, says Klausner.
Pet owners should also more close attention to prevention to fleas and ticks, the report concluded. In dogs, fleas are 16 percent since 2006, approximately 600 cases per 10 000 to just more than 700 cases per 10 000. Similarly, cats have become more flea ravaged by time, only less than 1 100 cases per 10,000 in 2006 to approximately 1 200 cases per 10,000 in 2010.
Klausner hope future reports will include exotic animals, including Guinea pigs, birds and reptiles. He also hoped to see the number of diseases preventive start falling, which he and Ward agreed could occur if religiously owners bring their pets to annual reviews at least.
"Bottom line", said Ward. "Care preventive saves homeowners money and suffering of pet animals."
You can follow LiveScience senior editor Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @ sipappas. Follow LiveScience to the latest science and discoveries on Twitter @ livescience and on Facebook.
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