Advanced, Lifelong Vet Care:
Elevating Your Pet's Quality of Life
At Centenary Vet Hospital, we are a Primary Care Veterinary Day Hospital that diagnoses and monitors life-long medical conditions. We provide affordable long-term care for conditions such as Cushing's, Addison's, Heart Murmurs, Skin Conditions, and more! Read on to learn more about our Commitment 2 Care Plan and how your pet will be in safe hands.
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Advanced, Lifelong Vet Care:
Elevating Your Pet's Quality of Life
At Centenary Vet Hospital, our Commitment 2 Care plans are focused on helping pets with lifelong medical conditions live as healthy as possible, keeping you and your pet together as long as possible.
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Free 20 minute Veterinary online consultation available to discuss chronic Medical conditions
Up to 44% Discount Off Medicines Related To Your Pet’s Condition (Almost Half Price!)
Up to 23% Discount On Medical Diets Related To Your Pet's Condition (Almost 1/3 Off!)
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Commitment 2 Care Plans Available
Cushing's Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
Cushing's disease is caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone, cortisol. The steroid hormones affect almost every tissue in the body and the signs of Cushing's disease can be diverse. Dogs may have only one or can have several signs of Cushing’s disease.
How can the disease be treated?
The most common medication used to treat Cushing’s disease is Vetoryl (Trilostane). This is a drug that inhibits the adrenal glands' ability to produce cortisol. Unlike older treatments for Cushing’s disease it does not destroy adrenal tissue. It is important to realise that this drug does not do anything to treat the tumour (pituitary or adrenal) causing the disease but it can be used to control the signs of cortisol excess in dogs with both pituitary and adrenal dependent Cushing's syndrome.
The drug is given as a tablet once (or sometimes twice) daily and it must be given regularly or hormone levels will rapidly rise again. Monitoring blood tests are required to ensure the correct dose of Vetoryl is found for your dog. The dose will often need to be changed over time depending on your pet’s response.
Cushing's disease is caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone, cortisol. The steroid hormones affect almost every tissue in the body and the signs of Cushing's disease can be diverse. Dogs may have only one or can have several signs of Cushing’s disease.
How can the disease be treated?
The most common medication used to treat Cushing’s disease is Vetoryl (Trilostane). This is a drug that inhibits the adrenal glands' ability to produce cortisol. Unlike older treatments for Cushing’s disease it does not destroy adrenal tissue. It is important to realise that this drug does not do anything to treat the tumour (pituitary or adrenal) causing the disease but it can be used to control the signs of cortisol excess in dogs with both pituitary and adrenal dependent Cushing's syndrome.
The drug is given as a tablet once (or sometimes twice) daily and it must be given regularly or hormone levels will rapidly rise again. Monitoring blood tests are required to ensure the correct dose of Vetoryl is found for your dog. The dose will often need to be changed over time depending on your pet’s response.
Skin Conditions
A variety of skin problems can affect dogs and cats, including allergies, bacterial and fungal infections, and parasite infestations. Most skin problems in pets are curable or manageable.
In the case of atopy (environmental allergies) most pets will require ongoing management as it is impossible to eliminate all allergens from your pet’s environment. Some animals respond well to desensitizing injections and may not need ongoing treatment, however not all pets respond as favourably.
Management of atopic skin disease will usually involve a combination of several treatments We will work closely with you to develop the best strategy to manage your pet’s allergic skin disease. If your pet is on medication, they will require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition and continue to dispense the medications. They will also require blood test monitoring every 6-12 months to monitor their organ function.
A variety of skin problems can affect dogs and cats, including allergies, bacterial and fungal infections, and parasite infestations. Most skin problems in pets are curable or manageable.
In the case of atopy (environmental allergies) most pets will require ongoing management as it is impossible to eliminate all allergens from your pet’s environment. Some animals respond well to desensitizing injections and may not need ongoing treatment, however not all pets respond as favourably.
Management of atopic skin disease will usually involve a combination of several treatments We will work closely with you to develop the best strategy to manage your pet’s allergic skin disease. If your pet is on medication, they will require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition and continue to dispense the medications. They will also require blood test monitoring every 6-12 months to monitor their organ function.
Heart/Cardiac Conditions
A heart murmur is an abnormal sound that a veterinarian hears when listening to the heart through a stethoscope. It can be an indication of heart disease, so other diagnostic tests are needed to investigate further.
How are heart murmurs treated?
Treatment depends on the cause of the heart murmur and your pet's condition. Some dogs do not require any treatment initially and in this case your veterinarian will closely monitor the heart murmur and your pet's condition. If your pet is showing clinical signs of heart disease (coughing, exercise intolerance, breathing issues, or pot belly) medication will be needed to help make your dog more comfortable and improve your pet’s longevity.
In some cases, such as when heart murmurs are caused by hyperthyroidism or dehydration, treatment of those conditions may resolve the heart murmur completely. However, if the murmur is caused by a congenital condition, your veterinarian may recommend surgery. In other cases, the heart murmur may remain, but medications can help make your cat more comfortable and improve your pet's longevity.
6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian are recommended to monitor your pet’s heart murmur. However, if your dog has signs of heart failure more frequent check-ups will likely be required. After the initial diagnostic tests we will advise when repeat testing is required depending on the degree of heart disease.
A heart murmur is an abnormal sound that a veterinarian hears when listening to the heart through a stethoscope. It can be an indication of heart disease, so other diagnostic tests are needed to investigate further.
How are heart murmurs treated?
Treatment depends on the cause of the heart murmur and your pet's condition. Some dogs do not require any treatment initially and in this case your veterinarian will closely monitor the heart murmur and your pet's condition. If your pet is showing clinical signs of heart disease (coughing, exercise intolerance, breathing issues, or pot belly) medication will be needed to help make your dog more comfortable and improve your pet’s longevity.
In some cases, such as when heart murmurs are caused by hyperthyroidism or dehydration, treatment of those conditions may resolve the heart murmur completely. However, if the murmur is caused by a congenital condition, your veterinarian may recommend surgery. In other cases, the heart murmur may remain, but medications can help make your cat more comfortable and improve your pet's longevity.
6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian are recommended to monitor your pet’s heart murmur. However, if your dog has signs of heart failure more frequent check-ups will likely be required. After the initial diagnostic tests we will advise when repeat testing is required depending on the degree of heart disease.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland is a small organ in the front of the neck just around the voice box. This gland makes thyroid hormone and releases it into the blood in a carefully controlled way. Just the right amount of hormone is released in order to keep your dog’s body working at the right rate.
Can hypothyroidism be treated?
There is no cure which will make your dog’s thyroid gland start to work normally again. However, it is very simple to replace the missing hormone by giving hormone replacement tablets (Thyroxine). These tablets will need to be given at least once (and often twice) every day for the rest of your dog's life. However, once your dog is receiving these tablets, they should get back to their normal self very quickly.
Your dog should be happier and more active within a few weeks and if they had other symptoms (like skin disease) this should get better within a few months. The long-term outlook for your dog is very good with ongoing treatment.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood tests is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of hypothyroidism to ensure the correct medication dose is found. A check-up is needed at 1 month and 3 months to check the thyroid level.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your dog’s condition and the continue to dispense the medication.
The thyroid gland is a small organ in the front of the neck just around the voice box. This gland makes thyroid hormone and releases it into the blood in a carefully controlled way. Just the right amount of hormone is released in order to keep your dog’s body working at the right rate.
Can hypothyroidism be treated?
There is no cure which will make your dog’s thyroid gland start to work normally again. However, it is very simple to replace the missing hormone by giving hormone replacement tablets (Thyroxine). These tablets will need to be given at least once (and often twice) every day for the rest of your dog's life. However, once your dog is receiving these tablets, they should get back to their normal self very quickly.
Your dog should be happier and more active within a few weeks and if they had other symptoms (like skin disease) this should get better within a few months. The long-term outlook for your dog is very good with ongoing treatment.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood tests is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of hypothyroidism to ensure the correct medication dose is found. A check-up is needed at 1 month and 3 months to check the thyroid level.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your dog’s condition and the continue to dispense the medication.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism appears to be caused by a form of benign cancer in the thyroid gland. However, it is still not clear what causes the cancer to develop. In affected cats, the thyroid gland increases in size and starts to produce thyroid hormone all the time without taking heed of the body's normal regulatory messages.
If untreated the effects of excess thyroid hormone are seen in many organs. Heart rate is increased and changes occur in the muscle of the heart making it thickened and stiff. This can lead to signs of heart failure, irregular heart rhythms and blood clots may form in the circulation which can damage other organs.
High blood pressure is another side effect of the high thyroid hormone levels.
Cats with hyperthyroidism also often have kidney disease - it may be that the two conditions are both just common in the older cats.
What treatments are available?
Medical
Some drugs block the production of hormones by the thyroid gland. The medication is given one to three times a day.
Surgical
The abnormal gland can be surgically removed.
Radiation
This involves an injection of radioactive iodine to destroy the abnormal thyroid tissue while leaving normal cells unaffected.
Dietary treatment
Since all iodine required to make the thyroid hormones comes from the diet, it is possible to control how much thyroid hormone a cat can make by controlling their dietary intake of iodine. Special diets with restricted iodine are available and cats fed these diets can only make a normal amount of thyroid hormone. However, this is not always successful, especially in more severe cases of hyperthyroidism.
How should my cat be managed after treatment?
Whatever treatment has been used it is important that regular monitoring is continued. If your cat is on pills to control their disease, they will need regular monitoring of thyroid hormone levels to ensure the pills are having maximal effect.
Hyperthyroidism appears to be caused by a form of benign cancer in the thyroid gland. However, it is still not clear what causes the cancer to develop. In affected cats, the thyroid gland increases in size and starts to produce thyroid hormone all the time without taking heed of the body's normal regulatory messages.
If untreated the effects of excess thyroid hormone are seen in many organs. Heart rate is increased and changes occur in the muscle of the heart making it thickened and stiff. This can lead to signs of heart failure, irregular heart rhythms and blood clots may form in the circulation which can damage other organs.
High blood pressure is another side effect of the high thyroid hormone levels.
Cats with hyperthyroidism also often have kidney disease - it may be that the two conditions are both just common in the older cats.
What treatments are available?
Medical
Some drugs block the production of hormones by the thyroid gland. The medication is given one to three times a day.
Surgical
The abnormal gland can be surgically removed.
Radiation
This involves an injection of radioactive iodine to destroy the abnormal thyroid tissue while leaving normal cells unaffected.
Dietary treatment
Since all iodine required to make the thyroid hormones comes from the diet, it is possible to control how much thyroid hormone a cat can make by controlling their dietary intake of iodine. Special diets with restricted iodine are available and cats fed these diets can only make a normal amount of thyroid hormone. However, this is not always successful, especially in more severe cases of hyperthyroidism.
How should my cat be managed after treatment?
Whatever treatment has been used it is important that regular monitoring is continued. If your cat is on pills to control their disease, they will need regular monitoring of thyroid hormone levels to ensure the pills are having maximal effect.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Kidney disease is a general term to describe several conditions that can affect the kidneys or damage kidney cells. Some types of kidney disease are reversible but chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that is irreversible. However, pets can have a good quality of life for many years after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
How is CKD treated?
CKD is a progressive, irreversible condition. While it cannot be treated or cured, it can be well managed in many cases. Effective management may slow progression of disease and improve the pet's quality of life.
A Prescription kidney diet will be recommended by your veterinarian to help support the kidneys and slow the progression of kidney disease.
In some cases, your pet may require medication to reduce protein loss in the urine or reduce high blood pressure. This will depend on your pet’s initial results and your veterinarian will advise whether this is required.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood tests and urine is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of kidney disease. A check-up is needed at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for progression of kidney disease.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition. After the initial tests your Veterinarian will advise when repeat testing is required depending on how your pet is doing at home.
Kidney disease is a general term to describe several conditions that can affect the kidneys or damage kidney cells. Some types of kidney disease are reversible but chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that is irreversible. However, pets can have a good quality of life for many years after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
How is CKD treated?
CKD is a progressive, irreversible condition. While it cannot be treated or cured, it can be well managed in many cases. Effective management may slow progression of disease and improve the pet's quality of life.
A Prescription kidney diet will be recommended by your veterinarian to help support the kidneys and slow the progression of kidney disease.
In some cases, your pet may require medication to reduce protein loss in the urine or reduce high blood pressure. This will depend on your pet’s initial results and your veterinarian will advise whether this is required.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood tests and urine is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of kidney disease. A check-up is needed at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for progression of kidney disease.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition. After the initial tests your Veterinarian will advise when repeat testing is required depending on how your pet is doing at home.
Bladder Conditions
Bladder and kidney stones are hardened accumulations of minerals found in urine. Common minerals involved include struvite, calcium oxalate, and urate. Dogs and cats can develop stones anywhere in the urinary tract. Stones can form in many different shapes and sizes.
Stones can have sharp edges and can irritate or become embedded in the lining of the bladder, causing the tissue to become thickened and inflamed. They can also form inside the kidneys.
Stones can cause serious problems when they lodge in the ureters (the thin tubes connecting each kidney to the bladder) or the urethra (the narrow tube that allows urine to flow from the bladder out of the body). When the normal flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder is obstructed, urine (and pressure) can build up in the kidney, potentially causing kidney infections or kidney failure.
How are bladder and kidney stones treated?
In pets with blockages, emergency surgery is usually required. If the pet is not blocked, some stones can be dissolved by feeding the pet a special diet. This food, available only through veterinarians, will help modify the urine pH and dissolve the stones.
Once the stone composition has been determined by lab analysis, pets may need to be fed a special diet and/or given medication for the rest of their lives to help prevent recurrence. The type of diet and medication will be advised by your Veterinarian.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your dog’s urine is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of bladder stones or crystals. If you pet required surgery to remove bladder stones or to unblock the urethra they will need to be seen a few times in the first few weeks to ensure they are recovering well.
Their urine will need to be checked within 1-2 weeks to ensure the crystals or other signs of bladder stones are resolving. After this they will need a check-up at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for signs of urinary issues. An x-ray or ultrasound will be repeated to ensure no new bladder stones or crystals are forming.
If your dog is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to continue to dispense medication, prescription diets and to closely monitor your pet.
Bladder and kidney stones are hardened accumulations of minerals found in urine. Common minerals involved include struvite, calcium oxalate, and urate. Dogs and cats can develop stones anywhere in the urinary tract. Stones can form in many different shapes and sizes.
Stones can have sharp edges and can irritate or become embedded in the lining of the bladder, causing the tissue to become thickened and inflamed. They can also form inside the kidneys.
Stones can cause serious problems when they lodge in the ureters (the thin tubes connecting each kidney to the bladder) or the urethra (the narrow tube that allows urine to flow from the bladder out of the body). When the normal flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder is obstructed, urine (and pressure) can build up in the kidney, potentially causing kidney infections or kidney failure.
How are bladder and kidney stones treated?
In pets with blockages, emergency surgery is usually required. If the pet is not blocked, some stones can be dissolved by feeding the pet a special diet. This food, available only through veterinarians, will help modify the urine pH and dissolve the stones.
Once the stone composition has been determined by lab analysis, pets may need to be fed a special diet and/or given medication for the rest of their lives to help prevent recurrence. The type of diet and medication will be advised by your Veterinarian.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your dog’s urine is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of bladder stones or crystals. If you pet required surgery to remove bladder stones or to unblock the urethra they will need to be seen a few times in the first few weeks to ensure they are recovering well.
Their urine will need to be checked within 1-2 weeks to ensure the crystals or other signs of bladder stones are resolving. After this they will need a check-up at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for signs of urinary issues. An x-ray or ultrasound will be repeated to ensure no new bladder stones or crystals are forming.
If your dog is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to continue to dispense medication, prescription diets and to closely monitor your pet.
Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)
Addison's disease occurs when dogs fail to produce enough of the hormone, cortisol and in some cases, the hormone, aldosterone.
In the normal dog, cortisol and aldosterone are produced by the adrenal glands, (which are located just in front of the kidneys).
In Addison's disease the body is unable to produce enough cortisol and affected animals may become ill at times of stress.
Aldosterone helps maintain blood pressure and the water and salt balance in the body by helping the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium. When aldosterone production falls too low, the kidneys are not able to regulate salt and water balance, causing abnormal electrolyte levels and the blood volume and blood pressure to drop.
How can the disease be treated?
Addison's disease is caused by there being too little cortisol and/or aldosterone in the blood. Treatment of Addison's disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making. Oral steroid tablets (prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone) are given to replace cortisol, and DOCP injections or Florinef tablets to replace aldosterone. Tablets are given daily to supplement the missing hormones. The doses of each of these medications are adjusted to meet the needs of individual patients.
During an Addisonian crisis, low blood pressure, low blood sugar and high levels of potassium can be life-threatening. Standard therapy involves intravenous injections of hydrocortisone and a saline (salt water) drip. This treatment usually brings rapid improvement. When the patient can take fluids and medications by mouth, the intravenous treatment is decreased until and maintenance therapy is begun. In fact, once stabilized, many dogs require only Florinef tablets on a daily basis.
If your vet is using injectable DOCP to replace aldosterone, your pet will likely also require supplemental oral replacement steroid tablets. Often the steroid dose will need to be increased around times of stress (illness, surgery, changes at home) to help mimic the body’s normal production of cortisol.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring is needed, especially in the early stages of treating Addison’s disease to find the correct dose of medication. Repeat monitoring of the cortisol levels are not required as these will continue to be low in your pet despite treatment. However, monitoring of your pet’s electrolyte levels (potassium and sodium) will help determine the correct medication dose. Initially a recheck blood test will be done after 1-2 weeks.
Once the correct dose is found another blood test is needed after 1 month, then 3 months. Once your pet is on a stable dose, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to continue to dispense the medications and closely monitor your pet.
Addison's disease occurs when dogs fail to produce enough of the hormone, cortisol and in some cases, the hormone, aldosterone.
In the normal dog, cortisol and aldosterone are produced by the adrenal glands, (which are located just in front of the kidneys).
In Addison's disease the body is unable to produce enough cortisol and affected animals may become ill at times of stress.
Aldosterone helps maintain blood pressure and the water and salt balance in the body by helping the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium. When aldosterone production falls too low, the kidneys are not able to regulate salt and water balance, causing abnormal electrolyte levels and the blood volume and blood pressure to drop.
How can the disease be treated?
Addison's disease is caused by there being too little cortisol and/or aldosterone in the blood. Treatment of Addison's disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making. Oral steroid tablets (prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone) are given to replace cortisol, and DOCP injections or Florinef tablets to replace aldosterone. Tablets are given daily to supplement the missing hormones. The doses of each of these medications are adjusted to meet the needs of individual patients.
During an Addisonian crisis, low blood pressure, low blood sugar and high levels of potassium can be life-threatening. Standard therapy involves intravenous injections of hydrocortisone and a saline (salt water) drip. This treatment usually brings rapid improvement. When the patient can take fluids and medications by mouth, the intravenous treatment is decreased until and maintenance therapy is begun. In fact, once stabilized, many dogs require only Florinef tablets on a daily basis.
If your vet is using injectable DOCP to replace aldosterone, your pet will likely also require supplemental oral replacement steroid tablets. Often the steroid dose will need to be increased around times of stress (illness, surgery, changes at home) to help mimic the body’s normal production of cortisol.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring is needed, especially in the early stages of treating Addison’s disease to find the correct dose of medication. Repeat monitoring of the cortisol levels are not required as these will continue to be low in your pet despite treatment. However, monitoring of your pet’s electrolyte levels (potassium and sodium) will help determine the correct medication dose. Initially a recheck blood test will be done after 1-2 weeks.
Once the correct dose is found another blood test is needed after 1 month, then 3 months. Once your pet is on a stable dose, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to continue to dispense the medications and closely monitor your pet.
Liver Disease
The liver can be affected by many diseases and each individual condition has its own causes.
Animals with porto-systemic shunts have an abnormal blood supply to the liver. This is a genetic condition and signs are usually seen in puppies/kittens and young adults.
Infections (bacteria and viruses) can also cause liver disease in dogs and cats. These are more common in young animals.
The most common liver diseases are those seen usually in middle-aged and older animals - inflammatory diseases such as hepatitis and cholangiohepatitis, hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), in cats, which happens when the liver function shuts down due to another serious illness such as diabetes (or anything that cause the cat to stop eating); and cancers such as lymphoma or adenocarcinoma.
Can liver disease be treated?
Some liver diseases are treated effectively with drugs - the common inflammatory diseases usually respond to drug treatments, and they often need to be given for weeks, months or even for life. The prognosis is often good. Special diets often can be helpful. There are some good liver support medications to help the liver recover after damage has occurred.
There are some liver diseases that require surgery, although this is uncommon; gall bladder stones or mucoceles can require surgical removal. Individual cancers and cysts sometimes are removable.
Unfortunately, some liver diseases do not respond well to treatment FIP, FIV and polycystic diseases do not have good treatments. Lymphoma of the liver is a common cancer, chemotherapy may have an effect, but good responses are not usual.
Some animals can live quite a long time with liver cancer, even if these are malignant - depending, of course, just how ill they are when the disease is found and that any pain can be controlled.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood test is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of liver disease. If your pet requires hospitalisation due to illness related to the liver disease, they will need to be seen a few times in the first few weeks to ensure they are recovering well.
Their blood tests will need to be checked within 1-2 weeks to ensure the signs of liver damage are resolving. After this they will need a check-up at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for progression of liver disease. If any abnormalities were seen on the ultrasound your veterinarian may want to monitor this with a repeat ultrasound in 3 months.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition and continue to dispense any medications.
The liver can be affected by many diseases and each individual condition has its own causes.
Animals with porto-systemic shunts have an abnormal blood supply to the liver. This is a genetic condition and signs are usually seen in puppies/kittens and young adults.
Infections (bacteria and viruses) can also cause liver disease in dogs and cats. These are more common in young animals.
The most common liver diseases are those seen usually in middle-aged and older animals - inflammatory diseases such as hepatitis and cholangiohepatitis, hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), in cats, which happens when the liver function shuts down due to another serious illness such as diabetes (or anything that cause the cat to stop eating); and cancers such as lymphoma or adenocarcinoma.
Can liver disease be treated?
Some liver diseases are treated effectively with drugs - the common inflammatory diseases usually respond to drug treatments, and they often need to be given for weeks, months or even for life. The prognosis is often good. Special diets often can be helpful. There are some good liver support medications to help the liver recover after damage has occurred.
There are some liver diseases that require surgery, although this is uncommon; gall bladder stones or mucoceles can require surgical removal. Individual cancers and cysts sometimes are removable.
Unfortunately, some liver diseases do not respond well to treatment FIP, FIV and polycystic diseases do not have good treatments. Lymphoma of the liver is a common cancer, chemotherapy may have an effect, but good responses are not usual.
Some animals can live quite a long time with liver cancer, even if these are malignant - depending, of course, just how ill they are when the disease is found and that any pain can be controlled.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood test is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of liver disease. If your pet requires hospitalisation due to illness related to the liver disease, they will need to be seen a few times in the first few weeks to ensure they are recovering well.
Their blood tests will need to be checked within 1-2 weeks to ensure the signs of liver damage are resolving. After this they will need a check-up at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for progression of liver disease. If any abnormalities were seen on the ultrasound your veterinarian may want to monitor this with a repeat ultrasound in 3 months.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition and continue to dispense any medications.
Epilepsy
An epileptic seizure is not a disease in itself but the sign of abnormal brain function.
Many types of epileptic seizure are described in humans, dogs and cats. The most common type is the generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizure (also known as grand mal seizures). Partial epileptic seizures affect only part of the body and are much more difficult to differentiate from non-epileptic seizure (particularly movement disorders).
Is there any treatment that will stop the fits?
If your pet has only had one fit your veterinarian may advise waiting before starting any treatment. The drugs used to treat epilepsy will often not stop the fits altogether but will make them less frequent. Therefore, it is important to know how often the fits would happen without treatment to be sure that the treatment is having an effect. Once your pet starts on treatment it is likely that this will have to be continued for the rest of their life.
Once your pet starts on tablets these must be given at roughly the same time every day. If you stop the drugs suddenly you may cause your pet to fit. It often takes a few months to get the dose of drug just right for your pet. During this time your veterinarian will keep in regular contact with you and may need to take a number of blood samples from your pet to check that the blood levels of the drug are not too high or too low.
Provided your pet is checked regularly by your veterinarian to make sure that the drugs are not causing any side effects, many epileptic pets lead a full and happy life.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring is needed, especially in the early stages of Epilepsy treatment. Medication level blood tests are needed initially 3-4 weeks after starting the medication or changing the medication dose. Once the correct dose is found another blood test is needed after 3 months. Once your pet is on a stable dose, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to continue to dispense the medications and closely monitor your pet.
An epileptic seizure is not a disease in itself but the sign of abnormal brain function.
Many types of epileptic seizure are described in humans, dogs and cats. The most common type is the generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizure (also known as grand mal seizures). Partial epileptic seizures affect only part of the body and are much more difficult to differentiate from non-epileptic seizure (particularly movement disorders).
Is there any treatment that will stop the fits?
If your pet has only had one fit your veterinarian may advise waiting before starting any treatment. The drugs used to treat epilepsy will often not stop the fits altogether but will make them less frequent. Therefore, it is important to know how often the fits would happen without treatment to be sure that the treatment is having an effect. Once your pet starts on treatment it is likely that this will have to be continued for the rest of their life.
Once your pet starts on tablets these must be given at roughly the same time every day. If you stop the drugs suddenly you may cause your pet to fit. It often takes a few months to get the dose of drug just right for your pet. During this time your veterinarian will keep in regular contact with you and may need to take a number of blood samples from your pet to check that the blood levels of the drug are not too high or too low.
Provided your pet is checked regularly by your veterinarian to make sure that the drugs are not causing any side effects, many epileptic pets lead a full and happy life.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring is needed, especially in the early stages of Epilepsy treatment. Medication level blood tests are needed initially 3-4 weeks after starting the medication or changing the medication dose. Once the correct dose is found another blood test is needed after 3 months. Once your pet is on a stable dose, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to continue to dispense the medications and closely monitor your pet.
Commitment 2 Care Plans Available
Cushing's Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism)
Cushing's disease is caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone, cortisol. The steroid hormones affect almost every tissue in the body and the signs of Cushing's disease can be diverse. Dogs may have only one or can have several signs of Cushing’s disease.
How can the disease be treated?
The most common medication used to treat Cushing’s disease is Vetoryl (Trilostane). This is a drug that inhibits the adrenal glands' ability to produce cortisol. Unlike older treatments for Cushing’s disease it does not destroy adrenal tissue. It is important to realise that this drug does not do anything to treat the tumour (pituitary or adrenal) causing the disease but it can be used to control the signs of cortisol excess in dogs with both pituitary and adrenal dependent Cushing's syndrome.
The drug is given as a tablet once (or sometimes twice) daily and it must be given regularly or hormone levels will rapidly rise again. Monitoring blood tests are required to ensure the correct dose of Vetoryl is found for your dog. The dose will often need to be changed over time depending on your pet’s response.
Cushing's disease is caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone, cortisol. The steroid hormones affect almost every tissue in the body and the signs of Cushing's disease can be diverse. Dogs may have only one or can have several signs of Cushing’s disease.
How can the disease be treated?
The most common medication used to treat Cushing’s disease is Vetoryl (Trilostane). This is a drug that inhibits the adrenal glands' ability to produce cortisol. Unlike older treatments for Cushing’s disease it does not destroy adrenal tissue. It is important to realise that this drug does not do anything to treat the tumour (pituitary or adrenal) causing the disease but it can be used to control the signs of cortisol excess in dogs with both pituitary and adrenal dependent Cushing's syndrome.
The drug is given as a tablet once (or sometimes twice) daily and it must be given regularly or hormone levels will rapidly rise again. Monitoring blood tests are required to ensure the correct dose of Vetoryl is found for your dog. The dose will often need to be changed over time depending on your pet’s response.
Skin Conditions
A variety of skin problems can affect dogs and cats, including allergies, bacterial and fungal infections, and parasite infestations. Most skin problems in pets are curable or manageable.
In the case of atopy (environmental allergies) most pets will require ongoing management as it is impossible to eliminate all allergens from your pet’s environment. Some animals respond well to desensitizing injections and may not need ongoing treatment, however not all pets respond as favourably.
Management of atopic skin disease will usually involve a combination of several treatments We will work closely with you to develop the best strategy to manage your pet’s allergic skin disease. If your pet is on medication, they will require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition and continue to dispense the medications. They will also require blood test monitoring every 6-12 months to monitor their organ function.
A variety of skin problems can affect dogs and cats, including allergies, bacterial and fungal infections, and parasite infestations. Most skin problems in pets are curable or manageable.
In the case of atopy (environmental allergies) most pets will require ongoing management as it is impossible to eliminate all allergens from your pet’s environment. Some animals respond well to desensitizing injections and may not need ongoing treatment, however not all pets respond as favourably.
Management of atopic skin disease will usually involve a combination of several treatments We will work closely with you to develop the best strategy to manage your pet’s allergic skin disease. If your pet is on medication, they will require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition and continue to dispense the medications. They will also require blood test monitoring every 6-12 months to monitor their organ function.
Heart/Cardiac Conditions
A heart murmur is an abnormal sound that a veterinarian hears when listening to the heart through a stethoscope. It can be an indication of heart disease, so other diagnostic tests are needed to investigate further.
How are heart murmurs treated?
Treatment depends on the cause of the heart murmur and your pet's condition. Some dogs do not require any treatment initially and in this case your veterinarian will closely monitor the heart murmur and your pet's condition. If your pet is showing clinical signs of heart disease (coughing, exercise intolerance, breathing issues, or pot belly) medication will be needed to help make your dog more comfortable and improve your pet’s longevity.
In some cases, such as when heart murmurs are caused by hyperthyroidism or dehydration, treatment of those conditions may resolve the heart murmur completely. However, if the murmur is caused by a congenital condition, your veterinarian may recommend surgery. In other cases, the heart murmur may remain, but medications can help make your cat more comfortable and improve your pet's longevity.
6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian are recommended to monitor your pet’s heart murmur. However, if your dog has signs of heart failure more frequent check-ups will likely be required. After the initial diagnostic tests we will advise when repeat testing is required depending on the degree of heart disease.
A heart murmur is an abnormal sound that a veterinarian hears when listening to the heart through a stethoscope. It can be an indication of heart disease, so other diagnostic tests are needed to investigate further.
How are heart murmurs treated?
Treatment depends on the cause of the heart murmur and your pet's condition. Some dogs do not require any treatment initially and in this case your veterinarian will closely monitor the heart murmur and your pet's condition. If your pet is showing clinical signs of heart disease (coughing, exercise intolerance, breathing issues, or pot belly) medication will be needed to help make your dog more comfortable and improve your pet’s longevity.
In some cases, such as when heart murmurs are caused by hyperthyroidism or dehydration, treatment of those conditions may resolve the heart murmur completely. However, if the murmur is caused by a congenital condition, your veterinarian may recommend surgery. In other cases, the heart murmur may remain, but medications can help make your cat more comfortable and improve your pet's longevity.
6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian are recommended to monitor your pet’s heart murmur. However, if your dog has signs of heart failure more frequent check-ups will likely be required. After the initial diagnostic tests we will advise when repeat testing is required depending on the degree of heart disease.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland is a small organ in the front of the neck just around the voice box. This gland makes thyroid hormone and releases it into the blood in a carefully controlled way. Just the right amount of hormone is released in order to keep your dog’s body working at the right rate.
Can hypothyroidism be treated?
There is no cure which will make your dog’s thyroid gland start to work normally again. However, it is very simple to replace the missing hormone by giving hormone replacement tablets (Thyroxine). These tablets will need to be given at least once (and often twice) every day for the rest of your dog's life. However, once your dog is receiving these tablets, they should get back to their normal self very quickly.
Your dog should be happier and more active within a few weeks and if they had other symptoms (like skin disease) this should get better within a few months. The long-term outlook for your dog is very good with ongoing treatment.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood tests is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of hypothyroidism to ensure the correct medication dose is found. A check-up is needed at 1 month and 3 months to check the thyroid level.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your dog’s condition and the continue to dispense the medication.
The thyroid gland is a small organ in the front of the neck just around the voice box. This gland makes thyroid hormone and releases it into the blood in a carefully controlled way. Just the right amount of hormone is released in order to keep your dog’s body working at the right rate.
Can hypothyroidism be treated?
There is no cure which will make your dog’s thyroid gland start to work normally again. However, it is very simple to replace the missing hormone by giving hormone replacement tablets (Thyroxine). These tablets will need to be given at least once (and often twice) every day for the rest of your dog's life. However, once your dog is receiving these tablets, they should get back to their normal self very quickly.
Your dog should be happier and more active within a few weeks and if they had other symptoms (like skin disease) this should get better within a few months. The long-term outlook for your dog is very good with ongoing treatment.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood tests is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of hypothyroidism to ensure the correct medication dose is found. A check-up is needed at 1 month and 3 months to check the thyroid level.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your dog’s condition and the continue to dispense the medication.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism appears to be caused by a form of benign cancer in the thyroid gland. However, it is still not clear what causes the cancer to develop. In affected cats, the thyroid gland increases in size and starts to produce thyroid hormone all the time without taking heed of the body's normal regulatory messages.
If untreated the effects of excess thyroid hormone are seen in many organs. Heart rate is increased and changes occur in the muscle of the heart making it thickened and stiff. This can lead to signs of heart failure, irregular heart rhythms and blood clots may form in the circulation which can damage other organs.
High blood pressure is another side effect of the high thyroid hormone levels.
Cats with hyperthyroidism also often have kidney disease - it may be that the two conditions are both just common in the older cats.
What treatments are available?
Medical
Some drugs block the production of hormones by the thyroid gland. The medication is given one to three times a day.
Surgical
The abnormal gland can be surgically removed.
Radiation
This involves an injection of radioactive iodine to destroy the abnormal thyroid tissue while leaving normal cells unaffected.
Dietary treatment
Since all iodine required to make the thyroid hormones comes from the diet, it is possible to control how much thyroid hormone a cat can make by controlling their dietary intake of iodine. Special diets with restricted iodine are available and cats fed these diets can only make a normal amount of thyroid hormone. However, this is not always successful, especially in more severe cases of hyperthyroidism.
How should my cat be managed after treatment?
Whatever treatment has been used it is important that regular monitoring is continued. If your cat is on pills to control their disease, they will need regular monitoring of thyroid hormone levels to ensure the pills are having maximal effect.
Hyperthyroidism appears to be caused by a form of benign cancer in the thyroid gland. However, it is still not clear what causes the cancer to develop. In affected cats, the thyroid gland increases in size and starts to produce thyroid hormone all the time without taking heed of the body's normal regulatory messages.
If untreated the effects of excess thyroid hormone are seen in many organs. Heart rate is increased and changes occur in the muscle of the heart making it thickened and stiff. This can lead to signs of heart failure, irregular heart rhythms and blood clots may form in the circulation which can damage other organs.
High blood pressure is another side effect of the high thyroid hormone levels.
Cats with hyperthyroidism also often have kidney disease - it may be that the two conditions are both just common in the older cats.
What treatments are available?
Medical
Some drugs block the production of hormones by the thyroid gland. The medication is given one to three times a day.
Surgical
The abnormal gland can be surgically removed.
Radiation
This involves an injection of radioactive iodine to destroy the abnormal thyroid tissue while leaving normal cells unaffected.
Dietary treatment
Since all iodine required to make the thyroid hormones comes from the diet, it is possible to control how much thyroid hormone a cat can make by controlling their dietary intake of iodine. Special diets with restricted iodine are available and cats fed these diets can only make a normal amount of thyroid hormone. However, this is not always successful, especially in more severe cases of hyperthyroidism.
How should my cat be managed after treatment?
Whatever treatment has been used it is important that regular monitoring is continued. If your cat is on pills to control their disease, they will need regular monitoring of thyroid hormone levels to ensure the pills are having maximal effect.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Kidney disease is a general term to describe several conditions that can affect the kidneys or damage kidney cells. Some types of kidney disease are reversible but chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that is irreversible. However, pets can have a good quality of life for many years after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
How is CKD treated?
CKD is a progressive, irreversible condition. While it cannot be treated or cured, it can be well managed in many cases. Effective management may slow progression of disease and improve the pet's quality of life.
A Prescription kidney diet will be recommended by your veterinarian to help support the kidneys and slow the progression of kidney disease.
In some cases, your pet may require medication to reduce protein loss in the urine or reduce high blood pressure. This will depend on your pet’s initial results and your veterinarian will advise whether this is required.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood tests and urine is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of kidney disease. A check-up is needed at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for progression of kidney disease.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition. After the initial tests your Veterinarian will advise when repeat testing is required depending on how your pet is doing at home.
Kidney disease is a general term to describe several conditions that can affect the kidneys or damage kidney cells. Some types of kidney disease are reversible but chronic kidney disease is a progressive disease that is irreversible. However, pets can have a good quality of life for many years after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.
How is CKD treated?
CKD is a progressive, irreversible condition. While it cannot be treated or cured, it can be well managed in many cases. Effective management may slow progression of disease and improve the pet's quality of life.
A Prescription kidney diet will be recommended by your veterinarian to help support the kidneys and slow the progression of kidney disease.
In some cases, your pet may require medication to reduce protein loss in the urine or reduce high blood pressure. This will depend on your pet’s initial results and your veterinarian will advise whether this is required.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood tests and urine is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of kidney disease. A check-up is needed at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for progression of kidney disease.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition. After the initial tests your Veterinarian will advise when repeat testing is required depending on how your pet is doing at home.
Bladder Conditions
Bladder and kidney stones are hardened accumulations of minerals found in urine. Common minerals involved include struvite, calcium oxalate, and urate. Dogs and cats can develop stones anywhere in the urinary tract. Stones can form in many different shapes and sizes.
Stones can have sharp edges and can irritate or become embedded in the lining of the bladder, causing the tissue to become thickened and inflamed. They can also form inside the kidneys.
Stones can cause serious problems when they lodge in the ureters (the thin tubes connecting each kidney to the bladder) or the urethra (the narrow tube that allows urine to flow from the bladder out of the body). When the normal flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder is obstructed, urine (and pressure) can build up in the kidney, potentially causing kidney infections or kidney failure.
How are bladder and kidney stones treated?
In pets with blockages, emergency surgery is usually required. If the pet is not blocked, some stones can be dissolved by feeding the pet a special diet. This food, available only through veterinarians, will help modify the urine pH and dissolve the stones.
Once the stone composition has been determined by lab analysis, pets may need to be fed a special diet and/or given medication for the rest of their lives to help prevent recurrence. The type of diet and medication will be advised by your Veterinarian.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your dog’s urine is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of bladder stones or crystals. If you pet required surgery to remove bladder stones or to unblock the urethra they will need to be seen a few times in the first few weeks to ensure they are recovering well.
Their urine will need to be checked within 1-2 weeks to ensure the crystals or other signs of bladder stones are resolving. After this they will need a check-up at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for signs of urinary issues. An x-ray or ultrasound will be repeated to ensure no new bladder stones or crystals are forming.
If your dog is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to continue to dispense medication, prescription diets and to closely monitor your pet.
Bladder and kidney stones are hardened accumulations of minerals found in urine. Common minerals involved include struvite, calcium oxalate, and urate. Dogs and cats can develop stones anywhere in the urinary tract. Stones can form in many different shapes and sizes.
Stones can have sharp edges and can irritate or become embedded in the lining of the bladder, causing the tissue to become thickened and inflamed. They can also form inside the kidneys.
Stones can cause serious problems when they lodge in the ureters (the thin tubes connecting each kidney to the bladder) or the urethra (the narrow tube that allows urine to flow from the bladder out of the body). When the normal flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder is obstructed, urine (and pressure) can build up in the kidney, potentially causing kidney infections or kidney failure.
How are bladder and kidney stones treated?
In pets with blockages, emergency surgery is usually required. If the pet is not blocked, some stones can be dissolved by feeding the pet a special diet. This food, available only through veterinarians, will help modify the urine pH and dissolve the stones.
Once the stone composition has been determined by lab analysis, pets may need to be fed a special diet and/or given medication for the rest of their lives to help prevent recurrence. The type of diet and medication will be advised by your Veterinarian.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your dog’s urine is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of bladder stones or crystals. If you pet required surgery to remove bladder stones or to unblock the urethra they will need to be seen a few times in the first few weeks to ensure they are recovering well.
Their urine will need to be checked within 1-2 weeks to ensure the crystals or other signs of bladder stones are resolving. After this they will need a check-up at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for signs of urinary issues. An x-ray or ultrasound will be repeated to ensure no new bladder stones or crystals are forming.
If your dog is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to continue to dispense medication, prescription diets and to closely monitor your pet.
Addison's Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)
Addison's disease occurs when dogs fail to produce enough of the hormone, cortisol and in some cases, the hormone, aldosterone.
In the normal dog, cortisol and aldosterone are produced by the adrenal glands, (which are located just in front of the kidneys).
In Addison's disease the body is unable to produce enough cortisol and affected animals may become ill at times of stress.
Aldosterone helps maintain blood pressure and the water and salt balance in the body by helping the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium. When aldosterone production falls too low, the kidneys are not able to regulate salt and water balance, causing abnormal electrolyte levels and the blood volume and blood pressure to drop.
How can the disease be treated?
Addison's disease is caused by there being too little cortisol and/or aldosterone in the blood. Treatment of Addison's disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making. Oral steroid tablets (prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone) are given to replace cortisol, and DOCP injections or Florinef tablets to replace aldosterone. Tablets are given daily to supplement the missing hormones. The doses of each of these medications are adjusted to meet the needs of individual patients.
During an Addisonian crisis, low blood pressure, low blood sugar and high levels of potassium can be life-threatening. Standard therapy involves intravenous injections of hydrocortisone and a saline (salt water) drip. This treatment usually brings rapid improvement. When the patient can take fluids and medications by mouth, the intravenous treatment is decreased until and maintenance therapy is begun. In fact, once stabilized, many dogs require only Florinef tablets on a daily basis.
If your vet is using injectable DOCP to replace aldosterone, your pet will likely also require supplemental oral replacement steroid tablets. Often the steroid dose will need to be increased around times of stress (illness, surgery, changes at home) to help mimic the body’s normal production of cortisol.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring is needed, especially in the early stages of treating Addison’s disease to find the correct dose of medication. Repeat monitoring of the cortisol levels are not required as these will continue to be low in your pet despite treatment. However, monitoring of your pet’s electrolyte levels (potassium and sodium) will help determine the correct medication dose. Initially a recheck blood test will be done after 1-2 weeks.
Once the correct dose is found another blood test is needed after 1 month, then 3 months. Once your pet is on a stable dose, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to continue to dispense the medications and closely monitor your pet.
Addison's disease occurs when dogs fail to produce enough of the hormone, cortisol and in some cases, the hormone, aldosterone.
In the normal dog, cortisol and aldosterone are produced by the adrenal glands, (which are located just in front of the kidneys).
In Addison's disease the body is unable to produce enough cortisol and affected animals may become ill at times of stress.
Aldosterone helps maintain blood pressure and the water and salt balance in the body by helping the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium. When aldosterone production falls too low, the kidneys are not able to regulate salt and water balance, causing abnormal electrolyte levels and the blood volume and blood pressure to drop.
How can the disease be treated?
Addison's disease is caused by there being too little cortisol and/or aldosterone in the blood. Treatment of Addison's disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making. Oral steroid tablets (prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone) are given to replace cortisol, and DOCP injections or Florinef tablets to replace aldosterone. Tablets are given daily to supplement the missing hormones. The doses of each of these medications are adjusted to meet the needs of individual patients.
During an Addisonian crisis, low blood pressure, low blood sugar and high levels of potassium can be life-threatening. Standard therapy involves intravenous injections of hydrocortisone and a saline (salt water) drip. This treatment usually brings rapid improvement. When the patient can take fluids and medications by mouth, the intravenous treatment is decreased until and maintenance therapy is begun. In fact, once stabilized, many dogs require only Florinef tablets on a daily basis.
If your vet is using injectable DOCP to replace aldosterone, your pet will likely also require supplemental oral replacement steroid tablets. Often the steroid dose will need to be increased around times of stress (illness, surgery, changes at home) to help mimic the body’s normal production of cortisol.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring is needed, especially in the early stages of treating Addison’s disease to find the correct dose of medication. Repeat monitoring of the cortisol levels are not required as these will continue to be low in your pet despite treatment. However, monitoring of your pet’s electrolyte levels (potassium and sodium) will help determine the correct medication dose. Initially a recheck blood test will be done after 1-2 weeks.
Once the correct dose is found another blood test is needed after 1 month, then 3 months. Once your pet is on a stable dose, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your Veterinarian to continue to dispense the medications and closely monitor your pet.
Liver Disease
The liver can be affected by many diseases and each individual condition has its own causes.
Animals with porto-systemic shunts have an abnormal blood supply to the liver. This is a genetic condition and signs are usually seen in puppies/kittens and young adults.
Infections (bacteria and viruses) can also cause liver disease in dogs and cats. These are more common in young animals.
The most common liver diseases are those seen usually in middle-aged and older animals - inflammatory diseases such as hepatitis and cholangiohepatitis, hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), in cats, which happens when the liver function shuts down due to another serious illness such as diabetes (or anything that cause the cat to stop eating); and cancers such as lymphoma or adenocarcinoma.
Can liver disease be treated?
Some liver diseases are treated effectively with drugs - the common inflammatory diseases usually respond to drug treatments, and they often need to be given for weeks, months or even for life. The prognosis is often good. Special diets often can be helpful. There are some good liver support medications to help the liver recover after damage has occurred.
There are some liver diseases that require surgery, although this is uncommon; gall bladder stones or mucoceles can require surgical removal. Individual cancers and cysts sometimes are removable.
Unfortunately, some liver diseases do not respond well to treatment FIP, FIV and polycystic diseases do not have good treatments. Lymphoma of the liver is a common cancer, chemotherapy may have an effect, but good responses are not usual.
Some animals can live quite a long time with liver cancer, even if these are malignant - depending, of course, just how ill they are when the disease is found and that any pain can be controlled.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood test is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of liver disease. If your pet requires hospitalisation due to illness related to the liver disease, they will need to be seen a few times in the first few weeks to ensure they are recovering well.
Their blood tests will need to be checked within 1-2 weeks to ensure the signs of liver damage are resolving. After this they will need a check-up at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for progression of liver disease. If any abnormalities were seen on the ultrasound your veterinarian may want to monitor this with a repeat ultrasound in 3 months.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition and continue to dispense any medications.
The liver can be affected by many diseases and each individual condition has its own causes.
Animals with porto-systemic shunts have an abnormal blood supply to the liver. This is a genetic condition and signs are usually seen in puppies/kittens and young adults.
Infections (bacteria and viruses) can also cause liver disease in dogs and cats. These are more common in young animals.
The most common liver diseases are those seen usually in middle-aged and older animals - inflammatory diseases such as hepatitis and cholangiohepatitis, hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), in cats, which happens when the liver function shuts down due to another serious illness such as diabetes (or anything that cause the cat to stop eating); and cancers such as lymphoma or adenocarcinoma.
Can liver disease be treated?
Some liver diseases are treated effectively with drugs - the common inflammatory diseases usually respond to drug treatments, and they often need to be given for weeks, months or even for life. The prognosis is often good. Special diets often can be helpful. There are some good liver support medications to help the liver recover after damage has occurred.
There are some liver diseases that require surgery, although this is uncommon; gall bladder stones or mucoceles can require surgical removal. Individual cancers and cysts sometimes are removable.
Unfortunately, some liver diseases do not respond well to treatment FIP, FIV and polycystic diseases do not have good treatments. Lymphoma of the liver is a common cancer, chemotherapy may have an effect, but good responses are not usual.
Some animals can live quite a long time with liver cancer, even if these are malignant - depending, of course, just how ill they are when the disease is found and that any pain can be controlled.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring of your pet’s blood test is needed, especially in the early stages after diagnosis of liver disease. If your pet requires hospitalisation due to illness related to the liver disease, they will need to be seen a few times in the first few weeks to ensure they are recovering well.
Their blood tests will need to be checked within 1-2 weeks to ensure the signs of liver damage are resolving. After this they will need a check-up at 1 month and 3 months to monitor for progression of liver disease. If any abnormalities were seen on the ultrasound your veterinarian may want to monitor this with a repeat ultrasound in 3 months.
If your pet is doing well after the first few months, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to closely monitor your pet’s condition and continue to dispense any medications.
Epilepsy
An epileptic seizure is not a disease in itself but the sign of abnormal brain function.
Many types of epileptic seizure are described in humans, dogs and cats. The most common type is the generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizure (also known as grand mal seizures). Partial epileptic seizures affect only part of the body and are much more difficult to differentiate from non-epileptic seizure (particularly movement disorders).
Is there any treatment that will stop the fits?
If your pet has only had one fit your veterinarian may advise waiting before starting any treatment. The drugs used to treat epilepsy will often not stop the fits altogether but will make them less frequent. Therefore, it is important to know how often the fits would happen without treatment to be sure that the treatment is having an effect. Once your pet starts on treatment it is likely that this will have to be continued for the rest of their life.
Once your pet starts on tablets these must be given at roughly the same time every day. If you stop the drugs suddenly you may cause your pet to fit. It often takes a few months to get the dose of drug just right for your pet. During this time your veterinarian will keep in regular contact with you and may need to take a number of blood samples from your pet to check that the blood levels of the drug are not too high or too low.
Provided your pet is checked regularly by your veterinarian to make sure that the drugs are not causing any side effects, many epileptic pets lead a full and happy life.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring is needed, especially in the early stages of Epilepsy treatment. Medication level blood tests are needed initially 3-4 weeks after starting the medication or changing the medication dose. Once the correct dose is found another blood test is needed after 3 months. Once your pet is on a stable dose, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to continue to dispense the medications and closely monitor your pet.
An epileptic seizure is not a disease in itself but the sign of abnormal brain function.
Many types of epileptic seizure are described in humans, dogs and cats. The most common type is the generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizure (also known as grand mal seizures). Partial epileptic seizures affect only part of the body and are much more difficult to differentiate from non-epileptic seizure (particularly movement disorders).
Is there any treatment that will stop the fits?
If your pet has only had one fit your veterinarian may advise waiting before starting any treatment. The drugs used to treat epilepsy will often not stop the fits altogether but will make them less frequent. Therefore, it is important to know how often the fits would happen without treatment to be sure that the treatment is having an effect. Once your pet starts on treatment it is likely that this will have to be continued for the rest of their life.
Once your pet starts on tablets these must be given at roughly the same time every day. If you stop the drugs suddenly you may cause your pet to fit. It often takes a few months to get the dose of drug just right for your pet. During this time your veterinarian will keep in regular contact with you and may need to take a number of blood samples from your pet to check that the blood levels of the drug are not too high or too low.
Provided your pet is checked regularly by your veterinarian to make sure that the drugs are not causing any side effects, many epileptic pets lead a full and happy life.
What Ongoing Monitoring is needed?
Frequent monitoring is needed, especially in the early stages of Epilepsy treatment. Medication level blood tests are needed initially 3-4 weeks after starting the medication or changing the medication dose. Once the correct dose is found another blood test is needed after 3 months. Once your pet is on a stable dose, they will need less frequent monitoring but will still require 6 monthly consultations with your veterinarian to continue to dispense the medications and closely monitor your pet.
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We firmly believe that proactive, ongoing care with a devoted primary care veterinarian leads to a happier, healthier, and longer life for your furry companion. With 13 Commitment 2 Care plans for each of the major medical conditions of dogs and cats, we have a care plan for most of the common dog and cat conditions.
Is Your Pet the Perfect Candidate for Our Commitment 2 Care Plans?
Do you feel your pet with a diagnosed ongoing or chronic condition isn't receiving the continuous care and management needed to keep them as healthy and happy as possible? Or has your pet been recently diagnosed by a vet who hasn't offered guidance or options for care that could extend their life? Our Commitment 2 Care plans are for you!
Our plans were created in response to a noticeable gap in the veterinary industry regarding dedicated care management for furry friends in need of closer monitoring and attention. Too often, pet owners switch between different vets for each issue related to their pet's condition, leading to gaps in medical history and potential oversights that could be avoided with a consistent primary care veterinarian conducting regular health consultations.
Our plans provide the continuous care and attention your pet requires at an affordable price, aiming to extend their lifespan and ensure their optimal health.
Hear From Our Happy Pet Parents
FAQs
What services does Centenary Vet Hospital and Clinics offer?
We offer most small animal veterinary care services. This includes emergency services, chronic disease management, orthopedic surgery, dental surgery, general surgery preventative healthcare and much more!
What makes Centenary Vet Hospital and Clinics different?
We cater our services to our clients within surrounding suburbs. Our services included our unique Commitment 2 Care programs that manage chronic disease and illness in our pets so that they can live longer and happier lives with their family.
I’m new to the area, will you see my pet?
Absolutely! We welcome all new clients to our clinics. We love meeting new faces and love being introduced to your furry family members.
I used to see you with my old pet, can we bring our new pet?
Please do! We even offer a free new pet consultation where we meet your new family member. If they’re young or old please bring them down for a visit and a treat. We encourage all positive socialisation and believe this will help with all of their future appointments.
What are your payment options?
We offer most payment types. Cash, credit card, Amex, Zip Pay, Vet Pay and more.
Is there parking at Centenary Vet Hospital and Clincs
At both of our Clinics we have accessible car parks. We are fortunate enough to have our own marked car park spaces.
Will I see the same vet every appointment?
All of our Commitment 2 Care clients will have the same vet for each of their appointments related to their program.
Can I use pet insurance?
We are more than happy to submit insurance claims on behalf of our clients. Please provide us with your insurance policy number, insurance claim email and insurer name at your appointment.
Our Locations
Centenary Vets - Middle Park
Metro Shopping Centre, 31b/92 Horizon Dr, Middle Park QLD 4074
Centenary Vets - Forest Lake
1/3 The Esplanade, Forest Lake QLD 4078
Our Locations
Centenary Vets - Middle Park
Metro Shopping Centre, 31b/92 Horizon Dr, Middle Park QLD 4074
Centenary Vets - Forest Lake
1/3 The Esplanade, Forest Lake QLD 4078
Middle Park
Metro Shopping Centre, 31b/92 Horizon Dr, Middle Park QLD 4074
Mon - Fri 8:00am - 6:30pm | Sat 8:00am - 2:00pm | Sun & Public Holidays - appointments only
Forest Lake
1/3 The Esplanade, Forest Lake QLD 4078
Mon - Fri 9:00am - 5:30pm | Sat - Sun CLOSED - EMERGENCIES please phone Middle Park
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