The Heartworm, also called the "heartworm disease", is a parasitic disease endemic in Portugal, a country which, by its geography and climate, has optimal conditions for the parasite survival (a relative of "intestinal parasites") and mosquitoes responsible for its spread.

The disease is transmitted by several species of mosquitoes (the intermediate hosts), and the dog is the definitive host (and cat rarely).

The larvae, or larvae inoculated by intermediate host through a sting, develop in the dog’s body, suffering several transformations and migrate (causing harm in its path) until they reach the pulmonary arteries and in the heart they reach the adult form. They remain there, reproducing over time, causing pulmonary vascular damage.

Although many of the affected animals have no complaints or have only mild respiratory symptoms (e.g. dry cough) in an early stage, the disease progresses and may, in some cases, cause heart failure.

These severe cases are often difficult to manage, putting the lives of our pets in serious risks.

We know that Setubal is one of the districts where the prevalence of cases of heartworm disease is higher and consequently Pinhal Novo is no exception.
The Prevention of Infection becomes crucial, something that is possible for more than a decade. This should be the mainstay in reducing the disease, since this can be avoided by a monthly administration pill or through the application of a pipette with the same periodicity.

With this we effectively can protect our animals.
Early diagnosis and screening of animals at greatest risk, especially those who live permanently outdoors and being more exposed to insect bites, it’s also very important since it allows to detect cases at earlier stages, which can be treated with greater success and less risk.

We are here to protect your pet, so he can with Health and Quality of Life, be an active member of the family for many years to come.

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic, endemic disease in several continents (Europe, Africa, North America, and South America) that in the European continent, predominates in the Mediterranean countries, including Portugal.ality

It's caused by a protozoan (small microscopic parasite) transmitted by a mosquito (phlebotomy or "sand fly"), and affects mainly the dog but also the man and, rarely, the cat.

The parasite affects multiple organs (skin, kidneys, liver, bone marrow, spleen).
The most severe cases, those in which there is involvement of internal organs (kidneys and bone marrow). In many of these cases, despite the combined efforts of owners and veterinarian to save the patient, the outcome can be frustrating for everyone, losing a precious life.

Any sick animal is a potential carrier of the parasite, especially if there is history of weight loss, skin and fur in poor condition and poorly healing wounds. For this reason, do not hesitate to pay a visit to your veterinarian.

The animals most at risk are those who live permanently outdoors, existing nowadays a double protection:

     - Application of repellents on animals (in pipette or o leash), which help ward off flies and mosquitoes;

     - Vaccination, which specifically stimulates a defense mechanism against the parasite in the dog immune system.

It is also recommended whenever possible/ practicable to apply other methods with a repellent effect on the animal's environment (e.g., Repellent lamps) and protection of your pet (keeping him in a room, house or garage) during sunrise and nightfall, periods when mosquitoes feed with avidity.

For sick animals, although there is no definitive cure (all infected become chronic carriers), there are currently excellent medicines for controlling the disease and restore health and vitality of your companion as well as prevent it from resulting in infection to others or to man (the transmission is always made through the mosquito that bites an infected and subsequently to feed themselves, infect another animal or a human)..

Check with your veterinarian as he can help you to protect and take care of your friend.

Canine parvovirus, which is known in the cat by panleucopenia is a highly infectious viral disease affecting young animals in most cases less than 1 year old and generally not vaccinated.

The virus affects the digestive system, causing a severe hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, and also the immune system, depressing dramatically in the defenses of our young companions.
The most common and obvious symptoms and reason for consultation are the loss of appetite, sluggishness, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

If your puppy or kitten, have some or all of these symptoms, you should go as soon as possible to your veterinarian.
The virus is found in the environment (in the street, public highway, gardens, etc...), being very resistant to all weather conditions and can survive for periods up to 2 years. As such, any young animal, which has not yet been properly vaccinated, must remain sheltered at home, avoiding walking in the street, so that the risk of contracting the disease is reduced.

This disease is prominently the most important and common disease in young dogs, and may in some cases be fatal. For this reason, our focus is on prevention through vaccination, which protects very effectively (near 100%) our animals.
This should always be done under the supervision of a veterinarian, so that the vaccination plan is fulfilled fully and correctly, thus ensuring maximum effectiveness and protection.

The diagnosis is made in the clinic at the moment of the consultation and all patients should make a quick and aggressive treatment so that they have a better chance of survival. Currently, with the means and medicines available, it is expected that, with proper treatment, about 90% of patients survive.

It’s never too much to reinforce the extreme importance of vaccination, because your pet can be part of the remaining 10%.

If you have questions or need further information, consult your Veterinarian.

Distemper is a viral disease that affects dogs with low prevalence these days, thanks to a more comprehensive vaccination scheme of the dog population.
The virus is spread primarily by aerosol (similar to the common flu in humans), but also there may be spread by contact with urine, feces or even the skin of a sick animal.

Younger animals (between 3-6 months) are the most affected, but the disease can also occur in adults or even geriatric dogs, being the main risk factor the Absence of Vaccination.

Respiratory symptoms (such as cough, conjunctivitis, rhinitis and hard breathing) , accompanied by fever, are usually the first to be noticed , being a consequence of tracheobronchitis or pneumonia, may sometimes be confused with a more benign disease called Cough Kennel.
Subsequently, there may be gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting or diarrhea), skin or even eye problems.

The involvement of the nervous system is the most serious aspect of the disease, since the virus can cause severe and irreversible damage incompatible with life.

Since this is a viral disease, there is no effective treatment able to cure or delay the disease progression.

The treatment of sick animals is then only palliative and supportive.
For this reason, our role as veterinarians is to inform and raise awareness of the importance of vaccination, which currently has very high rates of protection.

 

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease, and dogs from rural and suburban areas, have greater risks of having the disease. This is due to the fact that bacteria will find a variety of hosts’ carriers (small animals, usually different species of rodents/mice) that are most frequently in these areas.

It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted to humans (through these small animals or even sick dogs), with serious consequences.
Transmission can occur directly (rodent bites, contact with urine of patients or ingestion of infected animal tissue) or indirectly (through contact with bacteria, which may be, e.g., Soil, water or food infected).

The main symptoms of the disease are fever, prostration, loss of appetite and vomiting, and can progress rapidly and often with a fatal outcome.
Renal failure and sometimes liver, detected by blood and urine, is one of the most common problems accompanied by septicemia, which means a severe generalized infection in the organism.

Although today is possible to make a better quality treatment through the administration of appropriate antibiotics and hospitalization for fluid therapy, contact with sick animals poses an additional risk to the veterinarian (and owners), who should have the greatest care not to be infected.

Survival rates with the best treatments available, can reach 70%, meaning that 30% of our animals do not survive the disease.

Prevention through vaccination against various strains of bacteria (Leptospira), remains the best weapon available to protect dogs and hence the man, starting from 8 weeks of age.

For more information, contact your veterinarian, who will be happy to enlighten you.
 

Also designated by infectious tracheobronchitis (more technical term), the "kennel cough" is a benign respiratory disease, but that in young dogs (sometimes also in adults), can lead to pneumonia.
It is highly contagious among dogs, resembling the human flu, passing up by aerosols and oro-nasal contact.
In the etiology of the disease are several viruses, sometimes opportunistic bacterias.

In the more benign cases, which represent the majority, the main symptom is a dry cough, sometimes emetogenic, keeping the animal the appetite and usual liveliness.
In more serious situations, where there bronchopneumonia, there may be fever, productive cough, labored breathing, oculo-nasal discharge and loss of appetite.

Overall, the prognosis is good and can be reserved in the above cases

The vaccination is very important and should be used a vaccine with a viral and bacterial component, allowing efficacy and superior protection.

Rabies is a viral disease that affects warm-blooded animals (mammals and some birds), being mainly transmitted by the bite of an infected animal.

Being a zoonosis, it is a disease potentially transmitted among our pets (and other vertebrates) and Man, having a high level of importance to public health.

Dog, Cat and Man are moderately susceptible species, wild animals (such as wolves, foxes and some rodents) the largest reservoir of the virus, are more susceptible to infection.

The disease mainly affects the central nervous system, causing a variety of neurological signs and symptoms: aggression, anxiety, arousal, behavioral changes, seizures, and many others.

The outcome of the disease is almost invariably fatal to humans and our pets, with rare cases of recovery, as there is no specific treatment.
In Portugal the Prevention through vaccination rabies is Mandatory for Dogs, being optional in the case of cats, and is the most effective form of protection against the disease.
For more information, please consult your veterinarian.
 

Caused by an adenovirus (called CAV -1), is a disease that affects typically young dogs under 1 year of age, but can also occur in adults who are not properly vaccinated.

The transmission occurs directly between dogs but can also happen by oro- nasal contact through contact with secretions from diseased animals (e.g. urine and feces).

The Absence of Vaccination is the main risk factor as well as the animal's age.

The clinical presentation of the disease can be quite variable, ranging from hyper acute fulminant cases to cases that have a more chronic course, leaving squeals.

Liver involvement is the common denominator, with signs such as fever, vomiting or bleeding (coagulation disorders) but may also arise symptoms of neurological or respiratory problems.

Treatment is supportive (fluid therapy, correction of disturbances of coagulation or revolving hypoglycaemia and hepatic insufficiency) because there is no effective antiviral drugs to combat or eliminate the virus..

Vaccination, from 2 months represents the best strategy for Prevention and Protection of your faithful companion.
 

Hemoparasites are infectious agents that primarily infects blood cells or bone marrow (White Blood Cells, Red Blood Cells and Platelets), and is usually transmitted by ticks and, less often, fleas.
There are several species of hemoparasites in Portugal (at least 7), which mainly affect the dog but also the cat.

The various forms of the disease that can arise, vary with the parasite in question and are called "Tick Fever" a broad term that aims to simplify and clarify the understanding by laymen and animal owners.

Despite the specificity of each individual hemoparasitosis, most of these diseases have symptoms such as: fever, prostration and loss of appetite.

Other common manifestations detected by the Veterinarian in consultation or after analysis, are: anemia, thrombocytopenia (decrease in platelets that can lead to bruising or bleeding), increased peripheral lymph nodes and spleen, joint inflammation (which leads to lameness), renal and hepatic disease, and many other changes, less frequent.

Although the period of greatest risk coincide with the time of year when there are more external parasites (especially ticks), so between February and October, the symptoms can appear at any time of year, even in winter.
This fact is due to the insidious nature of these diseases that sometimes remain at a subclinical level (similar to a situation carrier without symptoms) and may take months until signs appear.

There’s treatment for most of tick fevers, and as the earlier the prognosis is the better. In more severe cases, it may even be necessary to perform blood transfusions or in renal or hepatic impairment, fluid therapy and supportive treatment..

Currently, there are 2 types of vaccines for hemoparasites (babesiosis and borreliosis), which are not part of the vaccination program basis, but that increase the range of your pet's protection against existing diseases in our country.

For all other existing species Prevention involves the application of products with anti - tick effect, in the form of pipettes or collars that protect your pet.
Consult your veterinarian for further information.
 

It is an acquired heart disease that affects dogs of middle-aged and geriatric representing about 80% of cases of cardiac disease in this species.
Small-breed dogs (less than 10 kg) are by far the most prevalent but it can also occur in large-breed dogs.

As the name implies, results from the degeneration of the atrioventricular valves (mitral and/or tricuspid) but the mitral is the most often affected.
The connective tissue of these valves begin to be thickened, distorted and sometimes with nodules, which prevents its normal functions.

All cases are long-standing, verifying a gradual progression of these degenerative changes, which can last several years.

The main consequence is the Mitral Valve Insufficiency (and, less commonly, of Tricuspid), which can be detected in a physical examination by your veterinarian, through a careful auscultation, often during a routine visit to vaccination, which reveals the existence of a heart murmur, usually audible on the left side of the chest.

This insufficiency (or regurgitation) tends get worse over time, also increasing in proportion to the intensity of the heart murmur.

In some patients, disease progression leads to a situation of Cardiac Failure, in which the heart, as the result of changes experienced over time, ceases to perform its function effectively, putting at serious risk the lives of our comrades. In such cases, the most common manifestations are intolerance to exercise, coughing, syncope/ collapse and wheezing, this resulting from pulmonary edema (accumulation of fluid in the lungs), a common disease in all the dogs with this condition.

If your pet is already signaled by the veterinarian, do not hesitate to contact him if you notice one or more of these symptoms, because time is precious when dealing with Cardiac Failure cases.

Diabetes is, nowadays, one of the most prevalent diseases in humans, having a significant impact on the health and quality of life of millions of people, especially in the most civilized countries. The growing obesity trend, the day-to-day Stress, Lifestyle and lack of good eating habits are important factors for the disease. It’s estimated that about 50% of diabetics in the world are not yet diagnosed, facing the possibility of serious complications, even before they knew they suffer from this disease.

Given the increasing numbers of cases in humans, it’s important to raise awareness among pet owners to a similar trend in these since our companions share, increasingly, the same Lifestyle, with a big tendency for a Sedentary lifestyle, Obesity and unbalanced eating habits. The disease has some differences and specificities in the Dog and Cat, always representing a challenge, not so much in the diagnosis, but in the treatment and long term management.

In dogs, diabetes is almost exclusively of type I or insulin-dependent, eg. the pancreas does not produce enough insulin and a daily administration is required, in the form of injection, throughout the animal's life. However, rare cases of hormonal diseases, in theory, can occur but if they’re quickly treated it may lead to resolution of diabetes.

In cats, diabetes is often associated with obesity (designated type II, similar to humans) and consequent insulin resistance. This means that some of these animals still produce insulin but because of their metabolism, altered by obesity, doesn’t work properly.

The longer this situation persists, the more likely the pancreas suffer exhaustion and stops producing insulin definitely. In this situation, an animal with Type II diabetes can become, over time, a type I diabetic, who requires insulin for life.

To avoid this situation first you need to protect your pet from Obesity, something quite achievable today with a good eating plan and regular veterinary visits.

Newly diagnosed cats should also be on a diet (if obese) and doing a treatment with injectable insulin. The difference to dogs’ lies in the possibility of some of these can, with proper diet and insulin treatment, no longer be diabetic after some time (usually weeks to months).

For this reason, if you notice any of the usual symptoms of the disease, such as increased appetite, water consumption and urine output (you may suspect this when an animal that never peed during the night at home and suddenly begins to do so), do not hesitate to consult your veterinarian. An early diagnosis is essential for your companion begins to be treated as soon as possible, avoiding the complications of late diagnosis. The treatment of diabetes requires dedication from the Owners and Veterinarian, in order to control the disease in a lasting way and ensure that our friends enjoy a long life with comfort and well-being, next to his/her family.