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Feline acne, which is associated with overproductive sebaceous glands, usually appears on the chin, according to veterinarian Keeley McNeal. If the cat responds with rubbing and scratching, it can break the skin, causing a bacterial infection with draining skin pustules. If acne is caught early enough, applying topical benzoyl peroxide may clear it up, according to Dr. McNeal, but more advanced lesions require antibiotics, and she said it can be difficult to catch an early case of acne. “Cats can be pretty good at hiding it until they’re really miserable,” Dr. McNeal said.

Because Smokey, 9, has such dark gray fur, his owner Nanette Goode of Joliet didn’t see the bumpy rash, but she could feel it.

So she researched his symptoms online and discovered Smokey had feline acne, which she treated with apple cider vinegar, as opposed to the traditional remedy of benzoyl peroxide.

“Getting a cat to comply with peroxide more than once is hard,” Goode said.

Within two weeks, Smokey’s acne had healed to a scab. Goode then eliminated what she believes caused the outbreak—his plastic food bowl—and replaced it with a stainless steel model.

“Bacteria can get in the scratches and grooves in the plastic,” Goode said, “and that can get on their skin when eating.”

Dr. Keeley McNeal at the Animal Care Center of Plainfield said feline acne often appears worse than it really is. It typically presents as little lumpy blackheads on a cat’s chin. Affected cats may look as if they’re stopped grooming themselves.

Feline acne is not breed specific, nor does it necessarily run in families, McNeal said. Certain cats may simply experience overactive sebaceous glands.

These glands produce a substance called “sebum,” which waterproofs hair and keeps skin supple. Allergic cats are at greater risk for developing it, possibly because their skin is already inflamed.

If the acne itches and the cat responds by rubbing, scratching and licking it, the chin may also become infected and painful. If the chin turns red and/or oozes pus, the acne will require antibiotic treatment. Otherwise only topic treatment with benzoyl peroxide wipes may be sufficient. Catching the acne before it reaches that point may be tricky.

“Cats can be pretty good at hiding it until they’re really miserable,” McNeal said.

The acne should heal in two to three weeks. If not, the cat might have an underlying condition (such as feline herpes, which can lower the immune system), a recent chin injury or another disorder.

For instance, indoor/outdoor cats that enjoy hunting can wind up with ulcers on their chins and lips from mites they pick up while eating mice.  Infections that don’t clear up should be smeared under a microscope to rule out possible fungal infections. Certain skin parasites can also resemble feline acne.

Pale and white cats that like to lie out in the sun are especially prone to developing squamous cell cancer. An affected cat’s ears and lips will appear sunburned. A skin biopsy can detect the presence of skin cancer. See your veterinarian any time a wound does not heal.

Although feline acne is unsightly, cats cannot pass it onto humans or other cats in the household. There is also no way to prevent it, but feline acne will also not limit the cat’s day-to-day life or prevent it from participating in any special events.

And, unlike humans, cats won’t sit before a mirror brooding about what the other cats are thinking about their appearance.

“They can still go to prom,” McNeal said with a chuckle.

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston are working to identify the factors that explain the virulence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete that causes Lyme disease, which affects animals and an estimated 30,000 people in the U.S. per year. Using advanced technology, the team is testing the pathogen’s 1,739 genes in an effort to find the ones responsible for its ability to spread so readily. The findings are expected to help develop vaccines, diagnostic tools and treatments

ScienceDaily (Oct. 25, 2012) — Investigators at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) have accelerated the search for the bacterial genes that make the Lyme disease bacterium so invasive and persistent. The discovery could advance the diagnosis and treatment of this disease, which affects an estimated 30,000 Americans each year.

Scientists hope to use this information to unravel the mystery of how the spiral-shaped bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease. Ticks carry the bacterium and transfer it to animals and humans when the tiny spider-like creatures bite. The Lyme disease microorganism was discovered in 1981.

“We believe that this will be one of the most significant publications in Lyme disease in the next several years. This global approach will help ‘move the field forward’ and also serve as a model for other pathogens with similar properties,” said Steven Norris, Ph.D., the study’s senior author and the vice chair for research in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the UTHealth Medical School.

The bacterium can invade almost any tissue in humans or animals and trigger an infection that lasts from months to years. Its symptoms include a reddish rash that often resembles a bull’s eye and flu-like symptoms. The disease can lead to nervous system problems, joint inflammation and heart abnormalities. Most instances of Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics.

“Our long-term goals are to screen, identify and characterize the virulence determinants of the Lyme disease bacterium and thereby dissect the mechanism of pathogenesis in mammals and ticks,” said Tao Lin, D,V.M., the study’s lead author and assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the UTHealth Medical School. “With this information, we will have a clearer picture about the virulence determinants and virulence factors for this fascinating microorganism and the mechanism of pathogenesis behind this unique, invasive, persistent pathogen.”

Norris, the Robert Greer Professor of Biomedical Sciences at UTHealth, and Lin are running tests on the 1,739 genes in the bacterium to see which genes impact the microorganism’s ability to spread disease.

To do this, they mutated the bacterial genes and gauged the impact in a mouse infection model. Overall, 4,479 mutated bacteria were isolated and characterized. Whereas it took researchers about three decades to knock out less than 40 bacterial genes, Norris and Lin knocked out 790 genes in a comparatively short period of time; some genes were “hit” multiple times. A newly developed screening technique, which involves signature-tagged mutagenesis and Luminex®-based high-throughput screening technologies, can also be used to identify infection-related genes in other bacteria.

“This kind of study enables us to better understand the disease pathogenesis at the basic level,” said Charles Ericsson, M.D., head of clinical infectious diseases at the UTHealth Medical School. “In time, such understanding of virulence properties might enable us to develop vaccine candidates, better diagnostic tools and perhaps even targeted drug intervention.”

Norris and Lin are on the faculty of The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston.

Previously, Norris helped develop a method based on one of the bacterium’s proteins, called VlsE, for diagnosing Lyme disease. The test, which is now used worldwide, involves detection of VlsE-specific antibodies, which are often found in people and animals infected with Lyme disease.

Also participating in the study from UTHealth were Lihui Gao, D.V.M., Chuhua Zhang, Evelyn Odeh and Loic Coutte, Ph.D. Mary B. Jacobs and Mario Philipp, Ph.D., of the Tulane University Health Sciences Center collaborated on the study as did George Chaconas, Ph.D., of The University of Calgary in Canada. Mutated strains produced through this study are being made available to the scientific community through BEI Resources.

The study is titled “Analysis of an ordered comprehensive STM mutant library in infectious Borrelia burgdorferi: insights into the genes required for mouse infectivity.” The project described was supported by Award Number R01AI059048 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Osteoarthritis, a painful inflammation of one or more joints, can occur in birds, but careful management by a veterinarian, along with some lifestyle changes, can help affected birds live comfortably, writes veterinarian Margaret Wissman. Diagnostic tests to ascertain the health status of the bird, including blood count, kidney and liver tests and other parameters, will help the veterinarian select the most appropriate medications, Dr. Wissman notes. Owners can make changes such as providing perches of several sizes and shapes and keeping a pet bird’s weight within the normal range to help avoid exacerbating the condition, she advises.

Arthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints that can be a primary disease or secondary to defects or injury of the joints or supporting tissues. The most common form diagnosed in pet birds is osteoarthritis. Multiple joints are often affected, unless the disease is brought on by trauma. Pain accompanies this joint inflammatory disease.

This is typically an acquired disease with age but it can be brought on by an injury or if a tumor, either malignant or non-malignant, involves a joint. Infections such as mycoplasmosis can also result in arthritis in pet birds. Affected joints may be red, swollen or hot.

You should have your bird evaluated by an avian veterinarian who will want to perform tests to ascertain the cause of the joint problems. You may want to purchase braided rope perches or soft synthetic perches, and make sure that you have perches of several different diameters so feet don’t cramp up from always being in the same position on a perch.

Have your bird’s blood count, chemistry profile, kidney and liver checked out before getting a medication prescribed. In some cases, antibiotics or antifungal medications are indicated. There are choices of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) to give a bird for long-term arthritis relief; however, most of these medications are not labeled for use in birds. The old stand-by, aspirin, is actually a wonderful anti-inflammatory for birds; however, dosing is critical, so this must be prescribed by an avian veterinarian. Other NSAIDs can also prove useful in the long-term management of arthritis. Narcotics, such as codeine, and steroids are not commonly used for long-term treatment of birds because of potentially dangerous side effects. To keep your bird more comfortable when afflicted with arthritis, provide appropriate perches as well as flat corner perches. Do not let your bird get overweight, as it will bring added stress to already damaged joints. If your bird is already overweight, discuss a long-term diet and exercise plan for your bird with your avian veterinarian.

Allergic dogs are common visitors to veterinarian Brian Jenkins’ office, making up an estimated 20% of his clientele, and he can relate to their plight because he also suffers from allergies. The three categories of allergies in pets are flea allergy, food allergy and atopic dermatitis. While there is no definitive cure for allergic conditions, Dr. Jenkins says that with time and consistent treatment, many animals can experience relief from their symptoms.

Nan Sterner could not figure out what was wrong with Sadie.

Since she was a puppy, the 4-year-old golden retriever and poodle mix – a goldendoodle – was constantly scratching.

“She was itching and scratching all the time,” Sterner said. “I thought it was fleas.”

But Sadie was found to be flea-free. She was still scratching, though, to the point where she had red and irritated patches of skin all over her body, and even had some scratched-open sores.

So Sterner brought Sadie to Aloha Animal Hospital in Hanover to find out what was wrong, and she was relieved to discover that her condition is treatable.

“Sadie has a huge amount of allergies,” said Dr. Brian Jenkins, veterinarian and co-owner of the animal hospital.

Some cats and dogs suffer from allergies, and often are allergic to the same things as people, like trees, grasses, weeds, and pollen, Jenkins said. While people usually suffer the effects of allergies through their respiratory systems, cats and dogs feel it in their skin.

And over the last year, with continuous warm and often wet weather, those allergies seem to be worse, and Jenkins is seeing more and more cases coming into his office all the time.

The good thing is while allergies are no fun, they are treatable.

Treating pet allergies

Even pets who have not shown signs of allergies before might be scratching their coats and looking for relief from the itching this year.

Jenkins said allergies have a threshold. An allergen might have no effect on a dog or cat in a normal year may flare up with more exposure.

Pets typically have three different kinds of allergies. One is a flea allergy, in which they have a reaction to flea saliva.

Along with common allergens, fleas have been thriving with weather conditions over the last year.

A second allergy is one that’s often difficult to diagnose, which is a food allergy. Most allergies start in the first few years, but food allergies can start at any time. Dogs are usually allergic to beef, followed by dairy and wheat. Cats are also allergic most to beef and dairy, as well as fish.

But the third and more common allergy, and the one Jenkins likes to study, is atopic dermatitis – or the skin allergy.

These allergies typically hit pets that are between 6 months and 3 years old. And they can be seasonal, caused by things like weeds, grass, mold or pollen, or they can be caused by things like dust that are present throughout the year. Tree pollens are particularly bad in Hanover this time of year, Jenkins said. And he said he is seeing lot of allergies to ragweed now, too, as well as sagebrush and a whole host of molds and spores.

“You won’t cure an allergy, but you can treat it,” Jenkins said.

One way to treat these is through the use of steroids, which is quick and cheap, but it can have negative side effects, such as ulcers, vomiting, diabetes and skin and coat problems.

Jenkins treats Sadie, and many of the pets he sees, with topical treatments for the skin, as well as allergy shots. It can be time consuming, and a financial commitment, but it’s often the best way to keep allergies under control, he said.

Every pet and each allergy is different, and Sadie is a pretty extreme case, too, suffering from a whole list of allergies, he said. But even with an extreme case like Sadie, and with the help of an owner who constantly monitors and applies medication, treatment can been successful, he said.

A doctor who understands

Allergies are not fun for pets. Or people. Jenkins takes a special interest in treating allergies because he has suffered from them since he was a little kid.

And as an allergy sufferer, he’s empathetic with what pets are going through when they come in his office with allergies.

He’s allergic to many of the same things as Sadie – particularly ragweed, which he said is vicious this time of year.

Like Sadie, he goes to his doctor for treatment, and is able to keep it under control.

Though he’s a general practitioner of veterinary medicine, and does not specialize in allergies, he takes a special interest in it. And with the hundreds of dogs and cats that come through his doors, he said he could open an allergy clinic if he wanted to. About 20 percent of the dogs he sees have some form of skin allergies.

Any breed is susceptible, he said, but allergies are particularly common among golden retrievers, labs, Boston terriers and shih tzus.

But there’s hope for all allergy sufferers.

“Dogs and cats are allergic to many of the same things as people,” Jenkins said. “And they can be treated in some of the same ways.”

While there is no silver bullet to treat all allergies, he said with time, patience, and constant treatment, allergies can be brought under control.

And dogs like Sadie can continue to live happy, itch-free lives

In two months, a national monument will be dedicated to all the dogs that have served the country in combat since World War II. The bronze monument, designed by John Burnam and created by sculptor Paula Slater, features a handler flanked by four dogs representing breeds commonly used in wars. Burnam, who served in Vietnam with military dogs and wrote two books about the topic, spent years pursuing the idea of a national monument for dogs before legislation authorizing the monument was introduced in 2007 and signed into law the next year.

LOS ANGELES — The act of Congress is in the books, the bills are paid, the sculptures are being cast, and one of the biggest parades in the world will start a glory tour and countdown to dedication.

The first national monument to pay tribute to military dogs will be unveiled in California in just two months. The U.S. Working Dog Teams National Monument will honor every dog that has served in combat since World War II.

Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas that can be fatal in severe cases — causes pain, vomiting, lethargy, decreased appetite and a fever in dogs and may be caused by ingesting a fatty meal, such as turkey from the holiday table, writes veterinarian Kristel Weaver. Diagnostic tests including blood work and ultrasound help veterinarians diagnose pancreatitis. Treatment involves withholding food to rest the pancreas as well as giving pain medication and antibiotics, according to Dr. Weaver. Cats also can suffer from pancreatitis, but it’s usually not associated with eating a high-fat meal, and cats tend to have more subtle symptoms than dogs

Over the holidays we frequently hospitalize dogs and cats with pancreatitis. Even if your cute little one is looking up at you with big, sad eyes it’s better for them not to eat the greasy turkey leftovers. This month’s article is all about pancreatitis.
What is pancreatitis and what causes it? Pancreatitis results from swelling and inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas not only produces hormones like insulin but also digestive enzymes. These enzymes are normally inactive until they reach the intestinal tract. But when the pancreas becomes inflamed they activate prematurely and digest the pancreas itself, causing a lot of damage.
How do I know if my dog has pancreatitis? Dogs with pancreatitis vomit, aren’t interested in food, and have a painful belly. They might show their abdominal pain by walking with a hunched back or stretching out in the prayer posture. They might also be lethargic, have diarrhea, or a fever. Your veterinarian will use a combination of history, examination, blood work and ultrasound to diagnose pancreatitis.
How is pancreatitis treated?
Based on severity, pancreatitis is usually treated with a combination of fluids, pain medications, anti-nausea medications, and antibiotics. Food is withheld for the first one to two days to “rest” the pancreas and give it a chance to heal. Moderate to severe cases of pancreatitis require hospitalization on IV fluids, whereas mild cases might be treated as outpatients. Severe pancreatitis can be fatal despite aggressive treatment.
Are some dogs more predisposed to pancreatitis than others? Yes, dogs with diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, or high lipids are more likely to get pancreatitis. Dogs that are obese or that eat a rich, fattening meal are also predisposed. Dogs who have had a previous episode of pancreatitis are more likely to get it again. Any dog can get pancreatitis and sometimes we cannot identify a reason why.
Do cats get pancreatitis too? Yes! Cats also get pancreatitis. When cats have pancreatitis it is different from dogs in several ways. First, they don’t usually have a history of eating a rich or fattening meal. Second, they often have a chronic problem instead of a sudden attack. Third, they are not typically vomiting and often only shows signs of a poor appetite and lethargy. Diagnostics and treatment are similar for cats and dogs.
If you want to give your pet something special for the holiday buy a special treat from the pet store. It may be hard to resist those pleading eyes but your pet’s health is worth it! I hope you and your entire family have a wonderful Thanksgiving without an emergency visit to the veterinary hospital.

Dr. Kristel Weaver is a graduate of the Veterinary School at the University of California, Davis where she received both a DVM and a Master’s of Preventative Veterinary Medicine (MPVM). She has been at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care in San Ramon since 2007. She currently lives in Oakland with her husband and their daughter, Hayley. If you have questions you would like Dr. Weaver to answer for future articles, please email info@webvets.com.

A 15-year-old, indoor pet cat that was not current on its rabies vaccination tested positive for rabies after biting its owner and exposing another person to the virus. Both people are being treated. The owner does not know how the cat contracted the disease.

DALTON, GA (WRCB) —  Two Whitfield County residents are now undergoing rabies treatments after exposure to a pet cat that the Georgia Public Health Laboratory has now confirmed as positive for rabies.

The 15-year old cat bit its owner and exposed the owner’s fiancée to the disease before it died. A test for rabies came back positive October 26, 2012.

The cat was reported to have had rabies vaccinations in the past but was not current with its vaccinations.

Due to the age of the animal and being kept indoors, the expected probability of rabies was considered small. The cat’s owner could not remember an incident when the cat may have been exposed to rabies.

Public health officials have gone on a door-to-door campaign in Dalton delivering rabies notices, since the area is well-populated.

Domestic dogs and cats typically become rabid within one to three months from exposure, longer incubation periods have been documented. In some cases,  humans have not developed rabies until several years after exposure.
Rabies is usually transmitted by exposure to the saliva of a rabid animal through a bite or scratch. Wild carnivores such as bats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, bobcats and foxes serve as a reservoir for the disease virus and these wild animals can transmit it to domestic dogs, cats, livestock and people.

Bats are considered to be one of the primary conduits for rabies transmission to humans. Contact with bats should be avoided.

Veterinarian Joel Murphy, who runs a small-animal veterinary practice and has a passion for avian medicine, emphasizes the importance of good nutrition for pet birds. Basing his information on his study of wild birds, Dr. Murphy has developed diet recommendations for pet birds including feeding fresh vegetables and fruits, water and special pellets. According to Dr. Murphy, many pet birds in his area die prematurely due to malnutrition, a situation he believes can be prevented with owner education. He also recommends weighing birds daily because weight loss can signal illness

PALM HARBOR, FL — Inside the Amazon rainforest, thousands of miles from his office in Palm Harbor, the holistic veterinarian watched a colony of chattering macaws glide above the treetops.

“They looked like little blue and gold jewels filling the sky,” said Dr. Joel Murphy, recalling a research trip in 2009. “They were so beautiful, healthy and happy.”

Murphy, who taught graduate avian medicine at the University of Georgia and has lectured at veterinary schools from the Bahamas to Nepal, aims to recreate that vibrancy in the Tampa Bay area. He studies eating patterns in the wild to bring healthier diets to domestic pets.

Exotic bird owners from New Port Richey to Pinellas Park to Carrollwood seek Murphy’s unusual care, which includes blood serum tests, a self-concocted line of flower essences, and dietary counseling. But most of the sick parrots, cockatiels and parakeets Murphy encounters in the bay area — about 2,000 annually — die early from malnutrition, he said.

“It’s a huge, huge problem,” said Murphy, who runs a practice for dogs, cats and his specialty, birds, on U.S. 19 near Nebraska Avenue. “People bring me their beloved pets and have no idea what’s wrong with them.”

For years, Murphy operated an exotic bird research center in Palm Harbor. When a surprise divorce rocked his finances in 2005, he closed the operation. His continued research is independent, out of pocket.

The rainforest macaws and other exotic birds Murphy has observed nibble nuts, berries and tree bark loaded with vitamins and essential fatty acids — ingredients largely missing from many brands of pet store food.

He’s written four books and more than 100 articles related to the subject, most recently How to Care for Your Pet Bird. He constantly campaigns to visitors inside his waiting room, which he paid about $2,000 to “pet feng shui” with gold dragons and amethyst stones.

“I do everything I can to get through to people,” he said. “Proper, natural nutrition information is out there. The problem is fixable. We just need to bring attention to it.”

About eight years ago, when Clearwater resident Donna Taylor’s emerald green Amazon parrot stopped talking and eating, two emergency room referrals guided her to Murphy. She felt her pet, Billy, was close to death.

A tissue biopsy determined the bird suffered from severe liver cirrhosis. His previous owner, a restaurant manager, used to feed Billy beer, Taylor explained.

“Dr. Murphy didn’t even consider putting Billy down,” she said. “I’ve never seen that kind of compassion in a vet. Instead, we started a regimen of twice-daily holistic medications and we got five more wonderful years with him.”

Now, Taylor schedules regular appointments with Murphy to monitor the health of her Amazon, macaw and Caique birds.

“My husband and I had no idea how to correctly feed them before we talked to Dr. Murphy,” Taylor said. “Now, they only eat fresh, human-grade foods.”

To keep exotic birds healthy and happy, Murphy offers owners three basic guidelines: Provide a diet of fruits, vegetables, water and fortified pellets; weigh pets daily, because weight loss is often the first and only sign of illness in birds; and give large breeds proper training to foster good behavior (and avoid bouts of screeching and scratching).

“Birds are just like little people,” Murphy said. “You’ve got to love them and treat them as though they’re part of the family.”

A cat with unilateral, chronic eye discharge improved with topical and oral treatments, but the owner can’t sustain the expense for all the medications and asks for help. Veterinarian Michael Brown offers some possible causes for the chronic discharge and notes that some of those need lifelong treatment. Dr. Brown suggests an over-the-counter supplement that could help but emphasizes that the owner should work closely with a veterinarian to determine the best course of action for the cat’s eye problem.

I have a 5-year-old male domestic shorthair tabby cat (Pokey) that I have had for about 3 years now. Ever since I got him, he has had a black discharge from his right eye, and I was told that he had it from birth. It’s not bad, but I have been cleaning it for him with a paper handkerchief and an eye rinse.

A veterinarian gave me an antibiotic to put in his eye. I finished the tube and renewed it several times, and although it helped, it never cured the situation. Recently, because Pokey couldn’t really open his right eye one day, I went to a new vet who gave me (for almost $200) another tube of antibiotic (neomycin  and polymyxin B sulfates  and dexamethasone ophthalmic ointment) to put directly in the eye, a suspension of Clavamox (a liquid suspension by mouth), and an oral paste Enisyl-F (an oral paste by mouth).

Pokey can open his eye completely and it’s completely clear of the discharge, but the oral paste was not completely used up. I called to see if it needed to be completely used up (like an antibiotic), and the vet said he had to take it for the rest of his life.

I’m a senior citizen, living on Social Security, trying to maintain a house on a limited income, so the cost of this is rather scary, but I’d try to continue to maintain it for him if it wasn’t for the fact that he hates taking the Enisyl-F.

Can you suggest anything else that I can do to maintain a clear eye for Pokey? Or is it not too bad for him to have the discharge? I’ve seen many dogs with a dark stain by the corner of the eye, sometimes staining quite a section of the face, and although it’s not pretty, if it doesn’t do any harm, I’d hate to spoil Pokey’s personality just for beauty.

Your cat Pokey likely had a condition called conjunctivitis. In cats, there are several infections of the eye that are possible causes that include feline herpes, bartonellosis, mycoplasma and chlamydia. Numerous other infections are possible but are rare in this area.

In the northeast, feline herpetic conjunctivitis is by far the most common cause of upper respiratory and eye infection. The clinical signs include tearing, squinting, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, sneezing and coughing. Many kittens are exposed to the herpes virus during birth. Every cat mounts a different immune response to this challenge.

The bottom line for your cat is this: topical (eye) antiviral therapy is preferred for this condition (idoxuridine, cidofovir) when an active infection is present. Antibiotics and steroids do not treat herpes infections. Oral L-Lysine is used to help prevent recurrence, as the virus lives in the body forever. You may use Lysine tablets by mouth (over the counter nutritional supplement) to help keep costs minimized. You need to speak to your veterinarian about the appropriate dose for your cat and for advice on how to administer a pill to a cat (crumble in food, dissolve in water, etc.). The tearing may persist as the viral infection may reduce normal function of the tear duct, thus causing the drainage from the eye. This is sometimes permanent. Feline herpes cannot be transmitted to a person or other species so there is no risk to anyone in the house.

Bartonella (cat scratch fever) is a potential zoonotic disease, especially to immunocompromised individuals, and if your cat tests positive for this condition, specific therapy is recommended. Good hygiene with the litter box and the owners’ hands is always recommended, regardless. Please speak to your veterinarian about any concerns you may have about Pokey.

— Michael Brown, DVM, MS, Diplomate, ACVO

Facing a diagnosis of an autoimmune condition in their pet, the owners of a small dog ask veterinarian John de Jong for advice. Dr. de Jong explains that their dog likely has one of two conditions — immune mediated hemolytic anemia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura/immune thrombocytopenia. He writes that in animals with such conditions, the body targets its own blood tissue, and he suggests following their veterinarian’s recommendations for treatment.

By Dr. John De Jong / Ask the Vet Sunday, November  4, 2012