When a cat appears with related symptoms, it should be examined by the veterinarian as soon as possible. A urinalysis, blood panel, and x-ray are performed as an initial diagnostic profile. A urine sample is collected by the veterinarian in order to perform the urinalysis (UA). Care should be taken to avoid contaminating the sample with artifact. The “cleanest” method of collection is called a cystocentesis – passing a very fine needle through the abdominal wall directly into the bladder. Less ideal respectively are passing a urinary catheter and collecting a voided sample, since contaminate may be introduced from outside of the body.

The urine sample is analyzed for blood, inflammatory cells, bacteria, and crystals. A specific gravity measures urine dilution caused by increased water consumption or kidney dysfunction. A reagent dipstick tests for nitrite (bacterial metabolite), pH, glucose (to screen for diabetes), and bilirubin (produced by the liver). A portion of the sample is centrifuged to separate solids from the urine such as cells, casts of the renal (kidney) tubules, bacteria, and crystals. This material is called urine sediment. Bacteria observed in the sediment are diagnostic for infection but are not always observed.

The urine may be sent to a reference laboratory for a culture and susceptibility (C&S). The sample is incubated in a special agar or broth, a food medium to grow bacteria. When bacterial growth is present, the organisms are isolated and tested to determine their species. Then they are exposed to a battery of antibiotics on a susceptibility disc. This information will tell the doctor which antibiotic to prescribe and what dose will be effective. Also, the C&S will give some idea as to how the infection will respond to treatment.

Abdominal x-rays are taken to check for the presence of bladder and kidney stones, especially if crystals are found in the urine sediment. If bladder stones are discovered, they must be removed or dissolved if possible. The stones will harbor bacteria and make resolution of the infection impossible. X-rays can also reveal a congenital defect in the bladder wall called a persistent urachus. This is a remnant of the tube that connected the bladder to the umbilicus before birth. It can also harbor bacteria and make the infection persist despite antibiotic therapy.
A blood count and chemistry panel will help determine whether the bladder infection is secondary to underlying organ dysfunction. Kidney disease is very common in older cats.

When your veterinarian prescribes an antibiotic for your cat’s bladder infection, is critical to give it as instructed. Antibiotic resistance is a real problem in bladder infections. Also, a urinalysis should be repeated at the end of the treatment period to gauge the response to the antibiotic. If time lapses between treatment and rechecking, the infection may recur, causing the need to repeat diagnostics.

Other names/Nicknames:

• Parson Jack Russell Terrier
• Hunt Terrier

Country/Date of origin:

• England
• 1700’s

Height:

• 10 to 13 inches

Weight:

• 11 to 15 pounds

Personality:

• The quintessential terrier.
• Alert, active, and feisty.
• Noisy.
• Always ready for a romp.
• As a pack hunter, it tends to get along well with other dogs, although it seems to relish a good scrap from time to time.
• Jack Russells have so much hunting instinct they are difficult to train in basic obedience.
• They mean well but they are just so busy they can’t spare the time it takes to pay attention to you.

History:

This is the working terrier.  For 250 years it has been the dog of choice of masters of Foxhounds and serious terrier men.  The breed was already well established when Parson John Russell (1795-1883) popularized them.  Everything about the Jack Russell is designed with fox hunting in mind.  In short, where the fox can go, the Jack Russell must be able to go.  The color is a white ground so that Foxhounds can distinguish the dogs from the dark colored fox or badger when they emerge from the dens.  The Jack Russell has the necessary courage, intelligence, and determination to do its job.  It is the working cousin to the more gentrified Fox Terrier that one sees in shows.

Body Type:

• A rugged, well-balanced, rather small, go-to-ground terrier.
• Button ears are not altered.
• Tail is docked.

Coat:

• Coat may be smooth, broken, or rough.
• Color should be predominantly white, with tan, black, or brown markings.
• Moderate grooming.
• These terriers are not prettied-up for shows.

Health and Wellness:

• Congenital deafness.
• Myasthenia gravis.
• Legg-Perthes disease.
• Patella luxation.
• Atopy.
• Demodicosis.

What you should know:

• Although it is not registered in either the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC), the Jack Russell is extremely popular in the United States.
• It is a wonderful little terrier that has a special affinity for horses.
• Type varies widely from longer-legged roughs to short-legged smooths.
• The physical type is not fixed, but nobody seems to care as long as they can do their job underground.

Personality:

• Sweet, gentle, and responsive.
• Prefer atmosphere of serenity and security.

History:

Legend states that the cat originated in Persia and Iran as long ago as 1684 B.C. and that they were considered as precious as spices and jewels.  Around the turn of the century, breeders crossed Persians with Angoras in order to develop a cat with a silkier, longer coat.  The wide variety of colors found in modern day Persians is the result of crossings with other breeds of cats.  Accepted for championship status in all breed associations.

Body Type:

• Medium to large, cobby body with heavy bones, short legs, and deep chest.
• Head is round and massive with a short, broad, snub nose.
• Ears are small and round tipped.
• Eyes are brilliant in color (color depends on coat color), large and round.

Coat:

• Coat is long, thick, fine textured, and glossy with a full ruff and bushy tail.
• Over 50 colors and patterns including solids, shadeds, smokes, tabbies, parti-color, bi-color and himalayan (pointed).

Health and Wellness:

• Neonatal isoerythrolysis.
• Congenital epiphora.
• Chediak-Higashi disease.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
• Dermatophytosis.
• Stenotic nares.
• Skin fold pyoderma.
• Stud tail.
• Possible hip dysplasia.

What you should know:

• Number one cat in popularity in the United States.
• In The International Cat Association (TICA), a pointed Persian (Himalayan) is considered as a separate breed.
• In the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), Himalayans are considered as a color division of the Persian breed.
• Do not select a Persian as a pet unless you are willing to take time to do the daily grooming necessary to maintain the coat.

Bladder infections are common in dogs and cats and may be straight forward ascending bacterial infections (bacteria enters the bladder through the urethra), or they may have complicating factors such as bladder or kidney stones. A persistent urachus is a congenital deformity where the tube that connected the bladder to the umbilicus stays partially intact after birth. It can harbor bacteria making infections persistent and recurring. An x-ray can be used to diagnose stones and abnormalities in the urinary tract anatomy. Bladder infections can be secondary to metabolic disease. Diabetes causes high levels of glucose (sugar) in the urine which can feed bacteria. Any disease that causes increased water consumption and urination makes the pet more susceptible to infection.

Cats can be diagnosed with feline idiopathic lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) wherein there is no primary infection causing inappropriate urination. It is an inflammatory process in the bladder that causes blood in the urine, straining and accidents. Bacterial infections can become established secondarily to FLUTD.

Inappropriate defecation (bowel movements) may accompany urination or may occur alone. Causes of increased frequency of defecation and straining include intestinal parasitism (giardia, worms, coccidia) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD, the immune system attacks the tissues of the intestinal wall and ultimately leads to bloody diarrhea. Food allergies may contribute to IBD, especially in cats.

Behavioral disorders that cause inappropriate elimination include separation anxiety, status related stress in cats, and incomplete house training in dogs. A medical cause of the behavior should always be ruled out first. Anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed along with behavioral modification training and desensitization.

Traumatic hernias occur during a violent injury to the body such as being hit by a car or attacked by a larger animal. They can occur anywhere on the body, and they too will require surgery. A diaphragmatic hernia allows abdominal organs to enter the thorax, stopping the lungs from inflating fully. The animal will be in respiratory distress or even pass out. This is a critical situation that requires immediate treatment.

There are no symptoms of a hernia per se, only symptoms of a strangulated hernia. A reducible bulge on the abdomen that suddenly becomes very hard and cannot be reduced is an indication that the hernia has strangulated. The contents of the bulge may appear dark under the skin as the blood cannot circulate properly. The animal will be in a lot of pain and should be taken to the veterinarian immediately. Tissues begin to die after a very short time without oxygen.

After hernia surgery, the pet should have restricted activity for two to four weeks to ensure complete healing.

Other names/Nicknames:

• Poltalloch Terrier
• Roseneath Terrier
• Westie
  

Country/Date of origin:

• Scotland
• 1800’s

Height:

• 10 to 11 inches

Weight:

• 15 to 22 pounds

Personality:

• The sunniest disposition in the terrier family.
• Choose your lifestyle and the Westie will happily adapt to it.
• One of the few terriers that does well with other pets.

History:

The West Highland White Terrier has a shared history with the Cairn, Scottish, and Dandie Dinmont Terriers (all of which probably come from the same stock).  However, it was a single family—the Malcolms of Poltalloch, Scotland—that was responsible for refining the little white terriers that were originally called by the name of their estate.  Many hunters favored the white coats, which were easily visible in the field.  It is believed that the white coats were selectively bred when they popped up in litters of Cairn Terriers.  The Malcolms quite fancied these game, earth dogs and kept the white strain alive for over a hundred years.  First introduced at British shows in 1900, the Westies were introduced to American fanciers in 1908.  However, it was not until the 1960’s that they skyrocketed on the popularity charts.

Body Type:

• A compact, wiry terrier with a short face and impish expression.
• Very small, pointed, erect ears are not altered.
• The short tail is natural, not docked.
• Front feet are bigger than hind feet, as might be expected in a digging dog.

Coat:

• Harsh double coat about 2-inches long.
• White is the only allowed color.
• Requires professional grooming.

Health and Wellness:

• Legg-Perthes disease.
• Cranio-mandibular osteopathy.
• Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency.
• Congenital deafness.
• Globoid cell leukodystrophy.
• Cataracts.
• Atopy.
• Generalized tremor.
• Copper-storage hepatopathy.
• Demodicosis.
• Mitral insufficiency.

What you should know:

• Sometimes referred to as the white dog in the Black and White Scotch ads, Westies are not white, Scottish Terriers.  This breed is much more upbeat and less quarrelsome.
• Excessive barking can be a problem if a Westie becomes bored.
• Likes to dig under fences, whereupon it will set out to see the world.

Other names:

• Caniche
• French Poodle

Country/Date of origin:

• Germany
• 1400’s

Height:

• 10 inches or less

Weight:

• 5 to 7 pounds

Personality:

• Candidate for most intelligent breed of dog.
• Extremely willing to please.
• Happy, lively, and playful.
• Easily trained.
• Friendly and outgoing.
• Poodles love everybody.
• An excellent family dog for those who are prepared to maintain the coat.

History:

The Poodle originated in Germany as a water retriever (Pudel means water in German).  Today there are three sizes:  toy, miniature, and standard.  They are all judged by the same standard of perfection and are identical in every respect except height.  The toy, which is the smallest of the three varieties, is a miniaturized version of the Standard.  This diminutive Poodle was never used for sporting purposes. It was, instead, the pampered darling of the French nobility.

Body Type:

• A squarely-built, active dog that carries itself with dignity.
• Hanging ears are not altered.
• Upright tail is carried at an angle to the body.  It is docked.

Coat:

• The long coat of the poodle is double.  The outercoat is wiry curls.  The undercoat is thick and woolly.
• If unhindered, the outercoat forms thin cylindrical mats known as cords.  Corded Poodles are rarely seen in the United States because they are difficult to keep clean.
• Any solid color is permitted.  Common ones are black, white, apricot, brown, blue, or silver.
• The skin color of Poodles varies.  Skin may be pink, blue, silver, or cream.
• Requires professional grooming every five or six weeks.
• Two clips are allowed in the United States show ring:  the Continental and the English Saddle.  Puppies are exempted from this and can be shown in a puppy clip (their hair isn’t long enough to accommodate the adult clips) until they are one-year old.
• The face, feet, and base of tail are shaved in all the clips.
• A full coat may take two years to develop.

Health and Wellness:

• The immense popularity of this breed has resulted in many genetic defects.
• Autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Patent ductus arteriosis.
• Tetralogy of Fallot.
• Von Willebrand’s disease.
• Distichiasis.
• Portosystemic shunt.
• Legg-Perthes disease.
• Congenital deafness.
• Cataracts.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Addison’s disease.
• Atopy.
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA).
• Immune mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT).
• Urolithiasis (oxalate and struvite).
• Collapsing trachea.
• Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
• Sialocele.
• Cushing’s syndrome (PDH and AT).
• Mitral insufficiency.
• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
• Sebaceous adenomas.

What you should know:

• In spite of the name, the French Poodle is not Gallic.  It is a breed made in Germany.
• The pompoms and topknots of the Poodle had a utilitarian origin.  As water retrievers, Poodles needed the chest and head hair to protect vital organs from the cold.  The pompoms are placed on the joints to protect them from becoming arthritic.
• Victorian merchants often had advertisements cut into the coats of Poodles, and hired someone to walk the dog around.  A sort of living billboard.
• Grooming contests attract international teams, clipping Poodles into artistic creations.  Prizes are in the thousands of dollars.
• The smaller varieties of Poodle are used as truffle sniffers.
• Poodles are beautiful and they know it.  You might even describe them as vain.
• Love to be pampered, and it is easy to spoil these adorable clowns.

Other names/Nicknames:

• Arctic Husky

Country/Date of origin:

• Russia
• 1800’s

Height:

• Females: 20 to 22 inches
• Males:  21 to 23-1/2 inches
  

Weight:

• Females:  35 to 50 pounds
• Males:  45 to 60 pounds
  

Personality:

• Intelligent and eager to please.  This is not the typical sled dog personality.
• Siberians are softer and more responsive.
• Friendly by nature towards humans but really stubborn.
• Prefers to be outdoors.
• High energy.

History:

This is the speed demon of the sled dog world.  This working animal of the Chukchi people of northeast Siberia caused a sensation when it was introduced to Alaska for the All Alaska Sweepstakes in 1909.  They revolutionized racing, as nothing finished even close to them.  Today, the racing sled dogs of Alaska owe much to their Siberian Husky blood.  Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1903.  Very popular as a companion animal.

Body Type:

• A medium-sized, sled dog of the Spitz family.
• Compact and muscular with a wolf-like expression.
• The tail, bushy and fox like, is carried over the back.  It is never altered.
• The ears are erect and are not altered.  In line with what you would expect from a Northern dog, the ears are small and heavily furred.
• Eyes may be brown or blue, or the dog may have one of each color.

Coat:

• Thick, double coat of short to medium length.
• The outercoat is coarse and the undercoat is oily and woolly.
• All colors are permitted from black to white, with many having striking face markings.
• Sheds heavily in the spring.  At other times, grooming is moderate.

Health and Wellness:

• Autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Laryngeal paralysis.
• Ectopic ureter.
• Follicular dysplasia.
• Congenital deafness.
• Metabolic bone disease.
• Cataracts.
• Glaucoma.
• Uveodermatologic syndrome.
• Zinc-responsive dermatosis.
• Discoid lupus erythematosis.
• Progressive retinal atrophy.
• Skin tumors.

What you should know:

• Communal howling is a hallmark of the breed.
• Much gentler and much less quarrelsome with other dogs than the other Northern breeds.
• Registered under the name Arctic Husky by the United Kennel Club (UKC).
• Very popular.  In the top twenty of AKC registrations for 1995.

Other names/Nicknames:

• Sheltie

Country/Date of origin:

• Great Britain
• 1700’s

Height:

• 13 to 16 inches

Weight:

• 14 to 22 pounds

Personality:

• Good-natured and eager to please.
• Intelligent and trainable.
• On the soft side in temperament, even timid sometimes.
• Excessive barking. Many owners have a compulsive barker’s vocal cords cut.
• Standoffish with strangers.

History:

Looks are deceiving.  The Shetland Sheepdog is not a miniature Collie.  The Highland Collie is a shepherding specialist.  The Sheltie, on the other hand, is a farm dog of all trades.  It herds sheep, ducks, pigs, and cattle. It keeps the barn and garden free of vermin, and warns of intruders (human or animal) on the property.  The harsh, bleak Shetland Islands off the coast of Scotland are known for their miniature animals, such as the Shetland pony and the Shetland Sheepdog.  Life was hard on the islands and the animals were small, but tough, as the conditions demanded.  The breed began to come to prominence in 1908 when the Scottish Club was formed.  In 1911, the American Kennel Club (AKC) began to include this diminutive sheepdog in its registry.  By the 1950’s, the Shetland Sheepdog was close to the top on the popularity chart.

Body Type:

• Resembles a Collie in miniature.
• The tail is long and carried low.  It is never altered.
• The ears are small and set close together.  The tips should fold forward.  Ears are never altered.

Coat:

• A double coat that consists of a long , straight, harsh outer coat and a dense, soft undercoat.
• Hair stands well off the skin.
• Water resistant.
• Sheds heavily and requires frequent brushing.
• Permissible colors are sable (ranging from golden to mahogany), blue merle, tricolor and bi-black.
• Solid white is not allowed, as this color may be linked to a deafness gene.

Health and Wellness:

• Autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Patent ductus arteriosis.
• Collie-eye anomaly.
• Hemophilia.
• von Willebrand’s disease.
• Dermatomyositis.
• Congenital deafness.
• Discoid lupus erythematosis.
• Cushing’s syndrome (AT).
• Bladder tumors.

What you should know:

• Choose a puppy that is outgoing.  Avoid one with any sign of shyness.
• Very popular breed.
• Regularly in the top fifteen of the AKC registered breeds.