Absolutely-several problems can be going on. Most dangerous would be Parvovirus. I would recommend you have a veterinarian examine and do some diagnostics immediately.

Call us immediately. Obstruction is a real possibility and may need to be addressed with diagnostics such as radiographs or a special barium study.

No, not always. Some worms are too small to see with the naked eye and there are also intestinal parasites that aren't worms, but actually protozoa which you also can't see.

There are no safe medicines you can give at home to make your pet vomit. Please call us immediately and let us deal with this.

Probably. I would call us and discuss this and some other things to determine whether we need to see your pet.

FVRCP stands for:
FVR=Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
C=Calicivirus
P=Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
C=Chlamydiosis (Pneumonitis)

Rhinotracheitis
A highly contagious respiratory disease, rhinotracheitis is characterized by sneezing, loss of appetite and eye inflammation. It is the most serious of the upper respiratory diseases in cats, and, in advanced stages, produces a discharge from the eyes and nose. Rhinotracheitis can be fatal to kittens and can become chronic.

Calicivirus
This serious upper respiratory disease often occurs simultaneously with rhinotracheitis. Signs of infection are similar, but cats with calicivirus may also have ulcers on the tounge. Death is uncommon, but the virus is widespread and highly contagious.

Panleukopenia
Also known as feline distemper, panleukopenia is among the most widespread of all cat diseases and is extremely contagious. Clinical signs include fever, loss of appetite or coordination, tremors, vomiting and diarrhea. Death occurs in 3/4s of kittens and about 1/2 of adult cats that get the disease.

Chlamydiosis
Another highly contagious respiratory disease, chlamydiosis was previously called pneumonitis. Signs are similar to rhinotracheitis and calicivirus. However, the main signs of infection are inflammation of the eyes or nose and excessive lacrimation (tears). Symtoms sometimes appear in only one eye.

Other Preventable Feline Diseases

Feline Leukemia Virus
This virus suppresses the cat's immune system, leaving it unable to resist other infections, including pneumonia. Infection can be transient and recoverable or permanent and fatal, depending on the situation. Signs of possible infection are continuing poor health or frequent illnesses or fever. Feline Leukemia Virus, as its name suggests, can also cause leukemia and other cancers of white blood cells.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
This disease is caused by a virus that uses the cat's own immune system to create disease. Once clinical signs develop, it is virtually 100% fatal. Clinical signs may include fever, weight loss, poor appetite or a swollen abdomen. Vaccination is done through nose drops instead of shots, targeting the initial replication site of the virus.

Rabies
This widely feared pet disease is more prevalent in cats than in any other domestic animal. It is transmitted to all warm-blooded animals, including humans, mainly through the bite of an infected animal. Infected cats may withdraw and avoid eye contact with people or become unnaturally aggressive. Once clinical signs appear, death always occurs. Vaccination is vital not only to protect your cat, but your family.

FIV
FIV is an immune suppressing visus trasmissible through blood and bite wounds, and other infectious diseases often accompany it.

COVE does not administer vaccinations, but is here to treat an animal infected due to being unvaccinated or not current of vaccinations.

Right here!

Feline Leukemia is a retrovirus that supresses a cat's immune system. Feline leukemia is the number one viral killer of cats.

Feline leukemia attacks and weakens a cat's immune system, leaving it susceptible to many life-threatening infections. It can also cause a cat to develop cancer. However, in some cats the virus can lie dormant; the cat may not develop any signs of disease but remains a source of infection for other cats.

Feline Leukemia enters the body through nose or mouth. Kittens may be affected in the uterus before birth. Because it is carried in the cat's saliva, it is spread through licking, cat bite wounds, or nose to nose contact. Common ways both Feline Leukemia and FIP can be transmitted are:
Cat fights/bites
Water dishes
Food dishes
Shared toys
Sneezing
Shared bedding
Litter boxes (feces)
Mutual grooming
Hissing fights
Vomiting/Regurgitation of hairballs

Cats in catteries and multi-cat households have the highest risk. Any cat that might come in contact with another cat is susceptible to contracting Feline Leukemia.

Signs of possible infection are non-specific, but they include frequent illness or fever, listlessness, change in appetite, weight loss and change in behavior.

Feline Leukemia is often fatal. Even a cat who recovers is permanently infected, and the virus shortens its life.

First, have your cat tested to make sure it is not infected. If it isn't, it should be vaccinated. Kittens as young as nine weeks can begin to be vaccinated. Initial vaccination protocol will require at least two vaccinations to be protective, followed by annual boosters to continue protection.

When you compare the incidence of feline diseases, you can see the importance of having cats tested and vaccinated.

COVE does not administer vaccinations, but is here to treat an animal infected due to being unvaccinated or not current of vaccinations.

Right here!

Feline Infectious Peritonitis is an incurable viral disease caused by infection with coronavirus. FIP is the second deadliest disease of cats, killing at least half a million cats a year in the U.S. alone!

FIP uses the cat's own immune system to create disease.

Like Feline Leukemia, FIP enters the body through the nose and mouth. It is spread in infected saliva or stool through cat bite wounds, licking or nose to nose contact. Common ways it is transmitted are:
Cat fights/bites
Water dishes
Food dishes
Litter boxes (feces)
Shared toys
Vomiting/Regurgitation of hairballs
Shared bedding
Hissing fights
Mutual grooming
Sneezing

Outdoor cats and cats in multi-cat households are most at risk. Within multi-cat households, as may as 80% or 90% of cats are affected by coronaviruses. FIP is a coronavirus. Also, household cats who have FIP may also be infected with Feline Leukemia.

You should consider vaccinating your cat for FIP if:
if your cat goes outdoors
if your cat has tested positive for Feline Leukemia
if your cat comes into contact with other cats
if you have more than one cat
if you are now planning or may someday adopt a new cat
if your cat has been vaccinated for distemper and respiratory disease only
if you are planning on breeding your cat (have it tested for coronavirus first)

There is no simple test that can diagnose FIP. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these symptoms: decreased appetite, weight change, fever, respiratory infection, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, swollen belly. Onset of signs may be slow or sudden.

Once clinical signs develop, there is no treatment. FIP is 100% fatal.

Prevention is the best, and only, medicine for FIP. Vaccines can be given as nose drops to healthy cats 16 weeks and older. The initial vaccination protocol is two doses, three to four weeks apart, followed by yearly boosters.

COVE does not administer vaccinations, but is here to treat an animal infected due to being unvaccinated or not current of vaccinations.

DHPP contains Distemper, Hepatitis (AKA Adenovirus 2), Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.

Distemper: a nervous system virus
*transmitted through contact with respiratory secretions, urine and fecal matter of infected dogs
*symtoms include squinting, ocular congestion with purulent discharge, weight loss, lethargy, poor appetite, slight fever, pneumonia, and intestinal inflammation.
*will cause death if not treated quickly
*Distemper is very widespread-develops in up to 75% of unprotected dogs.

Hepatitis: caused by Adenovirus
*may plat a role in causing kennel cough
*sometimes attacks liver cells causing death if not treated quickly
*not very common

Parvovirus: virus of dogs and other canids
*highly contagious disease that infects the dog's intestines, lymphnoid tissue and bone marrow
*spread by dog to dog contact and person to dog contact (if the person has touched an infected dog) and through feces of infected dogs.
*can be transmitted from place to place by hair or feet of infected dogs, contaminated cages, shoes or other objects
*symptoms include depression, anorexia, vomiting, severe diarrhea (sometimes bloody) and dehydration
*has been proven to live in soil for over 20 years after exposure
*will cause death if not treated immediately

Parainfluenza: respiratory virus
*often associated with other respiratory tract viruses
*spread through nasal secretions of infected dogs

COVE does not administer vaccinations, but is here to treat an animal infected due to being unvaccinated or not current of vaccinations.

Leptospirosis: (zoonotic) Bacterial disease that impairs kidney function

*transmitted through contact with urine of infected animals or by objects that have been contaminated with urine of infected animals
*symptoms include: vomiting, impared vision, and convulsions
*if you have come into contact with urine of an infected animal, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Zoonotic diseases mean it is transmitted from animal to human.


COVE does not administer vaccinations, but is here to treat an animal infected due to being unvaccinated or not current of vaccinations.

Heartworm disease is caused by long slender parasites that can reach up to 12 inches in length and can infect dogs, cats and ferrets. These parasites are transmitted from one pet to another by mosquitos.

Heartworms primarily affect dogs, but infection in cats is common in many areas and is on the rise. Ferrets are even more susceptible than dogs to this parasite. Symptoms of this disease include:

coughing
fainting
exercise intolerance
excessive panting
difficulty breathing

Pets at the highest risk are those that go outdoors in areas with mosquitos. One bite from an infected mosquito can lead to the death of a pet and no pet is completely safe.

SEE YOUR LOCAL VETERINARIAN FOR A MONTHLY PILL TO HELP PREVENT HEARTWORM DISEASE.

We recommend testing for infection on dogs older than 6 months in age yearly, even if your pet is on prevention. COVE can test animals for heartworms and begin therapeutics until your rDVM opens for service.

Treating for heartworms can be risky and expensive. This is why we advocate year-round prevention!!!

This widely feared pet disease attacks the brain and central nervous system. It's transmitted to all warm-blooded animals, including humans, mainly through the bite of an infected animal. Infected dogs may withdraw and avoid eye contact with people or become unnaturally aggressive. Once clinical signs appear, death always occurs. All states have laws that require vaccination against rabies to protect both pets and their owners.

If you come into contact with a rabies positive animal, you need to seek medical treatment immediately!

COVE does not administer vaccinations, but is here to treat an animal infected due to being unvaccinated or not current of vaccinations.

Lyme disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected deer tick, and is the most common arthropod-borne disease among dogs and humans in the U.S. Signs of infection include sudden lameness, evidence of severe pain, swollen joints, depression and a total reluctance to move. Incidence varies by geographic region.

There is an effective, yearly vaccination for Lyme disease.

COVE does not administer vaccinations, but is here to treat an animal infected due to being unvaccinated or not current of vaccinations.

Bordetella is a highly contagious bacteria that causes respiratory disease and is the most common contributor to kennel cough and pneumonia. Signs of infection include a dry, hacking cough or coughing spasms followed by retching or gagging. Toy breeds and geriatric dogs are at especially high risk for chronic respiratory disease. Kennel Cough usually runs its course in about 10 days, however you must be cautious of secondary infections. This disease can be transmissible through air. Most boarding and grooming facilities require animals be current (vaccinated every 6 months to 1 year) in order to stay. If your pet is frequently around other animals, or is a frequent visitor to your local dog park, we highly recommend you keep them current!

COVE does not administer vaccinations, but is here to treat an animal infected due to being unvaccinated or not current of vaccinations.

FLEAS

*Fleas in learge numbers can cause anemia, which in turn can be deadly to your pet.

*Fleas can not only cause problems in themselves, but can infest your pet with other parasites or diseases. For instance, fleas transmit tapeworms and Hemobartonella, a parasite of the red blood cells.

*One fleabite can cause a dramatic allergic reaction that causes extreme itchiness and may incite your pet to bite, chew or scratch itself. This itching may cary in its location, or it might focus on one particular area, causing extreme self-mutilation. Flea dermatitis is very common, many dogs show severe skin reactions to fleabites.

*Fleas can also invade your home and even infect you or other housemates.

TICKS

*Ticks can cause anemia in large numbers.

*Furthermore, ticks can carry many different diseases, the deer tick for example transmits lyme disease. Ehrlichia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Babesia, and Hepatozoonosis are other diseases transmitted by ticks. (Yes, people can get them, too!)

COVE highly recommends that you keep your pet on prevention year round. You can purchase preventatives, such as, Advantage, Revolution, Capstar and Frontline at your regular daytime veterinarian. COVE is here to help pets after hours who are exhibiting symptoms of these diseases, or so infested with parasites that they need blood transfusions.

Pets excited about being home tend to eat or drink too much or too fast, which can cause vomiting. They may also be slightly nauseous from any anesthetics/medications used.

If your veterinarian says your pet can have food, feed them small quantities of their regular diet-no table food. Always provide fresh water, but give it in small quantities as well.

It is common for animals to lick the surgical site once in a while, but excess licking can lead to infection and premature removal of the sutures. If your pet will not leave their incision alone, please call COVE or your rDVM immediately so we can get you an E-Collar.

Be sure to check the incision site twice a day, and make sure the area is clean and dry. If you notice any redness, swelling, discharge, or signs of pain, contact COVE or your rDVM right away.

Of course your pet will be excited to be back home, but it is important to keep them quiet. Recovering pets need their strength to heal and extra movement can put unnecessary strain on their incision site. Encourage them to rest when inside, and restrict their activity outside.

Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, excessive tiredness after a day or two, depression, and lack of appetite. If you see these signs, or you suspect a problem, call COVE or your rDVM.

Keep the bandage clean and dry by keeping them indoors as much as possible. When you walk them outside, cover the bandage with a plastic bag-but remember to remove the bag within an hour.

Most bandages should be changed by your rDVM every 2 to 4 days. This way, your vet can recheck the wound and administer any necessary medications to help with healing.

Check bandages daily for abnormal odors, discoloration, weakening, or moistness. If you notice a problem, the bandage may need to be replaced.

IF YOUR rDVM DOES NOT BANADAGE A WOUND FOR ANY PARTICULAR REASON, MAKE SURE TO LEAVE IT UNCOVERED. Always follow the recommendations of your Veterinarian.

It is very important to leave the hospital with an understanding of how and when to give medications to your pet. If you forget to give a dose of medication, or give too much medication-call COVE or your rDVM immediately to find out what to do.

When giving your pet medication, be calm, firm, and reassuring.

TABLET OR CAPSULE: From an overhead position, use one hand to press your pet's upper lips gently behind both of the large canine teeth. With your other hand, gently and evenly open the lower jaw and use your index finger to place the pill on the base of the tounge, as far back as possible. Hold the mouth closed until your pet swallows. You can gently rub their throat while holding their mouth closed to make them swallow. DO THESE STEPS QUICKLY AND DON'T KEEP YOUR HAND IN YOUR PET'S MOUTH!

If your pet is aggressive or needs a little more coaxing, you can hide the pill in a pet food "meatball" or purchase a pet piller from your Veterinarian office.

LIQUID: Hold your pet's head still and maneuver the dropper or syringe into the corner of the mouth. Dispense the medicine toward the back of the throat slowly to avoid gagging. Some liquids can be mixed with food, but please consult your Veterinarian.

DROPS OR OINTMENTS: For the skin, rub medication gently in a circular motion with a cotton applicator, and make sure its absorbed before letting your pet lick the area. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling topical medications.

FOR THE EARS: Gently hold one ear and carefully place applicator at the ear base. Administer the medication and then massage the base of the ear where it contacts the head. It should sound like a wet tennis shoe when you rub the medication into the ear.

FOR THE EYES: Form a pouch by pulling down your pet's lower lid with the thumb of one hand. With your other hand, place the medication in the pouch. If possible, avoid the pets line of vision as you approach the eye with the applicator.

Whatever the reason, hospitalization is a necessary, but stressful, event for you and your pet. Our goal at COVE is for pets to feel better quickly so they can return home! In the meantime, we will provide the best medical care possible with:

COVE's careful monitoring by our professional staff. We monitor temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and pain levels with electrocardiographs and pulse oximeters. We have a full in house laboratory to do necessary diagnostics and radiographs.

COVE's spotless facility. You can feel safe knowing that our stainless steel hospital wards are clean, as well as our sterile surgical suite, and ultrasoniced and autoclaved instruments.

1. IS IT THE RIGHT PET? Make sure the pet is the right pet for you and your family. Look at things like the pet's activity level, size, allergies, etc. You want to make the most informed decision possible when you make the decision to get a pet.

2. WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PET? Decide who in the family is going to take care of your new pet. Try assigning age appropriate tasks so that everyone feels a sense of responsibility and love for your new addition.

3. CAN I AFFORD THE PET? The cost of a pet goes far beyond the purchase price or adoption fee. Factor in the cost of food, pet supplies, training, veterinary care, grooming, and emergency visits. It is not fair to bring an animal into your home if you can not afford to take care of it in ALL circumstances.

4. HOW LONG WILL I HAVE MY PET? Remember that a pet is a long term commitment. Many dogs and cats can live over 15 years.

5. SPECIFIC BEHAVIORS? Do you want a guard dog, a family dog, a hunting buddy, or a quiet companion?

Consider how much time you and your family will have to spend with your pet.

Consider if you live in a house or apartment and what the regulations are.

Consider whether you have a small or large yard. Is it fenced?

Consider whether you have kids. If so, try selecting a breed that is more tolerant of children, such as labs, goldens, and beagles. Other breeds, such as Dalmations, Cocker Spaniels, and some terrier breeds may be less tolerant of children.

Consider if you already own a pet? If so, have you made sure they will tolerate another animal? Does your dog like cats?

Consider coat length and how much time you want to spend brushing your new pet.

Consider what behaviors you are looking for. Many breeds have specific "job descriptions" and may be a better fit for your family.

Consider mixed breeds. Many times you can avoid the inherited diseases that can plague purebreds. There are also many animals in need of homes at shelters. See if your local shelter offers shelter insurance.