Pediatric and Geriatric Care Lecture

Pediatric

The care for pets that are specifically 6 months or younger

Geriatric

The care for pets during their later stages of life with an emphasis on management and prevention

Canine Life Stages

1. Neonatal

2. Puppy

3. Junior

4. Adult

5. Mature

6. Senior

7. Geriatric

Neonatal (dog)

Birth to weaning

Puppy (dog)

Birth to reproductive maturity

Junior (dog)

Reproductively mature, still growing

Adult (dog)

Physically and socially mature

Mature (dog)

50-70% through life expectancy

Senior (dog)

75-100% through life expectancy

Geriatric (stage in dogs)

Past life expectancy

Feline Life Stages

• Neonatal

• Kitten

• Junior

• Prime

• Mature

• Senior

• Geriatric

Neonatal (cat)

Birth to weaning

Kitten (cat)

Less than 6 months of age

Junior (cat)

7 months to 2 years

Prime (cat)

3-6 years

Mature (cat)

7-10 years

Senior (cat)

11-14 years

Geriatric (cat)

Over 15 years

Neonatal immunity develops when

In first 10 days of life

• Vulnerable to infectious diseases

Colostrum

First milk from mother

Colostrum

• Rich in maternal antibodies

• Intestinal absorption of immunoglobulins in first 24 hours

• Only transferred in first 3 days after delivery

Regular cleaning in neonatal care

Stimulates circulation and digestive system

First 2 weeks neonatal care

• Developing basic reflexes, hearing, and vision not fully developed

• Cannot control body temp. —> heating source

In neonatal care, baby gains _____—____ body weight per day and that means what?

5-10%, failure to gan weight indicated problems

First days of life at _____ _____ of _____ and _______.

highest risk, disease, death

Risks in early life

• Eclampsia (milk fever)

• Dystocia

• Infectious disease

• Congenital defects

Eclampsia (milk fever)

Depletion of calcium in the mother due to heavy milk production

Eclampsia (milk fever)

• 3-5 week old puppies (just before weaning)

• Muscle spasms —> rigid legs, spastic movements, heavy panting

• Fatal in 30-60 minutes

Dystocia

Difficult or prolonged birth

Infectious diseases - Parvo spread through what?

Direct contact with infected animal, feces, or surfaces

Symptoms of Infectious Disease: Parvo

• Lethargy

• Loss of appetite

• Vomiting

• Severe diarrhea

• Fever or hypothermia

Prevention of Parvo

• Avoid contact with infected animals

• Vaccination

• Pick up feces ASAP

Vaccination as prevention of Parvo

• Mother

• Baby (at appropriate age)

Treatment of Parvo

• Hospitalization (isolation)

• Supportive care: fluids, nutritional support, medications to prevent nausea/vomitting/infection

What type o disease is Parvo?

Infectious Disease

Congenital Defects - Cleft Palate def

Developmental condition that occurs when parts of the lip or roof of the mouth doesn’t fully fuse before birth

Cleft Palate type of defect

Congenital defect

Synonym for Cleft Palate

Cleft lip, cleft palate or both

Treatment for Cleft Palate

• Cleft lip is a relatively cosmetic condition that can be corrected surgically if desired

• Cleft Palate can be surgically repaired —> impacts eating and breathing

Add images of these diseases

Umbilical Hernia type defect

Congenital defect

Umbilical Hernia

Outward bulging of the abdominal lining, abdominal fat, or a portiom of an abdominal organ through the area around the umbilicus (navel or belly button)

Cause of Umbilical Hernia

Incomplete closure of umbilical ring after birth

Correction for Umbilical Hernia

• May close by itself by time or spay/neuter

• Surgical correction recommended

What type of defect is Spina Bifida

Congenital defect

Spina Bifida

Incomplete closure of spinal canal during development (vertebral arches do not close around spinal cord)

What condition is a life-long condition but animals can live happy luves with supportive care with?

Spina Bifida

Signs of Spina Bifida

• Weakness/paralysis in hind limbs

• Lack of coordination

• Fecal/urinary incontinence (the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control)

• Loss of sensation in the region between the tail and reproductive part (perineum)

Pediatric care behavior

• Training

• Socialization

Pediatric care vet care

• Vaccines

• Spay/neuter

• Common disease

Pediatric care nutrition

• Food formulated for puppies/kittens

• Different nutritional needs for growing animals 12-18 months of age

____ breeds have been shown to need ____ ______ longer than ______ breeds.

large, puppy food, small

Socialization

Learning how to interact appropriately in social situations with people, dogs, and their environement

Why is socialization important?

• It’s the condition to accept activities of everyday life beyond security of your home

• Self-confidence, security, and predictable puppies

• Needed for development of primary social relationships with humans/animals

Primary Socialization time

3-14 weeks

Primary Socialization

• Most accepting, less cautious, very curious

• Can occur at any age but slower once aged out

• More likely to develop behavior issues (fear/aggression) if isolated during this time

_______ to other animals should be under constant _______.

introductions, supervision

Owner relinquishment and socialization

Behavior problems are the biggest reason for owner relinquishment of dogs…proper socialization can save the lives of many dogs

Socialization 3 main points

• Positive controlled experiences

• Multiple, brief, encounter

• Variety of experiences

Positive controlled experiences (socialization)

• Small treats to reward for good behavior

• Get used to being handles

• Observe for signs of stress

Being handles parts for positive controlled experiences

Feet, ears, mouth, etc.

Signs of stree in positive controlled experiences

Tucked tail, licking lips, yawning, shaking

Multiple, brief encounters (socialization)

90 different experiences associated with pleasurable experiences by 14 weeks

Puppy/Kitty Proofing 1

Saf eplace away from other animls/children

Puppy/Kitty-Proofing 2

Put away chewable household items

Puppy/Kitty-Proofing 3

Latching bins for food in area puppy cannot reach —> prevents overeating!

Puppy/Kitty-Proofing 4

Ensure trash cans have lids or are out of the way

Puppy/Kitty-Proofing 5

Properly latch doors, windows, etc. so puppy cannot escape

Puppy/Kitty-Proofing 6

Check yard for holes or sharp/broken fencing or dangerous plants

Puppy/Kitty-Proofing 7

Gather info about closest emergency hospitals, GP (General Practitioner-Vet), and pet poison hotline

Common Toxins def

Part of puppy (and kitten)-proofing your home involves removing common household items that can be toxic to animals

Common toxins canine

• Chocolate

• Rodenticides/insecticides

• Onions

• Grapes

• Caffeine

• Plants: azaleas or daffodils

Azaleas image

are flowering shrubs that can be toxic to pets when ingested, causing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Common toxins feline

• Lilies

• Essential oils

• Rodenticides

• Human medications

• Antifreeze

Vet care

• Initial exams

• Parasites

• Vaccines

• Preventatives

• Microchip

Vaccines vet care

• Passive immunity from mother lasts only a few weeks

• First vaccine 6-8 weeks old

Core vaccines

Recommended for all regardless of life stage or lifestyle

Non-core Vaccines

Protects against diseases common for certain life stages or lifestyles

Vaccine types

• Core vaccines

• Non-core vaccines

Canine core vaccines

• Rabies

• DAPP = Distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus

Distemper

a viral disease affecting dogs, characterized by fever, cough, and neurological signs, often leading to severe complications.

Hepatitis/adenovirus

a viral infection in dogs that can cause liver damage, jaundice, and severe illness, often preventable through vaccination.

Parainfluenza

a highly contagious viral respiratory infection in dogs that can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia. It is commonly included in the core vaccination schedule.

Parvovirus

a serious viral infection in dogs that causes severe gastrointestinal distress, dehydration, and can be fatal, particularly in puppies.

Feline core vaccines

• Rabies

• FVRCP = Feline herpesvirus (viral rhinotracheitis), Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (feline distemper)

Feline herpesvirus (viral rhinotracheitis)

a viral infection that causes upper respiratory disease in cats, characterized by sneezing, nasal discharge, and conjunctivitis. It is part of the FVRCP vaccine.

Calicivirus

a common viral infection in cats that leads to symptoms such as oral lesions, respiratory problems, and fever. It is also included in the FVRCP vaccine.

Panleukopenia (feline distemper)

a highly contagious viral disease in cats caused by the feline parvovirus, resulting in severe gastrointestinal symptoms, dehydration, and often death. It is part of the FVRCP vaccine.

Canine non-core vaccines

• Bordetella bronchiseptica

• Influenza

• Lyme disease

• Leptospirosis

Bordetella bronchiseptica

a bacterium that causes kennel cough in dogs, leading to respiratory infections; it is typically included in non-core canine vaccines.

Influenza

a viral infection that affects dogs, causing symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever, and lethargy. Vaccination can help reduce the severity of the disease.

Lyme disease

a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which can lead to serious health issues in dogs, including joint pain and fever. Vaccination is recommended in endemic areas.

Leptospirosis

a bacterial infection caused by Leptospira spp. that can affect both dogs and humans, leading to symptoms such as kidney damage, liver failure, and respiratory issues. Vaccination is recommended to prevent this disease.

Feline non-core vaccines

• Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

• Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

a viral infection in cats that affects their immune system and increases susceptibility to other diseases. Vaccination is recommended, especially for outdoor cats.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

a viral infection affecting cats that compromises their immune system, making them more susceptible to other infections and diseases.

Add vaccination guidelines slide to flashcards

yes

Spay/Neuter

Surgical sterilization of an animal

Individual health benefits of spay/neuter

Reduces risk of cancer, infection, or unwanted pregnancies

Public health benefits of spay/neuter

Overpopulation crisis