We’re now in one of the hottest months of the year, and I’ve never wanted to sweat more in my life! Heatstroke Hazards and Hidden Risks Yes, I know my human readers aren’t fans of sweating, but it’s a picnic compared to the panting dogs and cats do when it’s hot outside. I recently overheard Dr. Petersen say that panting isn’t as efficient as sweating, so I feel it’s my duty as chief marketing officer to remind everyone how dangerous summer weather can be for your furry companions this time of year. First, the weather doesn’t need to be sweltering to make us feel bad. Even a warm, slightly humid day can be bad news, especially if we’re in a car. The interior of an automobile can reach life-threatening temperatures in just a few minutes. Cracking the window often isn’t enough to help, so it’s best just to leave us at home whenever possible. Although dogs need exercise, please try to take us out in the early morning or early evening. If we’re left outside, be sure to give us plenty of shade and water. And for Dog’s sake, keep us away from hot pavement, which can damage the tissue on our foot pads! Sam’s Corner
When Percy, a handsome domestic longhair cat, arrived at our clinic, he was critically ill. His abdomen was distended, and he was lethargic, uncomfortable, and not himself. An ultrasound confirmed the presence of significant fluid (ascites) in his abdomen. Further testing (including PCR analysis of the PERCY’S COMEBACK Beating Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
fluid) led to a diagnosis that, until recently, was devastating: feline infectious peritonitis (FIP).
If you see us panting heavily, vomiting, or drooling on a hot day (or if we have diarrhea to boot), bring us to Petersen Pet Hospital right
FIP is a serious disease caused by a mutation of the feline coronavirus. While many cats are exposed to the benign form of this virus, it can mutate and trigger an aggressive inflammatory response. This leads to two main forms of the disease: “wet” (effusive), which causes fluid accumulation in the abdomen or chest, and “dry” (non-effusive), which affects organs like the liver, kidneys, eyes, or brain. Historically, FIP was considered almost always fatal, with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis.
Percy’s case, however, highlights how far veterinary medicine has come. Thanks to a rapid diagnosis and
prompt intervention, we were able to start him on a new antiviral medication called Bova-GS441524. This treatment targets the virus directly and has shown remarkable success in managing and, in some cases, curing FIP. Over the following weeks, Percy’s transformation was incredible. His abdominal fluid resolved, his energy returned, and his appetite improved. With careful monitoring and a full course of treatment, we’re happy to report that Percy made a complete recovery! Today, Percy is a thriving, happy 3-year-old cat enjoying life to the fullest. His story is a powerful reminder that early recognition and advances in treatment can result in positive outcomes, even for diseases once thought to be untreatable.
—Dr. Lindsey Leo
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