Since prey animals show very few
obvious outward signs of illness, at least initially, we see all of our small mammal patients once a year for comprehensive health screening.
It is important to keep your older pet away from any animal
exhibiting outward signs of illness or infection and talk to your veterinarian about the safety of vaccinations for your older pet.
While cats and dogs often
show outward signs of illness or injury to their owners, exotic pets and pocket pets may show more subtle signs that something is wrong.
Please provide regular veterinary care for your cats even if they aren't showing
any outward signs of illness.
Dogs infected with Rickettsia rickettsii may have subclinical disease, which means that they show
no outward signs of illness even though they are infected with the microscopic organism.
When dogs and cats begin to show
outward signs of illness, the health concerns are often so advanced that they are no longer treatable.
Many dogs with heartworm disease show
no outward signs of illness, especially early in the course of their illness.
Because of this, rats do not usually exhibit
any outward signs of illness from these bacteria.
Unfortunately, our animal companions can not speak, and in many instances, show little to
no outward signs of an illness or injury.