Pet care

Animals are most often referred to a neurologist by an internal medicine vet, who
carries out basic additional tests. The results obtained help make the specialist
consultation more efficient.
You can always call the Zviropolis clinic and ask a vet what the best
course of action would be in your case.

How should you prepare your pet for a neurology appointment?

No special preparation is needed for a neurology consultation, but it is helpful
to have a video recording of any worrying episodes.
A neurology consultation is non-invasive: the animal is examined by sight and touch. There is no
anaesthesia and no pain, so that the animal stays as comfortable as possible.

What does a neurological examination involve?

In the consulting room, the vet first assesses the patient’s level of consciousness, gait and posture. The visit
always begins with a conversation with the owner about the symptoms and the circumstances in which they
appeared. What should an owner know before their pet’s neurology consultation?

• how long has the animal had this problem?
• are the symptoms getting worse?
• how long do they last?
• does the unwanted behaviour occur in particular situations?
• what preventive care has the animal received?
  The vet then moves on to a clinical examination of the patient and a detailed neurological
  examination, which includes assessing
• the senses
• cranial nerve responses
• postural reactions (proprioception)
• spinal reflexes
• pain perception
  A neurological examination makes it possible to:
• detect neurological deficits
• localise the problem
• select the necessary additional tests (CT scan, MRI,
  blood tests or cerebrospinal fluid analysis)
• draw up a differential diagnosis
• give a preliminary prognosis.

What is Cushing’s disease?

Cushing’s disease, also known as hypercortisolism, is one of the most common hormonal disorders in dogs. It is characterised by excessive production of cortisol, the stress hormone and metabolic regulator, which the adrenal glands cannot regulate on their own. The pituitary gland is responsible for keeping the right level of this hormone in the blood, instructing the adrenal glands to release cortisol. When the pituitary stops controlling its production and blood cortisol becomes too high, we speak of Cushing’s disease. 

What causes Cushing’s disease in dogs?

The disease can have various causes. Most often it stems from a problem within the body itself, the so-called primary form, i.e. damage to the adrenal glands. In some dogs the disease is caused by tumours of the pituitary gland or of the adrenal glands themselves. A secondary cause may be long-term treatment with corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory drugs), which can also lead to an excess of cortisol.

What are the symptoms of Cushing’s disease in dogs?

 The symptoms can vary and may also build up gradually. Bear in mind that the disease affects every dog differently:  it all depends on the individual animal. Typical signs may include: 

• Excessive thirst and frequent urination.
• Increased appetite, which can lead to weight gain.
• Increased sweating 
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• A tendency to develop skin infections.
• Digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Hair loss 
• Muscle weakness
• Disrupted heat cycles in bitches

Unfortunately, Cushing’s disease encourages the development of other conditions, so spotting the symptoms early and starting treatment promptly can help avoid complications such as:

• diabetes
• high blood pressure
• pancreatitis 
• thromboembolic disease 

How is Cushing’s disease diagnosed in dogs? 

Diagnosing Cushing’s disease relies on a series of tests. First, the veterinarian has to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Blood tests are then carried out to measure cortisol levels.  In addition, function tests using low doses of steroids are used to allow the vet to confirm the diagnosis.

How is Cushing’s disease treated in dogs? 

Treatment of Cushing’s disease in dogs depends on the cause and how advanced the disease is. For primary Cushing’s, medication is usually prescribed to reduce the amount of cortisol produced.

For secondary Cushing’s, the corticosteroid drugs need to be gradually withdrawn. 

Another treatment option is surgical removal of the adrenal glands if Cushing’s is caused by a tumour of that organ. This is, however, an advanced form of treatment, and the decision to operate rests with the vet in charge of the animal’s care. 

If a dog is overweight, it is important to consult a nutritionist. With the right diet, it is possible to control the animal’s weight and blood sugar levels and reduce the strain on the adrenal glands. The key points are limiting sugar intake and making sure the dog drinks plenty of water. 

Cushing’s disease in dogs is a chronic condition, which means that a complete cure is not possible. Today’s treatments and veterinary care do, however, keep the symptoms under control and give dogs a good quality of life. The aim of treatment is to lower the level of cortisol in the blood or to reduce its effects on the dog. 

If your dog has Cushing’s disease and you have questions specific to your own pet, every vet at Zviropolis will be happy to answer them. 

What are the benefits of having a passport for your dog or cat?

Here are some of the main benefits of a pet passport:

Travel: if you are planning to travel with your pet, especially abroad, a pet passport may be essential. It records your pet’s health details and vaccinations and confirms that the animal belongs to you. Border authorities and airlines often ask for it, as it guarantees that your pet meets the relevant health and veterinary requirements.

Safety and identification: a pet passport contains identifying details such as the animal’s name, breed, sex and description. If your pet is lost or stolen, the passport makes it possible to identify the owner quickly and get the animal home. The passport can also record the microchip number, which improves the chances of a lost pet being found.

Health records: a pet passport holds information on vaccinations, laboratory tests, international health certificates and other important health data. This makes it easier to manage your pet’s healthcare and gives a fuller picture of its medical history.

Legal compliance: in many countries, having a pet passport is a statutory or regulatory requirement. An entry or stamp in the passport confirms that the animal has been handled in line with veterinary regulations and is in the country legally.

Easy updates: a pet passport can easily be updated whenever anything changes, such as your address, contact details or new vaccinations. That way you always have an up-to-date document with the most important information about your pet.

Can an animal travel without a passport?

If an animal travels without the proper document, the owner should be aware that it may be sent back to the country it came from or placed in quarantine at the border. The length of quarantine varies from country to country, but it is usually several weeks. On top of that, the owner may be fined!

Who can issue passports? 

Passports are issued by a veterinarian, who is required to register the document in a dedicated system that records every passport issued in Poland.  

What is needed to get a passport for a dog or cat?

Dogs and cats must meet the same conditions to be issued a passport. 

1. Rabies vaccination – the animal must be vaccinated against rabies at the time the document is issued. If your pet was vaccinated earlier, it will need to be vaccinated again. 
2. Microchip – it does not matter when it was implanted, but it is essential, because the chip number has to be entered in the relevant field. 
3. The owner’s identity document – it is a good idea to bring your ID with you so that the vet can be sure no mistakes are made when filling in the passport (at Zviropolis there is also a form for the owner to complete). 

What does the passport contain?

1. A unique document number. 
2. Owner details – first name, surname, address with postcode, the country in which the passport is issued, and the owner’s telephone number. Polish passports have space for two people to be listed as the animal’s owners. 
3. Description of the animal – name, species, breed, date of birth, colour and any characteristic features or distinguishing marks. There is also space for optional photographs of your pet. 
4. Marking of the animal – microchip number, date of implantation or reading, location of the chip, tattoo code (if the animal has one) and its location 
5. Issue of the passport – details of the authorised veterinarian, details of the practice where the document was issued, date of issue, the vet’s stamp and signature. 
6. Rabies vaccinations.  
7. Rabies antibody titre test. 
8. Treatment against one type of tapeworm (Echinococcus) 
9. Anti-parasite treatment. 
10. Other vaccinations. 
11. Clinical examination before the animal leaves the country. 

What tests are required before travelling abroad?
Testing requirements vary from country to country. We recommend checking the relevant government websites to find out exactly what needs to be done before departure and within what timeframe. 

How soon after the passport is issued can you travel with your dog or cat?

The passport becomes valid 3 weeks after the date of issue, because of the waiting period following vaccination. Only once this period has passed can you travel with your pet.

How long is a pet passport valid for?

Passports have no fixed expiry date; a new one is usually needed only when there is no more room to record vaccinations. 

To sum up, travelling with a pet takes a good deal of preparation – it is not as simple as it might seem! If you have any doubts, please do not hesitate to contact our vets.