Ali Hamad. Photo: Courtesy
Release Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 6am
Pets can also contract diseases that afflict humans, from cancer to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s. But in veterinary medicine, complications are more complex because animal diagnoses are made by observing behavior, veterinarians told Khaleej Times.
“The biggest challenge veterinarians face is studying animal behavior to make the right diagnosis and ensure owners don’t exceed their animal care budget,” says veterinarian Ali Hamad.
The 32-year-old veterinarian said animals have the same systems as humans and are therefore prone to similar diseases. “For example, when cancer occurs, cells multiply and grow uncontrollably and the body becomes uncontrollable. The same thing happens in animals. There are many diseases that animals and humans have in common, such as influenza, gastrointestinal diseases, bacteria, blood pressure, blood sugar, cardiovascular diseases, cholesterol, Alzheimer’s disease, etc,” he added.
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Hamad gave the example of a bird from Saudi Arabia, saying: “The bird had lipoma cancer – a type of sebaceous gland cancer. We started the surgery and everything was going well until the bird woke up. It looked at us as if to say ‘thank you’ and then it passed away.”
He explained: “Birds have a masking phenomenon – the ability to hide their illness. Birds believe that if they show their illness they will become prey, so they hide their illness until it is in the terminal stage, when symptoms begin to appear. At that point, treatment attempts are likely to fail – doctors cannot save the bird.”
Ali Hamad. Photo: Courtesy
“Most wild and game animals are good at hiding illnesses, so most bird and lizard owners should have the experience to spot the symptoms,” he added.
Reliance on observation
“The disease is difficult to diagnose in animals because it progresses slowly and requires observation,” said Dr Emile Matar, a veterinarian at Pure Life Veterinary Clinic.
He adds: “Pets, including dogs, can suffer from illnesses that are very similar to those that afflict humans. One such illness is cognitive impairment, similar to Alzheimer’s disease. This can manifest as getting lost in familiar places, disrupted sleep patterns, changes in learning and becoming unresponsive to training.”
“In cases of cognitive impairment, some relief may be achieved by administering acids that reduce oxidation in the brain. This treatment is not a cure, but it helps manage symptoms and improves the quality of life for pets and their owners,” he added.
Dr. Emile Matar. Photo: Courtesy
Crab insulin for diabetic dogs
Dr Matar continues, “Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in pets. It is treated with a low-carbohydrate diet and insulin is the main treatment. There are three types of insulin available in human pharmacies that are used in pets. The type approved specifically for dogs is called Canine insulin.”
He explained that mould and skin diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans and are among the most common illnesses in the UAE due to humidity.
Beyond Animal Care
Meanwhile, Dr Hamad said he previously had two cats, a bird and a falcon but gave them all up. “I work in a hospital so looking after them was difficult as I could transmit infectious diseases to them,” he added.
Hamad advised prospective pet owners to do thorough research before owning or adopting a pet, stressing that adopting is a lifelong commitment and understanding the needs of an animal like a rabbit, which requires feeding, care and veterinary medication for 10 years, is crucial in being a responsible pet owner.
Ali Hamad. Photo: Courtesy
Both Dr Hamad and Dr Matar advise pet owners to prioritise regular health checks and keep their pets’ living spaces clean, and also recommend using insecticides to prevent avoidable diseases.
“These proactive measures will contribute greatly to the overall health and well-being of pets. It is important for people to understand their pets’ behaviour and consider whether their own schedules and resources can support caring for them. For older animals in particular, regular health checks can extend their lifespan,” the researchers added.
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