As I don't have dogs, I'm not very sure about how to look out for symptoms but here are some tips from The Daily Puppy and PetMD.

It can be difficult to tell when your dog runs a fever, simply because a dog’s internal temperature, when normal, is higher than that of humans. You're better served to recognize symptoms that indicate a fever and then to check your dog’s temperature. Once you've established your dog is running a fever, take steps to reduce his temperature, assess the possible cause and seek veterinary care if indicated.

Causes of Fever
Your dog’s normal temperature should be between 101 and 102.5 degrees. A fever that spikes to 106 degrees or more can be deadly and requires immediate veterinary attention. Causes of fever include heat stroke, infection or ingestion of toxic materials. Some dogs also run a fever after receiving vaccinations. A dog running a fever may be listless, shiver, have discharge from his nose or even cough. He also may refuse food or vomit when he eats.

Assessing Your Dog’s Fever
You can’t tell if your dog is running a fever just by feeling his nose. A canine rectal digital thermometer is the most efficient and accurate way to get a real read. You may need another set of hands to help you steady and distract your pup through this sometimes uncomfortable temperature-taking process. Coat the thermometer in petroleum jelly and insert it into your dog’s rectum about an inch. Most thermometers give a reading within 60 seconds.

Symptom and Types

High body temperature
Weakness
Shivering
Decreased appetite
Rapid heart rate
Decreased body fluids/dehydration
Increased respiratory rate
Shock
Other symptoms depending upon the underlying cause

Causes

Infections (most commonly, bacterial, viral, parasites, and other microorganisms)
Immune-mediated
Tumors
Metabolic diseases
Endocrine diseases
Miscellaneous inflammatory conditions
Various drugs
Various Toxins
Sometimes the exact cause can not be established (e.g., in fever of unknown origin)

Treatment
Bring your dog’s temperature down by bathing him with cool water, particularly around his ears and on his feet, and place him in front of a fan to accelerate cooling. If your dog is suffering from heat stroke, you can place ice packs in his groin area, as well as under his legs where they meet his torso. Continue to monitor your dog’s temperature and stop cooling efforts when his temperature reaches 103. Encourage your dog to drink water as well, but don't force it.

Went to See a Vet
Never give your dog a fever-reducing medication intended for human use. A quickly escalating temperature that won't be brought down using conventional methods needs immediate veterinary attention. In addition to getting your pup’s fever under control, it’s important to determine what caused the spike in the first place. Unless there is a direct correlation to the fever -- like a low-grade fever after vaccination -- take your dog for a full checkup to rule out underlying health issues.

Vet fees can escalate and before you know it you could be spending hundreds. www.pet-insurance.co.uk covers up to £4000 on Vet's Fees, offers 10% multi-pet discount and 35% introductory discount.

To show her support for Save our Strays (SOS) Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) program, Seow Ping has offered to donate 30% from the sales of her paintings to SOS. An animal lover herself, she has 7 cats which has all been spayed as she believes neutering is the most effective and humane way to control the strays population. Since young she has compassion towards animals, the constant sight of hungry, homeless or wounded strays make her heart ache terribly. Even though she helps them whenever possible, she never stops wanting to do more. Seow Ping who usually paint impressionism and abstract art has decided to showcase a cat collection specially for this exhibition. She hopes that through her paintings, people can see the other side of strays. They are living being that too can experience joy and pain,not only cute but also a loyal companion.

Besides this exhibition, Seow Ping is also looking at collaborating with SOS to sell her paintings and postcards via Facebook to continuously raise fund for SOS TNR program. With 50% of the sales proceed to SOS, her generosity towards our strays are truly appreciated.

There are only 14 pieces of Cat paintings on exhibit @ Acheh Art Row Gallery, more paintings will be exhibited at the following galleries from July till September.

22.07.14

Muzium dan Balai Seni Lukis Pulau Pinang
Paras Bawah Dewan Sri Pinang Jalan Lebuh Light 10200 Pulau Pinang
Opening : 5pm-7pm

02.08.14

20, Lebuh Achech 10300 Georgetown
Opening: 4pm-6pm

16.08.14

Muzium dan Balai Seni Lukis Pulau Pinang
Paras Bawah Dewan Sri Pinang Jalan Lebuh Light 10200 Pulau Pinang
Opening: 5pm-7pm

13.09.14

Muzium dan Balai Seni Lukis Pulau Pinang
Paras Bawah Dewan Sri Pinang Jalan Lebuh Light 10200 Pulau Pinang

Opening: 5pm-7pm

14.09.14

Galeri Seni Mutiara
118, Armenian Street,10200 Penang, MALAYSIA
Opening: 6pm-8pm

Like

Summer is here, which brings with it beautiful weather, warm temperatures, and lots of fun in the sun. While summertime is a great season for dogs and humans to relax and enjoy the outdoors, there always seem to be too many terrible heat-related tragedies that occur. Check out my top tips for keeping your dog safe, happy, and healthy during the hot summer months.

#1: NEVER LEAVE A DOG UNATTENDED IN A CAR FOR ANY AMOUNT OF TIME DURING WARM WEATHER.
This one can't be emphasized enough. Every year there are countless canine fatalities due to being left alone in hot cars. In 85 degree weather, the dashboard can heat up to 170 degrees in just 15 minutes.
Many areas have laws prohibiting owners from leaving their dogs shut inside a hot car. Do the right thing and leave your pet at home if you need to run an errand! Contact local law enforcement if you see a dog locked inside a car during hot weather.

#2: BE MINDFUL ON WALKS.
A dog's paws can easily burn on hot pavement, so be careful when and where you let him walk. It's best to walk your dog in the morning or evening, between the peak hours of the summer heat, as a dog can easily become overheated on a walk.
Certain dogs are more prone to overheating than others--for example, brachycephalic breeds like Bulldogs, Boxers, and Pugs have reduced oxygen intake due to their less efficient breathing. Long-haired or double-coated breeds also have a tendency to overheat. Know your dog and don't let him get too hot!

#3: DON'T LEAVE YOUR DOG UNATTENDED OUTSIDE.
While dogs enjoy the outdoors, it's never a good idea to leave your dog outside unattended, especially for long hours. Even with access to shade, it can still be dangerously hot for dogs.
When your dog does spend time outdoors, especially during the hot summer months, it is critical that he have access to fresh, cool water at all times.

#4: DON'T SKIMP ON PREVENTATIVES.
During the summer months, dogs are especially prone to being exposed to potentially troublesome pests like ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas. Heartworm and flea/tick preventatives are important year-round, but they are especially critical during hot weather.
Remember--it just takes one bite from an infected mosquito to give your dog heartworms, and where there's one flea or tick, there's likely to be more. Prevention is key.

#5: HAVE FUN WITH YOUR DOG--SAFELY!
Many dogs love the water. Swimming is a fantastic exercise for dogs, especially seniors and those with arthritis or other joint issues. It is also a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your four-legged friend. Always keep an eye on your dog whenever he's in the water, and don't let him get overly fatigued. And don't forget a life vest for your dog if you're going out to a lake or ocean.

Agent S: Malaysia is also experiencing very hot and humid weather. Be a good human and leave some clean water bowls outside the house for animals without homes to drink from

Agent L: Please make sure to check that the bowl is cleaned every day to prevent bacteria from forming

Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better
ADOPTION DRIVE

DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 20

VENUE: JAYA ONE, JALAN 13/6, PETALING JAYA
(near Cosway and 7Eleven)

TIME: 11.00am to 6.00pm

Many many puppies and young dogs available for adoption. SEE YOU THERE.

Check out this #Rescuestory from Francis

Ah Cat was my very first animal rescue. In late November 2012, I was in Balakong for a meeting and the moment I came down from my car, I saw this terrible looking cat on the road side. For some reason, the cat approached me.

He was wounded and a terrible smell emitted from him. I decided to pick him up, found a box to put him in and looked for the nearest vet to get him treatment.


Ah Cat when I found him

I found a vet and the doctor agreed to treat Ah Cat and he was under close supervision and care in the vet for a couple of weeks. After two weeks, I paid Ah Cat a visit and was happy to see that his physical wounds had started to heal.


After a month in the vet, Ah Cat wounds healed a lot more and he looked much healthier.


In January, Ah Cat showed great improvement. He was actually placed in a separate room from the other animals as every time he scratched himself, the dry 'flakes' would fly everywhere.


In order for him to heal faster, the doctor recommended Science Plan Vet Essentials.

After almost 4 months in the vet, and spending at least RM3k on medication and boarding charges, his wounds returned. The doctor sadly confirmed that this was a deadly virus. Ah Cat had an animal's version of HIV .

If he was to go back to the street and fight with other animals, the other injured animal would get infected too. After much consideration and for the safety of other animals and humans, I decided to put him to sleep and this was the toughest decision I have ever made :(


What I thought was to be a successful rescue mission turned out to be a sad ending instead. I spent a total of four months visiting him in Balakong despite living in Klang. I hope I made a difference in his short and painful life. I also hope this story won't deter others from rescuing strays (yes, the cost is high) but instead inspire them to make a difference when possible and give as much love no matter whatever situation the stray may be in.

FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION (FIV) IN CATS ACCORDING TO PETMD

The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection is a complex retrovirus that causes immunodeficiency disease in domestic cats. Immunodeficiency is the medical term used to describe the body’s inability to develop a normal immune response. FIV is slow moving, capable of lying dormant in the body before causing symptoms (lentivirus). It is in the same class of viruses as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in people.

There is no genetic susceptibility for infection, although genetics may play a role in the progression and severity of the disease. The average age is five years at the time of diagnosis, and the likelihood of infection increases with age. FIV is a transmissible disease that occurs more often in males because of their tendency to be more aggressive, and because they are more likely to roam, thereby increasing their exposure to the virus.

SYMPTOMS 

• Diverse symptoms owing to the decreased ability to develop a normal immune response. Associated immunodeficiencies cannot be distinguished clinically from feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
• Recurrent minor illnesses, especially with upper respiratory and gastrointestinal signs
• Mild to moderately enlarged lymph nodes
• Inflammation of the gums of the mouth and/or the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth is seen in 25 percent to 50 percent of cases
• Upper respiratory tract disease is seen in 30 percent of cases - inflammation of the nose; inflammation of the moist tissues of the eye; inflammation of the cornea (the clear part of the eye, located in the front of the eyeball); often associated with feline herpes virus and calicivirus infections
• Eye disease - inflammation of the front part of the eye, including the iris; disease of the eye in which the pressure within the eye is increased (glaucoma)
• Long-term (chronic) kidney insufficiency
• Persistent diarrhea seen in 10 percent to 20 percent of cases
• Long-term, nonresponsive, or recurrent infections of the external ear and skin resulting from bacterial or fungal infections
• Fever and wasting - especially in later stage
• Cancer (such as lymphoma, a type of cancer that develops from lymphoid tissue, including lymphocytes, a type of white-blood cell formed in lymphatic tissues throughout the body)
• Nervous system abnormalities - disruption of normal sleep patterns; behavioral changes (such as pacing and aggression); changes in vision and hearing; disorders usually affecting the nerves in the legs and paws. 

CAUSES 

• Cat-to-cat transmission; usually through bite wounds and scratches
• Occasional transmission of the virus at the time of birth
• Sexual transmission is uncommon, although FIV has been detected in semen

  
DIAGNOSIS

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your cat, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis. Your doctor will need to rule out bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, and will also test for parasites and tumors before settling on a final diagnosis.

TREATMENT

Unless your cat is severely dehydrated, it will be treated on an outpatient basis. Your veterinarian will first work to manage any secondary infections. While secondary infections will not usually cause disease, your cat’s weakened immune system will given them entrée and they will cause further complications in your cat’s overall health. Surgery may be necessary for dealing with infected teeth and for the removal of tumors. A special diet plan may also need to be put into place.

LIVING AND MANAGEMENT

How much monitoring your cat will need from you depends on secondary infections and other manifestations of the disease. You will need to watch for the occurrence of infections in your sick cat, and be aware that wasting may occur, and that your pet may die of this disease. But, in general, the earlier FIV is detected, the better your cat’s chances are for living a long and relatively healthy life.

Within 4.5 to 6 years after the time of infections, about 20 percent of cats die; however, over 50 percent will remain without clinical signs of the disease. In the late stages of the disease, when wasting and frequent infections are most likely to occur, life expectancy is less than a year. Inflammation of the gums and mouth may not respond to treatment or may be difficult to treat.


In order to prevent this disease from occurring in the first place, you should vaccinate your cat against the virus, and protect your cat from coming into contact with cats that are FIV positive. You will also want to quarantine and test new cats that are coming into your household until you are sure that they are free of the virus. It is important to note that some cats will test positive for FIV if they are carriers, although they may never have symptoms of the virus, and that cats that have been vaccinated against the virus will test positive for it even though they do not carry it. Euthanasia is not normally called for when a cat has tested positive in part because of these reasons. If your cat has tested positive you will need to talk to your veterinarian about what to do to prevent possible transmission to other cats, and what symptoms to be watchful for, should they occur.

Early last year, hubby and I had just come back from a one night trip away from home leaving Agent S and L behind with plenty of food and water. However, instead of them both coming to greet us at the door upon our return, only Agent L came.

We called out to Agent S only to find him in his basket drooling with a high temperature. We thought it was just a flu and brought him to the vet. He was given some antibiotics and sent home. After two days, his head seemed to get bloated and we knew it was not just a simple flu.

We brought him to the Animal Hospital where he was admitted for observation. He was severely dehydrated as he refused to drink or eat ( we suspect he had a bad sore throat) so the docs had to put him on a drip. It was heart-wrenching having to leave him there for about a week.

When we finally could bring him home, we also brought home a bill of over RM1,000 for all the medication and a week's stay. In Malaysia, pet insurance is not as common as in the UK or US. If we had pet insurance, we wouldn't have felt the pinch of vet bills. For example, www.pet-insurance.co.uk covers up to £4000 on Vet's Fees, offers 10% multi-pet discount and 35% introductory discount.

We don't regret spending that money on Agent S, though. His presence gives great meaning to our lives. Till today we don't know what triggered the fever, though. We just hope he won't have to go through it again.

Agent S enjoying some sunshine after a week in the hospital.

How can you tell if your cat has a fever? In humans, a kiss of a warm forehead may give you a clue. But you can’t tell if your cat has a fever by feeling for a warm, dry nose, as many people believe. The only way to know for sure -- with either a human or a cat -- is to take its temperature.

A normal temperature in cats ranges from 100.4º to 102.5º Farenheit. A fever in cats occurs when temperatures rise above 102.5º F. Although fevers may be helpful in fighting disease, a fever higher than 106º F can damage organs. Contact the vet right away if your cat has a high fever.

Causes of a Fever in Cats according to PetMD

An increase in body temperature above normal is called hyperthermia. Abnormal or unregulated hyperthermia in cats may result from being in a very warm environment or having increased muscle activity, for example. However, a fever is a specific, regulated type of hyperthermia. It develops when the set point is increased in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body’s thermostat. A fever usually results when the immune system is activated by conditions such as:

A bacterial, viral, or fungal infection
A tumor
Injury from trauma
Certain medications
Diseases such as pancreatitis or lupus
A fever for more than two weeks with no apparent reason is called a fever of unknown origin (FUO).

Signs of a Fever in Cats

Diseases that cause a fever in cats can also cause certain telltale behaviors. These behaviors, which evolved in wild animals to help them survive illness, allow cats to conserve the necessary energy to produce a fever. Fevers fight disease by stimulating the immune system and slowing growth of bacteria and viruses.

Watch for these signs of a fever:

Loss of appetite
Depression
Lack of energy or activity
Decreased drinking
Decreased grooming
Shivering or rapid breathing
Your cat may also display other specific signs of illness, such as sneezing, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Cat Fever Care

Cats exhibiting signs of a fever for more than 24 hours or a fever above 106º F at any point need to see their veterinarian. The veterinarian may conduct tests to determine the source of the fever and take steps to treat the underlying problem. If a bacterial infection is the source, for example, antibiotics may be needed. Severe dehydration is treated with the administration of intravenous or subcutaneous fluids.

Never give your cat medication without the advice of your veterinarian. Some medications for fever, such as acetaminophen, are toxic to cats. (Yes, we've heard of pet owners giving their pets aspirin! Please DON'T! The pet's stomach will need to be pumped to get rid of the poison!)