Basic Health Care Information for Your Dog
Common Infectious Diseases and Parasites:
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PARVO VIRUS: Most important, dogs and puppies that have been properly vaccinated against this disease will in the vast majority of cases be protected against it (Why Vaccinate?). It is highly contagious, and will rapidly spread through a litter of unprotected puppies, or a kennel of unprotected k-9s.
For those that have not been vaccinated, parvo virus today remains one of the most prevalent and devastating diseases to the k-9 population, especially to puppies. Purebred dogs, especially rottweilers, are more susceptible, young puppies and puppies or dogs with intestinal worms or suffering from stresses such as poor nutrition, or being lost or abandoned, or left outside in inclimate weather are more vulnerable. Parvo virus infects and destroys the lining of the intestines. Signs include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea that turns watery and bloody and has a foul odor. Consequences of this disease are deadly - dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, blood loss, and sepsis (infection of the bloodstream). Survival is unlikely without hospitalization and aggressive medical care. Even then, the victim may not survive. Time course of this disease is relatively short - within a week to 10 days the patient will be well, and immune for life in most cases, or the dog will have succumbed. There is no drug that will kill the virus itself, but medical treatment consists of offsetting the consequences of the destruction of the intestinal tissues, the dehydration, sepsis, and electrolyte imbalances. It is these consequences, rather than the virus itself (in most cases) that result in death. This is why it is imperative that the patient be hospitalised to be given continuous IV fluids, IV antibiotics, and IV glucose along with the addition of extra electrolytes if needed. Also, if vomiting is significant, injectable medication to stop the vomiting will be necessary - a dog cannot take oral medication if it is vomiting. Sometimes, if the case is not too severe, and the dog is in otherwise good health, they can recover from this disease with outpatient treatment of subcutaneous fluids and intramuscular or subcutaneous
antibiotics, and antivomiting medication. We would only recomend this course of action if finances are limited, and often they are, but please at least do this if at all possible. If you lose a dog to parvo, we strongly urge you not to bury it in the yard, as this will leave the virus in the yard, and perhaps result in the infection of another dog.
Vaccinations starting at 6 weeks in a puppy and continuing every three weeks until age 4 months or so, along with annual boosters will in most cases protect your pet from this deadly disease.
PARVO IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS AND RETAINS THE ABILITY TO INFECT AN UNPROTECTED DOG FOR MANY MONTHS, MAYBE YEARS!
Virus particles are shed into the environment in the feces. Unlike other viruses parvo retains the ability to infect an unprotected dog for many months. It is imperative that any puppy or dog who has not been well vaccinated against this disease not be allowed in ANY area, or even on the property of a parvo virus contaminated environment for at least a year or so.
Also, until your puppy has completed a full vaccination protocol, do not take this puppy anywhere where it might get exposed, such as public parks, or other areas where infected dogs may have roamed.
It is also theorized but not yet proven that this disease might be transmitted through biting insects. There have been cases of parvo reported for which there is no known source of infection, ie- the dog has never been in an environment in which it could have been exposed via infected feces. It has been speculated thusly that biting insects may be the cause of transmission of this disease.
ARE YOU WORRIED that your dog or puppy has parvo? Any puppy or adult dog that has never been vaccinated for parvo can catch this disease. The most telling signs in a puppy are a puppy that suddenly will not eat, that suddenly seems to feel very bad (it will seem sometimes to happen overnight, or just over the course of the day), that does not come when called, or does not respond when the owner comes home, especially if this puppy is showing signs of vomiting or nausea (excessive salivation), or loose stools or diarrhea. Very sudden onset of these symptoms is strongly suggestive of parvo. Other problems that can cause these symptoms do not always come on so quickly. Often the gums will appear greyish in color, tacky to the touch (dry, not moist) or there can be a great deal of saliva produced if the dog is very nauseated.
However, pink and moist gums do not rule out parvo. An adult dog may appear just as ill, or it may just seem a little listless, off feed, or having a bit of loose stool.
For much more information on parvovirus click on this outstanding site below:
MarvistaVet Information on Canine Parvovirus
PLEASE NOTE: Anytime a puppy shows a lack of appetite, and/or is no longer playful, there is real cause for concern. Because of the intense metabolic needs in a growing puppy, the hunger drive is great, and should be always present unless there is something serious going wrong. The energy level is usually high due to this elevated metabolic rate. Many things can cause such an upset in a puppy besides parvo, or distemper. Sometimes a severe worm burden can cause this, or they can swallow a foreign object which can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, or even get stuck somewhere. A lodged foreign body is very serious indeed, and will require surgery to remove it. If this is not done in time, the tissue in the area where the object is lodged can become necrotic (tissue death) and cause a lifethreatening situation. They could also be running a fever from some other disease process, or flea infestation severe enough to cause anemia can make them too weak to eat. There are some congenital diseases which will result in loss of appetite. Some very small breed puppies can develop low blood sugar and become weak. So if you have a puppy who suddenly loses interest in food or is listless or depressed, please get it to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
- DISTEMPER VIRUS: Distemper virus can cause many signs. Lack of appetite, listlessness, respiratory signs including coughing, nasal and ocular discharge, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures - the most typical and freqently observed sign is a characteristic green discharge from the nasal passages, and often coughing will be present. The dog will often appear lethargic, and may lose his appetite. This disease can be mild and the dog or puppy may continue to have a good appetite and perhaps only be slightly less playful, with recovery occurring soon. However, it can often lead to a fatal pneumonia, or invade the central nervous system, causing a variety of neurological signs, including hind limb weakness or seizures. Some dogs may experience a prolonged illness, but even these can recover if given appropriate care. It is most important that they continue to eat and stay hydrated. If such a dog has a poor appetite, try feeding him boiled chicken (without the skin)and rice, or boiled hamburger and rice. Many times dogs will eat these when they won't eat their regular dog food. Sometimes they will prefer canned food over dry, but be careful as this can cause diarrhea in a dog that is used to eating dry food. You can also administer fluids under the skin if hydration is a problem or there is diarrhea and/or vomiting (this is fairly easy to do at home, have your vet supply you with the materials and instructions). It is also important that the patient be kept on antibiotics during the duration of the illness.
Dogs that recover from distemper can develop seizures much later in life, but do not be discouraged by this because these can most often easily and cheaply be controlled with phenobarbital.
Because this disease is highly contagious through respiratory secretions, the dog is usually nursed back to health at home with antibiotics and lots of good nursing care. As with parvo, vaccinations given at appropriate times (Why Vaccinate?) will protect the dog from this disease.
- KENNEL COUGH: This is a contagious respiratory disease that is transmitted in crowded areas such as kennels or humane shelters. Most typically the dog will have a rather severe and frequent cough, and may cough up or vomit phlegm. It is not life threatening but the coughing is very intense, and stressful to both owner and pet. It is usually treated at home with antibiotics and cough suppressant. Antibiotics are important to treat the bacterial component of this disease and cough suppressants are important because the chronic cough itself will irritate the trachea and lead to more coughing! There are vaccines available for this disease.
- INTESTINAL PARASITES: Common intestinal parasites include worms, coccidia, and giardia. The major intestinal worms include roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Most puppies are born with ROUNDWORMS, and sometimes HOOKWORMS, which they can be infected with either in the uterus, or through exposure to feces containing the eggs of these worms in the environment. WHIPWORMS are not usually a problem in the young puppy, but they can be infected with them as they come in contact with contaminated feces in the environment. Both ROUNDWORM and HOOKWORM infections can kill a small puppy. ROUNDWORMS will clog the intestines and interfere with digestion and absorption of nutrients, and can cause diarrhea. HOOKWORMS latch onto the lining of the intestines and suck blood. A severe HOOKWORM infection can kill a puppy by causing very severe anemia. WHIPWORMS can result in very loose, mucousy stool that may often have blood in it. The presence of intestinal worms can make the puppy's belly appear "fat" or "swollen", this is referred to as "WORM BELLY". Often the haircoat will apppear dull and dry. ALL PUPPIES should be dewormed at age 3-4 weeks, and again at 6-7 weeks according to the guidelines of your veterinarian.
COCCIDIA is a single celled organism that is very contagious through contaminated feces. It is most commmonly spread in crowded kennel conditions, especially in humane shelters. COCCIDIA IS ALSO CONTAGIOUS TO HUMANS! It can cause severe diarrhea in the very young pup, but is in most cases self-limiting with the help of medication. GIARDIA is also a one celled organism that can infect the intestines. It is also contagious and most easily transmitted in crowded unsanitary environments, but is not so common as the other parasites mentioned above. It is most commonly contracted through the drinking of contaminated pond water. It too can easily be treated.
Remember that diarrhea from any cause can make a puppy very ill through loss of fluids and electrolytes. Such a situation must be treated right away by a veterinarian.
- EAR MITES, FLEAS, AND TICKS: These are the major external parasites of dogs.
EAR MITES: These are contagious little bugs that infect the ear canal and make the ear extremely itchy. They are not life threatening and are not contagious to humans, but they cause a great deal of inflammation and discomfort to the animal. They are transmitted by very close prolonged contact with an infected dog or cat. The mites are transmitted as they crawl from the infected animal to the noninfected animal. These mites are most commonly transmitted in crowded situations such as breeding kennels, humane societies, and other environments where multiple animals are housed together. These are not lifethreatening and are very easily treated with apppropriate medications from the veterinarian. It is important to have this problem accurately diagnosed by a veterinarian as there are other types of infection that can cause ear problems in dogs and cats. Treatment involves administering a topical ointment provided by your veterinarian. All pets in the household should be examined for these, if one has been diagnosed with them, and treated if present.
FLEAS: Well, I guess we all know about these most prevalent little obnoxious pests! FLEAS are bloodsuckers, and in small puppies and kittens they can cause anemia so severe that the puppy or kitten could die.They also transmit a disease of the blood that causes anemia, hemobartonella, which can easily become lifethreatening, if not treated; however, this disease is easily cured with proper dosing of a tetracycline antibiotic. Fleas also can cause TAPEWORMS in dogs and cats, puppies and kittens. These are worms that are transmitted to the intestines when the animal swallows a flea. TAPEWORMS do not result in serious disease but they should be properly treated by your vet. It takes a special medication to get rid of them. They can sometimes be detected on a fecal exam, but often do not show up in this test. Most often the owner discovers them in the stool as little white flat worms that may wiggle, or as what looks like little grains of rice either adhered to the hair around the rectum or in the environment. Segments of the worm will be passed in the stool, but this happens only occasionally and can easily be missed by the owner.
There are several excellent products on the market now for killing fleas and these products can significantly reduce or completely eliminate fleas from the environment and on the animal. Two of the best products are Frontline and Advantage. These are topical products that are available through your veterinarian. They are an oily substance that is applied monthly to the back of the dog or cat, and they spread over the skin like oil on water. As the fleas crawl about, the active ingredient will come in contact with the flea and kill it. The fleas will be killed before they have been on the animal long enough to reproduce; this is how these products can completely eliminate the fleas in the pet's environment, as long as there is no incoming source of new fleas, as long as they are used for a period of time to allow all of the eggs in the environment to hatch and the fleas to jump on the animals and die. Then the environment will be flea free, and no more protection is needed. There are over the counter products that are applied similarly to these, but they do not work and some of them can cause toxic reactions, especially in cats. If the flea infestation is severe, it is advisable to use an area treatment in conjunction with these products. Frontline will also help a great deal in tick control.
TICKS: Ticks are prevalent in the warmer months, spring and summer. They are picked up by cats and dogs from the underbrush in the back yard or woods. They too are bloodsucking parasites and carry several very serious diseases. These diseases include babesiosis, rocky mountain spotted fever, lyme disease, erhlichiosis, cytauxzoonosis (cats only), hepatozoonosis (dogs only) and tick paralysis. Ticks can be removed simply by pulling them off the animal. Flushing them down the toilet is a simple and convenient method of disposing of them, if you have no tick killing spray available. Paramite dip is an excellent dip for killing the ticks that are currently on the animal. For residual control, Frontline and the Preventic collar (available through your veterinarian) are the best products on the market for controlling these dangerous pests.
- HEARTWORMS: Heartworms are roundworm parasites that infect the right side of the heart and some of the blood vessels of the lungs. They are contagious to both cats and dogs, however, cats are a more resistant host. These worms are transmitted by mosquitoes.
To have a good understanding of HEARTWORMS, it is important to understand their LIFE CYCLE. Because dogs are the main reservoir for this deadly parasite, this life cycle is described as it occurs in the dog. In cats, the situation is a bit different.
ADULT HEARTWORMS live in the RIGHT SIDE of the heart (the side of the heart that supplies blood to the lungs), and in some of the blood vessels of the lungs. They are visible with the naked eye, they look very similar to the roundworms that live in the intestines-in other words like spaghetti. They exist as male and female, and they mate to produce microscopic babies called MICROFILARIA. These baby forms flow through the bloodstream. When a mosquito bites a dog that has these immature forms in the bloodstream, the mosquito will ingest them. While they are inside the mosquito, the little microfilaria will go through life cycle changes to become LARVAE. Then, when this mosquito bites a cat or a dog these larvae are injected into the tissues at the bite site. This is the INFECTIVE (disease causing form) life cycle stage of this parasite. These larvae will migrate through the tissues to the heart, where they become adults and the life cycle begins again as they reproduce to give birth to the microfilaria. The potential life span of an adult heartworm is about 3 years.
It is important to know that the MICROFILARIA in the bloodstream DO NOT MATURE into adult heartworms within the infected animal. These must be ingested by the mosquito to transform into the larval stage and then deposited into the host to have the ability to grow into adults within the host. So, the number of adult heartworms that live in the heart is dependent upon the number of mosquito bites that inject the larvae into the animal. As you can see, one bite from one mosquito will not result in a large enough number of worms to create an "INFECTION". The dog or the cat must be repeatedly bitten by larvae-carrying mosquitoes. However, once a dog has at least one male and one female adult worm living in its heart, producing babies, then it is a simple matter for a continual cycle for reinfection to occur. And this infection will be also transmitted to cats and other dogs living nearby. While it is certainly more common that unprotected dogs living outdoors develop heartworm infections than house dogs, there is still a very real risk for inside dogs to become infected. Even if your pet is not outside for any length of time it is at risk - and mosquitoes easily find their way inside a home and will chomp on any red blooded being near by!
The process by which microfilaria develop into infective larvae is dependent on the maintenance of warm temperatures for a period of time. This is why, during the winter, when the temperatures drop very low, heartworms are not transmitted, and in colder regions use of PREVENTION can be suspended for a period of time. In the SOUTH, this is a very UNPREDICTABLE situation, and all dogs must be kept on heartworm prevention ALL YEAR to insure that they are protected from infection.
There are several tests to determine if heartworms are present in a dog. The most reliable tests test for the presence of an antigen produced by the adult female heartworm. It takes at minimum about 6 months from the time of the mosquito bite to the development of the adult heartworm, at which time the antigen will begin to be produced by the adult female. Other tests examine the blood for the presence of the baby forms, microfilaria. It is in most cases required that you have your dog tested for heartworms before putting it on a preventative, unless the dog is under 6 months of age; most of the time your veterinarian will instruct you as to the appropriate time to begin a preventative program for your puppy. Also, if you have had your dog on prevention but have missed a few months of administering it, you should have it tested before restarting the medication.
You should always check with your veterinarian before restarting heartworm prevention in a situation where you have not been giving it according to schedule.
The SIGNS of HEARTWORM DISEASE are due to the damage done to the blood vessels in the lungs and heart, and to the compromised blood flow caused by their presence.
Chronic coughing is often the first sign noticed by an owner. This is usually due to an inflammatory process that sets up in the lungs, but can also be due to left heart failure (when the infection is severe) which results in fluid build up in the lungs. Right heart failure will cause fluid build up in the abdomen - this is called ascites. Other signs include anemia, loss of appetite and weight loss, and poor body condition. Long term possible complications include liver and kidney failure as well. This disease is slowly progressive, and the extent of illness will depend on the number of worms present as well as the duration of the infection. If left untreated, the animal will usually die from the many effects of this terrible disease. There is a treatment available now for DOGS that is much safer than the older treatment, but it is quite expensive. A dog that is not showing any signs of illness from the infection has an excellent chance of surviving the treatment will few or no complications, but the sicker the dog is from the infection the greater the chances are that it will not survive. A comprehensive evaluation by a veterinarian can give a good guess as to the prognosis for treatment, and measures can be taken prior to treatment to reverse to an extent some of the medical problems that have resulted from the infection. Most often a dog that has been treated successfully has minimal reduction in life span after treatment, although the more seriously infected ones may suffer from periodic coughing or some residual heart damage.
TREATMENT FOR HEARTWORMS: Thank goodness, the treatment today is so much safer than in the past. The typical treatment procedure in an otherwise healthy dog consists of the first part: 2 intramuscular injections, which will kill the adult worms in the heart, 24 hours apart (the dog is usually hospitalized for this), followed by a month of completely restricted activity, then the second part: an injection (or two) under the skin to kill the microfilaria in the bloodstream. At this point the dog is free to resume normal activity. After a period of time, depending on your veterinarian's protocol (schedule), the dog will be retested for heartworms and then put on a preventative.
A dog who is showing no signs of heartworm disease has an excellent chance of safely surviving the treatment and living a normal lifespan. The more symptoms a dog is showing from the disease, the greater risk he will endure from the treatment. In dogs that are showing significant illness, the initial part of the treatment is done over a month's time; that is, one injection will be given to kill some of the adults, then after a month, the standard procedure will be undertaken. Your veterinarian should be able to advise you as to how severely your pet is affected by this infection, and what the chances of surviving the treatment are. The treatment is very EXPENSIVE and labor intensive for you in terms of restricting your dog's activity, so keep in mind an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
For the MONTH following treatment, the dog's PHYSICAL ACTIVITY must be SEVERELY RESTRICTED. As the worms are dying, they will be breaking up into pieces. These pieces will be destroyed by the white blood cells, but in the meantime, if the heart gets to pumping too forcefully, these pieces can be thrown into the blood vessels of the lungs and cause an embolism, which can kill your pet. It is best if you can confine your dog within the home, going outside only on a leash, and only to go to the bathroom. However, this can be quite difficult for some and impossible for others. A garage or basement may make a reasonable alternative. You will just have to do the best with what you have to work with. I do not recommend tying the dog up outside as this in itself can result in tragic consequences. Building a small run or kennel would be the safest way to go. At minimum, keep the dog confined in the back yard, and the smaller the area to move about, the better. Your veterinarian may have alternative suggestions for you.
HEARTWORM PREVENTION: There are several very effective preventatives available today for dogs. These products are given orally, once a month, (there is also a new topical medication for cats and dogs that is applied to the skin and then it is absorbed into the bloodstream) and must be given throughout mosquito season. These seasons will vary according to the area of the country - up north prevention must be given only during the warmer months, but in the south, they should be given all year long. Even with the availability of preventatives, heartworms are extremely prevalent in the south because many people do not give them to their pets. This is an unnecessary and tragic waste of precious life.
Most heartworm preventatives also contain a DEWORMER that will keep the dog from picking up INTESTINAL WORMS. These preventatives differ in the types of worms that they protect against (none protect against tapeworms), so check with your vet about which is best for you. REMEMBER, a puppy under the age of 6 months can be started on prevention without testing, but a dog older than 6 months must be tested first before being put on a preventative.
For much more information on heartworms click on this outstanding site below:
MarvistaVet Information on Heartworms
- DEMODEX (red mange): This skin condition is caused by a microscopic skin mite. These mites are present in very low numbers in all dogs. They are acquired from the mother. Some of the mites crawl off the mom onto the pups when the pups are about three days old, and they will live and reproduce for the remainder of the dog's life. However, one is not usually aware of the presence of these mites because the immune system of the skin in normal dogs will keep the numbers of this population quite low. However, some puppies are born with a deficiency of the immune system in the skin (this is passed genetically from parents to pups) and in this case the mites will often be able to reproduce in large enough numbers to cause clinical signs. These signs mainly include hair loss ie, bald spots, and variable effects on the skin itself, including redness, and sometimes thickening. Prolonged infection in an area will cause "hyperpigmentation", that is, the skin will turn black or very dark; this is due to deposition of pigment as a response to chronic inflammation. Mild infections, which are called "localised" infections, may only occur in a few spots on the dog's body, typically the forehead and front limbs, but it can occur anywhere. Often these localised infections are "self-limiting" and may go away on their own, however you should always have a veterinarian check this out and treat it if he or she thinks it is necessary. More serious infections are called "generalised" infections, and they absolutely must be treated to effect a cure. These infections produce major areas of hair loss over the whole dog's body. Most typically the forehead will be involved, and then just about anywhere else on the dog's body. You will see several bald spots, and as the infection becomes more severe, these bald spots will increase in size and number. Once the disease is generalised, it will continue to progress if not treated, until the whole body is hairless. If allowed to progress, the infection will become more and more severe, the skin will become very inflammed and thickened, and often a secondary bacterial infection will set up along with the mange infection. Once the disease has progressed to this state it is very difficult to treat - it will take a long time and a lot of money to get the dog back to good health. So an OUNCE OF PREVENTION is worth a 1000 pounds of cure in this case!
Any stressful situation will contribute to the development of this disease, as stress lowers the immune system in general. A puppy who is left out in the cold, or not properly fed or loved, or is sick from other problems will be at much greater risk, and this mange will easily get out of control under these circumstances. This is why stray puppies are often found to have this problem. As well, some puppies with this disease will experience future outbreaks as an adult when subjected to stressful situations.
Red Mange is easily diagnosed with a skin scrape by your veterinarian. Unlike scabies, this mite is easily found using this procedure and microscopic examination. There are several very effective treatments available today and your vet can help you decide which is best for your dog. These treatments include Mitaban (Amitraz) dips (it will take several, depending on the severity of the infection), and oral ivermectin, given daily for at least a month. Oral antibiotics should be given for at least a month if infection is present. There is an ointment that can be applied daily for at least a month in the case of a mild, localised infection.
These mites are NOT CONTAGIOUS to HUMANS. While they can crawl from an infected dog to a noninfected dog through close contact, this migration will not result in an infection of the noninfected dog. So in effect, this disease can be considered NOT CONTAGIOUS to other dogs.
MOST IMPORTANT: BECAUSE THIS CONDITION RESULTS FROM AN INHERITED DEFECT IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF THE SKIN, ANY DOG WITH RED MANGE SHOULD BE FIXED AS SOON AS FEASIBLE, AND NEVER BRED!!!
For much more information on demodectic, or red, mange click on this outstanding site below:
MarvistaVet Information on Demodex
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