 Health
Issues from A - Z
A
ALLERGIES
Dogs can get allergies just like people do.
However, symptoms involve skin problems rather than respiratory distress. Check
the skin problems section over for possible clues toward allergies. A common
culprit is fleas, but dogs can be allergic to many other things, including some
types of food commonly found in dog food. A good way to have your dog's allergies tested is
with an ELISA test. Your vet should know about this test and be able to have it
done at your request.
ANESTHETICS
Are used during surgery. Your veterinarian will
advise you of the necessity of withholding food prior to the administration of
anesthesia, and also on post-operative care. The larger the dog the more
anesthesia it will need and the more costly it becomes. This is why
neutering and/or spaying your dog early at six (6) months is a good idea.
ANAL GLANDS
Every dog has two anal glands or sacs (1 gland on
each side of the anus). These glands are occasionally refereed to as "scent
glands", because they enable the dog to mark its territory and to identify each
other. We have all seen how dogs greet each other by sniffing at the other's
rear. The anal sacs are normally expressed (emptied) by rectal pressure during
defecation.
Impaction of the Anal Glands
When the anal glands fail to empty normally, the result can be
impaction. Impaction is most common in small dog breeds, but can occur in any
dog. Among the causes of anal gland impaction are : soft stools, small anal
gland openings and overactive anal glands. The anal gland secretions become
thick and pasty. Anal gland impaction is treated by manual emptying of the
glands.
ANTIBIOTICS
Are used to treat Bacterial Infections.
ANTISEPTICS
For first aid, cleanse wounds with well-diluted
hydrogen peroxide, then rinse with salt water as a neutralizer.
ASPIRIN
Should not be given to your
dog without seeking veterinary advise first, as it is injurious to the membranes
of the stomach. Most human medicines are totally unsuitable for use in dogs, and
your dog should not be dosed with any substance without veterinary advice.
B
BATHING
You may need to bathe your dog on occasion. The
main thing to remember is that dogs' skin is more delicate than humans. It is
much more prone to drying out when you wash it. Human based shampoos are
formulated to remove all the oils. You need to get one formulated for dogs that
will remove dirt but not the essential oils for the coat. Dogs that are
frequently bathed may require some supplements (such as Linatone or vegetable
oil) to keep their skin and coat healthy.
A condition called impetigo may result from not
rinsing all the soap out. Other general problems, such as fleas that prefer
dried-out skin, may occur.
BITES
From another dog can cause
puncture wounds or tears. The area should be carefully cleaned and watched in
case an infection introduced beneath the skin causes abscesses to form. Clip the
hair away from the edges of such wound and keep it open by daily bathing, so
that it heals slowly from within.
C
CONJUNCTIVITIS
Conjunctivitis, better known as Pink Eye, is an
infection of the inside of your eyelid. It is usually caused by allergies,
bacteria, viruses, or chemicals. This can be passed from dog to human.
An ointment is typically used by squeezing it into the eye.
What are the signs and symptoms?
- Red, irritated eye.
- Some burning and/or scratchy feeling.
- There may be a purulent (pus) or a mucous type discharge.
CONSTIPATION
In a young dog may mean that it has a blockage of
an article (i.e. socks, paper towel) inside. Straining of bowels and no
production should be checked by a Veterinarian. In a older dog it most
commonly may be not enough fiber. Flax Seed oil can help with this.
COUGHS
Can typically sound like our cough. If
there is nothing in the dogs throat then it could be just a tickle. But
consistent coughing and hard hacking sounds may mean your dog has "Kennel Cough"
(par influenza. This can take a variety of different forms, and all forms
are highly contagious, it is a infectious bronchial virus which is dangerous in
young puppies. This needs to be treated by your Veterinarian.
CUTS
Miner cuts can be cleaned with soap and water or
hydrogen peroxide. Watch for infection. You can also soak in warm
water if possible. If the wound is bleeding profusely and it is deep hold
pressure to area and contact your Veterinarian A.S.A.P. This may require
stitches.
CYSTS
Are usually found when petting or grooming your dog. If the area is
hard it should be examined by your Veterinarian. A biopsy may be taken to
make sure that it is not cancer.
CANINE HEPATITIS
Canine hepatitis is a viral disease that is
caused by canine adenovirus, type I and it affects the dog's liver function.
How is Hepatitis Transmitted?
This virus is transmitted through bodily fluids such as urine, stool and
saliva.
What Are The Symptoms? High fever Bloody
diarrhea Vomiting blood Abdominal pain Loss of appetite Abnormal intolerance to
light. A mild form of hepatitis may result in "blue eye" Corneal opacity
(cloudiness) Depression Fever. Puppies with hepatitis may die suddenly
with no signs of previous illness.
What is The Treatment? Dogs infected with
hepatitis require hospitalization in most cases. If hemorrhaging is severe,
blood transfusions may be necessary. Some very mild cases may be treated with
rest, vitamins and special diets.
D
DIARRHEA
For more than a few days is not healthy and can
result in your dog becoming dehydrated. The dog may look generally
unwell and should be kept extra warm. Stress, over-excitement, an excess
of milk or a change in diet can cause diarrhea. Not feeding your dog
its regular diet will help. Make up some bland meal such as white rice (1
cup) and cooked hamburger (1/4 cup) mix and serve. If the condition
persists consult your Vet.
DISTEMPER
Canine distemper is a contagious, incurable,
often fatal, multi-systemic viral disease that affects the respiratory,
gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. Distemper is caused by the canine
distemper virus (CDV).
E
EARS
Your dog's ears should be clean, slightly pink-gray and have no odor.
Problems with the ear to watch for include:
 Red, irritated skin
Dirt or wax build up
"Coffee grounds" (rare)
Discharge
Foul odor
Frequent head shaking, or scratching/pawing at ear(s).
The most common problems with ears are ear
infections (yeast or bacterial). Ear mites are actually pretty uncommon in dogs.
In any case, any of the above symptoms are grounds for having the vet check your
dog's ears out.
Ear mites are treated with medication. Sometimes
a reapplication is needed. Some people have gotten rid of light infestations by
cleaning the ear out and then coating lightly with baby oil or mineral oil.
Ear infections are a little harder to treat,
usually requiring daily ear drops for a week or so, weekly drops for some time
after that. Some dogs prone to ear infections need to have ear drops on a
regular basis. Drop-eared dogs are a bit more prone to ear infections, as prick
ears normally allow more air circulation.
F
FLEAS
Every spring you should use preventative measures
to keep fleas and ticks off your dog. Using only Veterinarian approved
chemicals such as Frontline. You can purchase this through your Vet or
on-line with a prescription from your vet. Once your dog has fleas it is
very difficult to remove them from your house and COSTLY. Some dogs are
allergic to flea bites and may need special care and treatment. PREVENTION
is the Key!!
FITS
or convulsions, are sometimes experienced by
puppy's and dogs. They may be epileptic in origin and therefore hereditary, or
they may be brought on by pain, a nervous upset or extreme fear. Contact
your Vet if your dog experiences seizure like convulsions.
FOOD
There are many dog food formulations out there,
ranging from inexpensive grocery-brands to expensive premium food. You should
find out what suits your dog best: while many dogs have done just fine on dog
chow, others do much better with other foods such as Nature's Recipe, Iams,
Pro-Plan, etc.
The theory behind the more expensive foods is
that they are more digestible and contain less "bulk" and "fill." Hence, your
dog will eat less in volume (and thus the extra cost of the food is somewhat
offset) and excrete small and firm stools. You may need to experiment to find
out how your dog does on different brands. Dogs vary in their individual
reactions.
Food should be fed once or twice a day. Put the
food down and take it up again after ten to twenty minutes regardless of whether
your dog has finished eating it. This discourages "picky eating" and lets you be
certain of exactly how much food your dog is eating. Frequently, a problem is
first indicated when your dog's feeding goes off, so scheduled feeding like this
(rather than free feeding) will tip you off to potential problems right away.
The larger or younger your dog is, the better
multiple daily feedings are; simply divide up each day's portion into individual
feedings. Fresh water should always be available, and changed at least once a
day.
G
GASTRO ENTERITIS
Gastroenteritis is a catchall term for infection
or irritation of the digestive tract, particularly the stomach and intestine. It
is frequently referred to as the stomach or intestinal flu, although the
influenza virus is not associated with this illness. Major symptoms include
nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms are
sometimes also accompanied by fever and overall weakness. Gastroenteritis
typically lasts about three days.
H
HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke can happen very quickly if a dog is
left inside a car on a hot day. The temperature can reach over one hundred
degree's in a matter of minutes. Walking your dog outside in the middle of
the day on hot tar is also not recommended. Take your walks in the early
morning or late evening. Leaving your dog tied up in full sun with no
shade and or no water is harmful. If you feel your dog is experiencing
heat stroke, put him in an air conditioned room. Heat stroke starts
with rapid, frantic breathing. The tongue is bright red and the dog will
start staggering. It is imperative to bring the temperature down or this
will prove fatal.
I
INJECTIONS
These are used to administer antibiotics and/or
vaccines to your dog. Some injections are painful to small puppies but remember
they are necessary.
J
JUVENILE CATARACT
This is hereditary and will need to be operated on. This is uncommon,
but will appear at around eight months of age. The eye will gradually be
covered with a white film.
L
LAMENESS
can be caused by a strained muscle or tendon. Keep the dog quiet with minimum
amount of exercise. If this does not improve within a few days seek expert
veterinary advice. LICE spend their life cycle on the dog. After laying their
small white eggs, called nits, they firmly attach them to individual hairs. The
adult insects are slow-moving and grey, slightly than a pin-head. Insecticidal
shampoo will kill the adults, but an infected animal must be carefully and
meticulously combed, too, to try remove the eggs. It is normally necessary to
give a series of shampoos to effectively cure a dog or puppy heavily infested
with lice.
M
MANGE
The three types of mites found on dogs are
otodectes which is an ear mite, sarcoptic mange which causes severe itching,
thickening skin and odor, and follicular mange which lives in the hair follicles
and causes the hair to fall out, the skin to redden and eventually forms
postules. You should always consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and
treatment.
N
NEPHRITIS
This is inflammation of the kidneys. Kidney
failure... kidney disease in the dog and cat is a common and difficult disorder
to manage. Often called CRF... Chronic Renal Failure, it is seen most often in
the older dog or cat. Kidney failure has it origins in a wide variety of
causes. For example, some animals are born with poorly constructed or
functioning kidneys and never reach totally optimum health. Eventually, these
individuals usually fall into kidney failure at an early age. Another type of
kidney failure can occur after accidental ingestion of antifreeze that contains
ethylene glycol. These situations cause sudden and often irreversible renal
(kidney) failure. Quite commonly, kidney failure results from low grade, long
term (chronic) inflammation of kidney tissues called chronic nephritis; the
damage caused by this inflammation renders permanent damage to delicate renal
tissues that are not able to repair themselves or heal as some other body
tissues do. Eventually, not enough normal functioning tissue remains to support
the body's need for metabolic regulation and waste elimination. The dog or cat
becomes UREMIC, a condition where body waste material builds up in the blood.
These toxins promote vomiting, poor appetite, depression, and eventually death.
Bacterial invasion of the kidneys is a common cause of chronic nephritis and
kidney failure.
P
POISONS
Please check all household and garden chemicals before using on floors and
gardens. Most are not "Animal Safe" and may have a pleasing odor to your
dog. If you use chemicals on your floors your dog can absorb them through
sweaty paws. Rat and mouse poisons may test GOOD to your dog.
PYORRHEA
This is an inflammation of the gums in the mouth due to too much tartar on
the teeth.
R
RING WORM/ROUND WORM
Internal parasites are worms. The common
roundworm is found most often in puppies where they hatch in the intestines. If
it is treated when the dog is young, rarely will a heavy infestation be found
when the dog is older. These worms may be passed on occasion through the stool
and look like thin spaghetti about 1-3 inches longs, whites, firm and sometimes
coiled or curled. Hookworms are also common in puppies but a dog of any age can
be infected. This worm in a heavy infestation can cause death and it will
usually attack a weak, sickly animal. Things to look for are weakness, anemia,
and thin, mucous-like diarrhea possibly with blood. Call your vet if you see
these symptoms. Whipworms respond well to oral medicine. Symptoms may be on and
off diarrhea, poor condition and the coat may seem dry and brittle. Heartworms
were most common in the coastal plain regions of the Atlantic and the Gulf of
Mexico but they have spread to many other areas. The mature worms attack the
right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries. In advanced cases congestive
heart failure to the right side of the heart can occur. Chronic coughing, tiring
easily and weight loss are all signs of infestation. Since mosquitoes carry this
worm you can monitor your dog against these pests and in areas where the
mosquito is present, daily oral medicine is a good prevention. Tapeworms are
often found in the older dog. There are two species of this worm. One spends
part of its cycle in the flea. When your dog eats a flea it becomes infected.
The other spends part of its cycle in the rabbit or mouse. When the dog gets
hold of and eats one of these animals it also becomes infected. This worm
attaches itself to the lining in the intestines and some segments will break off
and come out with the stool. It is usually easy to identify this worm and a
stool sample can be taken to your vet for confirmation. Oral medicine is very
effective for this worm but only lasts on a temporary basis. Once a flea,
rabbit, or mouse is ingested medicine is again required.
T
TEETH
The best treatment for teeth is to brush them as
much as possible. There is special tooth paste for dogs with an extra
enzyme in it to help break down heavy tartar.
V
Vaccinations
Regularly scheduled shots
An indispensable part of keeping your dog healthy is to keep its vaccinations
up-to-date. A table, lifted from Carlson & Giffin, shows all the major
vaccinations (at minimum) that a dog in the US should have. Conditions in your
area may necessitate additional shots; ask your vet about them as they may not
always be routinely included in normal shot programs. DHLPP is a combination
shot: Distemper, (Canine) Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, (Canine) Parainfluenza,
(Canine) Parvovirus.
Age Vaccine Recommended
8 wks | Distemper -
measles - CPI
14-16 wks
| DHLPP, Rabies
12 mos & annually | DHLPP
12 mos & | Rabies 3 yr intervals |
Vaccination failure
Vaccinations may fail under the following conditions:
vaccinations are improperly administered (should always be by or
supervised by a vet)
the dog has some innate inability to respond
the dog has already been exposed to the disease in question
the puppy is too young for the vaccination to "take"
VAGINITIS
Atrophic vaginitis is an inflammation of the
vagina due to thinning and shrinking tissues and decreased lubrication of the
vaginal walls. It is caused by a lack of estrogen.
W
Worms
Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and heartworms – are parasites
that can live inside and rob your dog or cat of vital nutrients. Worms can cause
anemia (low levels of red blood cells), lethargy, poor appetite, and even death.
Pet owners should ask their veterinarians which parasites to watch for because
worms have various geographical distributions (e.g., heartworm is more common
among cats in warmer climates). Pet owners can take preventative measures
against particular parasites. Medications are commonly used to prevent most worm
infections.
Z
ZOONOSES
Zoonotic diseases are those that can be passed
from animal to animal--thus from your pets to you. Salmonella, toxoplasmosis,
Lyme disease, rabies, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, better known as
"mad cow disease") are some of the most publicized zoonoses.
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