In the veterinary field dental diseases are now recognized as a problem in pet animals.
There are two common dental diseases in dogs. The first one is gingivitis, which is an
inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis progression can be reversed. The second most common
disease is periodontitis. This disease is a deeper inflammation of the gums that also
involves permanent damage to the teeth and their supporting structures (such as the gums).
Periodontitis cannot be reversed, but it can be slowed down.
The most common cause of these diseases is plaque. This sticky, soft film contains
bacteria that can cause the gums to become infected and inflamed. This plaque attaches to
the surface of the teeth and, if it is not removed regularly, the plaque will hardened
into tartar. If a lot of plaque and tartar build up on the pet's teeth, serious problems
can occur (such as serious generalized infections or heart and kidney disease).
A pet with dental diseases can show many different signs. The most common sign of a
dental problem is a pet with bad breath. Bad breath is not normal in an animal with a
healthy mouth. The earliest signs of a dental problem include gums that are red, swollen,
sensitive and bleed easily. Plaque that has formed is a sign, but it is often hard to see
on the teeth. Tartar, however, is fairly easy to see and appears as a light brown, hard
material on the teeth. The teeth may become loose and fall out if the disease has
progressed far enough. These pets may also show coughing, gagging, and pain and discomfort
while eating. A loss of appetite and weight loss are other signs. Swellings around the
face and a nasal discharge my be signs of more severe dental problems.
Since these diseases are similar to the dental diseases of people, the pets are treated
similarly. The best treatment is to have the pet's teeth cleaned by your veterinarian once
a year. The dental instruments in a vet's office are very much like the instruments in a
dentist's office. They include a scaler, to remove the plaque and tartar, and a polisher
to even out the surfaces of the tooth. Since pets will not sit still for a dental
cleaning, general anesthesia is necessary. Anesthesia is also used for the safety of the
veterinarian and the staff. If the pet has periodontitis an antibiotic may be prescribed.
Fluoride treatments can also be done. An advanced case of periodontitis may require that
some teeth be pulled.
Prevention is the key to controlling dental diseases. The best preventative measure is
to have your veterinarian perform a thorough examination of your pet's mouth every 6
months. If the pet is eating a soft or canned food diet this may be contributing to dental
diseases. Switching the pet's diet to a dry, hard food slows down plaque build up because
the hard pieces of food help scrape off plaque as the pet eats. Some dog food companies
are now making dry dog foods that are specifically designed for dogs with dental disease.
T/D by Hill's Science Diet is one of these new foods. Some people also recommend allowing
dogs to chew on rawhide or on toys specifically designed to remove plaque. The latest
preventative method is home dental care. This involves brushing the pet's teeth at home on
a regular basis. Do not use human toothpaste or baking soda to clean a pet's teeth. The
ingredients in human toothpastes may upset your pet's stomach. Baking soda contains a high
level of sodium that may cause medical problems, especially in pets with a heart
condition. There are toothpastes made especially for pets.
Dental disease can be prevented. If you suspect a dental problem in your pet, take your
pet to your veterinarian immediately. For further information concerning dental diseases
and dental cleaning procedures, ask your veterinarian.
Diabetes Mellitus is a disease in which the pancreas does not function properly. The
pancreas is an organ that produces a hormone called insulin. The function of insulin is to
convert blood glucose (sugar) into cellular energy. It is difficult to prevent Diabetes
Mellitus.
Some causes of diabetes Mellitus are disease, old age, genetics, obesity, poor
nutrition, hormonal imbalances and damage to the pancreas. If the pancreas cannot function
properly then it cannot produce enough insulin to carry glucose to the cells. Older obese
female dogs and male cats are most susceptible to this disease.
Some signs of Diabetes Mellitus are: increased water consumption, frequent urination,
increased hunger with weight loss, cataracts (cloudy eye) and weakness.
Although it is difficult to prevent this disease, keeping your dog lean and healthy by
giving it plenty of exercise and feeding a low carbohydrate diet may help deter this
disease.
Diabetes Mellitus is a non-curable disease but it can be controlled with a special diet
and daily insulin injections. The Owner must faithfully cooperate with a constant schedule
of injections, special diet (with no cheating) and regular glucose testing to check for
insulin insufficiency. Your local Veterinarian can give you specific instructions and
demonstrate how to administer the injections.
Heartworm, known in a veterinary clinics as Dirofilaria immitis, is an internal
parasite in dogs. The heartworm is a long slender worm that lives in the right ventricle
and pulmonary artery of a dogs heart. Most infected dogs have more than one heartworm
present. They produce microfilaria ( baby heart worms) and can cause circulatory problems.
The heartworm's intermediate host is the mosquito. An intermediate host is a host in which
a parasite matures until it passes to its permanent host. When the mosquito (intermediate
host) takes a meal of blood from an infected dog it also ingests the microfilaria. It
takes fifteen to seventeen days to mature inside the mosquito. The microfilaria is passed
back into another dog (permanent host), which then migrates to the dog's heart and within
85-120 days becomes an adult heartworm.
A dog rarely shows signs until the heart becomes impacted with the adult heartworms.
Signs that occur with circulatory problems are coughing, respiratory distress and
listlessness. Clinical signs, however, aren't enough to diagnose heartworm disease in a
dog. It is up to your Veterinarian to diagnose heartworm disease with laboratory blood
tests. They will test for microfilaria or a chemical that the female adult heartworm gives
off. The Veterinarian will decide which test or combination of tests to use.
The treatment of heartworm is a one month process including two steps. The first step
is an injectable that kills the adult heart worms. The dog must be quiet, with no activity
for one month. If the dog becomes active the fragments of the dead heart worms could
become lodged in the blood vessels and cause serious circulatory problems. The second step
is an oral dose that kills the microfilaria circulating in the bloodstream. In two to
three weeks the dog will be tested again for the presence of heart worms and if the tests
are negative, the dog will be put on a heartworm preventative medication. Prevention of
heartworm disease is once a month pill (Interceptor or Heartgard) or one pill daily
(Filaribits or Filaribits Plus).
Heartworm disease is a serious disease that can be fatal to your dog. It is important
to understand and prevent heartworm disease Your Veterinarian can assist you with the
proper prevention and control program. Ensure your best friend lives a healthy life and
talk to your Veterinarian.
Hip Dysplasia is a developmental bone disease in which the head of the femur does not
fit properly into the acetabulum (hip socket). The actual cause of Hip Dysplasia is
unknown, but research has shown Hip Dysplasia to be a genetic defect, which can be passed
on to the offspring. Factors that contribute to the condition are overfeeding or excessive
exercise at a young age. Large breed dogs of either sex are more susceptible to get Hip
Dysplasia, but any size dog may develop it, including mixed breeds.
Signs of Hip Dysplasia are pain in the rear legs, decreased activity level, difficulty
getting up from a lying position, and lameness in one or both rear legs. The lameness
often occurs at four months to one year, but could be up to two years old. The signs often
get worse or appear upon exercise. There are a variety of treatments for Hip Dysplasia .
Supportive methods are preventing your dog from excessive exercise and from becoming
overweight. Buffered aspirin can be given to help relieve pain, but this will not correct
the abnormality. There are a variety of surgical options, but total hip replacement has
proven to be the most successful of the options.
There is no specific prevention for Hip Dysplasia, but because it is genetic you should
not breed dogs that have Hip Dysplasia. There are two companies that diagnose Hip
Dysplasia from radiographs. Penn Hip which can be diagnosed as early as sixteen weeks and
the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals ( OFA ) at two years old. Both of these techniques
have been proven to be successful, but are not one hundred percent effective. Even if both
parents are free from Hip Dysplasia that does not mean their offspring will be, although
their chance of developing the disease is decreased. If you have any more questions about
Hip Dysplasia , or the best treatment for your dog, talk with your local veterinarian.
Hypothyroidism is the most common skin disease of dogs. Most often it is caused by
destruction of the thyroid gland, dysfunction of the gland, or not enough thyroid hormone
production. Signs are variable and depend on the age of the dog. Some signs or indications
include signs in the metabolic, skin, reproductive, nerve and muscle, heart, digestive,
and blood systems.
Metabolic signs include drowsiness, listlessness, mental dullness, inactivity, weight
gain, and inability to withstand cold.
Skin (Dermatologic) signs include a dry or brittle haircoat, abnormally increased
coloration of the skin, pus skin (pyoderma), excessive oily secretions, baldness, hair
loss, and inflammation of the external ear. Pruritus (itching) is not typical of
hypothyroidism but may be present in dogs with pyoderma or dermatitis (inflammation of
skin). Pruritis is not a feature of the disease.
Reproductive signs appearing in intact or unneutered dogs include persistent heat
cycles, prolonged bleeding during heat, and inappropriate excessive milk flow in the
female. In the male, there is loss of sexual desire and the wasting away of the testicles.
Nerve and muscle (Neuromuscular) signs include seizures, loss of muscle control,
circling, and weakness. Heart (Cardiovascular) signs include a slow heartbeat. Digestive
tract (Gastrointestinal) signs include diarrhea or constipation.
Finally, blood (Hematologic) signs include reduced numbers of blood cells in the body
and blood clotting disorders.
There is not a definite prevention of hypothyroidism.
Treatment is lifelong once hypothyroidism is diagnosed. Side effects from treatment are
possible. The dosage of the drug should be prescribed and calculated by the veterinarian,
according to the dog’s weight.
Dogs that receive too much thyroid hormone supplement are usually hyperactive, have an
increased heart rate, and eat excessive amounts of food. Thyroid hormone levels should be
measured every year. Deterioration of a patient should raise suspicions that the dog is
not receiving the proper dose, that the drug may not be effective anymore, or that a new
disease is present. The dog should return to the veterinarian for a check up.
Kennel cough is a generally mild but highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs. It
can be caused by a number of bacteria or viruses, the most common being the bacteria Bordetella.
The major sign of kennel cough is a dry, hacking cough, that is easily induced. Even
putting on a collar can cause coughing fits. Kennel cough may be confused with the dog
trying to vomit or having something caught in its throat. Infected dogs may never show any
other signs. If other signs appear, such as a fever or a thick nasal discharge, it may
indicate secondary infections and your dog should see a veterinarian. In addition, if your
dog is very young, very old, or if the cough lasts longer than three weeks, your dog
should receive veterinary care. In multi-dog households, the infected dog should be
isolated and the others should be carefully observed.
Kennel cough develops 5-10 days after exposure to an infected dog. Your dog may be
exposed anywhere there are other dogs, not just boarding kennels. This includes through
grooming parlors, during shipping, and at parks. It only takes exposure to a single
infected dog to develop an infection of kennel cough.
Infections of kennel cough usually resolve in ten days to three weeks, without medical
treatment. Due to the mild but contagious nature of this infection, dogs with kennel cough
are generally not hospitalized. You may choose to give a cough suppressant to make the dog
more comfortable. This can be obtained from your veterinarian after a physical exam of
your dog.
There are vaccines available for kennel cough. The viral components are included in the
DHLPP vaccine that dogs should already be receiving annually. The major bacterial
component (Bordetella) also has a vaccine available, which may be given either
intranasally or injected. If your dog is unvaccinated, these vaccines should be given at
least ten days before exposure to a high risk situation. The vaccine is then boostered
annually.
Have you noticed segments on your pet's fur or in his bedding that look like rice? Does
your dog vomit occasionally and you wonder if he ate spaghetti? If you answered yes to any
of these questions, your dog may be infected with internal parasites. The four which
affect our canine companions most often are Tapeworms, Roundworms, Whipworms, and
Hookworms. Tapeworms, when fresh, appear translucent and may show movement. If the
tapeworm segment has dried it can look similar to rice. You may notice these in your pet's
bedding or on his coat. The larvae form of the tapeworm is the flea. When your dog grooms
himself and swallows a flea it then matures into a tapeworm. Aside from being unpleasant
to find on your animal, they also compete for your pet's nutrients by feeding off of the
ingested material in the intestinal tract.
Roundworms are long, thin worms which resemble cooked spaghetti. Your pet may
occasionally vomit these or you may find them in the feces. These can be ingested through
contaminated soil or feces. Should the mother be infected she can transmit the eggs to her
puppies before birth or through her milk after the pups are born. These parasites live in
the intestinal tract competing for nutrition. Be aware that roundworms can be transmitted
to humans through poor hygiene. Children are most susceptible because they put everything
in their mouths, especially their hands. A roundworm infection in people can cause mild to
severe symptoms. These can range from intense itching to liver damage or blindness.
Therefore an infection in your pet must be treated as a threat to your health as well.
Whipworms are not usually seen in the feces but may often cause diarrhea with blood and
mucous. Whipworms attach to the intestinal wall and live off the animal's blood causing
weight loss and in severe cases, anemia. These parasites are ingested through contaminated
soil and feces.
Hookworms are passed in the feces and then hatch in twenty-four to seventy-two hours on
warm, moist soil. Transmission usually results from ingestion of the infective larvae from
the milk of an infected mother. Skin penetration can also occur in young pups followed by
their migration to the lungs. They are coughed up, then swallowed where they mature in the
small intestine. Hookworms cause diarrhea with dark tarry feces because bleeding occurs at
the site where they attach or hook into the intestinal wall. Anemia results from the blood
sucking and the bleeding ulcerations which occur when the parasites shift their feeding
sites. In young puppies the blood loss and subsequent anemia can be fatal.
Parasites are a serious threat to the health of your pet and to you. Dewormer
medication can be purchased over the counter, but you must know which parasite you are
treating in order for it to be effective. Your veterinarian, by doing a simple test in the
office, can determine the type of parasite and prescribe the best drug for an effective
cure. Cleaning your pet's play and living area of feces will help prevent reinfestation.
Once your pet is free of parasites, regular checkups which include fecal testing is the
best way to insure protection for you and the health of your pet.
Canine parvovirus infection is a highly infectious disease among dogs. It occurs mostly
in puppies between the ages of newborn to six months. It has been shown that Dobermans,
Rottweilers, and Black Labradors are the most susceptible breeds, but any breed can be
severely affected.
The signs that are seen with the parvovirus are depression, loss of appetite ( anorexia
), vomiting, and severe diarrhea. The feces will usually appear light gray, yellowish
gray, or dark red. Indicating that there is blood in the stool. These signs may become
worse due to stress, living in unsanitary conditions, or having other diseases occurring
at the same time as parvo. As the disease progresses, the dog will become dehydrated due
to extreme loss of fluid from the vomiting and diarrhea.
The cause of the infection is a virus that attacks the intestinal tract, white blood
cells, and possibly the heart muscle. The virus is spread by dog-to-dog contact and coming
into contact with feces from an infected dog.
The best prevention method against the parvovirus is vaccination. Another method is
proper cleaning and disinfecting all kennels where dogs are housed. The virus can survive
up to one year in the environment. The best disinfectant to use is bleach, which is simply
mixed with one gallon of water to dilute the bleach out so it is not as strong. There is
not a true treatment for parvovirus. The main concern for the animal is giving it
sufficient amounts of fluid and electrolytes. The vomiting and diarrhea may not be stopped
in all situations. Antibiotics will be given to help prevent against any secondary
infections. The dog will be kept isolated during treatment and should remain there even
after recovery for at least three days.
Rabies is a contagious disease that affects all warm blooded animals. It is contracted
through the rabies-infected saliva, usually by way of an actual bite from a wild, tame, or
domestic animal. Less commonly, it is able to contract rabies through contact of saliva to
an open wound, cut, or intact of damaged mucous membrane. At first, canine rabies may
exhibit signs relating to changes in behavior. There is no significant temperature change
, and salivation may not be present. Dogs usually stop eating and drinking, urinate
frequently, and may seek solitude. Death usually occurs within ten days of the first sign.
In the progressive stages they may show two different forms, the paralytic form and the
furious form. The furious form is commonly called "mad-dog syndrome". The
paralytic form is distinguished by extreme salivation and an inability to swallow.
Drooping of the lower jaw is common in dogs. Canines with this form are not aggressive and
rarely attempt to bite. The paralysis rapidly progresses to all parts of the body and
death comes within a few hours.
If the dog has been bitten by a rabid animal and has been vaccinated previously,
they should be revaccinated immediately and observed for 90 days. An unvaccinated dog
exposed to a confirmed rabid animal needs to be euthanized immediately. If the owner is
unwilling to euthanize their dog, it should be placed in strict isolation for six months
and vaccinated against rabies one month before release.
There are several ways to prevent the contraction of rabies. Have your
veterinarian set a vaccine schedule for you. Reduce the exposure to wild life by keeping
your animal on your property, do not let pets roam free, and do not leave garbage or pet
food outside because it may attract wild life or stray animals. Lastly, wild animals are
not pets, and they should be observed at a distance, even if they seem friendly.
1 By Angela Berry, Brent Bowen, Carol Campbell, and Stephanie Morris,
Blue Ridge Community College Veterinary Technology Program, Class of 1997.
2 By Lisa Boyd Spalding, Sherry Drapeau, Andrea
Field, and Heather Freeman, Blue Ridge Community College Veterinary Technology Program,
Class of 1997.
3 By Heather Anderson, Neda Osvold, and Kim Powell, Blue Ridge
Community College Veterinary Technology Program, Class of 1998.
