Canine Infections

Posted by Judy Arbique Aug 28, 2006

Our pets are susceptible to a number of parasitic, bacterial and viral infections - usually not the same ones that plague humans. Two life-threatening infections that can occur in our puppies and dogs are heartworm infection and parvovirus.

Heartworm infection is caused by a parasite, Dirofilaria immitis and is transmitted in the spring and summer by mosquitoes. The mosquito picks up immature worms (microfilariaie) from the bloodstream of an infected dog. Over the next 2-3 weeks, the microfilariaie mature in the mosquito to an infective stage and when the mosquito feeds again, the infective larvae is injected into the tissues of its meal, migrating through the tissues until they find their way to the heart. Over the next number of months, the infected dog will develop symptoms of congestive heart failure and without treatment will likely die. Treatment itself is extremely toxic and possibly life-threatening. Therefore, it is recommended that you have your pet tested by your vet, and in areas where heartworm infection is prevalent, preventive medications can be given during mosquito season. Heartworm is seen throughout the United States (with the exception of Hawaii) and in most provinces in Canada. Further information and photos can be obtained at the Merck Veterinary site.

Recently, the Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) warned of high numbers of canine parvovirus infection in a number of areas in Nova Scotia. Parvovirus causes a severe gastrointestinal infection resulting in fever, loss of appetite, vomiting and bloody diarrhoeae. Although parvovirus poses no threat to humans or to our other household pets, the infection can be lethal to other dogs and is easily transmitted through feces and vomit. The SPCA reported that infected puppies had been purchased from a pet store in Dartmouth and from a breeder in Digby, but were uncertain of how many infected puppies there may be and in how many other locations. Later this week we will discuss parvovirus infection and the effect that it has on our canine friends.