Lesson 2: Responsible Pet Ownership
Recognizing Common Health Problems
Even with the best care, pets can develop health problems, in which case, early intervention is best. Here are some common illnesses and how to recognize them in order to seek prompt treatment.
Parvovirus attacks the intestinal tract of dogs. It is quick, deadly, and contagious, especially in puppies, and requires prompt veterinary treatment. Symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and fever. Along with treatment, the premises should be disinfected with sunlight or a 1 part bleach to 30 parts water solution.
Intestinal worms include many different types and can infect many pets. They usually cause diarrhea, weight loss or a potbelly appearance, and a dull coat. Tapeworms are transmitted through ingestion of infected fleas. Pets should be on a regular worming program, and kept flea free.
Giardia is an intestinal organism that causes diarrhea and weight loss. It is contracted by coming in contact with infected feces and can sometimes be found in outside water sources. Treatment is almost always successful.
Coccidia is an intestinal organism, contagious in puppies and kittens, through contact with infected feces. It causes diarrhea and can be treated.
Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and characterized by fever, lameness, or paralysis, which can be reversed with treatment. If untreated, it can lead to chronic arthritis.
Degenerative Myelopathy, more commonly seen in German Shepherds, is similar to Multiple Sclerosis in humans. The dog’s own immune system attacks the insulation surrounding nerve fibers. Its symptoms are progressive weakness causing stumbling or a wobbly gait. Currently there is no cure, but medication, diet, exercise such as walking or swimming, and homeopathic measures have been shown to slow progression.
Hip dysplasia can be found in both dogs and cats. Genetics and other factors can cause hip joints to develop abnormally as the animal grows. Symptoms can show up as early as 5 months of age or into middle and later years. Animals may limp and show stiffness, run with a “bunny hop” gait, or refuse to climb stairs or jump. Several surgical procedures are available as well as management with weight control, walking or swimming exercise, supplements, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain relievers. Chondroprotec and Adequan injections have been used quite successfully.
Heartworms, transmitted by mosquitoes, live in the heart and blood vessels of an infected animal. They obstruct the cardiovascular system and can cause substantial liver damage before any symptoms ever show. Symptoms are coughing, weight loss, lessened endurance, and sudden heart failure. Treatment is costly as well as painful and risky for the pet. Preventatives are simpler and cheaper.
Feline distemper, similar to Parvovirus in dogs, is highly contagious by contact with infected urine and feces. It attacks the intestinal tract of cats and causes fever, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and seizures. Prompt veterinary treatment is required as well as disinfectant of the premises with sunlight or a 1 part bleach to 30 parts water solution.
Feline leukemia is a virus associated disease. It is spread among cats through saliva and nasal secretions. Sometimes antibodies are passed from a leukemia positive mother to her kittens, but these may disappear as they mature. Positive adults have lower immunity to disease and may have shorter lives but can live a quality life for years in a one cat household or with other positive cats. Signs of feline leukemia may be diarrhea, skin infections, dental disease, tumors, or seizures.
Kidney or bladder stones are fairly common in pets. Symptoms may be frequent, bloody, or difficult urination, or urination in irregular places. These require prompt veterinary care, but future problems can usually be prevented by medication and/or diet.
Kidney disease usually occurs in older animals and is characterized by increased or decreased water consumption, loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, lack of coordination, seizures or blindness, anemia, and poor hair coat. Many animals can live comfortably for years with kidney disease if it is managed with diet, fluids, and medication.
West Nile Virus has become of recent concern. It causes inflammation of the brain and is spread to humans and animals by mosquitoes. Symptoms are fever, depression, incoordination, muscle weakness or spasms, seizures, or paralysis. The best prevention is reduction of mosquito exposure. Keep indoors at dusk when mosquitoes are active, use repellants when going out, and dispose of all stagnant water. For more on WNV visit this Cornell University site.http://www.cfe.cornell.edu/erap/WNV/
