Your Pet Can Give You a Disease

Kriss Szkurlatowski (sxc.hu)

In recent years, the drug-resistant bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which used to be found exclusively in humans, has turned up in pets. Humans can acquire MRSA (often pronounced “mersa”) during a hospital stay, then pass it on to their pets, where it can live for several months before being passed back to humans who have close contact with the pets. Dogs and cats both appear to be potential carriers of the bacteria, which can cause severe skin infections, pneumonia and even death in both humans and pets. For protection, always wash your hands after handling a pet, and don’t let a pet lick your face. Take your pet to the vet if he/she has any sign of a skin infection.

Other diseases that you can get from your pets…

DOGS

Roundworms. Toxocariasis is an infection acquired from the roundworm parasite that lives in the feces of infected dogs. Roundworm eggs find their way into the soil and can be ingested after gardening in infected soil or petting a dog that has been rolling around on the ground. Once ingested, the eggs develop into worms that migrate around the human body. Roundworm infections are more common in arid areas, where the eggs can survive in soil for years.

Human symptoms: Mild infections may not cause symptoms. More serious infections may cause abdominal pain, cough, fever, itchy skin and shortness of breath.

Human treatment: Antiparasitic drugs.

Dog symptoms: Diarrhea, weight loss.

Dog treatment: Deworming medication.

Prevention: Wash hands thoroughly after working in the garden or petting your dog.

Hookworms are in the feces of infected dogs. Hookworm larva can penetrate the skin and develop into worms that tunnel under the skin, creating itchy red tracks.

Human symptoms: Itching, rash, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite.

Human treatment: Antiparasitic drugs.

Dog symptoms: Diarrhea, weight loss.

Dog treatment: Deworming medication.

Prevention: Avoid bare-skin contact with soil or beaches where dogs may have defecated.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that affects the urinary tracts of dogs and other animals that acquire the infection through their noses or mouths after spending time in habitats shared by raccoons and other wildlife. Humans acquire it when an open sore or mucous membrane comes in contact with the bacteria.

Human symptoms: Some infected people have no symptoms. Others have high fever, severe headache, chills, vomiting and sometimes jaundice.

Human treatment: Antibiotics.

Dog symptoms: Lethargy, loss of appetite, jaundice.

Dog treatment: Fluids and antibiotics.

Prevention: Wear gloves when working around soil or a habitat shared with raccoons. Avoid swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine.

CATS

Ringworm is not a worm but a fungal infection named for the circular rash it causes on humans. Ringworm is transmitted via direct contact with an infected animal’s skin or hair.

Human symptoms: Ring-shaped rash that is reddish and often itchy.

Human treatment: Antifungal ointment.

Cat symptoms: Hair thinning and loss.

Cat treatment: Antifungal ointment.

Prevention: Keep your cat inside to minimize the risk for skin parasites.

Toxoplasmosis. Some cats shed a potentially infectious organism in their feces that can be particularly dangerous if ingested by pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. Cats typically become infected when they eat infected prey, such as mice or birds. Humans can accidentally ingest the parasites after cleaning out a litter box.

Human symptoms: Most people never develop symptoms. Those who do may have headache, fever, fatigue, body aches.

Human treatment: Certain medications can reduce the severity.

Cat symptoms: Often no signs.

Cat treatment: Antibiotics.

Prevention: Pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes. Keep your cat indoors.

Cat scratch fever. This is a bacterial disease caused by Bartonella henselae. The organism usually is carried by fleas that live on the cat.

Human symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes, fever and malaise.

Human treatment: Antibiotics.

Cat symptoms: Most cats don’t show any signs of illness.

Cat treatment: Flea medication.

Prevention: Promptly wash and disinfect any cat scratches.

BIRDS

Psittacosis. Some birds carry bacteria that cause a bacterial respiratory infection in humans, acquired when they inhale dried secretions from infected birds.Human symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and dry cough.

Human treatment: Antibiotics.

Bird symptoms: Typically no symptoms, though some birds show signs of respiratory illness, such as lethargy and discharge from eyes and nasal airways.

Bird treatment: Antibiotics.

Prevention: Use extreme care in handling any pet bird showing signs of respiratory illness.

Source:  Jon Geller, DVM, a veterinarian at Veterinary Emergency Hospital, Fort Collins, Colorado. Dr. Geller writes for numerous pet magazines and answers dog owners’ questions online at http://www.dogchannel.com.

the Signs of Dog Disease

Following is a list of most common diseases and in a dog and signs that characterize them. However, this list is not intended to be used to diagnose and treat your dog, but rather as a tool to tell when your dog is ill. Communicating with your veterinarian is a key part of ensuring good health care for your dog.

DISEASES	SIGNS
Abscesses (according to site)	difficulty moving, fever, loss of appetite, pus
Arthritis	painful to touch
Burns	rapid breathing, shedding coat, ulceration
Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder)	abdominal pain, blood in the urine, difficult or no urination, painful urination, urinary incontinence
Dermatitis (skin inflammation)	shedding coat, skin irritation, ulceration
Diabetes Insipidus	intense thirst, urinary incontinence, urinary incontinence, voracious appetite
Diabetes Mellitus	bad breath, coma, frequent urination, intense thirst, urinary incontinence, voracious appetite
Distemper	abdominal pain, convulsions, cough, diarrhea (normal), loss of appetite, fever, low spirits, poor appetite, rapid breathing, trembling, vomiting, voracious appetite
Eclampsia	changes in behavior, convulsions, bedsores, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of balance, painful breathing, trembling
Eczema	shedding coat, skin irritation
Enteritis (inflammation of the intestines)	abdominal pain, diarrhea (normal), loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss
External Parasites	scratches the ears, shedding coat, skin irritation
Foreign Bodies	abdominal pain, constipation, cough, cyanosis, diarrhea (normal), difficulty swallowing, intense thirst, loss of appetite, painful to touch, scratches the ears, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting
Gastritis	abdominal pain, bad breath, loss of appetite, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting
Hemorrhage	conspicuous inner eyelid, painful breathing, rapid breathing, shock
Heart Disease	abdominal distension, convulsions, cough, lethargy, mucous tissues pale, painful breathing
Heat Stroke	changes in behavior, coma, bedsores, fever, intense thirst, loss of appetite, loss of balance, low spirits, painful breathing, painful to touch, rapid breathing, shock, ulceration
Infectious Hepatitis	abdominal pain, diarrhea (with blood), fever, intense thirst, jaundice, lethargy, loss of appetite, painful breathing, rapid breathing, vomiting
Internal Parasites	cough, diarrhea (with blood), diarrhea (normal), mucous tissues pale, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting, voracious appetite, weight loss
Intestinal Blockage	abdominal pain, constipation, convulsions, lethargy, loss of appetite, poor appetite, vomiting
Leptospirosis	abdominal pain, blood in the urine, cyanosis, diarrhea (normal), difficult or no urination, fever, jaundice, lethargy, loss of appetite, painful urination, poor appetite, rapid breathing, vomiting
Leukemia	lethargy, loss of appetite, low spirits, mucous tissues pale, conspicuous inner eyelid painful breathing, rapid breathing, vomiting
Metritis (inflammation of the uterus)	abdominal pain, convulsions, cyanosis (low blood oxygen), lethargy, loss of appetite, conspicuous inner eyelid, pus, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting
Nephritis	abdominal distension, abdominal pain, bad breath, cyanosis (low blood oxygen), difficult or no urination, fever, frequent urination, lethargy, low spirits, painful urination, swelling of the abdomen
Otitis	convulsions, loss of balance, pus, scratches the ears, skin irritation
Para-Influenza	cough, painful breathing
Parvovirus	convulsions, diarrhea with blood, diarrhea (normal), fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, low spirits, conspicuous inner eyelid, poor appetite, rapid breathing, vomiting, weight loss
Poisoning	changes in behavior, convulsions, cyanosis (low blood oxygen), diarrhea (with blood), diarrhea (normal), poor appetite, rapid breathing, shedding coat, shock, trembling, vomiting
Rabies	changes in behavior, convulsions, fever, intense thirst, loss of balance, low spirits, mucous tissues pale, conspicuous inner eyelid, poor appetite, trembling, weight loss
Ringworm	shedding coat
Stones	abdominal pain, blood in the urine, difficult or no urination, painful urination, urinary incontinence
Tartar	bad breath
Tonsillitis	cough, difficulty swallowing, fever, loss of appetite, vomiting
Toothache	bad breath, difficulty swallowing, intense thirst, loss of appetite
Torsion of the Stomach	abdominal pain, changes in behavior, coma, convulsions, difficulty swallowing, intense thirst, loss of appetite, conspicuous inner eyelid, mucous tissues pale, painful breathing, painful to touch, poor appetite, rapid breathing, swelling of the abdomen, vomiting
Tuberculosis	cough, loss of appetite, low spirits, conspicuous inner eyelid, painful breathing, rapid breathing, trembling, weight loss
Tumors	abdominal distension, loss of appetite, mucous tissues pale, conspicuous inner eyelid, painful to touch, weight loss

Dog Ticks: Recognize the Lyme Disease Symptoms in Dogs

Can you recognize the Lyme Disease symptoms in dogs? Lyme Disease in puppies is dangerous and at times life threatening. If you have a dog that frequently goes outside where it can pick up deer ticks, you need to recognize the conditions to get your dog treatment as soon as possible.

Lyme Disease Symptoms in Dogs

Lyme Disease symptoms in dogs come in two phases – early and late. In the early phase, before your dog is even diagnosed, you’ll note a number of or all these symptoms:

Muscle and Joint Pain – Lyme Disease usually causes lameness due to muscle and joint tenderness. Your dog may have many of the same symptoms as arthritis and have enlargement in the joints. You’ll notice this because your dog will have difficulty walking, walk laboriously or not want to walk around much at all.

Enlarged Lymph Nodes – If your dog is limping and showing pain when it moves or walks, check the lymph nodes to see if they are swollen. Lymph nodes are little glands that assist the immune system function. Check for the lymph nodes in your dog’s neck and the joint of their legs (similar to the armpits and groin in humans). If you feel swelling or enlargement this is a sign your dog has some type of infection, illness or possibly Lyme Disease.

Chills and Fever – Dogs can have fever and chills just like humans. Some dogs with Lyme Disease develop fevers anywhere from 103 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fatigue - You may notice your dog acting tired and sleeping a good deal more than usual.Lack of appetite – A sudden loss of appetite is another sign of Lyme Disease.

Depression - Lyme Disease affects the nervous system and can cause depression in dogs. Suddenly, your happy and playful dog is acting sad or wants to stay away from family members.Necessarily

Bad Breath – Breath with a strong ammonia-like smell is a good indication your dog has Lyme Disease.If your dog shows any of these signs or symptoms, you need to take him to the vet for a checkup. Bear in mind, your dog will ordinarily have a number of of these symptoms — not just one. And just because your dog has one or more of these symptoms doesn’t absolutely suggest your dog has Lyme Disease.

Your dog is valuable to you and is part of your family. To be absolutely sure whether your dog has Lyme Disease, you need to get a positive prognosis from your vetrinarian. Only then can you begin therapy for your dog to put a stop to long-term injury or even death. Familiarize yourself with these Lyme Disease symptoms in dogs and be able to know them to keep your dog out of harm’s way.

Signs and Symptoms of Dog Diseases - Dog Lyme Disease

What is canine Lyme disease? This is a condition that has affected thousands of dogs every year. This is not specific only to dogs – humans and other pets can contract this disease. While it is generally not fatal in nature; it can cause extreme pain to the canine and possibly bring severe damage to him when left untreated for any length of time.

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia. It is transmitted through deer ticks and is more prevalent in certain areas in the United States. This feeding tick secretes enzymes to keep the host’s blood from clotting and it is this particular enzyme that causes the dog to be sick. If the tick is removed within 48 hours, the spirochete is not transmitted and the dog will not get infected.

You can avoid having your pet suffer from this ailment by being alert to signs and symptoms of dog diseases. Certainly, there are symptoms we can watch out for.

Typically, the infected dog will have fever of 103 to 105 Fahrenheit in the earlier stages of Lyme disease. He will also lose interest in food. While fever and loss of appetite are common signs and symptoms of dog diseases, when coupled with other factors related to dog Lyme disease, it is reasonable to conclude that the canine is indeed suffering from this condition.

The most common indicator of dog Lyme disease is perhaps limping and lameness. Many times, Lyme disease has been misdiagnosed as a case of arthritis. The limping may shift from one limb to another and can also leave suddenly, only to reappear after weeks or months later.

These arthritis-like symptoms are usually accompanied by the swelling of the lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy means ‘disease of the lymph nodes’ and will manifest together with the other signs. When the tick has invaded the dog’s bloodstream, the infection will be carried to other body parts and would usually be localized in joints. When the pain is not confined to just the joints and limbs, the disease is in its progressive stages.

Severe pain throughout the whole body is an indication that the disease is already widespread and has affected the dog’s neurological system. The more critical cases of Lyme disease will cause heart and kidney problems, as well as complications in the nervous system of the dog.

If your canine has been exhibiting dog Lyme disease symptoms, visit the vet immediately to obtain a diagnosis. Take note of when your dog has been exposed to ticks or if you have seen any of these parasites on your dog lately. If your dog has been previously vaccinated for ticks, his immune system will be able to fight off this disease on its own.

Lyme disease is easily treatable; but vaccination and grooming your dog regularly will help prevent any infection in the first place. See your vet for concerns for any behavioral and physical changes in your dog.

Being vigilant about dog Lyme disease symptoms will keep your pet from having to suffer from this unfortunate condition. Discover valuable information on signs and symptoms of dog diseases that can help save your pet’s life at HealthyHappyDogs.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brigitte_Smith

Symptoms and Treatment of Dog Disease Pyometra

Symptoms and Treatment of Dog Disease Pyometra

The dog disease Pyometra. How to avoid it. What age group can it happen to and most importantly, what is Pyometra. The symptoms, treatment topics and much more in this article. The main cause of Pyometra is usually an imbalance of female hormones, primarily progesterone which results is an overactive uterus lining. Secretions accumulate in the cavity of this organ and cause distention. Bacteria entering through the vagina may cause secondary infection in some cases; however, many of the pus-filled organs are sterile when cultured. Pyometra usually occurs from one week to three months after a heat (but may occur at any time during any heat cycle) and may concur with a Pseudocyesis (false pregnancy) but there has not been enough evidence to suggest an establishment between these hormone-controlled diseases. The disease occurs in female dogs who have not bred for a prolonged period of time and those having produced litters. Diagnose of Pyometra can be detected form the clinical signs and the history of a recent heat. The most common signs are digestive disorders such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting. Owners might also want to be watchful of symptoms which may include swollen abdomen, excessive drinking of water, listlessness and vaginal discharge; which is often foul-smelling. Discharges indicate that the cervix is still open and this will reduce some of the abdominal pressure and toxicity associated with Pyometra. Radiographs and blood counts will be necessary to confirm the disease. An x-ray (radiograph) will show the large, pus-filled uterus quite clearly in most cases. The white blood cell count may increase (indicating infection) two to ten times over normal limit. The best way to avoid Pyometra is of course spaying your dog. This prevents the disease from developing as the uterus and ovaries are removed. Is surgery going to be safe? As most veterinarians will agree, Pyometra is a surgical disease that requires the diseased organ to be removed for an increased chance of a complete recovery. As surgery suggest, there are certain potential risks to be held into consideration especially if performed on an older dog. Heart disease, kidney disorders, and other medical conditions may increase the risk of surgery. If proper supportive therapy is carried out, even the highest risk patients stand a good chance of survival and recovery. Consult your vet for their advice and best recommendations.

July 25, 2009 – Posted by Mamata | pyometra | blood cell count, clinical signs, excessive drinking, female dogs, female hormones, loss of appetite, prolonged period, vaginal discharge, white blood cell, white blood cell count

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Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease in Dogs - Causes, Symptoms

One of the most common health problems in dogs over two years of age, is gingivitis and periodontal disease – 85% of dogs two years of age or older suffer from periodontal disease. 

The first stage of periodontal disease is called ‘gingivitis’. Gingivitis causes inflammation of the gums however this is a completely reversible condition, that when caught in a timely fashion will not cause permanent damage. 

The second stage of periodontal disease is called periodontitis. This stage of the disease can cause irreparable damage to teeth and inflammation, abbesses and infection that degrade the structure that hold teeth in place (ligaments and jaw bone.

Gingivitis occurs when over-time bacteria mix with saliva, blood cell and other bacterial components and form plaque. You won’t see the plaque as it is colourless but what you will likely see is a thin line of red just where the dog’s gum meets its teeth.

Plaque (a clear, sticky substance made up of bacteria and saliva) attaches to the soft gum tissue of the mouth and causes inflammation. When a dog’s gums are healthy the gums sit firmly against teeth. Once plaque starts to form it creates an irregular, rough surface that forces the gums away from the teeth. If not removed the plaque starts to build from the gum-line up onto the tooth where it adheres to the surface of the tooth and calcifies forming tartar (also called calculus). Once calcified on to the teeth tartar starts to erode the gingival tissue. Build-up can occur quickly or may take time – it just depends on the dog’s diet, the strength of the dog’s immune system, the amount of saliva the dog’s saliva glands regularly produce, etc. If the dog tends to salivate very little they may have more tartar build-up as saliva contains bacteria-killing enzymes. A dog’s premolars and molars tend to collect the largest build-up of tartar.

Once tartar forms rough surfaces on the tooth a perfect terrain is established for the formation and adherence of more tartar. Once inflammation is present, swelling of the gums begins, and with it soreness. If left untreated infection sets-in, this causes gums to begin to recede, and eventually ligaments that secure the tooth against the jaw bone and the bone itself may become seriously damaged. Infection that goes this deep causes abscess, bleeding and a lot of pain as well as tooth loss.

The damage does not stop there…tartar also affects the entire body. Bacteria from the inflamed gum and tartar can enter the bloodstream and cause damage to major body organs, such as the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs.

Failure to take proper care of your dog’s teeth can result in a drastic decrease in quality of life and a shortened life-span.

Feeding your dog the wrong food and treats can make the problem worse!

Signs/Progression of Periodontal Disease

Stage One – Early signs of gingivitis:

Redness of the gums where gum and teeth meet…see picture below.

  

As Gingivitis Progresses:

• Sensitive gum tissue, bleeding gums (i.e. after a dog eats);


• Yellow or brown tartar on teeth;


• Bad breath.

See picture below…

Stage Two – Periodontitus:

• Abscesses in the gum and jaw bone;


• Avoids having his/her face and/or head touched;


• Bad breath;


• Deep pockets of infection;


• Drops Food;


• Eating/chewing only on one side of mouth;


• Trouble chewing – eating;


• Red, swollen gums that bleed easily when touched, pressing on gums may cause pus to ooze from gum-line;


• Refusing to play with toys;


• Sneezing – nose bleeds;


• Not wanting to eat due to sore or lose teeth;


• Pawing at mouth;


• 
  Unhappiness – irritability; 
  


• Weight loss.

At stage one gingivitis can be fully reversed – no permanent damage resulting.  Once gingivitis has progressed to stage two a veterinarian surgeon specializing in periodontal disease may have to assess the damage to the jaw bone – the dog may lose some or all of its teeth.

Related Articles

Preventing Gum Disease in Dogs and Maintaining Good Oral Care

Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Toothpaste, Oral Rinse and Dental Chews

Vitamins, Minerals & Foods that Support Oral Health in Dogs

Dental Care for Dogs – Natural, Herbal, Homeopathic DIY Remedies, Treatments

How to Select Safe, Affective Teeth Cleaning Chews & Dental Chews for Your Dog

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Related Articles

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Lyme Disease Vaccine for Dogs

 LYME–Vaccinate or Not?

---

PERMISSION GRANTED TO CROSS-POST THIS MESSAGE.
In response to questions about Lyme disease in dogs and the Lyme vaccine, I would like to share the advice that Dr. Ronald Schultz, Chair of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine gave me for my 2 dogs, who both receive(d) (one died in July from a mast cell tumor which developed at a rabies vaccination site) 100+ tick bites a summer.
I was concerned after having contracted Lyme twice myself; however, none of the dogs we have had over 30 years were ever vaccinated against Lyme or ever contracted the disease. After getting it myself, I was reconsidering. Dr. Schultz advised me that there was far more risk associated with the Lyme vaccine than there was with antibiotics to treat the disease if one or both dogs contracted Lyme.
He further explained that if they tested positive for Lyme, but displayed no symptoms, then not to treat them with antibiotics because it indicated that they had been exposed to the disease, but hadn’t contracted the disease. However, he said, that if they tested positive for Lyme and had symptoms (lameness, fever, lethargy, etc..), then start treatment. Dr. Schultz elaborated by telling me that in vaccinology, immunology, the point is not to prevent infection, it is to prevent disease. In fact, low-grade infections are introduced to elicit immune responses, which is how vaccination works, by introducing an attenuated (weakened) antigen into the animal’s system.
Further, he said that a positive Lyme test in an ASYMPTOMATIC dog merely reflects the fact that the dog has been exposed; positive Lyme test in a dog with SYMPTOMS indicates that the animal has contracted the disease and needs treatment.
Based on his advice, I have chosen to not vaccinate my dog(s) against Lyme. Below are links to a few articles on the subject which may help you in deciding whether or not to vaccinate your dog against Lyme.
Lyme is a “killed” vaccine and is associated with clinically significant adverse reactions. According to the 2003 AAHA Guidelines (Page 16), “…killed vaccines are much more likely to cause hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., immune-mediated disease).” Further, the AAHA task force reports on Page 18 that, “Bacterial vaccines, especially killed whole organism products …..are much more likely to cause adverse reactions than subunit or live bacterial vaccines or MLV vaccines, especially if given topically. Several killed bacterial products are used as immunomodulators/adjuvants. Thus, their presence in a combination vaccine product may enhance or suppress the immune response or may cause an undesired response (e.g., IgE hypersensitivity or a class of antibody that is not protective).”
Dr. Alice Wolf, Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, stated in an address Vaccines of the Present and Future WSAVA 2001 – Vaccines of the Present and Future at the 2001 World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress that Lyme vaccines : “are only partially effective and may cause serious immune-mediated consequences in some dogs that are as serious or more serious than the disease itself…..The most reactive vaccines for dogs include leptospirosis bacterin and Borrelia [Lyme]vaccine .”.
Canine Lyme, What’s New? Vet Tech: Canine Lyme: What’s New?
No Lyme Vaccine for Charlie Nancy Freedman Smith, Maine Today Error
“It is not a scientifically based recommendation to suggest that all dogs in Maine should be vaccinated with Lyme Vaccine. There may be select areas in the state, “hot spots” where infection is very high and vaccination would be indicated, but dogs in most parts of the state would probably not receive benefit and may actually be at risk of adverse reactions if a large scale vaccination program was initiated. Wisconsin has a much higher risk of Lyme than Maine, however at our Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH) we have used almost no Lyme vaccine since it was first USDA approved in the early 1990′s. What we have found is infection (not disease), in much of Wisconsin, is low (<10% infection). As you know, infection does not mean disease. About 3 to 4% of infected dogs develop disease. In contrast, in Western and Northwestern parts of Wisconsin infection occurs in 60 to 90% of all dogs. In those areas, vaccination is of benefit in reducing clinical disease. …….. Also, vaccinated dogs can develop disease as efficacy of the product is about 60 to 70% in preventing disease, thus antibiotics must be used in vaccinated dogs developing disease, just like it must be used in non-vaccinated diseased dogs. Therefore, in general areas with a low infection rate <10>50%) then the vaccine will be very useful. Thus, I believe it is irresponsible to suggest that all dogs in Maine should be vaccinated . Veterinarians should know, based on diagnoses in their clinic and other clinics in the area (town), how common the disease would be and they should base their judgment to vaccinate on risk, not on a statement that all dogs in Maine need Lyme vaccine!
R.D. Schultz
_______________________________ Ronald D. Schultz, Professor and Chair
Department of Pathobiological Sciences School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Wisconsin-Madison 2015 Linden Drive West Madison, WI 53706″

 

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Lyme Disease and your Dog

Lyme disease is transmitted from ticks to your dog (and potentially you) through a bite from an infected bug. Ticks are a common occurrence in Manitoba, and can be picked up by your dog almost anywhere! Last year there were 577 diagnosed cases of Lyme disease in Winnipeg dogs. Ticks are unable to fly or jump, so they lay in wait on long blades of grass (almost like a silent ninja!) for your dog to rub up against and then attach themselves to the host. It is very important to make sure you check your dog thoroughly after they have been outside in long grass for any ticks that may have latched on. Ticks enjoy hanging out in certain “hot spots” on your dog, such as right inside their ears, in their armpit area and on their chests.

Tick Removal

When removing a tick from your dog, make sure that you have a couple of things handy and ready to go beforehand: tweezers and a container filled with alcohol or peroxide to put the ticks in. Grasp the tick close to the skin with tweezers and pull slowly upward with steady pressure. Try to avoid twisting or crushing the tick and make sure that you don’t accidentally leave the head still attached to your dog. After the tick has been removed, cleanse the skin around the tick bite with soap/water or disinfectant. If the bite starts to scab over and your dog is uncomfortable, you can break open a Vitamin E tablet (purchased at any pharmacy or health store) and rub the liquid on the wound site.

Signs and Symptoms

Many pet owners will take to the internet to do research regarding Lyme disease in dogs, but won’t find a lot of literature that doesn’t focus on what the disease does in humans. The symptoms in dogs are quite different. For example, it is rare that a dog will develop the heart and neurological issues that Lyme disease causes for humans. Common symptoms include joint pain and fever, which won’t normally present until 2-5 months after the initial bite. Dogs with Lyme disease will sometimes exhibit lameness. Their joints may swell, causing tenderness and limping. Sometimes it is constant, sometimes it will go away and come back.

Other symptoms a dog may have the disease are swollen lymph nodes, walking stiff with an arched back, lethargy, being sensitive to touch, having difficulty breathing, and depression. Lyme-positive dogs can also develop kidney issues in the later stages of infection.

While many dogs live with this disease undetected, it is best to take your dog to the vet if you think they may be infected. Your vet will start your dog on a course of antibiotics to clear the disease from his body.

Prevention

Tick control is essential to the prevention of Lyme disease. Try to limit the amount of time your dog spends in tall grasses during the months of April-November (tick season) and check them regularly when they come inside from a walk. D.R.E.A.M. also recommends spraying your dog with an Eco-Friendly preventative spray such as our Rosemary-Lemon mix to help ward off uninvited visitors.

Your vet can recommend various preventative measures, such as sprays, collars and topical products for repelling and killing ticks. You must be careful when using such products if you have cats as they may be deadly to them. Vaccines are also available, although they are controversial due to a high number of side effects. In any case, a vet should be consulted for recommendation of an appropriate method and product.

D.R.E.A.M. can’t stress enough that prevention is the key to keeping your dog safe from Lyme Disease. A simple check of your dog before coming in from a romp in the park is a simple and effective way to search out ticks and remove them quickly before they cause any additional issues!

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Dog Symptoms of Diabetes Disease

According to Dr. Leah Cohn of the Pet Place website, diabetes mellitus is one of the most common hormonal diseases among dogs. Diabetes occurs when a lack of the hormone insulin impairs the body from being able to properly metabolize sugar. Diabetes can affect any size or age or breed of dog, but commonly occurs in females between 7 and 9 years old. If you notice any of the signs of diabetes in your dog, take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Thirst and Urination

Dr. Holly Nash of Doctors Foster and Smith states that a common sign of diabetes in dogs is an increase in thirst and urination. Diabetic dogs will spend a lot more time than usual at the water bowl and will ask to go outside to urinate more than what is common for the dog. This symptom is also indicative of other diseases, including kidney and liver failure, urinary infections and other hormone disturbances (such as Cushings disease, the production of too much adrenal hormone). Through a blood test, your veterinarian should be able to determine the cause of the excessive thirst and urination.

Change in Appetite

A diabetic dog’s appetite will often increase and even though it is eating more than normally, it may lose weight, states Cohn. The dogs body will start to break down its fat for energy because it cant obtain that energy from the food. As a result of the weight loss, the dog can also appear to have a poor body condition.

Multiple Diseases

Often, dogs will develop other diseases in conjunction with the diabetes. Veterinarians will diagnose the diabetes on the basis of other problems present. For instance, if a dog has chronic urinary tract infections, the veterinarian may become suspicious of diabetes as an underlying factor. In addition, Nash states that hypothyroidism, cancer and acute pancreatitis can also appear in conjunction with diabetes. Their presence, however, can make treatment of diabetes more difficult.

Sudden Blindness

Dogs with diabetes can become suddenly blind, states Cohn. Blindness caused by cataracts is often an indicator of diabetes. Cataracts will make an eye look cloudy and cause vision loss.

Dog Thyroid Disease Symptoms

Dog Thyroid Disease Symptoms

Discover Proven Ways To Get Your Hypothyroidism Healthy,Functioning & Life Happy Again!

Discover 3 Step Hypothyroidism Treatment To Give You Back Your Life Happy Easily

Dog Thyroid Disease Symptoms For those who have thyroid problems and therefore are Dog Thyroid Disease Symptoms encountering hair loss, then you definitely without doubt want to know you skill to preclude this from occurring. Even though many individuals with thyroid gland conditions encounter symptoms which are much even worse than this condition, the psychological effects can be serious with a few women, and even with a few males. Consequently, many people who suffer from thyroid gland hair loss want to know what they can do to cure this condition.Before I speak on how to remedy thyroid hair thinning, it’s important to know very well what leads to this to happen in individuals with thyroid circumstances. A hormonal discrepancy is a common reason why individuals with thyroid circumstances experience hair loss. The fluctuating levels of thyroid hormone are often what accounts for thyroid gland hair loss, even though it can also be due to an discrepancy along with other the body’s hormones, which I will talk about soon.Managing Hormones Dog Thyroid Disease Symptoms For Stopping Thyroid Hair ThinningIf it’s the increase or decrease in thyroid gland hormone which is resulting in the thyroid hair loss, then your obvious option would be to fix this problem. This is frequently accomplished by taking synthetic or organic thyroid hormone, but many people’s thyroid hormone levels can be balanced by following a natural thyroid gland treatment process. This obviously depends on the individual, as some people need to take thyroid hormone throughout their life.When this is the case, if this kind of one is experiencing Dog Thyroid Disease Symptoms hair loss then it might be required to allow them to consult with their medical doctor about adjusting the dosage of thyroid gland hormonal. This frequently will appropriate the thyroid hair loss condition, even though occasionally other measures have to be taken, such as including T3 for someone who’s getting artificial thyroid hormone. Occasionally changing from synthetic thyroid hormonal to organic thyroid gland hormone will appropriate such a issue.For those people seeking to take a holistic strategy, carrying out a natural thyroid therapy protocol could possibly recover their thyroid gland health normal again, which in turn ought to take care of the thyroid gland hair loss problem. This type of protocol involves finding the real reason for the hypothyroid disorder. While most endocrinologists and other types of medical doctors merely recommend thyroid gland hormonal to all their individuals who’re identified as having hypothyroidism, most do not make any effort to discover what really caused their situation to build up in the first place.

Dog Thyroid Disease Symptoms

Dog Thyroid Disease Symptoms This is when a competent organic endocrine physician can play an essential part, as such a doctor will assess the individual to determine which the reason for the hypothyroid condition is. Along with exploring the common thyroid blood tests, they might suggest additional tests, such as assessments to determine adrenal wellness, the sex the body’s hormones, as well as dietary and mineral inadequacies.Can Adrenal Exhaustion Trigger Thyroid Hair Loss?For instance, many people create hypothyroidism because of fragile adrenals. And many individuals have adrenal issues because of eating a lot of refined meals, not receiving sufficient sleep, and/or doing a poor job of controlling stress. When the adrenal glands turn out to be really stressed out, the body will begin wearing down, and in order to delay this process a thyroid problem human gland will slow down the secretion of thyroid gland hormone, thus inducing the hypothyroid condition. This fluctuation in thyroid hormonal can result in hair thinning, as stated before.So within this example, whilst getting Dog Thyroid Disease Symptoms synthetic or natural thyroid hormone might help stability a thyroid problem hormonal levels and in turn assist this problem, it will nothing for that real cause of the issue, what are destabilized adrenal glands. So in this case it seems sensible to have the person alter certain lifestyle factors and give correct adrenal support to restore their adrenal wellness normal again, which should appropriate the hypothyroid condition and as a result, fix a thyroid problem hair loss problem.Obviously its not all situation of hypothyroidism is caused by weakened adrenals. And as I pointed out previously, many people possess a thyroid gland condition that’s totally incurable, and for that reason need to take thyroid gland hormone for the rest of their existence. However, many people might have their thyroid gland wellness renewed back to normal through a organic thyroid gland therapy protocol.The Intercourse Hormones Can Also Result In Hair LossWhilst thyroid gland hormonal is frequently responsible for hair loss in people with thyroid problems, an discrepancy in a number of the sex the body’s hormones also can play a major role. For instance, lots of people possess a condition called oestrogen prominence, which can be caused by either a surplus in oestrogen, or more commonly, a deficiency in progesterone. This condition may cause many symptoms, and may even lead to the development of a thyroid gland condition, can impact defenses, etc.And somebody who has Dog Thyroid Disease Symptoms hypothyroidism and is experiencing thyroid hair thinning And it is in a condition of estrogen dominance might need to have this problem remedied in order to correct the issue. To be able to accomplish this one clearly first needs to determine that the hormone balance is available, which is carried out very easily through a male or female hormonal solar panel. This seems not so difficult, but most endocrinologists and medical doctors do not suggest such a test for their patients, even if their symptoms suggest they’ve already a hormonal imbalance. As a result, numerous people who have estrogen prominence do not get this problem addressed, which almost always leads to a worsening from the symptoms.Can Getting Nutritional Supplements Help With Thyroid gland Hair Loss?Getting nutritional supplements will help some degree with thyroid hair loss. However , unless of course if the condition is due to a nutritional or nutrient deficiency, then getting supplements usually will not completely correct the issue. For instance, a zinc oxide deficiency can cause hair thinning in some people, and thus fixing this deficiency will help cure this condition. On the other hand, supplements such as Vitamin C, E Vitamin, M-lysine, L-l-arginine, and Night Primose Essential oil have shown to help with hair loss, but getting these dietary supplements isn’t always effective. And even when they are effective, they often won’t appropriate the particular cause of the hair loss.In conclusion, those people who are experiencing thyroid gland hair loss and are currently getting synthetic or thyroid hormone might be able to have this problem remedied simply by having their medical doctor adjust the dosage of thyroid hormone. However, many people might have their health renewed back to normal by following an all natural thyroid gland therapy protocol, which should remedy the thyroid hair thinning issue. Whilst taking some nutritional supplements can be beneficial, just keep in mind that they usually don’t do almost anything to appropriate the actual reason for the condition.
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