Heartworm in Dogs

What are heartworms?

Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are parasitic worms that can live in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels of your dog. Male heartworms are four to six inches in length with females being larger at about 10-12 inches when fully grown after one year after infection. These nasty parasites are long-lived and are good at avoiding your dog’s immune system, and on average live inside your dog for about five to seven years.

How does my dog get heartworms?

When heartworms mature at about a year old, the adult worms mate and the females release their offspring  called microfilariae, into the blood stream where they are sucked up in the blood when the dog in bitten by mosquitoes  The mosquitoes then go off to drink from another dog and in the process they release the young heartworms into the bloodstream of the dog they have just bitten and thereby infecting the new dog with heart worms to repeat the cycle. While dogs are the definitive host for heartworms they may infect more than 30 species of animals such as other members of the canine (dog) family (coyotes, foxes, wolves) and even domestic cats and ferrets.

Can people get heartworms from dogs?

In extremely rare cases, heartworms have infected people, but it cannot complete its life cycle in a human being. The juvenile heartworm migrates to the lung and cause a spherical lesion that resembles a tumour. But again these are very, very rare cases.

What are the signs or symptoms of heartworm in dogs?

The heart and lungs are the major organs affected by heartworms and will be affected to varying degrees depending on a number of factors such as the level of infection, age of the dog and also the dog’s activity level. Older and active dogs will usually show a greater level of symptoms as they will already have strain placed on their cardiovascular system that is under attack from the heartworms also. A younger dog that is a couch potato is less likely to feel the strain on their cardiovascular resources from a heartworm infection. General symptoms of heartworm infection are a cough that worsens over time and scale of the infection, exercise intolerance, difficulty breathing and abnormal lung sounds, enlargement of the liver, poor blood flow to the brain resulting in temporary loss of consciousness, abnormal heart activity to eventually death.

How to detect heartworm in dogs

Usually a blood test is required to give a definite answer to whether your dog has heartworm or not as usually this is an antigen based test looking for chemical markers that are specific to female heartworms. This is necessary before a dog can begin treatment for heartworm disease.

Preventing and treating heartworm infection in dogs

The best course of action is to prevent heartworm infection in the first place using a product specifically designed for heartworm such as ‘Proheart’ injection that is given once a year when your dog has their vaccination, but other products that are used once a month are also effective. It is just easier for most people to remember the injection once per year than a tablet or spot-on once per month.

Treating heartworm is a much more lengthy and dangerous process as well as being more expensive also. Sometimes prevention may not be an option if you are adopting an older dog or a dog from a shelter or rescue that may already have a heartworm infestation. Your vet will advise you on the appropriate course of action depending on the maturity of the heartworms in your dog but in all cases a dog that is undergoing treatment for heartworm should avoid even moderate exercise.

About these ads

Leptospirosis in dogs

Leptospirosis is an acute, chronic or clinically inapparent highly infectious disease of animals and man characterized by fever, haemoglobinuria, jaundice and abortion. Leptospirosis is world wide in distribution and is of zoonotic importance. Leptospirosis is also known as Weil’s disease in man.

Leptospirosis in dog is caused by Leptospira icterohaemorrhagie, Leptospira canicola, Leptospira Grippotyphosa and Leptospira pomona. Leptospira is a spiral-shaped bacteria with long, helically coiled bodies.

Which animals are susceptible to leptospirosis?
Dogs, cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, horse, donkey are susceptible to leptospirosis. Cases of leptospirosis in cats are rare

Which dog is most susceptible to listeriosis?
Dogs of all ages suffer from leptospirosis but young dogs between the age group of 1-4 years are more suspectible to leptospirosis than matured dogs. Large breed of dogs are more susceptible than smaller breed of dogs. It is common in German Shepherds, Retrievers, mixed breed and working dogs.

How is leptospirosis transmitted in dogs?
Transmission of leptospirosis takes place by direct contact with urine of infected animals and rat. Ingestion of contaminated food and carcass, bite wounds, abrasions of skin or mucous membrane also transmitts the disease. Dogs drink, walk and swim through contaminated water and so they are very prone to leptospirosis. Stagnant water, contaminated with urine is a common source of infection as the organism multiply more in stagnant water. Indirect transmission takes place by contaminated water source, food, bedding etc. Incidence of leptospirosis is high during flood. Ticks may transmit the disease from an infected dog to a healthy one by deposition of the organism in the exposed skin and mucous membrane. Recovered dog excrete the organism in the urine as long as three years.

What are the signs and symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs?
Incubation period is usually 2-14 days.Signs in dogs include fever, anorexia, depression, oculonasal discharge, lethargy. As the disease progresses the organism damage the blood vesels of kidney and liver. In this case vomiting, dehydration, lumbar pain can be seen in dog. Kidney failure, liver disease occurs in severe cases. The dog have foul breath (halitosis) because of ulceration of buccal mucosa and tonsillar movements. In dogs with moderate infection of leptospirosis the mucous membranes, fatty tissue and unpigmented skin show yellow tinge (indicating liver disease like icterus) and this yellow discolouration is found mainly in the abdomen, foot pads, inner sides of ear. The dog increase its daily water intake and so there is increase urination. The dog has blood tinged reddish urine and uremia. Reproductive failure also occurs in dogs. Majority of these dogs recover in two or three weeks but some lose kidney function and die slowly from accumulation of waste product (uremia).

What are the signs and symptoms of listeriosis observed in man?
In the first phase of the disease non specific flu like symptoms like headaches, eye pain with bright lights, muscle aches followed by chills and fever are seen. Eye becomes red and symptoms seem to improve by the fifth to ninth day. The second phase begins with fever and aching with stiffness of the neck. Inflammation of the nerves to the eyes, brain, spinal column or other nerves develop in some cases. Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting occurs. The symptoms in humans appear after a 4–14 day incubation period.

Diagnosis of leptospirosis:
Diagnosis is done by the following:
(a) History of the dog- Whether the dog is vaccinated or not, whether the dog came in any contact with infected animals, ingested contaminated food and carcass etc
(b) Clincal signs- Yellow discolouration of skin, increase daily water intake, increase urination, blood tinged reddish urine etc
(c) Laboratory findings like elevation of leucocytic count, raise bilirubin values, raise BUN level
(d) Demonstration of organism by dark field microscopy
(e) Culture of urine or blood or infected tissues
(f) Histopathological examination of kidney, liver and brain tissues using Silver or Giemsa

stain
(g) Animal inoculation is done by injecting suspected materials from liver, spleen or brain into

mice
(h) Serological tests like ELISA, Fluorescent antibody technique etc is done

Treatment of leptospirosis in dogs:
(a) Intravenous fluid- in case of dehydration and also to flush out the kidneys and prevent their destruction
(b) Antibiotics like sodium penicillin G eliminate leptospiremia followed by doxycycline to eliminate the the renal carrier phase .Ffluoroquinolone antibiotics such as enrofloxacin are also effective
(c) Corticosteriod – to speed up the elimination of urea
(d) Vitamins and minerals- to restore vitality

Prevention and control of leptospirosis in dogs:
Dogs should be vaccinated at 9 weeks of age. Booster should be done at 12-16 weeks of age and then anually. A killed mixed vaccine of L.icterohaemorrhagiae and L.canicola is used. A new vaccine by Fort Dodge now also protects against the serovars L. grippotyphosa and L. pomona. Antibiotics like Amoxicillin or doxycycline should be given for 7-10 days to those dogs that have been recently exposed to leptospirosis to prevent infection. Rodent populations should be controlled as rodents are the main carrier of leptospirosi. Adequate measures should be taken to prevent contamination of water. Suspected or infected dogs should be seperated from healthy ones. Recovered dogs should be separated for atleast two months following clinical recovery.

Prevent exposure of the dog with rat or any other wild animal

Prevention and control of leptospirosis in man from dog:
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease and can pass the infection to man through contact with infected dog and also from contaminated water. Wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly after cleaning up vomit, faeces ,urine etc of infected dog and also while handling the infected dog. Do not allow the children to handle or play with dogs infected with leptospirosis or suspected of being infected from leptospirosis. Leptospira organism are destroyed by heat and disinfectants. Urine from infected dogs and other contaminated surfaces should be cleaned with antibacterial cleaning solution or a solution of 1 part household bleach in 10 parts water. Disinfectants like sodium hypochlorate, calcium chloride and sodium hydroxide can also be used. Water should not be allowed to remain stagnant for a long period of time.

What is an Addisonian Crisis in Addison dogs? - Addisons in Dogs

An Addisonian crisis in Addison dogs is a medical emergency. Symptoms can be vague and mimic gastrointestinal disorders, acute renal failure, liver disease, insulinoma, hypothyroidism or hypoglycemia. Here are the symptoms that generally indicate Addison’s crisis in most cases:

Symptoms of an Addison’s crisis in Addison dogs:

• severe weakness


• lethargy


• slow heart rate (bradycardia)


• not eating


• drinking and urinating frequently


• rarely, vomiting blood and/or blood in the stool


• rarely, seizures due to hypoglycemia

A dog in an Addisonian crisis needs specialized care by a veterinarian who will look at several factors before treating your pet. If your pet arrives at the vets with cardiovascular collapse  and atrial standstill, aggressive therapy will be needed to correct low blood volume (hypovolemia), electrolyte disturbances (hyponatremia), low levels of cortisol, and a variety of other life-threatening conditions that may be present. Depending on the condition your pet is in at the time, treatment may include:

1. IV saline solution to help replace lost electrolyte and other minerals. IV saline can also dilute the high levels of potassium in the blood


2. IV prednisolone sodium succinate or dexamethasone sodium phosphate to replace glucocorticoids


3. DOCP or Florinef to replace mineralcorticoids.


4. IV Calcium gluconate to treat life-threatening heart arrythmias.

Our dog, Shakti, survived an Addisonian crisis in October, 2009. After at first appearing like the had a virus (she was depressed and off her food), the crisis emerged within hours: her legs wobbled, she couldn’t walk more than a few feet, she was severely depressed and lethargic, barely responding to her name. Her heart rate was slow and the rhythm was off. Luckily, an emergency vet administered IV fluids–which temporarily restored electrolyte imbalances–and saved her life.

Addison dogs may only have some of the above symptoms–or it may have different symptoms. Addison’s is a common disorder in dogs (some estimates say it’s 100 times more frequent in dogs than in humans!). If in doubt, see your vet and get a simple blood test to check for Addison’s disease.

Reference:

Reference:  Tilley L, Goodwin J. Manual of Canine and Feline Cardiology. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Saunders. 3 edition (January 15, 2001)

Cavalier heart failure symptoms | MayaLu Dogs

Maya – her story – the final chapter

By the end of 2009 we noticed Maya slowing down a bit in her everyday activities and the heart disease had progressed to moderate a bit more quickly than we hoped. An air of inevitability set in as I started sensing she didn’t have years left. She became a permanent fixture sleeping on our bed as I wanted her to have as much enjoyment as possible and that was heaven to her. In the winter she’d like to sleep under the sheets next to Jim and didn’t move all night long. By 2010 we certainly noticed that Maya wasn’t running the speed she used to, even at the lower jump height of 8,” but she wasn’t too far off in speed and still beat the other dogs in her class in AKC and USDAA. Some days she was still dynamite and beat dogs in the other classes too. By the middle of 2010 I could see she had less verve and stairs went from a moderate to slow trot or walk (she used to dash up the stairs in younger years). Dr Woodfield upped the blood pressure medication. Surprisingly as Maya got older she became more interactive with other people, cuddling up to a gentle guest at the house and even warming to those noisy children.

Maya (facing the camera directly) is with Dinke and other pups.

By January 2011 her heart disease had progressed just a bit further with resting respiratory rate constantly around the danger zone of 30 per minute and she started scaring us with occasional coughing fits. Dr Woodfield started her on the diuretic Furosemide, which increased her energy. I decided that if we wanted to get a Performance Agility Championship title in agility now would be the time, so we entered a few more trials and completed our title in April 2011.

Maya and me with her PACH bar. I’m also wearing a black and tan agility Cavalier tee-shirt with her image on it. The shirt was not created by me. Someone else found that image online and created the shirts.

Maya’s last AKC certificate for agility.

In May 2011 Maya went back to Dr Woodfield for another checkup, where more progression of the disease was seen and her medication increased again and Vetmedin added. Maya ran her last ever AKC trial in Sequim in June 2011. It was very hot for June so she just did the first run and had her rest in the cool car, even though she ran like the wind. Later in June I brought her to our local vet as she seemed especially fatigued with more frequent coughing and the x-ray showed pulmonary edema.

Results from Maya’s last agility trial. She beat all dogs in the 8″ and 12″ classes that day.

We seemed to bring the edema under control with increased Furosemide and Maya tried to do what was meant to be her retirement run in USDAA in early July. I could tell after the first few jumps she was having trouble maintaining speed and then she stopped on top of the A-Frame and gasped for air. I pulled her straight off the course and decided we’d enjoy full retirement after that. By early August we were finding her energy level varied day to day and sometimes her breathing was quite labored. One night her breathing was very labored and she was very restless. This was not completely unexpected as she’d grown increasingly uncomfortable at night over the last few months, often shifting many times during the night. Also in the evenings when we all usually relaxed together she found it uncomfortable sitting on the couch and went off to find a cool piece of floor by herself. By this time it had been years since she wanted to sit in someone’s lap.

In the morning she seemed a little better but by the time we got home from work Maya was breathing at about 70 breaths per minute. Her walking was slow and weak and I knew we had to go the emergency vet. I had hoped through careful management of medication we’d be able to keep her comfortable despite progressive and irreversible heart damage and that no “heroic measures” would be needed. However, when I saw how much better Maya was on oxygen we proceeded with the intravenous Furosemide. Two mornings after the incident she was ready to come home, much weaker than before but with increased verve and spirit as if she knew there was another chance. I realized that in my efficiency to get the weekly pills and supplements measured out that I’d forgotten to include the Furosemide for the 2.5 days leading up to the emergency. Apart from feeling rotten about my mistake it also made us feel that there was hope with increased meds and Spirnolactone was added to the mix.

Maya’s medication list documented for everyone in the family to make sure we had it correct.

A real cough set in this time with the extreme heart enlargement and pressure on the trachea but Maya couldn’t cough as hard as before. We added Hydrocone for the cough but I’m not sure it ever made too much difference. And to my mind her breathing never really returned to its pre-emergency state. In the last 6 weeks with increased medication Maya enjoyed wandering in the garden occasionally and wanted to be more interactive than before, although as Dr Woodfield warned the brief summer heat caused fatigue. She battled a urinary infection and struggled with stabilizing her breathing such that we successively upped her diuretics, but still managed to maintain them on a twice daily schedule. I worried constantly about her breathing and brought her into work when it seemed bad to make sure I’d be there if she started suffering.

Maya resting in bed in mid-August 2011. Sometimes she let me get a spot too.

We had stopped the Prednisone after the emergency but had to reintroduce it as she was being driven crazy with scratching. The Prednisone also seemed to help the coughing after the initial bad morning burst but I’m sure wasn’t helping her heart. She also became very demanding barking at the fridge for treats and wanting to get involved in puppy tussles just like the old days, which made her cough and gag. I even caught her chasing a bird and then lunging and barking at the other dogs coming in from the potty spot to show them who was boss, just like the old days, except it wasn’t the old days anymore.

In the last 2 weeks I was in contact with our vet Dr Rice or at the vet several times culminating with a visit to confirm the pulmonary edema I was hearing. We decided the diuretics needed to go up to 3 times a day so I brought Maya back to work. Between that last visit and the next morning we had given her another 20 mg of Furosemide making the 4th dose that day to try and dry everything out, but she continued to struggle and wheeze with every breath.  When Maya screamed in pain the following morning along with her regular coughing fit, Jim and I felt we had reached the end of our capabilities to keep Maya comfortable at home. Faced with another visit to hospital, time in an oxygen chamber, an opinion from Dr Woodfield that it may not help, and medication that no longer seemed to help enough we made the difficult decision to say goodbye on September 16, 2011. Maya was 9 years and 2.5 months old.

Thankfully the end was very peaceful for all of us. Maya happily munched on cheese. Her fur was really soft and fragrant as we’d washed her the night before, not expecting this to be the day. She looked so gentle and beautiful as we walked out the door wanting to keep the memory of how she looked forever in our minds.

A photo of Maya from 2006 with her favorite chew treat that she enjoyed her whole life. This photo shows her wonderful soft coat.

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.

Fear of Dogs: Cynophobia Symptoms, Causes and Cures

By Julia Williams

Do you have a fear of dogs, or know someone who does? The likelihood that you answered yes to one or both of those questions is fairly high, considering that the fear of dogs is quite common in our society today. Having a little fear of dogs is natural and may actually protect you, because some dogs (especially strays or other dogs you don’t know) could be dangerous, and should always be approached with caution. But for people who have Cynophobia, which is not a healthy fear of dogs but an extreme, irrational one, this fear can make their life miserable. Left untreated, Cynophobia can severely interfere with a person’s work, school, and social relationships.

Phobias are classified as a type of anxiety disorder, whereby exposure to the feared object, activity or situation can cause excessive sweating, shaking, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing, inability to think or speak clearly, and even a full blown panic attack. Cynophobia then, is not simply an aversion to dogs; it’s an intense feeling of fear at the sight of one – even if it’s just on television or through a window. Very often, a person with Cynophobia can have an anxiety attack just by thinking about encountering a dog. They may understand intellectually that a dog on TV poses no danger, but this doesn’t prevent them from having a reaction.

Although snakes and spiders are more common animal phobias, Cynophobia is especially debilitating because dogs are such an intrinsic part of everyday life. According to a survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, there are approximately 74.8 million pet dogs in the United States. Dogs are everywhere we look and thus, practically impossible to avoid. And for someone with Cynophobia, it doesn’t matter if the dog is a tiny puppy, a Chihuahua or a snarling guard dog– all are equally frightening.

What causes Cynophobia?

Like all irrational fears, Cynophobia is a protective mechanism created by the unconscious mind. A Cynophobe is usually terrified of being scratched, bitten or attacked by a dog, but may not have any idea where this fear originated. Sometimes all they know is that they’ve had a fear of dogs for as long as they can remember. It is possible, though, that they had a frightening experience with a dog at a young age but don’t remember it.

Both children and adults can develop Cynophobia after being attacked or bitten by a dog, or seeing another person have a bad experience with a dog. In addition, parents who have a strong fear of dogs can sometimes transfer this to their children. On the other hand, early exposure to good-tempered dogs seems to lessen the probability of a person developing Cynophobia as an adult.

Treatments for Cynophobia

With professional help, the fear of dogs can usually be overcome; however, many Cynophobics avoid seeking treatment because they’re embarrassed about fearing an animal so many people love. If they get teased by others who don’t understand the debilitating nature of phobias, they may be even more reluctant to seek treatment. For some, the idea of confronting their fear of dogs is just as terrifying as dealing with Cynophobia. Nevertheless, if someone has a desire to conquer their fear of dogs it can be done, and there are several therapeutic options.

Cognitive behavior therapy is a form of psychotherapy based on the belief that the way we think about things affects how we feel emotionally. Rather than focusing on past experiences, cognitive therapy employs problem solving in the present, e.g., helping someone change the way they think about dogs.

Systematic desensitization therapy uses visualization and gradual exposure combined with relaxation and breathing exercises to desensitize a person to their phobia. In a controlled environment, typically a therapist’s office, the patient is taught to visualize a frightening situation (such as encountering a dog). When this no longer produces intense anxiety, exposure to dogs is introduced in a systematic, structured way while the person concentrates on staying calm. This exposure could include looking at photos of dogs, watching videos about dogs, seeing a dog through a window, and eventually, being in the same room with a dog.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is the study of how individuals create their reality. NLP views phobias as the result of faulty “programs” or images that a person has created, e.g., seeing all dogs as aggressive and threatening. With NLP, these programs are revealed and “re-programmed” so that the phobia is minimized or eliminated.

Hypnosis helps to reprogram the subconscious thoughts that may be linked to the phobia. People with Cynophobia usually have a strong subconscious belief that any dog they see will attack them. When the subconscious is reprogrammed through hypnotherapy, the phobia symptoms are often minimized.

If you suffer from Cynophobia but feel like you’re all alone, rest assured – there are many others who share your fear of dogs. And you shouldn’t feel that this is just something you “have to live with,” because with proper treatment, effort and time, you can overcome Cynophobia.

Read more articles by Julia Williams

Dog Food Allergy - What"s The Best Dog Food For Dogs With Allergies?

Any allergy sufferer can understand the debilitating effects of allergies. Not being able to spend time outside can be boring. For useful advice for living with allergies, keep reading!

Allergies can be responsible for post-nasal drip which in turn can cause sore throats, and a good way to battle this symptom is to gargle with salt water. Combine warm water with table salt, tilt your head back and swish the mixture around in your mouth. This can help soothe your irritated throat.

Learn what items contain latex so that you can eliminate them from your home if you have a latex allergy. Make sure you avoid latex bandages, clothing, gloves, and condoms. Alternatives can be found for a lot of these things. Ask your pharmacist for some advice on where you can locate them. Additionally, make sure you check products for latex warnings, as this will prevent you from being surprised.

Allergies: Signs and Symptoms Take the trash out. You can be allergic to the rodents and bugs that are attracted to your garbage. In the presence of mice dropping, your allergy symptoms may become more pronounced. If you suspect you have a problem with pests, set out traps. Try poison if it doesn’t work.

If allergies cause your eyes to be itchy or dry, remember not to rub them. Instead, use an eye drop with antihistamine to help ease the symptoms. The more you rub your eyes, the more prone you are to irritation and even infection. Keep your hands off and use medicinal drops to treat the condition.

Olive trees are beautiful and add design elements to your landscape. They are especially popular in Western states. Unfortunately, these trees create a lot of pollen. You should research this tree and others that produce a lot of pollen and make sure you stay away from them. A great way to get rid of the pollen is to spray the tree down with a hose for a few minutes every day.

Allergy sufferers should dust weekly, if not more often. Use a dust mask while dusting. Dusting can lower the amount of airborne allergens in your home significantly. Do it every week instead of letting visible dust accumulations develop.

Many pet-friendly homes have way too much dander, and allergy shots can’t combat it. You have to put your pets outside and make sure that you clean your house and rugs. Of course, this may not be as easy as it sounds!

Buy an air purifier with a HEPA filter if you have problems with free-flying allergens. A HEPA filter can be used to reduce the dander, mold spores and pollen in your home’s air. Look for a brand that carries a filter that could be cleaned in order to save money as opposed to purchasing disposable filters each month.

Although they’re caused by our body’s protective mechanisms, allergies can be very annoying. Because people don’t know enough about allergies, they end up suffering. After reviewing the advice presented in this article, you may find yourself better equipped to take on your allergies and minimize the amount of trouble they cause you. .

dogs diseases symptoms

disease

dogs diseases symptoms

Atopica for Dogs: For Skin Allergies in Dogs

Atopica for dogs is a new, popular and commonly prescribed medication for skin allergies in dogs, specifically for atopic dermatitis or dogs allergic to airborne allergens. It contains cyclosporine, a drug that suppresses the immune system. It is not a cure and may not remove all symptoms of dog allergies but is highly effective with the symptoms of a dog skin allergy. In these cases it may substantially improve your dog’s enjoyment of life. It takes about four weeks for this medication to take full effect. Because of this, cortisone for dogs or a closely related steroid may be given for immediate relief while testing and diagnosis takes place. Because of the advantages of Atopica over cortisone for dogs, Atopica is often selected for treating skin allergies in dogs and often after initial attempts in identifying and removing the allergen have failed, or when the allergen cannot be completely removed from the dog’s environment.

A daily dosage will be required to control dog allergies symptoms. It is normally given once a day at first, in time it is often tapered down to once every other day, every third day, or less.

Atopica for dogs is usually very well tolerated; however dogs should be monitored for side effects. Some dogs do experience upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhoea. However, most dogs have no problem with this drug. Also, be aware that if the dog is still exposed to the allergen and the drug is stopped, it is likely your dog will have a bounce-back reaction and feel the allergy again. Atopica is a treatment for a symptoms of allergies in dogs, it is not a cure. Once started, this prescription medication may need to be continued indefinitely or until the allergen can be identified and removed from the dog’s environment.

Officially, Atopica is not FDA approved for cats. Nevertheless, veterinary dermatologists say that Atopica is extreme well tolerated in cats and that it is very effective in treating a variety of diseases including Atopy, food allergies, and miliary dermatitis. Like all medications for the treatment of symptoms of allergies in dogs or of skin allergies in dogs, a certain amount of trial and error with alternatives may be needed to determine an appropriate treatment for your specific dog. Not all dogs should take Atopica; dogs less than four pounds in weight, dogs that are reproducing, and dogs with a history of malignant neoplasia should not take this medication. That said, many family veterinarians and vet dermatologists have found Atopica for dogs to be a superior treatment for the symptoms of allergies in dogs.

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

❀ᵔᴥᵔ❀

Related Articles

For related and additional articles on dog and cat, care, health, training, nutrition and animal advocacy go to thispage.

Feel free to leave a comment below – if your comment is polite, informative etc. I will publish it. If your comment is a quick question, I will answer it if time permits…

If you require additional assistancewith your dogs you can engage me to…

1.0) Do an in-person session(see details below)

2.0)  Do a phone/email consultation (see details below)

1.0) In-Person Sessions are available to you if you live in the region of Ottawa-Gatineau, the Ottawa Valley and Region.

(i.e. Ottawa, Hull, Alymer, Orleans, Bells Corners, Manotick, Vars, Kanata, Stittsville, Smith Falls, Fitzroy, Carp, Arnprior, Renfrew, etc.) 

  and surrounding areas 

(i.e. Brockville, Smith Falls, Perth, Kingston, L’Original, Val-des-Monte, St-Pierre-de-Wakefield, etc.)

or if you will be visiting the area from out-of-town.

Methods of Payment (for In-Person Sessions):

Cash, Email Money Transfer and Credit Card via PayPal

2.0) If you reside elsewhere you can engage my world wide consultation service, details of which are provided just below…

My Hourly Fee

$ 100.00/hour in Canadian funds.

Purchasing Consultation Time:

Client’s often start out by purchasing an hour of my time and then augment that if required to suit the situation;

Or you can – if your situation requires it, purchase whatever block of time you want (i.e. multiple hours).

Methods of Payment:

Email Money Transfer and Credit Card via PayPal

1.0 Email Money Transfer:

1 hour = $ 100.00 in Canadian Funds;

For payment via email money transfer I provide you with a password (security information).

2.0 Credit Card via PayPal

1 hour = $ 100.00 + $ 5.00 PayPal Transaction fee = $ 105.00 Canadian Funds;

For payment via PayPal I send you a PayPal invoice to enable payment.

Method of Consultation – Canada, USA and Abroad (i.e. UK, Asia, etc.)

If You Are Located In:

1.0 Canada:

I can work with you via:

Phone with follow-up by email, or;

Via email only;

The choice is yours;

If you want to work via phone you provide me with your phone number and I will call you at the mutually agreed upon Consultation time.

2.0 USA:

I can work with you via:

Phone with follow-up by email, or;

Via email only;

The choice is yours;

If you want to work via phone:

You call me at the following number 613-622-7958, at the mutually agreed upon consultation time.

3.0 ALL OTHER GLOBAL LOCATIONS (i.e. UK. Asia, etc.):

I can work with you via:

Via email only, or;

Phone with follow-up by email…

The choice is yours;

If you want to work via phone:

You call me at the following number 613-622-7958, at the mutually agreed upon consultation time.

To Set-up a Consultation

Step 1 – Identify how you would prefer to pay for the consultation;

  Payment options as noted above are:

o    email money transfer, or;

o    Credit card via Paypal.

Step 2 – Identification of a consultation time that works for both our schedules;

Step 3 – You then pay the fee for the amount of consultation time you want to purchase;

Step 4 – Consultation takes place on the agreed upon time.

Contact me at

 email mailto:ottawavalleydogwhisperer@gmail.com

Office 613-622-7958
Cell 613-293-3707

Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer Services

Training;

Behaviour Modification;

Rehabilitation;

Nutrition;

Health

Whether you are experiencing dog behavior problems and would like assistance, or just want to bring your dog up to be a well-balanced canine -  I offer both a local and international service for people with one or multiple dogs. 

I work with all breeds – from small (i.e. Yorkie, Pomeranian, Chihuahua, etc.), medium breeds size (including Pit Bulls) and large breed dogs…

In-person SessionsDog Training, Puppy Training, Behaviour Modification, Rehabilitation, Diet, Nutrition and Care – Ottawa, Ottawa Area, Outaouais, Ottawa Valley

International e-Consultation 

Sessions, Advice via email for National and International Clients – Dog Training, Puppy Training, Behaviour Modification, Nutrition, Health 

Contact me at

 email mailto:ottawavalleydogwhisperer@gmail.com

Office 613-622-7958
Cell 613-293-3707

Signs, Symptoms And Treatment Of Heat Stroke In Dogs

by Lorie Huston, DVM 

Heat stroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening situation. It is especially common in dogs that have been left untended in cars We all know it is not safe to leave an animal in a closed car when the outside temperature is extremely warm.

However, even in temperatures as mild as 70-75°F, the temperature inside of a closed car can increase as much as 40° or more in one hour! 

That means the temperature inside of the car can increase to 110-115°F even when the temperature outside is mild!

Besides the car scenario, there are other situations in which heat stroke becomes more likely for our pets as well.

• Dogs (or other animals) left outside on hot and/or humid days without the availability of adequate shade and/or water are likely to suffer heat stroke.


• Animals that are exercised heavily on a hot and/or humid day may also suffer heat stroke.


• Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds of dogs and cats may be more likely to develop hyperthermia (an elevated temperature) and suffer heat stroke because their ability to pant effectively is hampered by their anatomy.


• Obesity can affect an animal’s airways and make panting less effective at dissipating heat for the animal, predisposing the animal to heat stroke.


• Other diseases that hamper the airway can also alter the effectiveness of the panting mechanism that dogs and cats rely on to dissipate body heat, resulting in heat stroke.


• Animals exposed to forced heat, such as a hair dryer, may also suffer heat stroke.

Symptoms and Signs of Heat Stroke

Early symptoms seen with heat stroke include restlessness and excessive panting. The respiratory rate and heart rate will increase. Excessive drooling may also occur.

Vomiting and/or diarrhea may occur. Dehydration and depression will occur as the symptoms worsen.

As the situation progresses, the animal’s gums may turn brick red in color or even purple or blue as oxygen saturation declines.

Your dog may have difficulty breathing and may appear to be gasping. He will become weak and may stagger. Seizures may occur and the animal may become totally comatose. Petechial hemorrhages, small red areas that resemble bruising, may appear. As the pet nears death, the temperature may actually decrease to below normal.

A body temperature higher than 105°F is cause for alarm.

It is important to remember that an elevated temperature can have many different causes and heat stroke is only one of those potential causes. However, often there are clues in the environment or the recent history of the pet that easily lead to the probability of a diagnosis of heat stroke. For instance, a dog found locked in a car that has symptoms consistent with heat stroke is likely suffering from heat stroke rather than another disease.

Treatment of Heat Stroke in Dogs

Any dog suffering from heat stroke should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible!

However, measures may be taken to begin cooling the pet before transport. It is important not to lower the body temperature of the dog or cat too much or too quickly. Cool wet towels can be placed around or over the animal. Towels soaked in cool water can also be placed between the legs, both front and rear. Placing cool water on the ears and paws may help cool the pet also.

Naturally, the pet should be removed from the environment which caused the heat stroke. If possible, direct a fan toward the dog or cat.

Do not use ice or extremely cold water to cool a dog or cat suffering from heat stroke. Doing so may actually make the condition worse.

Though cooling the pet is part of treating for heat stroke, other procedures will also likely be necessary to save the animal’s life and rapid evaluation and treatment at a veterinary facility is usually necessary.

Heat stroke affects all body systems and causes thermal damage to numerous tissues.

• The kidneys are damaged, leading to acute kidney failure.


• The gastrointestinal tract is damaged and may lead to bacterial translocation from the intestinal tract into the blood stream.


• Damage to the liver and to the heart can occur due to thermal damage.


• There may be swelling within the brain and infarctions that cause further brain damage.


• Clotting deficits may occur, leading to bleeding abnormalities.

Treatment for heat stroke will vary depending on the condition of the animal, but intravenous fluid support is usually necessary.

Blood transfusions may be required. Oxygen therapy may be necessary for animals suffering respiratory depression. Cerebral swelling (swelling within the brain) may require specialized medications, such as mannitol to reduce the swelling. Antibiotics may be necessary if there has been damage to the gastrointestinal tract to combat sepsis caused by bacterial translocation. Other therapies may be required.

Severely affected may not survive despite best attempts at resuscitation.

Preventing Heat Stroke in Dogs

In most cases, heat stroke is preventable by taking some simple precautions.

• Do not leave animals caged, tied or otherwise confined outside without adequate shade and water. At very high temperature, animals should be moved indoors rather than being kept outside for prolonged periods of time.


• Do not leave animals in closed compartments exposed to the sun, such as a closed car.


• Increased caution should be used with animals that are obese, have respiratory difficulties, are geriatric or are otherwise unhealthy.


• Be aware that some animals will lie in a sunny window long enough to become subject to heat stroke. Restrict access to these areas if necessary by closing blinds or draperies.


• Provide adequate water for animals that are performing strenuous exercises in warm temperatures. Be aware that animals performing arduous physical activities require more water, sometimes as much as twice the amount or more, than animals at rest.

***

Lorie Huston has been practicing veterinary medicine for over 20 years. Besides a successful career in a busy small animal hospital in Providence, RI, Lorie is also a successful freelance writer specializing in pet care and pet health topics. 

Currently, she is the feature writer for the Pet Care section at Suite101.com and the National Pet Health Examiner at Examiner.com. Lorie also publishes her own blog, The Pet Health Care Gazette and manages an increasingly popular facebook page, The Voice of Pet Care. 

Articles by Dr. Huston:
Lyme Is Lame (Pun Intended)
The Ticking Bomb
Don’t Let Heartworm Become A Heartbreak!
Summer Perils: Blue-green Algae
Your Dog And Leptospirosis
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Distemper Virus
Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Top 5 Causes Of Itching In Dogs 
Vaccination Concerns and Potential Side Effects 
Natural Flea Control for Dogs

Related articles:
Hypo- Versus Hyperthermia
Know Your Dog’s Enemies: Heat Stroke Is No Light Matter!