Distemper
Distemper is a contagious, incurable, often fatal, multisystemic viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems.
Symptoms: Early symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, and mild eye inflammation that may only last a day or two. Symptoms become more serious and noticeable as the disease progresses.
The initial symptom is fever (103°F to 106°F), which usually peaks 3 to 6 days after infection. The fever often goes unnoticed and may peak again a few days later. Dogs may experience eye and nose discharge, depression, and loss of appetite. After the fever, symptoms vary considerably, depending on the strain of the virus and the dog's immunity.
Many dogs experience gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, such as:
- Conjunctivitis (discharge from the eye)
- Diarrhea
- Fever (usually present but unnoticed)
- Pneumonia (cough, labored breathing)
- Rhinitis (runny nose)
- Vomiting
These symptoms are often exacerbated by secondary bacterial infections. Dogs almost always develop encephalomyelitis (an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), the symptoms of which are variable and progressive. Most dogs that die from distemper, die from neurological complications such as the following:
- Ataxia (muscle incoordination)
- Depression
- Hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, such as pain or touch)
- Myoclonus (muscle twitching or spasm), which can become disabling
- Paralysis
- Paresis (partial or incomplete paralysis)
- Progressive deterioration of mental abilities
- Progressive deterioration of motor skills
- Seizures that can affect any part of the body (One type of seizure that affects the head, and is unique to distemper, is sometimes referred to as a "chewing gum fit" because the dog appears to be chewing gum.)
Prevention
The best prevention against canine distemper is vaccination.
Vaccination works well even in animals that have already been exposed to the virus, if it is administered within 4 days of exposure. Vaccination induces long lasting, but not permanent, immunity. Dogs should receive annual vaccinations to ensure protection. There are several different types of distemper vaccines available, each with advantages and disadvantages. Pet owners should discuss the various options with their veterinarians.
Multidog households
Any dog that is suspected of being infected should be isolated from other dogs. Other dogs should be vaccinated, if they haven't already been.
Distemper doesn't last long outside the dog's body; heat, sunlight, most detergents, soaps, and various chemicals inactivate it. After an infected dog has been removed from the premises, contaminated objects and living areas should be disinfected with a 1:30 bleach-water solution.
For more detailed information, see http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/distemper/diagnosis.shtml
Coccidosis
Coccidia are small one-celled organisms that multiply in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats, most commonly in puppies and kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, malnutrition or other disease present).
Symptoms: The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease.
What are the risks?
Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. Coccidiosis is very contagious, especially among young puppies. Entire kennels may become contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected.
Treatment:
3 shots of Amporal and then 4 drops of Amporal per gallon of water for 4 days.
Prevention:
4 drops of Amporal per gallon of water for 4 days, every 3 months; and careful cleaning practices.
Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times. Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia; incineration of the feces, and steam cleaning, immersion in boiling water, or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to kill coccidia. Coccidia can withstand freezing.
For more detailed information, see http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?articleid=727
Parvovirus
Parvovirus, or 'Parvo' is a highly contagious disease characterized by diarrhea that is often bloody and is caused by a pathogen called canine parvovirus.
Symptoms:
There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected
with parvovirus. Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few if any symptoms. The majority of cases are seen in
dogs less than 6 months of age, with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age. There are
also significant differences in response to infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers,
Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.
The most common form of the disease is the intestinal form known as Parvo enteritis, characterized by vomiting
(often severe), diarrhea, dehydration, dark or bloody feces, and in severe cases, fever and lowered white blood cell counts.
The disease will progress very rapidly and death can occur as early as two days after the onset of the disease.
Treatment:
Treatment is basically supportive therapy.
Replacing fluids lost
through vomiting and diarrhea is probably the single most important treatment. Intravenous administration of a
balanced electrolyte solution is preferred, but in less severe cases, subcutaneous or oral fluids may be used.
Antibiotic therapy is usually given to help control secondary bacterial infections. In cases of severe vomiting,
drugs to slow the vomiting may also be used. After the intestinal symptoms begin to subside, a broad spectrum
de-worming agent is often used. Restricting the food during periods of vomiting is also necessary.
The treatment of affected dogs and puppies without professional veterinary care is very difficult. Even with
the best available care, the mortality of severely infected animals is high. Without the correct amount of
properly balanced intravenous fluids, the chance of recovery in a severely stricken animal is very small.
Prevention:
There are many
commercially prepared (modified) live vaccines available. If a puppy recovers from infection, it is immune to reinfection for probably at least twenty months and
possibly for life. In addition, after recovery, the virus is not shed in the feces.
For more detailed information, see http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/canine-parvovirus/index.shtml.
Mange
Sarcoptic Mange, also known as scabies, is sudden, localized, very intense itching (pruritis) caused by Sarcoptes mites. The mite burrows into the skin to lay its eggs. After hatching, the nymphs and larvae feed on the skin. Intense itching is caused by the burrowing and allergic reaction to the secretions of the mites.
This type of mange/scabies is highly contagious among dogs and cats and can be transmitted to humans. Areas commonly affected include the abdomen, chest, legs, and ears.
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Symptoms include the following:
- Hair loss
- Ear margin lesions
- Intense itching
- Papules (raised bumps) with thick yellow crusts
Prevention & Treatment:
- Prevention: 4 Ivomec shots, one week apart.
- Cure: Ivomel given by mouth, for 6 weeks. Cost: about $50. (After being medicated for 2 weeks, the animal is not contagious anymore.) Anytime an antibiotic is given, the animal must have probiotics. The easiest way is to give ½ cup yogurt each day.
For more detailed information, see http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/fleasticksmites/mites/scabies.shtml