The Coughing Pet

Cough is a common problem in dogs but occurs less frequently in cats. Cough is caused by irritation of the throat, airways or the lungs. The main airway to the lungs known as the windpipe or trachea branches into smaller airways called bronchi which branch several more times as they travel to the deeper parts of the lung. (Anatomy of the lungs and airways: dog / cat)

There are many causes of cough. A thorough history and physical examination help the veterinarian decide which causes of cough are most likely in your pet and helps him or her decide which diagnostic tests to recommend and which therapies are most likely to be effective. Cough originating from the trachea may be stimulated by lightly squeezing the trachea. Cough due to heart disease may be accompanied by a murmur or abnormal heart rate or rhythm.

Your description of the nature of the cough, when the cough occurs, and if anything brings on coughing can be very helpful in pinpointing the cause of coughing in your pet. Some causes of cough result in difficulty breathing between coughing episodes whereas with other diseases, the pet breathes normally between coughing episodes. Some types of cough occur more commonly at night when the animal (and human family members) are trying to rest. Animals with heart failure, collapsing trachea and lung edema cough more at night than during the day.

Cough caused by tracheal irritation or tracheal collapse often occurs when the pet is excited or is tugging on its collar. Cough caused by heart disease may follow exercise or excitement. Cough due to tracheal collapse may be stimulated by drinking water. Coughing that occurs during or shortly after eating may be due to disease of the larynx or esophagus. The larynx normally closes when food is swallowed to prevent food from entering the trachea. If the larynx is diseased it may not close when food is swallowed resulting in food entering the trachea. Food may pool in an abnormally dilated esophagus. The food then may pass to the mouth and down the airways into the lungs causing pneumonia and cough.

Some coughs sound moist and others are harsh and dry. Moist coughs indicate the accumulation of fluid (water, blood or pus) in the airways or lungs. The environment and habits of the pet can influence which causes of cough are more likely. Dogs that hunt or spend time outdoors may inhale grasses, seeds or other foreign materials through the nose into the airways. In addition to causing coughing, foreign materials can travel down the airways and through the lung causing an infection with a large amount of pus to develop in the space surrounding the lung. This disease is called pyothorax. Animals that have exposure to other animals in a shelter or boarding facility are more likely to have an infectious cause for coughing. The region of the country in which you live or to which you and your pet have traveled, influences the likelihood of some diseases like heartworm disease and fungal infections of the lung (histoplasmosis, coccidiomycosis and blastomycosis). Heartworm disease occurs in both dogs and cats and is most common in parts of the country that have lots of mosquitoes.

The age and breed of the pet also influences what causes of cough are most likely. Young animals are more likely to develop a cough due to infections with bacteria or viruses. Young to middle aged cats may develop wheezing and cough due to asthma. Cats with asthma have sudden episodes of wheezing and coughing but are normal in between episodes. Middle aged to older, small breed dogs are more likely to have heart disease due to leaky valves. Middle aged to older, large breed dogs are more likely to develop paralysis of the larynx.

Tracheal collapse occurs most commonly in middle to aged overweight small breed dogs . Tracheal collapse is rare in cats. The cough is often described as sounding like a goose honking. Treatment for tracheal collapse includes weight reduction and intermittent use of cough suppressants and sedatives. Surgery can be performed in dogs with severe collapse that don't respond to weight reduction and cough suppressants but often surgery is not effective.

Kennel cough or infectious tracheobronchitis is caused by several infectious organisms, including bacteria and viruses. Vaccinations are not 100% protective against the agents of kennel cough. Coughing due to kennel cough usually becomes apparent within a few weeks of exposure of your dog to other dogs in a kennel or show environment. Kennel cough usually resolves itself without any treatment. If the cough is severe enough that the pet has difficulty sleeping or people in the house have difficulty sleeping, cough suppressants can be given to suppress the frequency of cough, allowing the pet and human members of the household to get rest while the disease runs its course. If the cough does not subside in a week to ten days, your pet should be evaluated for other diseases of the lungs or airways.

Cough can be caused by heart disease, which is diagnosed by a chest x-ray, an electrocardiogram which measures the electrical activity of the heart, and often by a heart ultrasound which allows the veterinarian to view the inside of the heart, including the valves and the thickness of the walls of the heart muscle. Heart disease may cause heart enlargement that puts pressure on the airways causing cough or the heart may fail and lead to edema of the lungs. (Anatomy of the dog / cat heart)

Allergies to particles in the air including dust, pollens, and smoke can cause allergic lung disease and coughing.

In older patients, lung cancer has to be considered. The lungs receives a large amount of blood that flows through the rest of the body. Lung cancers in dogs and cats most often originate from other organs and are transferred from those organs through the blood to the lung. Some cancers may be controllable with anticancer medication. Single lung tumors that originate within the lung may be surgically removed in some cases.Tests that may be recommended to identify the cause of a cough include a blood profile to screen multiple organs, a stool exam to look for parasites or their eggs that are coughed up and swallowed, chest x-rays or x-rays of the trachea. The larger airways can be examined using a flexible scope called a bronchoscope in a procedure called bronchcoscopy. Sterile fluid can be flushed into the airways to collect samples for culture or microscopic exam. Large foreign bodies in the airways can be removed by bronchoscopy. Specific tests may be performed if heart worm disease or an infectious cause for the cough are suspected.

Treatment of coughing patients depends upon the disease diagnosed and may include cough suppressants, antibiotics for bacterial infections, and steroids for allergic lung disease. Avoid self medicating your pet as the treatment for one cause of cough may be very wrong for the treatment of another type of cough.

Seizures in Dogs

A seizure is defined as a paroxysmal, transitory disturbance of brain function that has a sudden onset, ceases spontaneously, and has a tendency to recur. Epilepsy is a recurrent seizure disorder irrespective of cause. Generalized seizures affect the entire body. Most commonly, dogs will fall to the side, make paddling movements with the limbs, and often will urinate, salivate and defecate. Seizures usually last less than 90 seconds. Focal seizures remain localized to one body region. Seizures may start focal and then become generalized. Information about where the seizure activity begins is of value in localization of the seizure focus to one side of the brain. The seizure focus is the point in the brain from which the seizure begins.

After the veterinarian is convinced that a seizure disorder is present, the most important question to be answered is whether the seizure focus is the result of primary brain disease (intracranial), the result of a disturbance outside the brain (extracranial), or is occurring idiopathically (without obvious cause). Initially the causes for seizures, should be categorized into those secondary to an intracranial structural cause, an extracranial cause (metabolic), or an unknown cause (idiopathic).

Metabolic: Extracranial disease resulting in seizures can be separated into those causes arising within the dog itself (endogenous) for example due to liver disease, or those arising external to the dog (exogenous) such as toxins. There are numerous metabolic diseases that can result in seizures. These include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), liver disease, kidney disease, electrolyte disturbances, toxins (poisons), anemia, and heart and lung diseases.

Structural diseases which result in seizures include hydrocephalus, storage diseases, cancer (primary and secondary brain tumor), inflammatory diseases (infectious and non-infectious encephalitis), trauma (injury), and blood-vessel-based diseases. Primary brain cancers originate in the brain whereas secondary cancers develop when cells from cancers outside the brain are carried to the brain in the blood.

Idiopathic epilepsy is a seizure disorder without obvious cause. Idiopathic seizures (Idiopathic epilepsy) begins between 1 year and 4 years of age. Therefore, a dog that begins having seizures at 9 years of age does not have idiopathic epilepsy. Certain breeds of dogs are known or thought to have an increased incidence of idiopathic epilepsy such as beagles, Belgian Tervurens, German shepherds, keeshonds, and collies. High incidence breeds include the Saint Bernard, German shepherd, golden retriever, Irish setter, American cocker spaniel, Wire-haired fox terriers, Alaskan malamutes, Siberian Huskies, and miniature poodles.

To search for an extracranial cause for seizures, a metabolic evaluation is performed. The evaluation may include a complete physical examination, blood tests and sometimes x-rays. To search for a mass in the brain an imaging study (CT, MRI) is performed and sometimes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is collected. An electrical brain (EEG) evaluation is usually not very helpful, unless it is necessary to localize the seizure focus.

If an underlying disease can be found, then primary treatment for that disease may help to make the seizures stop. If the seizures are recurrent, anticonvulsant medications are often given. The choice of medication depends upon the characteristics of the individual animal's problem. Some of the more commonly used anticonvulsants are listed below. It is important to remember that once an anticonvulsant is initiated, it should not be changed without veterinary assistance. Most animals with idiopathic epilepsy will require anticonvulsant medication for the rest of their life.

Drugs Used to Treat Seizures

• Phenobarbital is a barbiturate. It is the most commonly used anticonvulsant. Toxicity signs include drowsiness/sedation, falling, increased drinking, urination and appetite. With high dosages or prolonged use, phenobarbital can cause damage to the liver. Paradoxically, some animals given phenobarbital may become restless and excitable. If this occurs, consult your veterinarian for assistance. For best results, this drug needs to be given consistently (every day) at least twice daily. This drug should not be altered without veterinary consultation
• Primidone is rapidly metabolized to phenobarbital and some other metabolites by the liver. Phenobarbital contributes 85% of the anticonvulsant activity due to its prolonged half-life. It seems to work no better than phenobarbital for most animals. Acute toxicity signs are similar to those of phenobarbital. Primidone may be more liver toxic than phenobarbital
• Phenytoin (Dilantin) is a commonly used anticonvulsant in people. Because it is metabolized differently in dogs, it not as effective in dogs. It also can be toxic to the liver. Phenytoin is toxic to cats and should not be used.
• Diazepam (Valium) is a benzodiazepine. It is a very effective anticonvulsant, but is metabolized very quickly in dogs, making it's effects short lasting. It is given in emergency situations because it works quickly. Acute toxicity includes drowsiness, lethargy, and depression.
• Potassium Bromide is used mostly as a secondary anticonvulsant in animals refractory to phenobarbital, however, can be used alone. Due to its lack of metabolism it is the ideal anticonvulsant for patients with liver disease. Acute toxicity includes vomiting, anorexia, constipation, sedation and incoordination.

Diarrhea in Dogs

Diarrhea is the passing of loose or liquid stool, more often than normal. Diarrhea can be caused by diseases of the small intestine, large intestine or by diseases of organs other than the intestinal tract. Your ability to answer questions about your pet's diet, habits, environment and specific details about the diarrhea can help the veterinarian narrow the list of possible causes, and to plan for specific tests to determine the cause of diarrhea. (Anatomy of the digestive system: dog / cat)

Small intestinal and large intestinal diarrhea have different causes, require different tests to diagnose and are treated differently. Small intestinal diseases result in a larger amount of stool passed with a mild increase in frequency; about 3 to 5 bowel movements per day. The pet doesn't strain or have difficulty passing stool. Animals with small intestinal disease may also vomit and lose weight. Excess gas production is sometimes seen and you may hear the rumbling of gas in the belly. If there is blood in the stool it is digested and black in color.

Disease of the large intestine including the colon and rectum cause the pet to pass small amounts of loose stool very often, usually more than 5 times daily. The pet strains to pass stool. If there is blood in the stool, it is red in color. The stool may be slimy with mucus. The pet does not usually vomit or lose weight with large bowel diarrhea. A sudden onset of small intestinal diarrhea may be caused by viruses including canine distemper, canine parvovirus, canine coronavirus, feline panleukopenia virus or feline coronavirus, in young, poorly vaccinated pets. Small intestinal diarrhea can be caused by bacteria such as salmonella, clostridia or campylobacter although these same bacteria can be found in the stool of normal dogs and cats.

Worms and giardia can cause small intestinal diarrhea, mostly in young animals. Foreign bodies including bones, sticks and other objects can pass through the stomach and get stuck in the intestine causing both diarrhea and vomiting. These same foreign materials may pass through the intestinal tract without getting stuck but may damage the lining of the intestinal tract causing diarrhea. Dietary indiscretion or a sudden change in diet can cause diarrhea with or without vomiting. Food allergies in dogs and cats can cause diarrhea, vomiting or itchy skin. Toxins including lead and insecticides can cause diarrhea usually with vomiting. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) occurs commonly in both dogs and cats. In IBD the walls of the intestine contain abnormal numbers of inflammatory cells which can be eosinophils, lymphocytes or plasma cells. The cause of IBD is not known but is suspected to be an allergic reaction to components of food, bacteria or parasites. IBD can be congenital in some breeds of dogs, for example Basenji dogs may develop a severe inflammatory bowel disease. Tumors of the intestine are another cause of diarrhea usually occurring in older pets. The tumor may be a single mass when the tumor is from the glands of the intestine (adenocarcinoma) and may be removed by surgery or the tumor may occur diffusely along the intestine. Lymphosarcoma occurs in both dogs and cats and can either be a single or multiple masses in the intestine or the abnormal lymphocytes may be spread through out the intestine. Lymphosarcoma is often responsive to anti-cancer drugs in cats but rarely responds to anti-cancer drugs in dogs.

In certain parts of the country small intestinal disease can be caused by fungal infections including histoplasmosis. Your veterinarian can discuss with you whether histoplasmosis is seen in your part of the country. Diseases outside the intestinal tract that may cause diarrhea include kidney failure, liver failure, pancreatic disease and hyperthyroidism in the cat. Severe inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) can lead to damage of the pancreas and an inability to make enough enzymes to digest fat. This is called pancreatic insufficiency and causes diarrhea with a large volume of greasy stool. Pancreatic insufficiency can occur in young animals due to a congenital deficiency of pancreatic enzymes.

The cause of small intestinal diarrhea may be determined from blood tests, examination of the stool, x-rays or ultrasound of the abdomen or by endoscopy. Endoscopy is the technique of passing a flexible scope through the stomach into the upper intestine. Small biopsies of the lining of the intestine can be taken for microscopic evaluation. Endoscopy requires general anesthesia. A diagnosis of intestinal lymphosarcoma may be missed on endoscopy as the biopsies taken using endoscopy do not include the full thickness of the wall of the intestine and the cancerous cells may be deep in the wall of the intestine. A diagnosis in that case requires surgery in order to take a larger biopsy of the entire thickness of the intestine.

Dogs and cats with chronic small intestinal diarrhea will lose weight as they are unable to properly absorb nutrients and may develop edema of the legs or fluid accumulation in the belly or chest. A small protein, albumin may be lost in diarrhea. Albumin acts like a sponge to keep water in the blood vessels. When albumin is lost in the stool, blood albumin gets low and water leaks out of blood vessels to accumulate in other locations. Chronic diarrhea may cause the fur to look dull and brittle due to nutrient deficiencies. Acute small intestinal diarrhea can be managed by withholding food, but not water for 24 - 48 hours. If diarrhea stops, small amounts of a bland low-fat food are fed 3 to 6 times daily for a few days, with a gradual increase in the amount fed and a gradual transition to the pet's normal diet. Foods designed as intestinal diets usually contain rice as rice is more digestible than other grains. You are discouraged from administering over-the-counter diarrhea medications without first consulting a veterinarian. If the pet is active, not dehydrated and has been previously healthy, acute diarrhea can often be managed at home. Diarrhea that continues for more than a few days or is accompanied by depression or other signs is an indication to take your pet to a veterinarian.

Diarrhea of large intestinal origin can be caused by whipworms, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulcers or colonic cancer. Stress can cause large bowel diarrhea in excitable dogs. The diagnosis of large intestinal diarrhea is also made by blood tests and examination of the stool. A rectal examination using a gloved finger may provide some information about the cause of large bowel problems including rectal polyps and rectal cancer. Endoscopy to examine the large intestine is performed using a rigid or flexible scope passed up the rectum. Because the rectum is often very irritated, colon exams are usually performed under general anesthesia.

The treatment of large bowel diarrhea may be based on a specific diagnosis. Non specific treatment of large bowel diarrhea often includes a high fiber diet and sullfasalazine, an anti-inflammatory drug.

Vomoting in Dogs

What causes vomiting?
Vomiting is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of many different diseases. Many cases of vomiting are self-limiting after a few days. Less commonly, vomiting may result from a serious illness, such as cancer. Even when vomiting is caused by mild illnesses, it may lead to death of the animal if treatment is not begun early enough to prevent severe fluid and nutrient losses.

How serious is vomiting in dogs?
Your veterinarian attempt to determine how sick the dog has become as a consequence of the vomiting. When the dog is systemically ill (i.e., more than one body system is involved), some of the following may be noted:
1. Diarrhea
2. Dehydration
3. Loss of appetite
4. Abdominal pain
5. High fever
6. Lethargy
7. Bloody vomiting

What types of tests are performed to find the cause?
If vomiting is associated with several of the above signs, your vet will perform a series of tests in the hope that a diagnosis may be made. When this can be done, more specific treatment may be initiated. Diagnostic tests may include radiography (x-rays) with or without barium, blood tests, biopsies of the stomach and intestinal tract, and exploratory abdominal surgery. Once the diagnosis is known, treatment may include special medications, diets, and/or surgery.

If your dog does not appear systemically ill from the vomiting, the cause may be less serious. Some of the minor causes of vomiting include stomach or intestinal viruses, stomach or intestinal parasites, and dietary indiscretions (such as eating garbage or other offensive or irritating materials). A minimum number of tests are performed to rule out certain parasites and infections. These cases may be treated with drugs to control the motility of the intestinal tract, drugs that relieve inflammation in the intestinal tract, and, often, a special diet for a few days. This approach allows the body's healing mechanisms to correct the problem. Usually improvement occurs within 2-4 days; if this does not occur, a change in medication or further tests are done to better understand the problem. Please keep your vet informed of lack of expected improvement so that he can manage the situation properly.

Vaginal Discharge in Dogs

Vaginal discharge is the appearance of liquid material (other than urine) from the labia of the vulva (the external female genitals). Vaginal discharge may be clear and watery (serous), bloody, thick and gray (mucousy), yellow/green (purulent), or dark green/black (after giving birth). The discharge may or may not have an odor. Licking at the vulva may also be noted.Vaginal discharge, depending on the type and circumstances, may be considered normal in some cases. However, its presence may also signify a disease process of the urinary tract or reproductive tract.

Causes
Vaginal discharge is a normal part of the heat cycle of the intact female dog. Bloody discharge occurs for several days when the bitch is in heat (in estrus).
Vaginal discharge is also a normal finding in the immediate postpartum (after birth) period.
A dark green to black discharge is often present for several days, and traces of discharge may persist for up to 3 weeks.
When the placental sites do not recede in the bitch after birth, then a persistent watery and sometimes bloody discharge may occur. This type of discharge is abnormal.
Any discharge that occurs during a pregnancy is potentially abnormal.
Urogenital tract infections, such as a urinary tract infection or an infected uterus (pyometra), may result in an opaque purulent discharge from the vulva.
Neoplasia (cancer) of the urogenital tract may cause bloody, mucousy or purulent vaginal discharge.
Vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) may give rise to watery or mucousy discharge.
Coagulation (clotting) disorders that result in abnormal bleeding may produce a bloody discharge that can be difficult to distinguish from blood in the urine (hematuria).
Trauma or the presence of a foreign body in the vagina may result in bloody, watery or purulent discharge.
Urinary incontinence (inability to hold urine in the bladder) secondary to an abnormal location (ectopic) of the ureter, or a problem with the bladder sphincter (the muscle that acts like a valve at the opening of the bladder) may result in pooling of urine in the vagina and secondary irritation and discharge.
A defect and open communication (fistula) between the rectum and vagina may lead to the passage of watery fecal material from the vagina.

What to Watch For
Vaginal discharge of any type other than the normal stream of urine
Attracting male dogs
Excessive licking of the vagina
Scooting the bottom along the floor
Increased urination and/or straining to urinate
Difficulty defecating
Lethargy, fever, increased thirst

Diagnosis
It is important to obtain a complete medical history and to perform a thorough physical examination. Additional tests may include:
A complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile, and urinalysis
A urine culture to rule out a bacterial urinary tract infection
Vaginal cytology
Culture of the vaginal discharge
Abdominal radiographs (X-ray) to assess the uterus and pelvis
Abdominal ultrasonography
Vaginoscopy, which is examination of the vagina through a rigid or flexible viewing scope
Cytology and biopsy of any abnormal tissue in the vagina
Serologic tests for brucellosis and herpesvirus
Intravenous dye study of the kidneys and ureters to identify any abnormalities in the location of the ureters
A coagulation profile if bloody discharge may be related to a clotting problem

Treatment
Vaginal discharges that are considered normal for the dog do not require treatment. In addition, mild vaginitis that is sometimes present in young puppies often resolves spontaneously once the dog is spayed or has passed through its first heat.Other causes of vaginal discharge are more serious and require specific therapy, depending upon the cause. Examples of such therapy include:
Surgical removal of an infected uterus, a vaginal foreign body, or a uterine or vaginal tumor
Surgical correction of any congenital defects of the ureters, the walls of the vagina or rectum
Antibiotics for urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginitis, and following trauma
Corrective therapy for any bleeding disorders
Chemotherapy for selected tumors of the vagina or external genitalia, e.g. transmissible venereal tumor, lymphosarcoma, transitional cell carcinoma
Avoidance of breeding the bitch while she has vaginal dischargeHome CareAdminister all prescribed medications as directed by your veterinarian. Observe your pet closely. If the clinical signs are not improving or are getting worse, contact your veterinarian at once.

Tick Infestation and Control in Dogs

Tick infestation is the presence and attachment of a tick, a blood sucking parasite. Direct contact with ticks frequently results in tick infestation. In addition, ingestion of ticks can occur when the dog grooms.Tick infestations are more common in dogs than cats. There is no age or breed predilection, although individuals who spend more time outdoors and who are in direct contact with ticks are more often affected, such as hunting breeds.Ticks may appear as a small dark speck on your pet's fur, or in an attached, engorged state, may appear as small growths or raisins. Ticks are important agents of disease transmission. Although not all ticks carry disease, it is important to note that certain ones do. Signs associated with certain tick-borne diseases (borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme and others) vary with the organ system affected.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis of tick parasitism is made by examining the skin for the presence of ticks.

Treatment
Ticks should be removed as soon as possible to minimize the amount of pathogen (disease producing organism) transmitted. To do this, grasp the tick close to the skin and pull gently, generally with tweezers, and never with your bare hand. Tick collars or products applied topically may act to prevent attachment of new ticks and to promote detachment of ticks already attached. Ticks may be killed by spraying, dipping, bathing, or powdering affected individuals with appropriate tick-killing products.

Home Care and Prevention
Administer prescribed or recommended products by your veterinarian. When manually removing an attached tick be careful not to handle the tick directly with bare hands. Use tweezers or commercial available tick removal devices.Control and prevention of ticks is extremely important. Tick avoidance requires avoiding environments that harbor ticks. In addition, since ticks can be carried unknowingly from one place to another on clothing, it is never impossible for an individual to be affected by a tick. Repellents, such as collars or products applied topically may be of great benefit in controlling/eliminating ticks.Removal of ticks, either manually or with the aid of baths, dips or sprays, may be necessary in pets that are heavily infested.

Pyometra in Dogs

In its simplest terms, pyometra is an infection in the uterus. Most cases of pyometra are much more difficult to manage than a routine infection.Infection in the lining of the uterus is established as a result of hormonal changes. Following estrus (heat), progesterone levels remain elevated for 8-10 weeks and thicken the lining of the uterus in preparation for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur for several estrus cycles, the lining continues to increase in thickness until cysts form within it. The thickened, cystic lining secretes fluids that create an ideal environment in which bacteria can grow. Additionally, high progesterone levels inhibit the ability of the muscles in the wall of the uterus to contract.

Pyometra may occur in young to middle-aged dogs, though it is most common in older dogs. After many years of estrus cycles without pregnancy, the uterine wall undergoes the changes that promote this disease.The typical time for pyometra to occur is about 1-2 months following estrus.

The clinical signs depend on whether or not the cervix is open. If it is open, pus will drain from the uterus through the vagina to the outside. It is often noted on the skin or hair under the tail or on bedding and furniture where the dog has laid. Fever, lethargy, anorexia, and depression may or may not be present.If the cervix is closed, pus that forms is not able to drain to the outside. It collects in the uterus causing distention of the abdomen. The bacteria release toxins which are absorbed into circulation These dogs often become severely ill very rapidly. They are anorectic, very listless, and very depressed. Vomiting or diarrhea may be present.Toxins from the bacteria affect the kidneys ability to retain fluid. Increased urine production occurs, and the dog drinks an excess of water. This occurs in both open- and closed-cervix pyometra.

The preferred treatment is to surgically remove the uterus and ovaries. This is called an ovariohysterectomy (spay). Dogs diagnosed in the early stage of the disease are very good surgical candidates. The surgery is only slightly more complicated than a routine spay. Most dogs are diagnosed when they are quite ill so the surgery is not as routine as the same surgery in a healthy dog. Intravenous fluids are often needed before and after surgery. Antibiotics are given for 1-2 weeks.

External Parasites in Dogs (Flea, Lice, Mite, Tick)

From time to time most pets have parasites such as fleas, ticks, lice, or mites. It's simply in the nature of things, parasites being parasites. The pests abound everywhere; therefore, their presence is not a disgraceful reflection on one's living habits. It is, of course, not necessary simply to accept such a state of affairs. Because external parasites can be extremely irritating to a pet and cause serious skin disorders or even disease, you have an obligation to rid your pet of these unwelcome guests if they are infested with them.
Yet external parasites, like squatters, are tenacious and difficult to "evict." They are not always discernible to the unpracticed eye and are therefore sometimes present in great numbers before you become aware of them. If you find your pet scratching frequently, or if you discover bald spots or inflammation of his skin, chances are your pet is playing host to an army of non-paying boarders. And it's high time for you to take him to the veterinarian.

The Adaptable Flea
The flea is an acrobatic pest that is adept at finding a warm place to live, jumping readily from dogs to cats or even human beings. The life cycle of the flea is about 30 days. The eggs are dormant in cool weather, but, with the advent of milder days, they hatch into worm-like larvae which eventually become fleas. The best way to rid your pet of fleas is to see a veterinarianfor advice. They may recommend powders, sprays, dips, specially treated collars, or even tablets to be taken internally — whatever the veterinarian's prescription, you should take care to follow their instructions exactly.
It will do little good to rid the pet's body of fleas if you don't simultaneously cleanse their sleeping quarters and other equipment. Aerosol sprays can be used for this purpose with excellent results. Regular and thorough vacuum cleaning of the pet's living area also helps to remove eggs, larvae, and pupae. Getting rid of fleas not only makes your pet more comfortable, it also reduces their chances of acquiring tapeworms since many fleas harbor tapeworm eggs.

Lice Not Nice
Lice are not just aesthetically unpleasant, and therefore, not "nice" but, they can become a source of danger for your pet — especially to puppies. Often dogs with just a few lice are very "itchy," while those harboring thousands of lice may not scratch themselves at all. So small they escape notice, some lice penetrate the pet's skin and suck the blood. The females will lay eggs which in just three weeks will hatch and develop into adult lice.
The constant blood-sucking, if extensive, can cause severe anemia in puppies and greatly weaken mature dogs, particularly females with nursing puppies. The pest can also be a source of irritation to cats and kittens.
Your veterinarian is your best resource to detect and eventually eliminate this dangerous parasite.

Mites and Manges
Mange is caused by another type of external parasite — the mite. Fortunately, mange is rare in the well-fed, well-kept cat.
In dogs, two types of mange are the most common: DEMODECTIC mange or "red mange," and SARCOPTIC mange or "scabies." They may be present at any time of the year.
Dogs suffering from demodectic mange usually do not scratch. This mange is most common in young short-haired animals and is marked in the early stages by small areas of hairlessness, accompanied by a red, irritated appearance. In sarcoptic mange, a severe itching is usually observed, with consequent skin irritation and loss of hair. This type of mange is contagious to people as well as to other dogs and therefore should be checked as soon as possible.
It should be remembered that mange is more serious than a simple skin irritation or abrasion or a source of discomfort to your dog — though it certainly is that. Both of these manges are serious skin diseases that can lead to complications such as severe skin infections. Veterinarians usually treat mange by clipping, medicated baths or sprays, as well as oral medication or injections.

The Tenacious Tick
The hardiest and perhaps the most "pesky" of the external parasites is the tick which has the innocent appearance of a small wart or seed. Hosting the tick is the price the dog or the cat must pay for investigating the mysteries of the shrubbery or wild undergrowth, for that is where your pet most likely acquires these pests. Be sure and look for ticks during the daily grooming of your pet and pick off any you see — a trick that can be mastered with a little practice. Ticks are most apt to bed down in the neck area, between the toes, in the ears, and in the folds between the legs and the body.
To remove a tick, use small tweezers to firmly grip the tick's mouth parts as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight outward. Apply an antiseptic to the bitten area. After removing, destroy the tick by immersing it in alcohol. Save the tick, marking the date it was found on the body, in the event that symptoms arise and identification of the tick becomes necessary.
If your dog has been in an area where the tick is found, or if you have found a tick on its body and it develops any of the symptoms mentioned above, make an appointment with your veterinarian for an examination, blood test and possible treatment. The blood test may have to be repeated several months later. It would be wise, whether or not you have found a tick on your dog, to have it tested in the spring and fall to assure yourself that your pet does not have Lyme Disease.
It is not as easy to detect ticks on horses and cows, particularly in herds, but horse owners and farmers should be alert to any sudden onset of fever, lameness, abortions, laminitis-like signs or chronic weight loss in their animals and should consult with their veterinarian for evaluation.
If you have been in an area where the tick is found, or if you have found a tick on your body and develop any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should see your physician for evaluation and treatment.
Enlist the aid of your veterinarian in your tick eradication campaign. Dipping your pet at frequent intervals in a medicated compound is the most common method of getting rid of ticks.
Spraying the grass and bushes with a chemical solution recommended by your veterinarian is often very effective in eliminating ticks, as is a frequent cleaning of your pet's belongings and sleeping quarters. Ticks as well as fleas may infest the home and become a major nuisance.
Allowed to thrive unchecked, ticks may cause serious skin infections or paralysis. Some ticks serve as carriers of serious diseases to pets and humans.

Ear Mites
Ear mites can be a source of severe annoyance and disease. They are common in dogs and cats. These mites spend most of their life in the ears. Often an animal can be severely infested with the pests before there is any outward sign of their presence. It is a good idea to have your veterinarian regularly examine your pet's ears.
If an ear mite infestation is ignored it will almost always be followed by a bacterial infection because the bacteria find easy access to living tissue through the holes left by the mites. Such an infection can spread deep into the ear and eventually penetrate the brain causing convulsions and death.
Ear mites are very irritating. They often cause the animal to scratch to the point where it tears out all of the hair and creates bleeding sores around the ears. Scratching can result in reinfestation with mites from the paw or tail. Consult your veterinarian about methods for treating infested animals.

Cancer in Dogs

How Common is Cancer?
Cancer is common in pet animals, and the rate increases with age. Dogs get cancer at roughly the same rate as humans, while cats get fewer cancers. Cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age.
How is it Diagnosed?
Strong circumstantial evidence of cancer can be attained from x-rays, blood tests, the physical appearance of the cancer, or the physical signs caused by the cancer. Most cancers, however, will require a biopsy (removal of a piece of tissue) for confirmation.
Is Cancer Preventable?
Some cancer, such as breast cancer, is largely preventable with early spaying. Unfortunately, the cause of most cancers is not known and therefore prevention is difficult.
Common Signs of Cancer in Pets
Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
Sores that do not heal
Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
Offensive odor
Difficulty eating or swallowing
Hesitance to exercise or loss of stamina
Persistent lameness or stiffness
Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating
Many of the above signs are also seen with noncancerous conditions but still warrant prompt attention by your veterinarian to determine the cause. Cancer is frequently treatable, and early diagnosis will aid your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible.
Common Types of Cancer in Pets
Skin - Skin tumors are very common in older dogs, but much less common in cats. Most skin tumors in cats are malignant, but in dogs they are often benign. All skin tumors should be examined by your veterinarian.
Breast - Fifty percent of all breast tumors in dogs and 85% of all breast tumors in cats are malignant. Spaying your pet between 6 and 12 months of age will greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer. Surgery is the treatment of choice for this type of cancer.
Head & Neck - Cancer of the mouth is common in dogs and less common in cats. A mass on the gums, bleeding, odor, or difficult eating are signs to watch for. Many swellings are malignant, so early aggressive treatment is essential. Cancer may develop inside the nose of both cats and dogs. Bleeding from the nose, difficulty breathing, or facial swelling may occur.
Lymphoma - Lymphoma is a common form of cancer in dogs and cats. It is characterized by enlargement of one or many lymph nodes in the body. A virus causes most of these cancers in cats. Chemotherapy is frequently effective in controlling this type of cancer.
Feline Leukemia Complex - The feline leukemia virus is contagious among cats and will occasionally cause true cancer. There is no proof that it is contagious to humans. While a great deal of research is ongoing, no consistently effective treatment is presently available for virus-positive cats.
Testicles - Testicular tumors are rare in cats and common in dogs, especially those with retained testes. Most of these cancers are curable with surgery.
Abdominal Tumors - Tumors inside the abdomen are common. It is difficult to make an early diagnosis. Weight loss and abdominal enlargement are common signs of these tumors.
Bone - Bone tumors are most commonly seen in large breed dogs and rarely in cats. The leg bones, near joints, are the most common sites. Persistent lameness and swelling of the leg is an early sign of disease.
How is it Treated?
Each cancer requires individual care. Your veterinarian may use surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, cryosurgery (freezing), hyperthermia (heating) or immunotherapy to effectively treat cancers. Combination therapy is commonly employed.
What is the Success Rate?
This depends strongly on the type and extent of the cancer as well as the aggressiveness of therapy. Some cancers can be cured, and almost all patients can be helped to some degree. Your veterinarian will have a better chance to control or cure your pet's cancer if it is detected early.

First Aid Basics

A sick or injured animal is often in a frightened state, so if emergency first aid is necessary protect yourself (even if it's your own pet); cats can be handled with gloves or wrapped in a blanket - a dog can be muzzled. If there's any question of seriousness, follow up your first aid with advice from your veterinarian, whose listing should be kept handy with other emergency phone numbers. Of course, before an emergency ever arises, it's a good idea to learn all you can about first aid techniques and pet health care. Never leave dangerous objects like pins, needles, or fish hooks within reach. And be well aware of your pet's normal behavior, so you can recognize what's not normal. Remember that the objective is to relieve suffering . . . perhaps even to save a life. Emergency first aid is most effective when rendered quickly, but calmly.

"Keep your veterinarian's telephone number handy with other emergency phone numbers."

Poisoning in Dogs: First aid

Family pets (and all animals) risk all kinds of poisoning from all kinds of places. Snakes can poison; some plants can poison; and hundreds of poisonous materials are used around the home by people every day — things like pesticides, weed killers, lawn sprays, acids, fertilizers, paints . . . the list is endless. Here's what you can do if your pet is poisoned:

• Keep the animal warm and quiet
• Try to determine what the poison was, when it was ingested, and the amount swallowed
• Immediately call your veterinarian or your nearest poison control center

If you decide to take the pet to your veterinarian, bring the container (or the label) with you. Most of the time poisoning is accidental. Keep poisonous materials out of reach, know what your pet is doing at all times, and keep emergency telephone numbers handy.

Parvo Viral Enteritis

Parvo is a highly contagious & severe viral infection the attacks the gastrointestinal tract of dogs, especially young pups between 6 – 20 weeks of age. Without therapy, most dogs will die due to severe dehydration and sepsis (bacterial infection in the blood). Similar to hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) in older animals, the Parvo virus attacks cells lining the intestines causing severe bloody vomiting and diarrhea. Different to HGE, Parvo also attacks the immune system and causes a decrease in the white blood cells needed to fight off the primary viral infection as well as secondary bacterial infections. Parvo pups therefore are very likely to develop sepsis (blood infection) leading to secondary infections such as pneumonia in the lungs, and infection in the joints and growth plates of bones. There are new vaccines being produced, but even with a good vaccination history, some breeds of dogs, most commonly Rottweilers and American Pit Bull Terriers can still contract a Parvo viral infection. Additionally, stressed, parasite infested, and debilitated pups (pet store pups) are more at risk despite vaccination. Once clinical signs develop, aggressive supportive care is required for a favorable outcome which is often lengthy and costly. Affected dogs are highly contagious and should immediately be isolated from other dogs. All areas they have been in should be thoroughly cleaned with a strong disinfectant, for the virus can live in the environment for several weeks

Symptoms

• Lethargic / quiet pup
• Vomiting- turns bloody
• Diarrhea- turns bloody
• Anorexic
• Weakness / Collapse
• Fever
• Abdominal pain

Therapy- aggressive medical care required!

Aggressive supportive care with IV fluids, antibiotics, anti-emetic (anti vomiting ) drugs, anti-ulcer medications and plasma transfusions are needed to successfully treat a pup with a serious Parvo infection. Complications which may occur that require additional treatment include secondary bacterial infections else where in the body and low blood pressure due to protein and fluid loss into the intestines. Bacterial pneumonia can also occur secondary to aspiration from frequent vomiting or is seeded by bacteria in the blood if the pup becomes septic.