Heartworm
-
symptoms
- treatment
Lyme
Disease
-
what is Lyme Disease?
- transmission
- where is Lyme Disease
Found?
- why is Lyme Disease
spreading so rapidly
- symptoms
- diagnosis
- treatment
- how can I protect
my dog?
- how often should
my dog be vaccinated?
- is my pet at risk
throughout the entire year?
Otitis
(Ear Disease)
-
causes
- symptoms
- diagnosis
- treatment
- therapy
- home care
Of all canine parasites, heartworms are the most life-threatening. With only a few exceptions, heartworms exist throughout the United States and are rapidly becoming more and more of a problem as dogs and their owners travel throughout the U.S. carrying undetected disease with them.
Heartworms live primarily in the heart of the dog, where mature females release thousands of tiny larvae called microfilaria. These immature forms depend upon a mosquito to transfer them from one infected dog to a non-infected dog. After passing the disease to the next dog, these microfilaria develop and grow in the dog, eventually finding their way to the heart and arteries of the lungs.
- symptoms: Unfortunately, until the disease reaches an advanced stage, which may take months or years, dogs show few, if any, clinical signs. However, as the disease advances signs such as weight loss, loss of stamina, difficulty breathing or persistent coughing generally occur. Adult heartworms, which can reach 10-14 inches in length, can restrict blood flow to vital organs such as the lungs, liver and kidney. Left undetected and untreated, this disease is often fatal.
- treatment: Fortunately, there is good news. Early detection and treatment often rid the dog of the disease with minimal after-effects. Most dogs lead active, happy lives after recovery from the treatment. Testing involves a brief visit to the veterinarian; filter or serum tests, or both, are done. If negative results are obtained you should start and keep your dog on heartworm prevention year-round. If, however, your dog's test results are positive, your veterinarian will discuss treatment options with you.
© Fort Dodge Laboratories.
- what is Lyme
Disease? Lyme disease, or Borreliosis, is a tick-borne bacterial
disease affecting both humans and animals. First discovered in the United States
in humans in 1975 and reported in dogs in 1984, Borreliosis has since spread
rapidly across the country, affecting more victims every year. Lyme disease
is caused by corkscrew shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi.
- transmission: The carriers of Borrelia burgdorferi are ticks. Ticks are blood-suckers - parasites that draw their life from other creatures. When an infected tick bites, the bacterium is transferred to the blood of the host animal.
- where is Lyme Disease found? Lyme disease has the potential to exist in any area where Borrelia burgdorferi infected ticks are present. In humans, surveillance data revealed 11 states reporting 497 cases of Lyme disease to the Centers for Disease Control in 1982. By 1992, approximately 50,000 cases had been reported by 47 states; and more than 10,000 cases were reported in 1994 alone, a 20-fold increase since 1982. Lyme disease has become the most common tick-borne disease in the United States. With the exception of A.I.D.S., Lyme disease is considered the fastest growing infectious disease in the U.S..
Surveillance data for Lyme disease in the dog is not compiled on a nationwide basis. Experts, however, believe that Lyme disease exposure in the dog may be 6 to 10 times greater than that reported in humans. The American Veterinary Lyme Disease Society (AVLDS) is working to find out more about Borreliosis in dogs.
- why is Lyme Disease spreading so rapidly? While no one knows for sure, there are several possibly explanations. Studies have shown that waterfowl and other migratory birds, for instance, have helped disperse the infected tick. Dogs and wildlife that run in infected fields can bring infected ticks back to suburban locations and backyards. Dogs traveling with their owners can spread infected ticks to distant locations. Secluded wooded areas where people live or spend leisure time are the natural environments for ticks and the Lyme disease bacteria. Also, recent research has shown that dogs may be reservoirs for Borrelia burgdorferi. That is, without appearing sick, dogs may harbor the Lyme disease bacteria, and spread the bacteria to previously uninfected ticks - much in the same way deer and mice are known to do. This does not mean you can catch Lyme disease from your dog, just that he could be helping spread the disease by infecting new ticks..
- symptoms: Clinical signs of Lyme disease in pets include arthritis, sudden onset of severe pain and lameness, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and depression. Lyme disease also affects the heart, brain, and kidneys.
- diagnosis: After observing symptoms which suggest Lyme disease, blood tests can be used to look for antibodies - infection-fighting proteins - in the patient's blood. Unfortunately, blood tests currently being used are often inconclusive. If you are concerned that your pet may be suffering from Lyme disease, contact your veterinarian.
- treatment: Several broad-spectrum antibiotics have been proven effective in treating Lyme disease, especially in its early stages. However, treatment is not always successful. Your veterinarian will have the most effective treatment program available.
- how can I protect my dog? There are several things you can do:
- how often should my dog be vaccinated? Following an initial series of two vaccinations 2 to 3 weeks apart, your pet should be given a single booster vaccination on a yearly basis.
- is my pet at risk throughout the entire year? The risk your pet faces varies by the season and region of the country where you are located. Ticks are active and feeding until the temperature drops into the lower 40's.
© PetCom, Inc. Pet Ear Infections Otitis (ear disease) is an inflammation of the ear. It may involve the outer ear - otitis extema, middle ear - otitis media, and/or the Inner ear - otitis Interna. Although usually not life-threatening, ear infections are often very painful for your pet. In some pets ear infections tend to recur after treatment. Chronic infection causes the ear canal tissue to become thick and rough. This can severely impair hearing and may lead to deafness.
- causes: Ear parasites (mites), bacterial or yeast infection, matted hair in the ear canal, allergy, foreign objects, injury and moisture retained in the ear canal cause Otitis. Over-the-counter ear cleaners can aggravate infection when ears do not drain and dry properly. Chronic infection may require surgery.
- symptoms: Pets with Otitis may shake their heads, or rub their ear against the floor. They often scratch excessively at the ear canal opening. Inside the ear is sometimes red, and a foul-smelling discharge may be present. Head tilting and poor coordination can be a result of inner ear infection.
- diagnosis: The type of ear infection must be determined by microscopic examination of the ear discharge in addition to visual Inspection of the ear canal and ear drum with an otoscope. A bacterial culture to identify pathogenic (disease causing) organisms may also be necessary. When severe inflammation is present, anesthesia may be required to properly examine and treat the ear.
- treatment: Treatment varies with the type of infection and length of time it has been present. Antibiotics and other medications may be required. Long-term treatment may be necessary to control chronic infections. For severe infections, we now have the Auriflush system, a state-of-the-art flushing system which lavages the ear while aspirating and filtering out debris.
- therapy: Following examination and treatment your veterinarian will usually prescribe medication, and an ear cleanser to remove excess moisture, waxy exudate and foreign debris from the external ear canal. Inappropriate cleansing can cause significant harm. Infection usually recurs if medication is withdrawn prematurely or is not administered as directed. Don't gamble with your pet's health! Clean ears and administer medication according to instructions.
Lateral Ear Canal Resection: This surgical procedure establishes air circulation and proper drainage of the outer ear canal. It may be recommended in chronic cases to prevent infection from penetrating the eardrum and moving into the middle and inner ear causing permanent damage and chronic pain.