|
Below you will find some common diseases in Dogs and cats. There's a brief description
of what the disease is and some tips on treatment. I hope you find this page useful!
Worms: The most common type of worm is the round worm. They
can cause weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing and death.
Hookworms: There worms ingest blood. They can damage the lining of the intestines leading to
bloody diarrhea, blood loss and in severe cases, death.
Tapeworms: Tapeworms are common both in dogs and cats. They occur when pets swallows infected
fleas or lice. Few pets will suffer from serious illness infection and owners are usually the ones who will seek treatment
for the pet.
Whipworm: A whipworm is less common. They can infect a dog and in come cases cats. They can
cause bloody diarrhea leading to dehydration, weight loss and anemia.
The treatment for worms are pretty straight forward. Medications are available and are extremely
safe. They kill several types of parasites with just one treatment. Tools can be tested as well to see if your dog or cat
may have worms.
Types of Mange and Treatments :
Mange comes in three varieties- Demodectic, Cheyletiella and Sarcoptic. It is caused by different species of mites
which are tiny eight legged creatures that are related to spiders.
Demodectic mange is caused by a tiny mite known as demodex canis. This type of mite can not be seen without
the aid of a microscope. This mange usually effects puppies from three to twelve months old. The mite is usually present in
the pores of the puppies’ skin and usually does not cause symptoms. The mite can produce a type of substance that lowers
a dog’s resistance to them which gives them an opportunity to multiply. It’s also possible that some purebred
dog’s carry a lower resistance to the mites, but stress can trigger an infestation. The démodé tic mange can cause thinning
of the hair around the eyes, mouth and front legs. It can lead to patches of hair loss. This type of mange may treat itself
within three months or you may be required to treat it. Treatment may be needed if hair loss on the dog’s head, legs
and body begins to appear. If the dog’s skin becomes sore, crusty, or oozy then hair particles are clogged with mites
and debris. To rid the mites off the dog, the owner should bathe the dog in medicated shampoo of an insecticide.
Cheyletiella mange is known as walking dandruff. This type of mange usually effects puppies and is caused
by large red mites. It can be identified as a dandruff that appears on the dog’s head, neck, and back. It’s highly
contagious, but is short lived. It may cause mild itching. The mite that causes the mange dies a short time after leaving.
Sarcoptic mange, also known as scabies, is caused by a microscopic mite. The female mite causes itching in
the dog as the mite buries itself under the skin to lay their eggs. The eggs of the mites hatch within a few days, develop
into an adult, and begin laying their own eggs in less then three weeks.
Dogs with this type of mange bite at themselves quite a bit. There skin may have oozing sores, and a secondary infection
may step in, which require treatment with an antibiotic in addition to the treatment of the mites. This type of mite is difficult
to find in skin scrapings, unless the veterinarian parts back the fur and can see the individual bite marks of the mite, only
then is diagnosis difficult.
Some other types of signs of this mange are crusty ear tips, itching, hair loss (around the ear, elbows, legs and face)
and later on hair loss may spread throughout the body.
Sarcoptic mange is contagious to both canines and humans. If the dog sleeps on furniture and or shares the same blankets
as you do, then you will begin to scratch as well. It’s not unheard of for the family dog to infect the children, and
the children to spread it to their playmates who spread it to their family and their canine etc. This develops into scabies
in humans, but the mites (when in human contact) can not complete their life cycle and therefore dies within a few weeks.
Veterinarian’s now give Invermectin in two doses, twice a week to kill off the mites. They also may prescribe steroids
for itching relief until the mites die off. Itching usually begins to subside once the Invermectin is given. The overall skin
damage that this mite can cause can take longer to recover. Medicated bathes are usually given to help treat the irritated
skin.
Mange damage can mimic other types of conditions such as autoimmune disease, bacterial infections, and flea allergies.
An early diagnosis on this type of condition will give you a quicker easier way to cure your pet and save you money. I’m
not sure whether your dog is having problems with other skin conditions other then the mange mites, but below are some helpful
tips on ridding mites, curing hot sports and dry skin which are some symptoms your dog may experience after having the mites.
Some home Remedies that work efficiently for mange mites are as follows:
- Astralgalus and Echinacea herbs
- Antioxidants including vitamins C and E
- Reship mushroom supplements (available at pet supply and health food stores; pets between 20 and 50 pounds take one half
of the human dose)
- Specialized diets: Science diet, and Pedigree are sometimes given. It is important to build up the affected dogs immune
system through healthful high-quality food and supplements such as flaxseed oil when preventing and or treating the mange
and other skin conditions,.
- Effective dietary supplements that improve skin such as vitamin E (sample daily dose 400 to 800 ibu for a 50-pound dog)
- Nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt
- Vitamin B complex (sample dose one 50 mg once a day for small dogs and twice daily for larger dogs)
- Flaxseed oil
- Linseed oil and other supplements containing omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids.
- Oatmeal baths help sooth the skin and relieve itching.
- Thinly slice a whole lemon, including the peel. Add it to 1 pint of near-boiling water and let steep overnight. The next
day, sponge the solution onto the animal's skin and let it dry. Also a flea and mosquito repellent or Avon's SSS Oil can be
used in a final water rinse to help stop dry irritating skin as well as kill off the mites.
- For dry skin you should add a teaspoon of Olive Oil to your dog’s food once a day until the skin condition is relieved,
then use the Optimum Oil mixture supplement. (Cod Liver Oil & Safflower Oil - Mixture)
- Rosemary herbs helps repel fleas & Conditions dry coats. A simple solution is made by using 1 teaspoon of dried Rosemary
leaves or 1 tablespoon of fresh, Bring 1 pint of water to a boil. Combine water with the rosemary and steep for 10 minutes.
You should cover the ingredients then Strain. Let cool to about body temperature. Pour it over your dog as a final rinse.
Rub in and towel dry without further rinsing.
- Aloe vera from plants and creams should be applied directly on the spot or dilute with water, put it in a spray bottle
and spray it on the spot.
- Dab spot with organic apple cider vinegar
- Combine 3 capsules of sage, 1/4 teaspoon of Epsom salts and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Cool to room temperature,
then strain out the sage. Store in a spray bottle or jar in the refrigerator to keep fresh. Apply to the affected area several
times a day.
- Epsom salt: mix 1 teaspoon in 2 cups of warm water for drawing out infection and bathing itchy paws and skin
Toxins and your Pet:
Antifreeze is a very common poison. Dogs like it because of it's sweet taste, however a
little more than three tablespoons could be lethal for a twenty two pound dog. Poisoning causes the nervous
system of animals to become damaged and can result in severe kidney failure. It can be fatal if not treated
soon after ingestion, four to eight hours. Pets that have ingested antifreeze may act strange within thirty
minutes to twelve hours, depending on the amount.
Weight gain and your Pet:
Weight gain of one pound may not seem like much, but to a small pet one pound can be 10 percent of their
body weight. That's like gaining fifteen pounds compared to a person! Always make sure your pet follows a well-balanced
diet. Seek Pet Nutrition for more information.
Hip Dysplasia:
Hip Dysplaia is a painful and devastating condition. It is known to affect the
larger breeds of dogs. This is caused when the hip sockets and the top of the femus bone don't fit properly. This is known
to cause pain and surgery is often necessary to correct it.
The disease is inherited and was recognized by the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals
(also known as the OFA). The OFA was first founded in 1966, it serves as a aid to breeders in which helps stop hip dysplasia.
The condition is diagnosed through x-rays. Testing for hip dysplasia in dogs and
only breeding dogs free of the condition have reduced this disease in many breeds. The problem is that not all the
breeders submit the hip x-rays into the OFA for evaluation and that's what makes it continue.
The OFA gathers x-rays and is reviewed by three veterinarian radiologists. The
hips are then graded on a scale from one to seven. The seven classifications are excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild dysplasia,
moderate dysplasia and severe dysplasia.
Dogs can be born with normal hips and the hip dysplasia can slowly develop over the
course of a few months or years to effect the dog. By the age of two ninety-five percent of animals that have hip dysplasia
in their genes will show evidence on x-rays. Usually the final evaluation isn't done until dogs are over twenty-four months.
An evaluation can be done as early as four months old, but any dog evaluated before twenty-four months should recieve a more
accurate reading after age two because that is when it is most noticable.
Dogs that have a good evaluation are good for breeding. Ones considered borderline
should be revaluated six months later and not bred until then. Dogs who rate mild, moderate or severe in hip dysplasia shouldn't
be bred.
The OFA doesn't just recommend that you evaluate hips on pure breds because mixed breeds
can be effected to. For a cost of thirty dollars you can have your pet checked. However German Shepherds, Golden
Retrievers, labradors, and Rottweilers are the most commonly effected.
The severity of the condition doesn't always show on x-rays. In some extreme cases
the condition is not curable and only worsens. Your vet may advise you to think about euthanizing your pet.
Hip Dysplasia has been reduced since 1974 and is continuing to fall now that breeders
are paying such close attention to it. You can help eliminate this condition by selecting a dog that has a good OFA x-ray
rating. Even if parents have excellent hips, the pups could still be affected.
|
