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Common ailments

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wkser
ALPHA

Dec 10, 2002, 8:53 PM

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Common ailments	Can't Post

hi everyone,

Abdominal pain(colic)

Usually the dog is reluctant to walk, and when it does it has a tucked up appearance with an arched back.If the pain is very severe the dog may adopt a praying attitude-that is,with the chest on the ground and the hindquarters raised.The dog usually objects to the abdomen being touched.The causes of abdominal pain are many,it is important that a correct diagnosis is made.Always consult a vet .In some cases the dog's condition may be very serious and its life maybe in peril for example from torsion(twisting)of the stomach or twisted bowel.In these cases the dog usually exhibits excruciating pain and rolls and may vomit constantly.

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 10, 2002, 8:56 PM

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Anal adenoma

This is a small tumour that appears at the anus in the both sex of dog.It is a cndition of old age,usually brought to the owner's attention by the dog constantly licking the anal area.Treatment is either surgical to remove the tumour or cryosurgical to freeze it out.Alternatively,hormone therapy will reduce the growth.

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 10, 2002, 9:08 PM

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Appetite decreased

If your dog's appetite appears to have decreased,it is important to distinguish between an actual loss of appetite and inabilty to eat.The latter may be because of some painful condition in the mouth or throat-for example ,bad teeth,inflammation of the gums,ulceration of the mouth , a bone caught between the teeth a cracked tooth or inflamed and sore lips.Old age ,injury and ill health often produce a decrease appetite.In old age,a lack of appetite is often because of some other underlying problem and if allowed to continue it will frequently result in a loss of weight and condition.Toy breed invariably eat very little.
Sometimes the dog had been fed a selective diet from weaning and will not touch anything else place before it.In addition urban dogs are usually overfed and underexcercised, so it is quite feasible for them to go a day or two without eating anything.Ill health particularly where fever is involved ,invariably produces a decreased appetite.This is common disease situation such as septicaemia,toxaemia and shock

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 10, 2002, 9:17 PM

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Bone problem of growing dogs

the following conditions affect dogs during their growing period most frequently the larger breed .Before discussing the various problem it is neccesary to understand the basic anatomy of the growing bone as it will be frequently referred to. Limb bones basically grow from their end at special sites known as growth plates.Most bones have growth plates at either end though some have them at only one end.Although one might expect the bones to grow equally from both ends,this is not neccesarily so.The difference between the growth of the two ends is of little significance except in the forelimbs where the radius and ulna must grow as a pair for the forelimbs to remain straight.Mnay of the deformities of the forelimbs of larger breeds are due to disproportionate growth of the radius and ulna

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 10, 2002, 9:24 PM

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Avascular necrosis of the hip

Avacuslar necrosis of the hip is well recognised in the breeds suck as Yorkshire ,Highlands,Cairn and Jack Russel Terriers, Miniature Poodles,Chihuahuas and Shih Tzu. It cause hind limb lameness in dogs four to nine months,on one or both sides.Pain is localised in the hip joint ; associated muscle deterioration is well recognised .Surgical treatment appears to provide a more rapid return to normal than conservative treatment...

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 10, 2002, 9:38 PM

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Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition in which the ball and socket joint of the hip does not fir properly the resultant irritation causing arthritis.It can be difficult to diagnose as dogs that are clinically normal can be found to have hip dysplaisa on the radiographic examination.Puppies bred from parents and grandparents that are radiographically free from hip dysplasia may still develope the condition although the chances of it occuring are greatly reduced.It is most common is breeds that grow to more than 15 KG at three months of age.Breeds most likely to be affected are golden retriever,labrador retriever,boxer,german shepard dog,german short haired pointers,doberman,great danes and st bernards.The conditions is very rarely seen in greyhound,however as selective breeding has operated to eliminate affected dogs (which race poorly) from breeding programmes.
The symptoms of hip dysplasia include reluctance to rise from the sitting postion.The affected dog usually takes two or three awkwards steps before the hip joint warm up allowing the dog to walk nomally .Affected dogs exhibit a 'roly-poly' action when view from the rear.The condition may prevent a dog from walking as early as six to months or as late as old age.Most labrador have some degree of hip dysplasia by the time they are nine or ten years old it is rare to find a labrador who can stand up quickly and walk without hesitation.
Dogs cannot be certified free from hip dysplasia by X ray until twelve months of age.Treatment anti inflammatory tablets and pain killers may be used.The best prevention is not to breed from affected dogs...

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 10, 2002, 9:46 PM

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Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of a joint or a disease involvin a joint.It may be caused by the effects of inhury ,infection or malfunction of the joint.It can be classified as accute or chronic.The joint is usually swollen and painful and the dog avoids using it.There are many different types arthritis, the most common in the dog being hip dysplasia.Relief from arthritis is best achieved by rest and warmth .Pain relieveing drugs and anti inflammmatory agaents are often used.If infection exists,antibiotics treatment is necessary.Temporary relief can be given by soluble aspirin every four hours.In many cases the arthritic condition is exacerbated by obesity and dieting may help.......

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 10, 2002, 11:43 PM

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Canine parvoviral enteritis

The sign of the parvovirus are vomiting and dairrhoe of short duration.It may occur in an isolated dog or appear in an outbreak from in a kennel ,affecting both puppies and adults simultaneaously.Some dogs will cease eating and vomit for 24 to 48 hours and recover without treatment.Other dogs may have prolonged vomiting and diarrhoe and if treatment is not instituted they may die of the combined effects of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.A third variation is the dog with prolonged vomiting and diarrhoe with a severe bloody diarrhoe developing.The dog will die within 24 hours.
The cause of this disease is a virus .There is no specific cure,but correction of the dehydration and electrolyte imbalance quickly and vigorously by then use of intravenous fluids is important.Veterinary attention is essential.Prevention is by vaccination....

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 10, 2002, 11:47 PM

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Herpes virus

Herpes virus is a newly recognised, yet fairly common.fatal viral disease which occurs in pups under a month old.The virus kills the tissues in the liver and kidneys and causes pneumonia.The pups usually die within 24 hours.There is no vaccine...

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 11, 2002, 12:28 AM

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Cough

A cough is an impotant indication of disease.Excessive coughing is physically exhausting and harmful.couchs can caused by:
Infectious agents suchs as bacteria or viruses which cause tonsilitis or laryngitis.The most common virus is'kennel cough' which is a contagious disease usually contracted when a dog has been kept in close proximity to other dogs.Symtoms are a dry,loud,harsh cough,with the dog sometimes bringing up phlegm.The dog may be depressed and slightly off its food.The condition can last for five to seven days ,during which period the dog will produce an immunity to the virus.Although'kennel cough' in itself is raely serious,the dog should be put on a course of antibiotics to stop any secondary infection producing pneumonia.For home treatment,a child's cough medicine given as for a child is often helpful.A mixture of equal parts of raw egg white,honey and water can be given every half hour at the rate of 5 to 15 mililitres(1-3 teaspoon).Affected dogs should be protected from cold and damp and not be overexercised .

Parasites- such as roundworms or hook worms,which may cause bronchitis and pnuemonia in young puppies

Chemical irritation -such as smoke ,spray ,gases and fine dust

Obsructions- such as tight collars,tumours, and congestion from chronic heart failure(which is particularly common in Poodles) from tonsilitis and from pharyngitis.In these cases coughing occurs whenever the dog becomes excited or takes exercise

Heartworm - causes coughing from a mechanical blockage of the heart

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 11, 2002, 12:51 AM

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Distemper

Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease which is universal in dog populations and is transmitted through contaminated ojects or by close contact.The incubation period is about 9 days, the first sign being a high temperature for 1 to 3 days the temperature may fluctuate from high to normal for a week.Pus accumulate in the corners of the eyes which squint,Sometimes there is a nasal discharge.The dog is usually depressed,off its food and develops diarrhoe.Coughing may precede fatal pneumonia.A dog may recover from these symtoms and then succumb to further complications about weeks later.These include nervous signs involving convulsive seizures,inability to stand,jerking movements of the head and jaws and paddling motions of the legs .Sometimes there is a trembling of the muscles in the temple,just in front of the ear. The dog may wander aimlessly,unaware of its surroundings. Attacks of distemper vary from an apparently mild infection to obviously serious disease.The disease can last as little as 10 days but more often will be prolonged for several weeks or months ,with intervening periods of apparent improvement followed by regression.
A typical distemper case is not difficult to diagnose,although many cases do not present the signs until the condition has advanced.Distemper should be suspected in all sick puppies ,particularly if fever is present and there is no other apparent cuase.Distemper is often confused with canine hepatitis and leptospirosis.
Prevention is best achieved by immunising the pregnant dog halfway through the pregnancy to give the puppies an increased immunity at brith.All puppies should be immunised at six weeks and again .Because the condition is caused by a viral agent,treatment is not always effective.It is however always preferable to treat the dog because even the most serious cases can sometimes show a remarkable improvement.....

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 11, 2002, 6:59 PM

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Anaemia

Anaemia is a condition in which the blood 's ability to carry oxygen is reduced. It can be caused by blood loss from a haemorrhage or by blood-scuking parasites.... for example hookworms in young puppies.A reduction in the number of blood cells able to carry oxygen is also caused by disease,parasites or nutritional deficiencies.Anaemia due to blood loss is normally quickly corrected by the body as long as the haemorrhage is controlled.The addition of iron and vitamin B to the diet will assist this process .Where anaemia is due to infection ,the condition must be corrected and treated before the anaemia can be retified,but again,supplement of vitamin B and iron assist recovery.Parasitic condition should be treated with worming preparations and the resultant anaemia corrected by supplementation.Nutritional deficiencies resulting in anameia are usually related to lack of iron,cobalt or vitamin B 12.
Raw liver or liver extracts are very good for correcting anaemic situation.The diet should be well-balanced nourishing and contain red meat......

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 11, 2002, 7:13 PM

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Fever

Normal body temperature of a dog is 38.5 degree celsius.Body temperatures higher then 41 degree celsius for prolonged periods can cause parmanent brain damaged.Temperatures above 43 degree celsius are associated with high morality.
The dog with a fever usually depressed,off its food and lethargic; some will appear to be cold and shivery.Feverish dogs usually seek out a cool place such as in a lino ot tile floor.The dog's nose may be wet or dry.the cause are:

Overexertion from excitement or an overactive thyroid gland

Obstructions to the panting or heat loss mechanisms

Obstructions in the air passages of the short -faces breeds- Pugs, for example

Confinement in a hot ,humid ,poorly ventilated area.

Septicaemia and infectious diseases

Where the animal has a high temperature , it is important to reduce the temperature or at least stop it getting higher.Place wet towels over the dog,keep it in a cool place,place it before a fan and seek veterinary advice as soon as possible......

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 11, 2002, 7:22 PM

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Babesiosis

Babesiosis is a disease cause by a blood parasites from the bite of an infected tick.It is widespread in all part of the world.The dog usually suffers from a high temperatures ,depression,rapid breathing ,loss of appetite, weakness and staggering.Anaemia develops and jaundice may be present.A blood sample is needed to confirm to diagnosis.Veterinary advive is essential......

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 11, 2002, 7:29 PM

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Shock

Shock is a failure of the circulatory system resulting from injury or illness.It is commonly seen afetr motor vehicle accidents where there is severe internal or external bleeding.It is a serious condition from which the dog rarely recovers without intensive veterinary care.
Symptoms are weakness,loss of body temperatures,respiratory difficulty or failure and pale mucous membranes (particularly of the gums and eyes).Act immediately.
Keep the animal warm and comfortable .
Stop external beleding.
Place the animal in a head- down position at 30 degrees to the horizontal.
Call the vet immediately....

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 11, 2002, 7:44 PM

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Car sickness

The car -sick dog will first salivate profusely and then vomit if it has food in its stomach.For most dogs the problem can be overcome by taking them on short trips on an empty stomach to accustom them to car travel.Put the dog on the floor of the car rahter than on the seat where it can see.Medication for car sickness includes tranquillisation and specific anti-sickness tablets available from you vet....

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 11, 2002, 7:53 PM

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Dehydration

In dehydration the body tissues contain insufficient fluid to carry out their normal function.It can be caused by fever,high environmental temperatures,chronic vomiting,increased urinary output cause of disease,diarrhoea or decreased drinking in severe illness.Dehydration developed very quickly in smaller dogs.The symptoms are tacky mucous membranes, a dry harsh coat ,slow return ofthe skin when it is lifted and glazed eyes.Treatment is to correct the underlying cause of the condition and institute fluid therapy with electrolytes .Prolonged dehydration is fatal.Always take the dog to the vet to determine the underlying casue........

regards

wkser
ALPHA

Dec 11, 2002, 7:56 PM

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Depression

Few dogs have mental hang-ups, so depression is usually due to an underlying infectious process or disease condition.If it is only obvious symptoms the dog should be examined by a veterinary surgeon....

regards