Kristopher’s Pet Blog

Dogs develop a condition known as scabies when infested with mites. These mites are very contagious. Other animals and even humans can be affected.

These parasitic mites survive by feeding on material on the skin. They usually burrow just below the surface of the skin, but can sometimes be found crawling around on the surface. Keep reading to learn all about scabies in dogs.

Signs

The most prominent sign of this condition is severe itching. This prompts your dog to scratch at the area constantly. This usually causes crusty skin and hair loss. Secondary skin infections can also occur.

Diagnosis

Scabies in dogs is normally diagnosed by on visual symptoms. A skin scraping can also be useful. It will be analyzed microscopically to determine if mites are present on the skin. However, this method can prove to be inaccurate. This is because these mites are naturally found on dogs.

Treatment

Dogs with scabies will need to be bathed using a medicated shampoo. Your dog will probably need these baths on a weekly basis for at least a month. You may need to go back to the vet for a checkup since some cases require longer treatment. He will be in a better position to determine if your dog still needs to be treated for the condition.

Prevention

This type of mite infestation is highly contagious, as you should know by now. If you have other pets in your household, it’s a good idea to have them tested for mites. All carpeting and bedding need to be cleaned thoroughly since they can harbor the mites. Your dog will likely be reinfected if you don’t clean them.

Dogs can be affected by many common illnesses in dogs. Fortunately, dog-illnesses.com provides a wealth of information on a range of these conditions. Click over right now.

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If you or I are in pain we can obviously make it known and attempt to find the answer to resolve our issue. A cat cannot do this but by paying close attention to them you can still get a clear understanding of whether they are in pain. For this reason it is integral to be able to recognise your cats symptoms.

Here are a few points relating to cats behaviour you should pay attention for and their symptoms.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is the most feared disease and in reality is the leading cause of death among cats. It is caused by a coronavirus infection and the worst part is that the symptoms are very common with other problems so it is really hard to tell.

There is also Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) that is similar to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). In common with the human version, it is a life long infection that progresses slowly and kills the cat.

Cats can also be infected by Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). It is a retrovirus that leads to fatal cancerous and non-cancerous diseases. Fortunately, it can be treated using some household detergents and bleach as well as warmth and drying. It is passed through the saliva, tears, urine and feces of infected cats. Different from the other two, it cannot survive very long in the environment so it is only contagious when the infected cat is close to another cat for a good period of time.

Worms are also another threat to cats and this is caused by a fungal infection that is spread through the spores. Since it is a self-limiting disease, you don’t need to do anything to make it go away. It will over time clear up but it may just take a few months.

If you cat is overweight, chances are it already has feline diabetes. The symptoms of this disease include excessive urination and thirst as well as weight loss or gain. Vets are not yet sure what causes it but there have been some research studies that have shown that there is a link between pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalance and certain medications.

The symptoms of most of the diseases mentioned are very similar. These include diarrhea, vomiting, lameness lasting for longer than five days in one leg, a decrease in vision, excessive panting, a seizure, blood in the stool or urine, hair loss, persistent coughing or gagging and breathing heavily or rapidly at rest. In order to find the answer, your cat will have to undergo some tests.

The vet will take some blood, urine and feces samples. Any input that you have seen and provide will also be useful. When the tests come out, only then will the proper treatment be administered to the cat as each case differs so what worked for one cat may not have the same positive effect with yours.

Your cat could still be healthy if you gave it constant attention. This can be done by feeding it good quality food, giving it clean water, allowing it to exercise, proper grooming, making sure it stays indoors and taking it regularly to the vet.

If you have left out any of these simple steps, something wrong is likely to happen and you will soon notice a change in the behavior of the feline and doing nothing about it is just going to make matters worse. So follow proper cat care tips and look out for symptoms. You can find more info at short hair cats.

Your dog’s pancreas produces hormones and digestive enzymes. This is a very serious disease. It is usually fatal. Dogs don’t usually start showing signs until the disease has already progressed. This article will discuss pancreatic cancer in canines.

Signs

While suffering from this disease, dogs usually develop tumors in their pancreas. One of the most common signs is bloody stool. Dogs also experience vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and lethargy. Neurological signs can also be present and include seizures and loss of coordination.

Diagnosis

As soon as symptoms occur, it’s best to go to the vet. As you just learned, most owners won’t know something is wrong until the disease has progressed. Blood and enzyme tests to check for pancreas damage is needed to diagnose this disease.

Treatment

This condition is relatively difficult to treat. Most dogs undergo surgery to treat pancreatic cancer. Surgery isn’t an option if the disease has already spread. The bowel can also become obstructed as the tumor grows. Gastrointestinal bypass surgery is required to treat a bowel obstruction.

Some dogs are given radiation therapy and medication in addition to surgery. Most dogs are not given food so that the pancreas can rest and not have to secrete digestive enzymes. Your dog will receive essential vitamins and nutrients via IV instead.

All owners should know their pet can fall victim to common illnesses in dogs. Fortunately, dog-illnesses.com provides a wealth of information on a range of these conditions. So, come by right now to become informed.

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The pancreas is responsible for producing digestive enzymes and hormones. This type of cancer is quite serious. It is usually fatal. Dogs don’t usually start showing signs until the disease has already progressed. Here is everything you need to know regarding canine pancreatic cancer.

Symptoms

While suffering from this disease, dogs usually develop tumors in their pancreas. Most dogs experience bloody stool. Diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite are also common signs. It’s also common for dogs to experience loss of coordination and seizures.

Diagnosis

As soon as symptoms occur, it’s best to go to the vet. As you just learned, most owners won’t know something is wrong until the disease has progressed. In order to diagnose this disease, the veterinarian will have to perform enzyme and blood tests to check for damage to the pancreas.

Treatment

Treatment for this disease is very difficult. Most dogs undergo surgery to treat pancreatic cancer. Surgery is ineffective is the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. Tumors may also cause bowel obstruction as they grow. This will require gastrointestinal bypass surgery.

Some dogs are given radiation therapy and medication in addition to surgery. Most dogs are not given food so that the pancreas can rest and not have to secrete digestive enzymes. Instead, an IV will be used to give your dog has needed vitamins and nutrients.

Dogs can be affected by many common illnesses in canines. Fortunately, dog-illnesses.com provides a wealth of information on a range of these conditions. Click over right now.

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Hepatitis in dogs is a highly contagious viral disease. The liver is mainly affected by this disease. However, it can also affect various other organs. Here is everything owners need to know regarding canine hepatitis.

Transmission

As you should recall, dogs develop this disease because of a virus. This virus is called CAV-1 or adenovirus type 1. Your dog can become infected if he comes into contact with a dog infected by the virus. The virus can also be passed via body fluids. The virus can also be passed by parasites such as fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks.

Symptoms

This condition comes in two forms, namely acute and severe. If your dog develops the acute form, he will display signs such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Yellowish eyes, pale gums, and swollen lymph nodes are also common signs. If your dog’s liver also swells up, he may stop eating.

Dogs with the acute form of this disease usually recover after a week or so. On the other hand, the severe form is usually fatal. This form usually causes bloody diarrhea and vomit. Your dog may also bleed from his gums and nose. Comas or seizures may also occur if severe damage is done to the liver.

Treatment

Your dog may have to be hospitalized to treat a mild case of this disease. Since diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration, your dog will need intravenous fluids. Other supportive care may also be required.

Prognosis

Unfortunately, dogs with hepatitis won’t receive a specific treatment. Most dogs die within a week from the severe form of this disease. Sometimes, an infected dog can die within mere hours of showing symptoms. Fortunately, the acute form offers a better chance for recovery.

Prevention

Hepatitis can mostly be prevented through vaccination to puppies. Unvaccinated adults can also get the vaccine shot. The vaccine can contain either adenovirus type 1 or 2. Although type 1 is responsible for this disease, a vaccine containing type 2 will also help prevent it.

Your precious pet can be susceptible to many different health conditions such as dog seizures. Fortunately, dog-illnesses.com provides a wealth of information on a range of these conditions. So, stop by today to learn about a wide range of these conditions.

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Giving your pet cat a pill can be a nightmare. No cat wants something shoved down his throat, and he will fight you tooth and nail to prevent it. Although most cats are small in size, you’d be quite amazed with how much power they actually have. There are ways that you can get your cat to take his pills, which we will cover below.

The easiest way to give a cat pill is to crush the power into a powdery form by putting it between two spoons. Once the pill is powder, mix it in with some wet cat food. Cats that are used to eating dry cat food will see the wet food and think of it as a treat. They will normally eat it up, unaware that they just took their medicine.

If the medicine happens to be in capsule form, all you have to do is pry the capsule apart then sprinkle the medicine on some wet food and serve it to your pet. If the food also contains the pill or if your cat is sick, chances are he won’t eat it. In this event, you should look into a pet piller. You can get these handy devices from your veterinarian. They are plastic rods that hold the pill until you press a plunger. When you get one, you should always get a long one with a softer tip.

When you get your gun, your vet should show you how to use it. The most difficult aspect of using the gun is getting your cat to open his mouth. The gun will more or less shoot the pill in the cat’s mouth, and down his throat. You’ll need to hold him tight, to make sure that he doesn’t wiggle his way loose. Once you have his mouth open, you’ll need to squeeze the trigger and pull the gun away quickly. After the pill has been inserted, make sure you give your cat a treat.

If you aren’t comfortable using the gun, you can always try giving your cat his pills by hand. To do it this way, you’ll need to hold your cat still, and open his mouth with your hand. Once you have his mouth open, you should aim for the back of his throat and throw the pill in. Once it is in his mouth, you should close his mouth with your hand and hold it shut for a few moments. This way, your cat will swallow the pill if he hasn’t already.

If you can’t get any of the above techniques to work, you can always go to a local pharmacy and get them to a make flavored gel or liquid using your cats medication. You should use this as a last resort though, as it can tend to get expensive.

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Dogs can develop different types of diabetes. Your dog can develop mellitus, insipidus, or gestational diabetes. Mellitus is by far the most common form. Keep reading to learn all about the different types.

Diabetes Mellitus

Canine diabetes mellitus occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. It can also occur if your dog’s body doesn’t use produced insulin as it should. The level of glucose in the body is regulated by insulin. Increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, and dehydration are all signs of this disease.

The main treatment for this form is a daily or twice a day injection of insulin. Your dog will also need to be placed on a special diet. Dogs with this condition need a lot of protein and fiber. Your dog will also need less carbohydrates and fats. It is also important that a dog with diabetes mellitus gets plenty of exercise.

Gestational

The next form of canine diabetes is the gestational variety which only occurs during pregnancy. This condition occurs when the female dog’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use the produced insulin properly. This conditions also shares the same signs as the mellitus form. Gestational diabetes can be treated with a proper diet, exercise, and insulin injections. This form of diabetes usually goes away after the pregnancy is over.

Diabetes Insipidus

Canine diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by your dog’s inability to retain water. It comes in two forms. They are nephrogenic and central. The central form occurs when the pituitary gland doesn’t produce enough of the anti-diuretic hormone called vasopressine. This form can occur because of hypothalamus or pituitary gland problems. It can also develop due to a congenital defect. It can be treated with desmopressin in the form of nose drops, eye drops, or injections.

The nephrogenic form of diabetes insipidus occurs when the kidneys are insensitive to vasopressine secreted by the pituitary gland. Your dog can develop this form if he’s taking certain medications, has kidney problems, or has a congenital defect. Your dog would likely be prescribed diuretics and anti-inflammatory drugs to deal with this.

Your precious pet can be susceptible to many different health conditions. Fortunately for you, you can learn about a wide range of these conditions at dog-illnesses.com. So, come by right now to become informed.

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Osterosarcoma is commonly referred to as bone cancer. Originating deep inside the bone, the tumor slowly grows outwardly. This causes a slow destruction of the bone from the inside. This cancer can affect any bone in the body, but the limbs are affected in the majority of cases. This article will discuss everything you need to know regarding osteosarcoma in dogs.

Causes

There are various reasons why osteosarcoma in dogs can occur. Some family lines simply have a genetic predisposition to this cancer. Pre-existing abnormalities may also lead to this condition. Foreign objects in the bone, chemicals, and radiation are other common causes.

Signs

As mentioned earlier, this cancer grows deep inside the bone and progresses outward. Your dog will experience more and more pain as the condition advances. Dogs usually experience lameness in the affected limb. Dogs usually only have problems with lameness occasionally in the earliest stages of the disease. Over time, it will affect your dog constantly.

Diagnosis

You need to have your dog checked out as soon as possible if he displays signs of this disease. The first step will be to take an x-ray of the limb. The x-ray should be enough to give a definitive diagnosis. Sometimes, your done may need to have a bone biopsy. Vets usually try to avoid this though since it can be quite painful.

Treatment

Treatment of osteosarcoma needs to begin quickly since the cancer can spread rather quickly. Medication will be prescribed to try to control the growth of the tumor. Pain medication is also necessary since the condition causes lots of pain. The affected limb may need to be amputated if the pain gets to be too bad. To avoid amputation, a bone replacement may be done. Dogs can also receive chemotherapy and radiation to combat this disease.

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Lymphosarcoma is one of the most serious diseases in dogs. It’s usually fatal. The disease can occur in various parts of the body, but commonly affects the lymph nodes. Two of the most common targets are the spleen and liver. This article will share with you everything you need to know about lymphosarcoma in canines.

Signs

Symptoms of this disease depend on the location of the tumor. It’s very common for the lymph nodes to swell up. The dog will likely show no other symptoms. If the lymphosarcoma occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, your dog will experience vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Canine lymphosarcoma can also affect the skin. Red and itchy skin usually develops. If your dog’s chest is affected, he may experience breathing trouble.

Diagnosis

Your dog will have to undergo a battery of tests if the veterinarian suspects this disease. To ensure that cancer cells haven’t invaded bone marrow, it will need to be analyzed. Blood tests, x-rays, and ultrasounds are other routine tests.

Treatment

This disease is difficult since many body parts can be affected at once. Therefore, radiation therapy and surgery are not effective treatment methods. Chemotherapy is the main method of treatment. This medication is given once a week either orally or by injection.

Prognosis

With successful treatment, your dog may survive for months or even years. However, left untreated, most dogs will die within a few months. You will have to make the decision on whether or not to give your dog treatment since it’s usually fatal.

Dogs can be affected by many canine illnesses. Fortunately for you, you can learn about a wide range of these conditions at dog-illnesses.com. Click over right now.

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Dog kidney failure is a very serious condition, as it can easily become life-threatening. Dogs can develop this condition for various reasons. Trauma, blockages, bacteria, and toxins are some of the most common. Keep reading to learn about these causes of kidney failure in dogs.

Medications

Unfortunately, there are certain medications that are harmful to your dog’s kidneys. Kidney damage is sometimes a side effect of this otherwise useful medications. Some of the most common medications include immunosupressive drugs, antibiotics, and antifungal drugs.

Obstructions

Urinary or bladder obstructions can also damage your dog’s kidneys. Dogs with kidney or bladder stones are susceptible to these obstructions. These stones are prone to contamination with bacteria which increases the risk of infection. Your dog could even die if urine can’t bypass the obstruction.

Trauma

Trauma to the kidneys can also cause failure. This can happen if your dog is kicked hard enough or hit by a car. Trauma to kidney tissues may also happen due to fungal infections that cause permanent damage. Some of the most common infections include blastomycosis and valley fever in dogs.

Toxins

Ingestions of toxins can also lead to kidney failure. Your dog will likely lick up antifreeze, a very toxic chemical to dogs, if its puddled in your driveway. Antifreeze quickly destroys the kidneys. Turpentine, heavy metals, and rat poison are other common toxins.

Bacteria

One of the final common causes of kidney failure is a bacterial infection. These infections are caused by bacteria that invade the urethra and travel up into the bladder. After infecting the bladder, the infection may go on to infect the kidneys. Any damage caused to the kidneys is irreversible and may cause loss of function.

All owners should know a little something about various diseases that can affect their dog. Fortunately for you, you can learn about a wide range of these conditions at dog-illnesses.com. So, stop by today to learn about a wide range of these conditions.

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