the cat / dog log

Pancreatitis in Dogs

2012-05-08T07:55:00.000-04:00

The pancreas is a digestive gland that helps to digest food and regulate blood sugar levels. When the pancreas becomes overworked, it may lead to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis in dogs may be acute or severe, and the symptoms of pancreatitis may vary depending on the severity of the infection. The main causes of dog pancreatitis include:

Diseases such as hypercalcemia or Cushing’s disease
Poor diet high in carbohydrates, sugar and fats
Certain breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds and Schnauzers
Trauma or surgery to the pancreas
Obesity

Acute pancreatitis in dogs is usually quite sudden and can range from mild to severe. The severity of pancreatitis in dogs depends on the body’s general reaction to the infection. When acute pancreatitis strikes, it can make your dog very ill, but usually does not have any lingering effects on other organs.

Chronic pancreatitis in dogs is actually not as severe as acute pancreatitis. However, chronic pancreatitis is usually continual and may cause irreversible damage to not only the pancreas, but other organs as well. Often times, chronic pancreatitis is mistaken for other illnesses, because the symptoms are not as severe as those of acute pancreatitis.

Symptoms of dog pancreatitis

Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs may range from mild to severe as time goes on. One day you may notice mild symptoms such as fever, and the next day your dog could be in serious pain. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs:

Diarrhea
Lack of thirst and appetite
Bloated stomach
Irregular heartbeat
Abdominal pain
Feces that is greasy, and yellow or green in color.

If left untreated, other organs may begin to swell as well. Pancreatitis that is not treated by a veterinarian may lead to fulminant necrotizing pancreatitis. This causes internal hemorrhaging.

Treatment for dog pancreatitis

If your dog has been diagnosed with pancreatitis, it is important to seek treatment. Treatment for pancreatitis in dogs is extremely important because if left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications, and may become a recurring illness. There are no vaccinations for pancreatitis, and there are no direct medical remedies. Treatment for pancreatitis in dogs includes supportive medication to fight of secondary infections, ease pain and reduce inflammation. The most common forms of pancreatitis treatment include:

Electrolyte fluids
Antibiotics
Pain medication
Anti-nausea medication

The most important part of treatment is to reduce swelling of the pancreas. In extreme cases, surgery may be required to drain the infected pancreas. In very serious cases, blood transfusions may be required as well. Diet is an important part of the treatment process, and dogs with chronic pancreatitis will likely need to stick to a strict diet for the rest of their lives.
For more information about dog pancreatitis, dog colitis, symptoms and treatments of each and more, visit www.pancreatitisindogs.com

Lyme Disease in Dogs

2012-05-02T07:12:00.000-04:00

Lyme disease is often caused by ticks on dogs. However, removing a tick within 24 hours of discovering it may greatly reduce the risk of your dog contracting Lyme disease. Lyme disease is actually caused by a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdoferi, and is most commonly caused by the little deer tick. Since deer ticks are so small, they often go unnoticed. If you discover a tick on your dog, remove it right away and keep an eye on your dog’s behavior and symptoms. If after 48 hours, your dog shows no signs of illness, he is likely not going to contract Lyme disease.

It is important to know what to look for when dealing with the possibility of Lyme disease. Lyme disease in dogs can become very serious if not properly taken care of as soon as possible. If you notice any symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs, take your dog to the veterinarian right away.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs

Fever – Dogs with Lyme disease are often reported to have flu-like symptoms. This means you should check for a fever. He may be shivering, warm to the touch on his head and belly, and may be panting. Usually fevers are not serious in dogs, but when dealing with a possible case of Lyme disease, it is important to get to the vet right away.

Foul breath – If you notice a change in your dog’s behavior, check his breath. It is known that dogs that carry Lyme disease bacterium have ammonia-scented breath. This is one of the most telltale signs of Lyme disease in dogs.

Swollen lymph nodes – Lymph nodes work by trapping foreign cells in a dog’s body. Lymph nodes play in important role in fighting infection, and if they are swollen, it could be a symptom of Lyme disease. Check the armpits and neck area for swollen glands.

Joint stiffness – Lyme disease often affects the joints and muscles. If your dog has contracted Lyme disease, he may appear to be very stiff when walking or other activities. He may also begin to limp, and the lameness may switch from leg to leg throughout the day. A telltale sign of sore muscles and joints is an arched back when walking.

As Lyme disease progresses, the symptoms worsen. Some more serious symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include the following:

Damaged nervous system – Seizures, paralysis in the limbs and face as well as behavioral changes such as aggression are known to occur when a dog is infected with the Lyme disease bacterium. Sometimes seizures are recurring, and paralysis in the limbs may be permanent.

Kidney disease – Kidney disease is very common when Lyme disease is left untreated for too long. Excessive vomiting, weight loss, increased urination and increased water intake are all signs that your dog could have developed kidney problems caused by Lyme disease. Often times, kidney damage is irreversible and may even lead to death if left untreated.

Heart conditions – Heart palpitations and sudden heart attacks can occur in severe cases of Lyme disease. No symptoms are shown beforehand and immediate death can occur without warning.

For more information about Lyme disease in dogs, treatment options, how to remove a tick and more, visit www.lymediseasedogs.net

Dog Ear Mites

2012-04-24T07:37:00.000-04:00

Ear mites in dogs are known as otodectes cynotis, or odectic mites. These mites feed on the inside of the ear canal, mostly on ear wax and oils. Because of the infestation, the ears will actually produce more ear wax, which is ideal for these ear mites. Dog ear mites are often confused for ear infections in dogs, but the fact is that ear mites are actually much more common than ear infections. Sometimes ear infections will only affect one ear, but ear mites usually always affect both ears.

Dog ear mites are tiny parasites with eight legs and a life span of about three weeks. However, they reproduce at a high rate (new mites are hatched every 4 days) and may affect your dog for weeks or even months at a time. Ear mites can affect any dog of any age, but dogs with floppy ears or ears with excess hair may be more susceptible because of the lack of air flow in the ear canal. It is known that puppies may be more prone to ear mites as well because their immune systems are not fully developed yet.

Although dog ear mites are usually specific to the ears, they can in fact, spread to other parts of the body. Not only that, but ear mites are very contagious and will easily transfer from dog to dog, and sometimes even humans.

Ear infection or ear mites?

Often times, ear mites are confused for an ear infection. Not only that, but ear infections may attract mites, and ear mites cause an ear infection. It’s a vicious cycle. It is not uncommon for treatment options to be very similar to both ear mites and ear infections. The best way to tell if your dog has ear mites is to look for mite debris, a dark, coffee ground looking substance that may be inside your dog’s ear canal. Your veterinarian will be able to determine whether it is an ear infection or ear mites.

Causes of ear mites

Dog ear mite infestations are usually caused by contact with other animals that have been infected. Outdoor cats are very prone to catching ear mites, and if your dog comes into contact with an infected cat, chances are he could catch them too. Dogs may also catch ear mites from other dogs. This means if you have a dog that frequents dog parks, boarding kennels, or has recently been adopted from a shelter, he has a higher chance of contracting ear mites.

Dog ear mites cannot live freely in the environment. They will spend their whole lives feeding and reproducing on the host. Fortunately for humans, ear mites generally do not seek out humans because they cannot survive on human skin. There is no vaccination for ear mites, but they can be treated with proper veterinarian prescriptions and medication. The best way to treat dog ear mites is actually to prevent it altogether. This means keeping infected animals away from other animals, and checking your dog’s ears regularly for possible infections.

Symptoms of ear mites in dogs

Keep an eye out for the following symptoms when dealing with dog ear mites

Unpleasant odor
Dark, coffee ground-looking discharge inside the canal
Excess ear wax
Head tilting
Depression
Red, inflamed ears
Head shaking
Excessive scratching of the ears
Loss of balance and coordination
Loss of appetite

An ear yeast infection has very similar symptoms to dog ear mites. A few other dog ear mites symptoms may include sores from excess scratching and vomiting or diarrhea caused by the stress of dealing with ear mites. Your dog may also whimper or yelp when you attempt to go near his infected ears.

For more information about dog ear mites, treatment options and more, visit www.earmitesindogshelp.com