Canine Diseases

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Canine Distemper-Diphasic fever, respitory discharge/pneumonia, diarrhea, inappetence, neurological complications. 80% mortality rate in puppies; 50% mortality rate in adults

Adenovirus 1- slight fever, congestion, depression, low white blood cell count. 10%-30% mortality rate in dogs.

Adenovirus 2 - “kennel cough”, dry, hacking cough along with other respitory issues. 5% mortality rate.

Parvovirus - acute gastrointestinal issues. 90% mortality rate when untreated. Treatment yields high survivability rate.

Parainfluenza - also a form of kennel cough. 1-5% mortality rate.

Bordetella - yet another form of kennel cough characterized by “honking” or “reverse sneezing”. 1-5% mortality rate.

Leptospirosis - loss of appetite, increased/decrease urination, vomiting, diarrhea. 10-15% mortality rate.

Lyme Disease - lameness, swollen joints, fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, appetite loss, kidney and liver failure. Generally curable, advanced stages can produce organ complication and even death.

Rabies - Wide range of acute neurological degeneration. 100% mortality rate.

Breeding Complications

Pyometra - Life threatening infection of the uterus requiring immediate treatment. Symptoms are slight discharge and an marked increase in water consumption. Blood markers include elevated white count and increased globulin count. Spaying is the best treatment.

Mastitis - inflammation of the mammary glands; usually during nursing. Symptoms are fever, disharge/pus, refusal to nurse. Treatment is usually antibiotics. Rarely fatal; mortality rates vary.

Eclampsia - symptoms are muscle tremors, seizures, incoordination, panting, and pain. Characterized by life-threatening drop in blood calcium levels during nursing. Treatment consists of monitoring and iv calcium.

False heat - also known as pseudopregnancy, is when a dog shows signs of pregnancy with or without having been mated. Teats swell like in normal pregnancy. Dogs may nest, vomit, become lethargic, and otherwise “act pregnant”. Meds are rarely needed. Pet homes may choose to pursue a spay.