ANAL CARCINOMA

CROP FISTULA - AFRICAN GREY PARROT

 African grey parrot with crop fistula - repaired under general anaesthesia.

ACCIDENT BY A VEHICLE

this dog was hit by a vehicle....amputation was done to save his life...

FUNGAL INFECTION - SKIN

MOST COMMON DISEASES AFFECTING OLD DOGS

Rheumatism/ Arthritis

Arthritis usually shows up when the dog reaches 10 years of age. Most common symptoms are stiff joints, difficult movement and irritability. You should help the old dog by giving him a warm and dry place to live and sleep.

Blindness

Cataracts are the main cause of blindness and are common in the very old dog. Cataracts may be seen in the form of cloudy spots, and are visible through the pupil. Cataracts can be removed by surgery and a major portion of sight restored.

A blind dog can move about well in familiar surroundings. He can move without bumping into chairs or tables because he relies on his scent. Outdoors, the blind dog may get into trouble. Do not let him out of the yard alone.




Otitis

Old dogs frequently may suffer from otitis or inflammation of the ear. The condition can be very painful and he may refuse to eat. Otitis is more often seen in those dogs with long or pendulous ears, such as the Dachshund, Cocker Spaniel and Irish setter. Take your dog to vet for proper treatment rather doing it at your own.

Deafness

Otitis may lead to deafness. But deafness can be caused by other factors, such as disease and injury. When you know the old dog is deaf, you'll have to make some adjustments in the daily routine. Move quietly and try not to startle him as he may snap or bite when startled.

Nephritis

Chronic nephritis or inflammation of the kidney is present in most old dogs. These cases require veterinary attention as it is a life threatening disease. The dog with chronic nephritis will probably have to be on a special diet for the rest of his life.

Cancer

It is a tragic disease and symptoms may include abnormal growths under the skin, as well as swellings that don't go away. Cancer may also manifest itself through bleeding or bloody discharge from the eyes, mouth, ears, or any other opening.



Other ailments

Prostatitis, pyometra and ascites—ailments of the old dog — while these conditions are usually found in old dogs, they may be present as symptoms of disease in younger dogs.

TAKING CARE OF YOUR AGING COMPANION

• Buy a raised dog feeder and water bowl. Adjust to your dog’s height and prevent them from having to lean down to eat and drink, reducing strain on their neck and back.

• Your dog deserves a good night’s sleep. An orthopaedic dog bed supports your dog’s spine to keep them comfortable. Sleeping on hard surfaces can lead to the formation of large callused areas on your dog’s elbows; a soft bed will prevent this.

• Buy ramps or steps to allow your dog to reach higher places such as your bed or the seat of your car. Lifting your dog can hurt them and you.

• Pay attention to eating habits. Speak to your vet about switching to a soft food, or try soaking their food in a little water o soften it.

• Exercise keeps your dog fit. Although you may need to slow the pace or shorten the distance for walks, it is important to keep exercising your dog unless your vet tells you otherwise.

ZOONOTIC DISEASES

Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans are called Zoonotic Diseases. All diseases of pets (bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic) are spread by direct contact with blood, saliva, urine or faeces of an infected animal.


Human beings with compromised immune system need to be very careful as they are very susceptible of contracting contagious diseases. The following included in this cautious class are:

• infants

• toddlers

• elderly

• pregnant women

• cancer patients

• patients with an autoimmune disease

This article does not cover all Zoonotic diseases but the most common diseases, which can be passed from dogs to humans. You should always refer to doctor’s advice if you suspect that you or your pet has contracted a disease.

Fortunately, these diseases rarely occur in healthy individuals, are mild and can be easily treated. Children often put their hands in their mouths, providing easy routes for bacteria to travel into their bodies e.g. children who eat dirt are more susceptible to contract zoonotic diseases.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO BEFORE ARRIVAL OF BABY AT HOME

You can do the following things to prepare your dog before the arrival of baby:-


1. Identify and control attention-seeking behaviours such as pawing, barking, jumping, or any other demanding behaviour.

2. Become familiar with subtle signs and body language of dogs.

3. Begin a flexible routine of feeding and activities with your dog.

4. Be sure to take these opportunities to practice obedience skills.

5. Play with a doll and baby equipments to expose your dog to these new and exciting items.

6. Identify restricted areas for your dog and begin to use then such as outside, closed room, crate etc.

7. If you have more than one dog, get them used to being apart from one another.

8. When putting together the nursery, the dogs should be allowed to come in and explore and sniff at everything including the baby toys.

9. The dogs are not used to the sounds of a baby – the crying, the laughing. All the sounds can be downloaded off the internet and the dogs can get used to hearing them and will not try to explore after the arrival of baby.

10. Dog’s obedience and responsiveness to commands should be improved before the baby comes home.

11. You can also bring home some baby clothing from the hospital so that the dogs will become familiar with the smell of the baby as well.

CARE OF SENIOR DOG

Veterinary care for older dogs:-


The healthier we can keep a dog when he is young, the more likely he will be healthy as he grows older. His vaccinations, deworming, nutrition, dental care and parasite control will have a direct effect on his current health.



1. Physical examination – Older dogs should be checked thoroughly and regularly at least twice a year. You must tell your veterinarian about any conditions you have observed and evaluated. You can ask your veterinarian during an examination if you have any queries.



Physical examination should include following:-



a. Oral and dental examination – It should include an examination of mouth, teeth, gums, tongue and throat.



b. Ophthalmic exam – Routine procedure may include eye examination for any initial signs of cataracts, glaucoma or dry eye.



c. Rectal exam – It is an important part of a physical examination for a dog. Vet will examine the inner pelvic area, lymph nodes, prostate gland and urinary system parts.



d. Hair and coat – Your vet will check for the skin, coat and hair condition.



e. Parasites – it should include an examination of the skin and ears for any sign of external parasites. A fecal examination should be done to find out any internal parasite, if present.



f. Vaccinations – It is important to keep your dog up-to-date on his vaccinations as the older dogs have less immunity towards infectious diseases.



g. Blood test – The blood should be tested for hemogram, liver function test, kidney function test, etc.



h. Blood Bio-chemistry – These tests will include the evaluation of various chemicals, enzymes, proteins, hormones and different electrolytes.



i. Radiographs – the chest and abdomen radiographs are useful to find out any signs of disease.



j. Diagnostic tests – Different diagnostic tests like endoscopy, ultrasound and electro surgery can be used to diagnose any heath problem.

k. Pain management – Pain killers can be used in older dogs to make them comfortable.

FUNGAL INFECTION - BUFFALO

SKIN PROBLEM - PUG

MONKEY MENACE IN RESIDENTIAL AREA

this is a common scene these days....roaming freely

GUINEA PIG - IMPACTED COLON

A guinea pig with impacted colon...

SKIN INFECTION - GUINEA PIG

RADIOGRAPH OF PELVIC FRACTURE

RADIOGRAPH OF 4 MONTH OLD PUP AFTER 25 DAYS

Healing of the bone after 25 days of fracture shows the perfect healing...

RADIOGRAPHS OF A 4 MONTHS OLD PUP

MONSOON DISEASES OF DOGS AND CATS

MONSOON DISEASES OF DOGS AND CATS

Leptospirosis – It is a world wide problem and is an important cause of acute and chronic disease of dogs and other animals. This disease is more common in rainy seasons as warm and moist environment is favorable for organisms. This pathogen can survive for almost 6 months in standing and stagnant water. The pathogen penetrate intact or cut skin or mucus membrane, rapidly invade the blood stream to spread to all parts of the body. It is more common in dogs and rare in cats. The disease is more prevalent in urban dogs than suburban dogs and male dogs are more commonly affected. In dogs usually young dogs without passive maternal antibody and older dogs are more susceptible to disease.

History will reveal fever, stiffness, shivering, weakness, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, icterus and death. Physical examination findings include fever, weakness, anorexia, vomiting, tachypnea, hematemesis, melena, epistaxis, petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhage, icterus, conjunctivitis and hematuria.

The disease can be transmitted directly through infected urine, infected fetus or indirectly through exposure to a contaminated environment like soil, food, water and bedding. It can be diagnosed on the basis of complete blood count, serum biochemistry, serology, culture and sensitivity of body fluids. Treatment should be done properly as prognosis in acute severe disease is guarded.



Pneumonia – it can be caused by deep fungal infection and is more cmmon in dogs as compared to cats. Males are affected more often than females and younger animals are predisposed to the disease. Historicals findings will be fever, inappetance, weight loss, coughing, dyspnea and lameness. Physical examination will show depression, emaciation, cough and diarrhoea. Crackles are more commonly present in cats than in dogs.

The animal may contract this disease if exposed to soil rich in organic matter, bird droppings, sandy and alkaline soil with rainfall. Disease can be diagnosed on the basis of complete blood count, serum chemistry, urinalysis, serological testing, latex agglutination test, radiography, abdominal ultrasound, impression smears, fine needle aspirates and biopsy.



Pyoderma – it is bacterial infection of the skin. It is more common in dogs than in cats. The condition may occur due to allergy, parasite, fungal infection, trauma or foreign body. History will reveal acute or gradual onset of disease. It may be seasonal. Physical examination will reveal papules, pustules, crusts, alopecia, scaling, abscess and cellulitis. It can be diagnosed by CBC, serum chemistry profile, culture, cytology, skin scraping, skin biopsy etc. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Steroids are contraindicated in this disease as it will increase resistance to the medicines.



Cryptococcosis – it is funagl infection and there is a predilection for upper respiratory tract, central nervous system, skin and eyes. It is more prevalent in cats than dogs. There is no age or sex predilection and young adult dogs are more comonly affected. Warm, humid climate increase the risk to exposure. Dog may be presented with weight loss, anorexia, lethargic, ophthalmic or neurologic signs. Cat may be presented with upper respiratorytract signs like sneezing, nasal discharge, swelling of the nose and skin lesions.

Physical exmination on cat will reveal unilateral or bilateral nasal discharge, sneezing and firm swelling over nostrils. Disease can be diagnosed by radiograph (thoracic and nasal), cytology, latex agglutination test, fungal culture. Treatment should continue for one month even after resolution of clinical signs.



Haemorrhagic - gastroenteritis – It is also called as acute haemorrhagic enteritis, acute haemorrhagic enteropathy. Physical examination findings reveal discomfort on abdominal palpation, fluid filled bowel loops and distended colon. On rectal exmaination the fresh dark blood or jam like feces will be present. History will reveal anorexia, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea. It is usually seen in young dogs less than 5 years old age. it is more prevalent in city dogs and can be associated with other agents.

It can be diagnosed by CBC, serum biochemistry profile, fecal smear, microscopic examination and abdominal radiographs. The animal should not be given any food for atleast 24-48 hours and should be treated with electrolytes to stabilise the condition. Once vomiting is stopped small amounts of bland, low fat, loe fibre food should be offered and should be continued for several days. Recovery in most cases is usually rapid and complete over 1 to 2 days.



Myiasis – it is also known as maggot infestation and is defined as an infestation of living animals with the larvae or maggots. The animals living in temperate wet regions or in rainy season harbor flies causing myiasis. The wounded, solied, debilitated or weak animals may be predisposed. A foul putrid smell will make the owner aware to seek veterinary attention. On physical examination maggot infestation is found mostly around the eyes, nose, anus, genitalia, mouth or adjacent to wounded skin. Diagnosis can be made by direct visualization of maggots. Treatment involves clipping, cleaning and debridement of lesion and mechanical removal of larvae and management of wound.



Acute Moist Dermatitis – it is also known as hot spot, eczema or pyotraumatic dermatitis. It is an acute bacterial skin infection secondary to trauma that is self-inflicted in an attept to relieve pain. It is more prevalent in hot and humid weather, excess moisture. History will reveal acute onset of alopecic area that exudesserum and become matted with hair at the periphery. The lesion is pruritic and often very painful. Physical examination will show erosive to ulcerative lesion exuding serum and these lesions are most commonly found on face, neck and lateral thighs. It can be diagnosed by skin scraping and impression cytology. For treatment the lesion should be clipped, cleaned and dressing should be done to keep the flies away.

INJURED TONGUE

TRAINING COMMON BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN CATS

House breaking – it is not a common problem for a cat owner but in some cases it may be quite serious. Housebreaking means that cat always goes outside for urination or defecation or uses the litter box for this purpose. Like dogs, we can say a mistake or slips as a cat is either housebroken or it is not. Feral cats defecate or urinate at the same places to mark their territory. These cats do not scratch dirt over their faeces or urine like domestic cats and leave the faecal matter exposed. Toms are prone to spay urine over objects within their territory, whenever they sense a female cats in estrous. These cats scatter the faecal material in the nearby areas of original deposits. This behaviour is used as a form of communication by cats. If a domestic cat goes to outdoors to defecate or urinate, may use this material to mark its territory and to make sexual communication.

Rectifying the behaviour – a.) Litter box – indoor cats, which do not have access to outside, should be provided with litter box. It should be cleaned everyday (pregnant woman and children should never handle cat faeces or cat litter, as they can contract disease, which may lead to abortion or can deform unborn children). Cats are clean in nature and they prefer clean areas for defecation and urination. It is recommended that a litter box should be available for each cat and boxes should be kept in the same place in a consistent manner. Boxes should be placed in those areas where cats can have their privacy. The area should be disinfected on a regular basis. Different types of boxes & litter are available in the market.

b) Diet Scheduling- it is an important point to he considered that is diet and timing for meals should be kept consistent as frequent change in diet will result in upset stomach. Sudden change from dry food to canned food will result in indigestion and the consistency of faecal matter. The diet should be changed gradually to avoid the drastic change in the timing of defecation. Fresh water should be available for your cat, specifically if she is on dry food. You must discuss this with your Veterinarian to develop a diet schedule for your cat.

Clawing – it is an inborn behaviour and is difficult to train the cats. Declawing can be done on any adult cat and it is a surgical procedure. Even declawed cat will exhibit “clawing” behaviour. For most cats only the front claws need to be removed as these are primary source of damage. This surgical procedure should be done at the age of 6 months and cats quickly recover from the operation. Declawing does not change any behaviour patterns and will still claw your things. The only difference appears to be that they cannot cause damage. I suggest that only house cats can be declawed as outdoor cats need their claws for defensive and offensive purposes.

If you don’t want declawing but want to protect your furniture etc., then you must provide a scratch post to your cat.

Noises - owners generally complained about cats howling, meowing, crying or screeching. The cat may cry even in the absence of owner and then it is a nuisance for neighbours. Crying behaviour is often a sign of frustration and is an attention seeking behaviour. In such cases you may take your cat on a lap or pet your cat. It is a highly reinforcing situation for your cat and may exhibit this behaviour quiet often.

In such conditions you should try to ignore your cat that is don’t look at it, don’t touch it or don’t talk to it.

Heat periods - During estrous, the female cats may cry or wail all day and night. The only practical way to stop this behaviour is to spay a female cat surgically. Likely the toms are equally obnoxious as he will spray urine all over the place to mark his scent. Even they will howl but you cannot train them. The best and only way is to neuter or castrate them and this operation does not have any risk at healthy animals.

Neutering will solve problem of crying and is also a good tool for birth control programme as so many unwanted kittens are born every year. Neutering your cat is the best thing you can do for welfare of cats in this country.

SHIH TZU PUP

RESTING ON A MOBILE PHONE TOWER

RADIOGRAPH OF DOG - ELBOW JOINT

GUINEA PIG FOOD

COVERAGE BY CREATURE COMPANION MAGAZINE MAR-APR 2011

DOG'S HEART DISEASES

HEART DISEASES OF DOGS


The heart has four chambers. The upper chambers are called atria and the lower chambers are called ventricles. The heart is also divided into right and left sides.

Un-oxygenated blood flows from the body into the right atrium. It is stored there for a short period and then pumped into the right ventricle. The right ventricle pumps blood into the lungs where it receives oxygen. It flows from the lungs into the left atrium where it is held before flowing into the left ventricle. The left ventricle is surrounded by the largest and strongest of the heart muscles. This large muscle is necessary to pump blood throughout the body.



Each side of the heart has a one-way valve to keep blood from going backward from the ventricles to the atria. The valve between the left atrium and left ventricle is called the mitral valve.



Heart disease in dogs is not commonly diagnosed unless one notices the common symptoms like unnatural fatigue or tiredness during normal exercise or acute breathlessness. The treatment of the dog heart disease depends upon the disease and the severity of the conditions. Dog heart diseases can be hereditary and congenital although it may not be noticeable early in the dog’s life.