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.
