SNAKE BITE

It is also known as snake envenomization and is defined as an injury from snakebite. Clinical signs will be fang marks with swelling and bruising around the area, vomiting, salivation, convulsions, and death. Diagnosis can be made on the basis of CBC, serum chemistry, urinalysis, coagulation profile, and bacterial culture and sensitivity. Affected cases need immediate veterinary attention and prognosis depends on the venom burden, shock, haematologic complication and infection.

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.

NONI

Noni is enjoying the food after couple of vomiting...

YOUR DOG AND CHOCOLATES

chocolates are toxic to dogs and can almost kill them. Many people think that culprit is caffeine. It is not rather, it is the theobromine in chocolate that is the potential dog killer. How much chocolate will kill a dog? It depends on the age and health of your pet. If your dog is twelve years old and did not have a healthy life; a smaller amount of chocolate might be lethal . Whereas active two years old dog may tolerate it well.
White chocolate will make your dog sick because of the fat content long before the toxic levels of theobromine are reached.
Symptoms of chocolate poisoning - vomiting or diarrhea, trembling, over-excited, or actually start to have seizures. It may fall into a coma and ultimately die. The best thing to do for your pet is to get it to your veterinarian within two hours of the ingestion.

CANINE DISTEMPER - SYMPTOMS

Distemper in dogs is caused by a virus and is most prevalent in the spring and fall months.
Vaccination against distemper in pups and dogs is the best defense.
symptoms -
Early signs and symptoms of dog distemper - fever, loss of appetite, eye inflammation, temperature above 103 degree F, depression, nasal discharge, Conjunctivitis.
symptoms when the intestinal tract is affected - vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy
symptoms when CDV affects the lungs and upper respiratory tract - coughing, sneezing, vomiting, green discharge from nostril, diarrhea, cough, labored breathing, fever
symptoms the brain and spinal cord are affected by virus - secondary bacterial infections, seizures, muscle incoordination, uncontrollable muscle twitch, hard pad disease,
depression, partial or incomplete paralysis, deterioration of mental abilities

VOMITING IN DOG AND CAT

Vomiting is a very common problem in dogs and cats. There are many causes of vomiting. Primary or gastric causes of vomiting are those that are due to diseases of the stomach and upper intestinal tract. Secondary or non-gastric causes of vomiting are caused by diseases of other organs that cause an accumulation of toxic substances in the blood

The physical examination of the vomiting pet can also provide information to find out the possible cause. The presence of fever, abdominal pain, jaundice, anemia or abnormal masses in the abdomen will help the veterinarian make a more specific diagnosis. The mouth should be carefully examined as some foreign objects such as string can wind around the base of the tongue with the rest of the object extending into the stomach or small intestine.

There are numerous causes of vomiting like motion sickness, drugs, and gastrointestinal tract obstruction which can occur when a dog swallows a foreign object like a ball. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to inflammatory bowel disease, parvovirus, and parasites frequently produces vomiting. Diseases of the kidneys, liver, pancreas, and other vital organs, and even overeating may cause vomiting as well.

PARVO SYMPTOMS IN PUP

common symptoms

1. Diarrhoea - The first and most distinctive symptom of parvo is diarrhoea which is bloody watery waste and with a very foul odor. While diarrhea is a symptom of many other diseases, it is better to be sure.

2. Dehydration - If your pet has diarrhea, dehydration will follow. If your dog sends out waste more than it takes in fluids, the effects of dehydration can be lethal.
3. Lethargy - Dogs that don’t like to run, exercise, and play around the house are probably sick. You can save your dog’s life if you act fast on any visible symptoms.
4. Vomiting - This symptom, when combined with the other symptoms, can be caused by parvo.
5. Loss of appetite  - A dogs that is not feeling well won’t want to touch its food. When your dog has skipped a meal or two, it’s time for you to be concerned.
6. Bloody discharges - This is the worst symptom to see in your pet, because the disease has taken over most of your dog’s body. At this point, dog parvo may be on its crucial stage and if your dog is three months or younger, it may not make it through this disease.
7. High fever - Bloody discharges and high fever usually go together. These two symptoms indicate that your dog is suffering from a severe infection.
If you see any one of these  parvo symptoms in your pet, take it to the veterinarian for further diagnosis and immediate attention.

vomiting in dogs

Dog vomiting is a common experience for dogs. Vomiting is the discharge of contents from the stomach through the mouth and could be accompanied by nausea, strong abdominal contractions, and uneasiness on the part of the dog.
It is necessary to determine the cause of vomiting because it can suggest a severe, life-threatening disease. It can happen because of many causes which may include something as simple as gastritis, to other complex and even dangerous diseases. The most common causes of dog vomiting are dietary-related which could involve overeating or eating overly rich or spoiled food that triggers acute or sudden vomiting as well as undesirable food reactions like allergies that can cause chronic vomiting. There are also other causes triggered by the gastrointestinal system itself or from secondary causes due to a disease somewhere else in the body such as liver or kidney disease. Within the stomach, find out if your dog has stomach cancer, stomach ulceration, or obstructed foreign bodies. It is also possible that your dog has worms or an inflammatory bowel disease.

canine distemper - a dreadly disease

Canine distemper is one of the most significant and highly contagious viral disease of dogs. The virus targets various organ systems all at the same time in an animal’s body adding to its severity.

The canine distemper virus is spread in many ways. An infected animal can easily shed the virus through exhalation implying that the virus is transmitted via air. The virus is also shed through other bodily secretions and excretions such as urine and feces.

Symptoms of Canine Distemper
What canine distemper is in terms of symptoms maybe confused with other diseases due to its universal and wide range clinical manifestations. Common symptoms are either gastrointestinal (such as vomiting, decrease in appetite, and diarrhea) or respiratory in nature (difficulty in breathing). Behavioral changes include lethargy, weakness, and depression. Neurological signs may also be seen such as muscle twitching especially near the mouth and legs. Seizures and paralysis may occur in severe cases. A more or less unique skin sign in dogs with canine distemper is the hardening of footpads and nose pad most evident in older dogs. Sudden death is not uncommon with this disease.
Prevention of Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is rampant in unvaccinated dog population. Vaccination of young dogs begins as early as 5 weeks of age. Booster shots are administered yearly to ensure and maintain the antibodies against the virus. Infected animals should also be quarantined from other animals.
Treatment of Canine Distemper
Similar with other viral diseases there is no direct treatment for canine distemper. Early detection of the disease is also important to increase the chances of recovery. Once a dog has been infected, a dog owner can only offer supportive treatment and hope for the best. Antibiotic therapy may also be prescribed to lessen any detrimental effects of opportunistic secondary bacterial infections. Recovery may be absolute. However, in most cases, despite being provided with the utmost care, debilitating signs do persist throughout the animal’s life such as involuntary muscle twitching.