Page 12 - Canine-Diseases

uveitis (inflammation of the interior of the eye), severe intra-ocular cellulitis can also affect young adult dogs and has been reported
infections, tumors, intra-ocular bleeding, anterior dislocation of in dogs up to four years old. The first sign of juvenile cellulitis is
lens, and damage to the lens. Most common symptoms include usually an acute swelling of the face and muzzle. This generalized
eye pain, watery discharge, swelling/bulging of the eyeball, swelling is typically followed by the development of raised bumps
cornea becomes cloudy or bluish in color, and blindness. Breeds and pustules over the face, muzzle, and ears. Over time, these
associated with glaucoma include Akitas, Dalmatians, Norwegian pustules may rupture and crust over, resulting in heavy scabbing
Elkhounds, Alaskan Malamutes, English Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, across the affected areas. If not treated, it may spread to the paws,
American Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, Samoyeds, anus, and vulva. Juvenile cellulitis appears to have a possible
Basset Hounds, Flat-coated Retrievers, Shar Peis, Beagles, Giant hereditary component. Certain breeds of dogs are more likely to
schnauzers, Shih-Tzus, Boston Terriers, Great Danes, Siberian develop juvenile cellulitis, and Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds
Huskys, Bouvier des Flandres, Greyhounds, Smooth Haired Fox and Gordon setters are over-represented.
Terriers, Mastiffs, Italian Greyhounds, Welsh Springer Spaniels,
Chow Chows, Miniature Pinschers, Wirehaired Fox Terriers, Canine minute virus: Minute virus of canines (MVC), also
Cocker Spaniels, and Miniature Schnauzers. known as canine parvovirus type 1, was initially believed to be a
non-pathogenic agent, since it was first isolated from canine fecal
Canine herpesvirus: Canine herpesvirus (CHV) is a severe viral specimens in the late 1960s. However, subsequent pathological as
infection of puppies worldwide, which often has a 100% mortality well as epidemiological studies suggested that MVC is a pathogen
rate in affected litters. Infection of susceptible animals results of neonatal puppies and is widely distributed among domestic
in replication of CHV in the surface cells of the nasal mucosa, dogs. Symptoms are seen most commonly between the ages of
pharynx, and tonsils. Infection is milder in older puppies and 1-3 weeks and include severe diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and
asymptomatic in adult dogs, the latter may become convalescent anorexia. In severe cases, illness can be fatal. The virus also has
viral shedders. Transmission usually occurs by contact between been shown to cause fetal deaths.
susceptible individuals and the infected oral, nasal, or vaginal
secretions of shedding dogs. Deaths due to CHV infection usually Canine parvovirus: Is a highly contagious virus that can affect all
occur in puppies 1-3 weeks old, occasionally in puppies up to 1 dogs, but unvaccinated dogs and puppies younger than four months
month old, and rarely in pups as old as 6 months. Typically the old are the most at risk. Dogs that are ill from canine parvovirus
onset is sudden, and death occurs after an illness of ≤24 hr. If infection are often said to have “parvo.” In puppies, it is frequently
clinical signs are observed, they may include lethargy, decreased fatal. The virus affects dog’s GI tract and is spread by direct dog-
suckling, diarrhea, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, corneal edema, to-dog contact and contact with contaminated feces. The virus can
erythematous rash, rarely oral or genital vesicles, and the notable also contaminate kennel surfaces, food and water bowls, collars
absence of fever. and leashes, and the hands and clothing of people who handle
infected dogs. Some of the signs of canine parvovirus include
Canine influenza: Also known as dog flu, is a highly contagious lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and bloating, fever or
viral infection. Canine influenza is a Type A influenza virus. hypothermia, vomiting, and severe/bloody diarrhea. Persistent
The inflammatory response to the infection results in rhinitis, vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage
tracheitis, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis. The pathologic process to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock. Most
results in death of the epithelial cells lining the respiratory tract, deaths from parvovirus occur within 48 to 72 hours following the
exposing the underlying basement membrane. This predisposes the onset of clinical signs. Vaccination and good hygiene are critical
respiratory tract to secondary bacterial infections that contribute components of prevention. German Shepherds, Rottweilers,
to nasal discharge and coughing. Canine influenza is transmitted Doberman Pinschers, English Springer Spaniels, and American
through droplets or aerosols containing respiratory secretions from Staffordshire Terriers have an increased risk of contracting the
coughing, barking and sneezing. Dogs in close contact with infected parvovirus.
dogs in places such as kennels, groomers, day care facilities and
shelters are at increased risk of infection. Canine influenza can be Canine transmissible venereal tumor: Also called transmissible
spread indirectly through objects (e.g., kennels, food and water venereal sarcoma, Sticker’s sarcoma, and infectious sarcoma
bowls, collars and leashes) or people that have been in contact with is a histiocytic tumor of the external genitalia of the dog, and is
infected dogs. There is no evidence that canine influenza can infect transmitted by the transfer of living cancer cells between dogs,
humans. The virus can remain viable (alive and able to infect) on usually during mating. It is one of only three known transmissible
surfaces for up to 48 hours, on clothing for 24 hours, and on hands cancers in mammals; the others are devil facial tumor disease, a
for 12 hours. Canine influenza virus is not widespread in the dog cancer which occurs in Tasmanian devils, and contagious reticulum
population and many dogs have never been exposed to the virus. cell sarcoma of the Syrian hamster. Canine transmissible venereal
The morbidity rate (the number of exposed animals that develop tumors are most commonly seen in sexually active dogs in tropical
disease) estimated at 80%. The mortality (death) rate is low; less and subtropical climates. Spontaneous regression of the tumor
than 10%. can occur, probably due to a response from the immune system.
The tumor does not often metastasize, except in puppies and
Canine juvenile cellulitis: Puppy strangles, or juvenile cellulitis, immunocompromised dogs. Metastasis occurs to regional lymph
is an uncommon skin condition of young dogs. Is a nodular and nodes, but can also be seen in the skin, brain, eye, liver, spleen,
pustular skin disorder that affects puppies and usually occurs testicle, rectum and muscle. In male dogs, the tumor affects the
between the ages of 3 weeks and 6 months. In rare cases, juvenile penis and foreskin. In female dogs, it affects the vulva. Rarely, the
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