Page 62 - Canine-Diseases

infections, fever, and blood in saliva. All breeds are susceptible Scabies: See Sarcoptes mange.
but there seems to be an increased incidence in Poodles, German
Shepherds, Dachshunds, and Australian Silky Terriers. Scale: Thin flakes of cornified cells which are shed from the surface
(or horny) layer of the epidermis. The shedding of skin cells which
Salmon poisoning disease: Is a fatal disease of dogs caused occurs normally with cell turnover is not generally visible as cells
by infection with a type of rickettsia, either Neorickettsia are not lost in clumps. Normal cell turnover is approximately
helminthoeca or Neorickettsia elokominica which are found 21 days. With increased rate of production, clumps of poorly
within flukes (Nanophyetus salmincola) infecting the tissues of differentiated cells may be shed (seen as scale). Scale may vary in
wild fish found in coastal streams of the Pacific Northwest. Salmon appearance and in consistency, from dry (dandruff) to oily. Altered
poisoning disease is an often fatal condition, occurring when a dog rate of keratinisation can also affect sebaceous gland function
eats raw salmon that is infected with this parasite. Canid species resulting in an increase in oily or greasy secretions (seborrhoea).
(dogs, wolves, and foxes) are the only animals susceptible to Scale may be a primary lesion or may be a secondary feature of
salmon poisoning. The signs and symptoms of salmon poisoning many inflammatory skin conditions such as hypersensitivities,
disease include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, lymphadenopathy bacterial skin disease, endocrine disease, and disease caused by
(swollen lymph nodes), and discharge from nose and eyes. Salmon ectoparasites.
poisoning can affect dogs of any age, breed or mixed breed. There
is no gender predisposition to this disease. Dogs that have access Scar: Fibrous tissue replaces damaged dermis or subcutaneous
to raw fish in the Pacific northwestern United States and western tissue (i.e. deep skin lesions). The area is often hairless (alopecic),
coastal Canada, especially if they are exposed to brackish streams, and either depigmented (most common) or hyper-pigmented (e.g.
lakes or beaches, have an increased risk of contracting this disease. in dark skinned dogs). Fibrous tissue contracts creating a shrunken
or atrophied appearance to the skin.
Salmonellosis: Is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused
by the Salmonella bacterium. Salmonellosis in warm-blooded Scotty cramp: Is an inherited neurological movement disorder
vertebrates is in most cases associated with serovars of Salmonella affecting the Scottish Terrier dog breed causing hyperextension,
enterica. Dogs have been shown to harbor 53 salmonellae spasms, and hyperflexion of the legs. Studies have shown that this
serotypes. It often leads to disorders, including gastroenteritis, disease is caused by a serotonin deficiency, and usually occurs
spontaneous abortions, and septicemia. Symptoms commonly in younger dogs or puppies. Symptoms occur during or shortly
seen in dogs with salmonellosis include fever, diarrhea, mucus after periods of intense excitement, stress, or exercise and may
in stool, vomiting, lethargy, dehydration, anorexia, weight loss, include stiff hind limbs, awkward marching movements, dyspnea
swollen lymph nodes, and abnormal vaginal discharge. This (shortness of breath), sudden collapse, gasping, facial muscle
bacterial disease is zoonotic and most often spread when a person contractions, and spinal arching. Episodes are noted in the first
eats contaminated food. Some investigators state that the dog may year of life in 76% of dogs. An episode of Scottie Cramp can last
serve as a source of human infections. up to 30 minutes, with varying levels of severity.
Sarcoptes mange: Also called scabies, in dogs it is caused by the Sebaceous adenitis: Is an uncommon skin disease characterized
mite Sarcoptes scabiei var canis, a highly contagious skin parasite. by an inflammatory reaction that targets the sebaceous glands.
Female Sarcoptes scabiei var canis burrow tunnels in the stratum Destruction of the sebaceous glands leads to a lack of sebum
corneum (outer layer of the skin) to lay eggs which develop into production, severely compromising the skin’s natural structure and
larvae, then moult through 2 nymphal stages before becoming function. The hair coat becomes dry and brittle, with the possible
adults. The mites burrow in the epidermis creating an extremely development of secondary bacterial and/or yeast overgrowth or
pruritic dermatitis. Clinical signs may develop anytime from 10 infections. The exact cause is unknown, but it may be caused by
days to 8 wk. after contact with an infected animal. Primary lesions an attack of the immune system against the sebaceous glands.
consist of papulocrustous eruptions with thick, yellow crusts, Clinical signs vary in severity and distribution among breeds and
excoriation (skin picking), erythema (redness), and alopecia types of hair coat. Lesions include alopecia, scaling, and follicular
(loss of hair). Pruritus leads to self-trauma (excoriations) with casts or fronds that are typically distributed over the face, head,
secondary bacterial and yeast infection. Typically, lesions start on pinnae, and trunk. This condition most commonly affects Standard
the ear flaps, elbows, hocks, abdomen, and chest of infested dogs, Poodles, Akitas, Samoyeds, and Vizlas.
if untreated, become generalized. Dogs with chronic, generalized
disease develop seborrhea, severe thickening of the skin with Sebaceous cyst: Is a non-neoplastic, enclosed sac or capsule
fold formation and crust buildup, peripheral lymphadenopathy within the skin filled with sebaceous secretions which occurs as
(enlarged lymph nodes), and emaciation (abnormally thin or weak). a result of blockage of the sebaceous duct. Causes of sebaceous
The most common cause of sarcoptes mange in dogs is exposure cysts in dogs include genetic predisposition, injury or trauma,
to another infected animal, as the mites quickly move from animal blockage of follicle opening, allergic reaction, follicular inactivity,
to animal. Kennels, animal shelters, dog parks, groomers and and swollen hair follicle.
veterinary clinics have a high exposure rate of mange due to the Sebaceous gland tumours: Common neoplasms in the dog. Tumour
close proximity with animals that are infected. The mites are fairly types include Nodular sebaceous hyperplasia, the most common
host specific, but animals (including people) that come in contact form which usually appears as a solitary, well circumscribed,
with infested dogs can also be affected.

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