YOUR DOG’S HEALTH

AILMENTS AND SYMPTOMS

Assuming a dog is protected by vaccination, this section aims to help owners to deal with the situation when a dog becomes ill.  It will not be organized in the way that ailments sections are traditionally done in dog books and simply list the diseases from A to Z.  This would assume that the reader already knows the symptoms or signs of the disease, which cannot be expected.

Instead the majority of entries will approach the problem from what the owner sees (the clinical signs).  We will next move on via what the dog feels or seems to be feeling (the symptoms) to some likely diagnoses of the illnesses and to possible courses of action.  

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

ABDOMINAL PAIN

The pain may be felt in a different place from the actual site of the problem: this is known as ‘referred pain’.  In mild abdominal pain the dog resents being handles anywhere in the hind part of the body.  In severe cases it may collapse or remain rigid.

Very severe pain just behind the stomach may be caused by acute inflammation of the pancreas.  A sign of this is ‘praying’ – the dog stands with hindquarters raised and forelegs lowered, in an attempt to relieve the pain it is experiencing.

In all cases of abdominal pain withhold food, give fluids only and take to the veterinarian.

APPETITE LOSS 

(i)                Complete lack of appetite (anorexia), is acceptable for one day.  If it continues to a second day then veterinary attention is needed.

(ii)              Call the veterinary practice, too, if the dog clearly wants to eat but is physically unable to, or shows signs of pain whenever it tries.

(iii)            Inappetence, on the other hand, is not a complete failure to eat but simply a poor appetite.  This can simply be the result of overfeeding, but it may be a symptom of illness.  If, for example, the dog shows signs of fever (listlessness, persistent panting, lying down) contact the veterinarian.

Less obvious causes of inappetence are behavioral problems.  A dog may experience serious stress in its relationships with the household.

Behavioral therapy may be the solution: it is a specialized branch of veterinary work which may, for example, involve investigating all activities within the family, with a view to altering the status of some members, human or dog.

OVEREATING

(i)                Some dog breeds are notoriously greedy – especially hounds and some gun dogs.  Prevention by careful control of meals is much easier than trying to reverse the state.

(ii)              Overeating by a dog that remains underweight may be a problem of poor absorption, in which case adjusting the diet may help.

(iii)            Continual loss of weight while eating normally, especially with an increase in thirst, may be a sign of diabetes mellitus.  This is a disorder of the carbohydrate metabolism that requires emergency treatment (diabetes can be fatal) and long-term management often involving daily injections of insulin.  Another possibility is a tumor, which requires specialist veterinary advice.

DEPRAVED APPETITE 

(i)                Discourage dogs from eating carrion, if only on the grounds of avoiding infection.

(ii)              Eating grass (in small amounts) comes naturally to dogs, and although owners are sometimes distressed to see the dog vomit afterwards, this is the normal and healthy purpose of the exercise.

(iii)            Eating earth or clay, or large quantities of grass, is a sign of a serious disorder, possible behavioral in nature.

(iv)            Eating feces is called coprophagia and is usually much more upsetting for the owners than for the dogs.  Causes are usually behavioral, or simply boredom in dogs that lack companionship or are continually kenneled.  To train the dog off the habit you can use the command ‘No!’ in good time; distract it with games (within reason); make feces repugnant by adding mustard, pepper or Tabasco powder; and lead the dog briskly away.  But the best hope lies in prevention or behavioral analysis and treatment.

DIARRHEA 

Most cases result from eating garage, gross overeating or sudden changes in diet.  Most are self-limiting (they clear up without treatment).

Urgent veterinary help is needed if diarrhea is persistent, especially when accompanied by vomiting; if blood is clearly visible or the feces are very dark, indicating blood; or if feces are putty-colored and foul-smelling, indicating poor digestion by the dog of fats.

If you see signs of parasites (usually as whole worms but sometimes other forms as small white segments like rice) this is not an emergency, but obtain anti-worm treatment from a veterinary practice as soon as you can.

To treat diarrhea, it is normal to withhold liver and milk, because some dogs are not able to digest them well.  It may be necessary to investigate the possibility of some other cause of a digestive reaction.

Withhold solid food altogether for the first 24 hours, offering glucose and water, plus a fluid suspension of a very digestible food (such as canned puppy food made up into a mousse).  Then gradually return to the normal diet, if all goes well, over one or two days.

GASTRIC DILATION AND TORSIO (BLOAT) 

Clinical signs: unsuccessful attempts to vomit; collapse; death if not treated immediately.  This is one of the situations where a few minutes can make the difference between life and death.  Telephone the local veterinarian or even set off at once is there is someone else who cal call while you are on the way.

The Illness consists of a sudden accumulation of gas in the stomach, which has rotated about its horizontal axis so as to twist tight the exit points.  Pressure from the swelling stomach restricts the flow of blood to the vital organs, and may interfere with the heart’s function.

There is very little you can do by way of first aid.  The vet may relieve the gas and correct the torsion surgically: take advice on aftercare.

FOREIGN BODY IN THE MOUTH OR THROAT 

Signs: excessive salivation, reluctance to eat, obvious pain on attempting to eat, pawing at the mouth; choking, in which case the dog may collapse and the inside of the mouth go blue.

Action: remove any obvious items; if the inside of the mouth has gone blue this is an extreme emergency and you must try to feel inside the throat in case you can clear the obstacle.  Use the handle of a spoon rather than anything pointed.  An emergency call to the veterinary practice may be necessary to remove it.

FOREIGN BODY IN THE GUT 

Small stones, pebbles and rubber balls can get stuck in the gut, though very often the dog will successfully pass these.  Veterinary surveillance is essential.  Do not feed until the veterinarian gives the go-ahead.

VOMITING 

Most dogs vomit readily, often without discomfort.  To us this is repulsive, but it serves the dog’s health well by clearing the stomach of unwanted material although many re-eat what they have brought up.  Vomiting is a natural part of canine behavior, and bitches have the ability to regurgitate partly digested food for their puppies at weaning.

Persistent vomiting, however, should be reported to the vet.  If accompanied by diarrhea, it soon leads to dehydration; give small amounts of drinking water with some glucose and get the dog examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

CONSTIPATION 

A common cause is sudden introduction of bones to the diet, when the dog is not used to them.  The vet may give an enema to clear the dog’s rectum.

Aging dogs may lose some motility of their gut, causing constipation; feed these with some bran in the food or give a gel laxative.  Old male dogs may become constipated because of an enlargement of the prostate gland that begins to press on the gut.  This usually requires hormone treatment.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

DISCHARGE FROM THE NOSE 

Small amounts of clear discharge are not abnormal, but profuse amounts are.

Seek urgent veterinary help if: 

(i)                the discharge is not clear but dark

(ii)              it contains puss

(iii)            it does not cease within, say, an hour

(iv)            it obviously causes the dog pain

(v)              it contains blood

(vi)            it is accompanied with a similar flow from the eyes or

(vii)          the dog is simultaneously showing other symptoms of illness

DRY, CRUSTY NOSE 

This can be a sign of canine distemper.  More often, it is a sign of aging: look to see if the skin is thickening elsewhere, such as on the pads or the ear tips.

LABORED BREATHING 

Normal panting after exertion should subside within a few minutes.  If panting continues without any exertion, contact the vet – the dog is likely to be in pain or distress.

COUGHING 

There may be inflammation in the larynx (laryngitis), the windpipe (tracheitis), the bronchial tubes (bronchitis) or the chest wall and lung coverings (pneumonia; pleurisy).  Persistent coughing might also be a sign of circulatory congestion (see circulation system, below), canine distemper or, if harsh, kennel cough.

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM 

The heart drives a circulation of blood and other fluids around the body, and sends oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs for replenishment.  If oxygen-rich blood does not arrive at all tissues continuously, they will die rapidly.

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE 

Deterioration of the heart valves (usually with age) or, in rarer cases, disease in the heart muscles, can lead to the heart becoming so inefficient that it cannot propel fluids round the system.

This causes congestion (blood cannot pass along the vessels) and fluid stasis, or the stagnation of body fluids in various possible places.  The dog will certainly be weakened and may collapse.

The signs of circulatory congestion in the chest are labored breathing and a cough that gradually gets worse.  Signs of wider circulatory congestion include: the inside of the mouth turning blue; and a pot-bellied appearance (congestion in the abdomen).

BRUISES, BLOOD BLISTERS AND HAEMATOMATA 

These are three names for degrees of the same thing: when a small blood vessel bursts near the skin, some blood accumulates locally and causes a swelling.  If it looks particularly dark or bloody, people tend to call it a blood blister.

A large swelling of this kind is called a haematomata.  If this forms in the ear, the dog may shake its head and cause further damage to its ear.  This must be treated by a veterinarian.

SKIN AND HAIR 

Many skin conditions are slow to resolve, and so patience and perseverance may be needed to get the skin back to normal.  Signs of skin disease are:  inflammation, irritation, hair shedding, skin damage, discoloration and thickening.

A dog may show signs of intense irritation when no sign of inflammation can be seen; or it may have very conspicuous inflammation that does not seem to bother it at all; but either case may alter quickly if nothing is done by way of treatment.

INFLAMMATION OF THE SKIN 

The skin reddens, it is often swollen and may feel warmer than surrounding areas.  The dog shows signs of tenderness and local inflammation.  There may be a clear discharge, becoming more opaque as the infection develops and then giving off puss and a bad smell when infected.  It may be necessary to clip away hair and clean the area, using warm water only in the vicinity.

DISCOLORATION AND THICKENING OF THE SKIN 

This is a natural consequence of aging, but it can be a sign of parasites or nutritional disorder.

Treatment: 

(i)                bathing to improve the coat.

(ii)              Extra dietary fat such as corn oil, given two or three times a week, a teaspoonful for a spaniel-sized dog.  Ask your veterinarian if a zinc supplement is appropriate.

SKIN INFLAMMATION INSIDE THE EAR 

This is the most frequent problem reported to veterinary practices that deal with pets.  Almost as common as primary ear conditions are cases that have been made worse by ‘do-it-yourself’ treatment at home.  The dog’s ear is a delicate structure and treating its interior is no task for the amateur.

FLEAS AND LICE

These parasites can cause inflammation of the skin.  You may see the fleas or their droppings, which are like small flecks of soot, often around the head and along the back.  Kill fleas and lice by means of suitable baths and dressings; but remember that they lay their eggs away from the dog, so disinfect the dog’s whole environment.

MITES 

The only mites large enough to be readily seen are harvest mites of the genus Trombicula, which appear as little orange specks in some localities.  These cause irritation and inflammation around the feet of dogs that spend a lot of time on farmers’ fields in summer.  Medicated baths are needed.  Other mites are too small to see without magnification.

Demodectic mange is an upsurge of mites that are present in the skin in small numbers all the time in most dogs.  Sarcoptic mange is due to invasive mites and is usually the more irritating of the two, as well as being rapidly transferred to other dogs and even to people.

IMPACTION AND INFLAMMATION OF THE ANAL SACS 

There are two anal sacs, one each side of the anus.  These produce a thick, strongly scented fluid that plays an important part in the signaling system between dogs.

The sacs often become impacted (overfull and irritating); the most obvious sign is that the dog begins to pay a lot of attention to its rear end and ‘scoot’ along on its bottom in an effort to evacuate the sacs.  Leave the treatment to the veterinarian.

THE ITCH-SCRATCH CYCLE 

Scratching a place that itches may give temporary relief, but may also increase local inflammation.  Dogs often cause self-inflicted damage in this way, and the new wound they have given themselves will itch, so the cycle begins anew.

Causes may be parasites, sand, the spikes of grass seeds (awns), household disinfectants or possibly chemicals in the home, garden or countryside.

Treatment ought to be aimed at removing the original cause of irritation; but palliative treatment (getting rid of the symptoms) is acceptable if it allows the natural healing process to work without further scratching.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS OF THE SKIN 

These are not common in dogs, but can be caused by sensitivity to certain food components and some substances in the dog’s environment.  The dog’s head may swell up within minutes, and a ‘nettle rash’ may appear and then quickly recede.  Other signs are sudden diarrhea and bare patches of skin.

Treatment:  sophisticated veterinary detective work for proper diagnosis first, including test feeding and possibly a period in hospital; once the substance to which the dog is sensitive is identified, avoid it for good.

INJURIES OF THE SKIN 

Bites and cuts are fairly common but for every one you see there may be others hidden under the fur, so look carefully, if necessary cutting the fur back.  Besides bites from other animals, common causes include pieces of grit, slivers of glass and carelessly discarded fishing equipment.

Treatment: this is a fairly urgent matter; bites almost always introduce infection, and cuts are nearly as dangerous.  The vet will clean away debris, sew up some wounds (some are best left open), dress them and give appropriate injections.

‘CYSTS’ BETWEEN THE TOES 

These are not cysts but small abscesses.  They are seen fairly often in certain breeds, particularly small terriers, such as the West Highland White.

Treatment: clean up the area and apply frequent hot compresses; but they are usually a sign of general debility, so get the dog examined and take appropriate advice.

HAIR SHEDDING 

All dogs except poodles and their close relatives shed some hair continuously.  It is normal to molt quite heavily, mainly in spring and autumn, and then to grow new hair.  Central heating has reduced the effects of the seasons on this process in many dogs, so their molting can be less affected by the seasons.

Bad cases of hair loss do occur, however, and these may be signs of a hormonal or nutritional disorder.

Treatment: regular baths in a suitable shampoo will get out the dead hair, and corn oil or zinc supplement in the diet will help nutritional-related cases.  If these treatments plus regular grooming do not resolve the problem, see a veterinarian.

NERVOUS SYSTEM AND SENSES 

All the dog’s visible activity, and most of what goes on internally, is controlled by nerves.  Much of the activity is outside voluntary control: for example, the functioning of the heart, gut and bladder.  The effectiveness of treating disorders of such a complex and delicate system, is necessarily limited, but the earlier the situation is attended to by a veterinarian, the better the chances of successful treatment and recovery.

BLINDNESS AND DISTORTED VISION 

It is not always obvious if a dog is going blind, particularly if it really knows it way around, as dogs can adapt gradually and with great skill to failing eyesight.

Causes can be:

(i)                deterioration of nervous transmission to the brain, as often happens in very old age

(ii)              failure of part of the eye itself – eyelids, cornea, lens, chambers of the eye or retina.

Treatment is more likely to be feasible in (ii) than in (i).  Eyes should be tested at each annual check up.

If vision is distorted because the lens has become displaced within the eye, or because of a cataract or damage to the cornea, the dog will see objects in places where they are not.  This can be treated if detected early.

DEAFNESS 

This, again, may not be obvious, for the dog may detect a sound by the air disturbance, i.e. using its sense of touch.  Also, the ability to hear may wax and wane from day to day at the onset of deafness.

Treatment: the vet will usually be able to treat the ear for:

(i)                obstruction of sound

(ii)              damage to the eardrum

(iii)            some forms of disturbance to the inner and middle ear (beyond the eardrum).

LOSS OF SMELL AND TASTE 

These senses deteriorate with age and can be seriously impaired during many infectious diseases.  Treatment involves clearing the nasal chambers and in dealing with any infection present.  If the dog loses appetite, offer it foods warmed and with a stronger, more attractive smell.

FITS (CONVULSIONS) 

These can be very alarming for an owner to see.  The only good thing about them is that the dog is probably unaware of what is happening during a fit.  The causes are often very hard to establish.

The dog goes very rigid in a spasm, with limbs and body stretched out.  This is followed by a period of intense involuntary activity: legs paddle as if swimming.  Occasionally there may be just one fit, but more usually there will be a series of them, and sometimes they come in repeated cycles with intervals of some weeks.

Treatment: if the dog vomits, clear the mouth and throat to prevent suffocation.  Put the dog in a quiet place, preferably in a darkened room.  Telephone the veterinary practice to ask advice but do not ask for an emergency visit: the fit will probably be over on arrival.  Do not rush the dog to surgery either: avoid all disturbance.

TWITCHING OR EXCESSIVE SHIVERING 

This is known as chorea and, along with many fits, is often an after-effect of canine distemper.  It consists of localized, but sometimes severe, twitching of groups of muscles just under the skin, often near the side of the head.  Ask the veterinary practice for advice on this as soon as possible.

The twitching seen during normal sleep when dogs are said to be ‘dreaming’ is not an abnormality.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 

Of all the systems covered in this section, this is the one that pet dogs can manage without.  A neutered dog is easier to manage besides having a better chance of a longer life.

MISALLIANCE 

Bitches often get mated against the wishes of their owner.  Many owners do not realize that a well-behaved, obedient bitch may change completely when in oestrus.  If she disappears even for a few minutes, she is very likely to have been mates, although the owner may not have seen anything happening to her.

Treatment: a vet can prevent conception with 36 hours by means of a hormone injection, but the bitch must be in full health.  It is not advisable to repeat the injection is misalliance happens again within the same oestrus period.

ABORTION 

Spontaneous abortion is not common in bitches, but it can happen.  The owner may see the incompletely formed puppies when aborted, or may simply observe a sudden loss of body weight well before the expected term.  Other signs are an unpleasant-looking discharge from the vulva, or she may spend much time licking at her rear end.  She may be ill in other ways, and show signs of fever.

These signs are a clear indication that a veterinary examination is needed, if only to check if there is anything  that still needs to be evacuated from the uterus – or even if the puppies are premature at all.  It is easy to get the dates of mating wrong.

DISCHARGES OF PUS FROM GENITAL OPENING 

With or without blood, this is always a serious sign, even if it appears to be only temporary.  In males it can be due to an infection anywhere in the genital tract.  In females the same applies, plus the possibility of a condition known as pyometra (pus in the uterus).

Pyometra results from degeneration of the inside of the uterus and usually occurs as part of the process of ageing.  The usual solution is to remove the uterus and ovaries surgically.

OVERSEXED 

If a bitch remains more or less in permanent oestrus or a male continually mounts everything around, whether it is living or not, then help is needed.  It is very likely that something can be done, by chemical or behavioral therapy or simply by neutering the animal.

MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM

A dog’s body moves under the power of its muscles.  Each muscle is attached to a particular point on the dog’s skeleton.

The main disorders of the muscles and bones that an owner will see relate to

(i)                deformities of the bone from faulty development or physical injury

(ii)               tenderness due to inflammation

(iii)            reduction in muscle size due to wastage and, in a few cases

(iv)            growths developing in the bone or muscle structures themselves.

LAMENESS 

(i)                A dog may be unable to move its limbs properly or it may show signs of pain if it tries.  If the dog has been seen twisting or injuring a limb, rest it for a day.  If there is no improvement, seek veterinary advice.  It is very difficult for an owner to tell exactly why a dog is lame, and determining the site of pain is best left to the veterinarian.

(ii)              If there is any obvious pain even when there is no movement, then call the vet without delay.

(iii)            Persistent lameness due to conditions such as Hip Dysplasia (HD) and osteo-arthritis can only be diagnosed by a vet.

BACK AND NECK PAIN 

The dog may have slipped or dislocated one of the discs between its spinal vertebrae.  It may be in acute pain and need veterinary advice.

SWELLING IN MUSCLE AND BONE 

These may simply be bruises, especially if they seem to have appeared suddenly.  On the other hand, they may be tumors in the muscle or bone.  As these usually grow slowly, they may be difficult to recognize at first and may cause very little inconvenience to begin with.

Always be on the lookout for such swellings.  Although bone tumors are very serious, effective treatment is possible.

URINARY SYSTEM 

This consists of the kidneys, urinary bladder and the connecting structures which link them (the ureters) plus the connecting link between the bladder and the outside world, the urethra.

It is only the position where the urethra emerges which differs in the urinary systems of males and females.  In the bitch the urinary tract opens into the vulva and in males the urethra passes down the penis through a bone in this structure, the os penis.

INCREASED URINE OUTPUT AND THIRST 

Dogs with urinary disorders usually produce a lot of very dilute urine, with a great increase in their thirst to compensate.

(i)                This may be accompanied by some pain, and if pain increases to the point where the dog cannot pass urine at all, get help quickly.

(ii)              In cases where the dog can still urinate, there will be loss of fluid, and an increase in thirst to compensate.  There may also be a tendency to vomit; this will result in a further loss of fluid, which will have to be made up.

(iii)            If kidney failure is responsible, the dog’s whole condition deteriorates.  It becomes ‘toxic’ because it cannot eliminate some of the waste products from its body, having lost some or all kidney function.  Special feeding may help to control the symptoms.

BLOOD IN THE URINE 

(i)                If the urine is discolored or has blood in it, the dog needs attention.  Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) is quite common, especially in bitches, as a result of an ascending infection entering the urethra at the vulva.

(ii)              The inflammation may also be due to ‘bladder stones’ or calculi, which have come out of solution in the urine.  These can cause a great deal of discomfort.  Effective treatments are available, and surgical removal is normally effective in the short term.

Prevention is directed towards the maintenance of acidity in the urine, a high water turnover so there is no static fluid in the urinary tract, and careful feeding to restrict the materials that go to form urinary stones.

INCONTINENCE 

Any dog, which has little or no control over passing urine, must be examined properly to establish the reason.  Apart from disorders of the urinary system, as above, there are at least three other possible causes:

(i)                behavioral problems – for example, a dog may develop an over-submissive attitude and this may cause it to urinate every time the owner, or even another dog in the household, approaches it.  Behavioral therapy is a possible solution.

(ii)              Pyometra (see the section on discharges)

(iii)            Diabetes mellitus (see information on this earlier in this section)

from The Practical Guide to Dog & Puppy Care - Andrew Edney and Roger Mugford