
Common Pet Diseases and How to Recognize Them
You’re rushed. You’re frazzled. A project is due, and something is wrong with Fido. You have been watching his behavior for several days, and you know you should call the vet.
In general, when your pet acts abnormal—barking at nothing, seeming withdrawn or listless, and roaming in circles—you should probably take the pet to your veterinarian. Only trained professionals can thoroughly examine the animal and evaluate its condition.
Some of the most serious conditions to strike pets are the same ones that strike humans: heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Heart disease affects one in ten dogs, according to the American Veterinarian Association. The heart is a muscle responsible for circulating the blood to the lungs, where blood picks up oxygen before transporting it throughout the body to meet the metabolic needs of the organism. Heart valve and muscle defects, tumors, trauma, heartworm defects and deterioration of the blood vessels can lead to heart failure. Ron Hines, DVM, says the pet owner should look for signs such as coughing, tiredness, rapid breathing, poor appetite, enlarged abdomen, pale or bluish gums and a rapid, weak pulse. Other signs are shortness of breath and swelling of the lower limbs. Your veterinarian will check your pet at its regular visits for any signs of heart disease. Many pets live long lives, even with heart disease, with proper care.
Age is the single most important factor in the onset of cancer in dogs. Approximately one in four dogs will develop cancer in its lifetime, and almost half of dogs over ten will die of cancer. Different breeds of dogs develop different cancers. The most common cancers in pets are cancers in the skin, mammary glands, head and neck, the testicles and lymphomas. Signs that owners should watch for are abnormal swellings that continue to grow; sores that don’t heal; bleeding or discharge from the mouth, nose, urinary tract, vagina or rectum; offensive odor; difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating; reluctance to exercise; loss of energy, appetite or weight; lameness or stiffness of movement; or lumps in the breast or testicles. Surgery is often the first treatment for cancer, and your vet may perform the procedure with no difficulty. Specialized surgery can be expensive. Only you and your vet can decide whether or not to proceed. Other treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, cryosurgery, hyperthermia or immunotherapy.
Diabetes is suspected when the dog develops an insatiable thirst and wants to urinate constantly. The pancreas produces insulin that helps in the digestion of food sugars by converting them to glycogen. Glycogen stored in the liver and in the muscles is used as needed for energy. When little or no insulin is produced by the body, glycogen is spilled into the bloodstream and diabetes develops. Type I, insulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common type of diabetes in dogs. Type II is found in cats and is a lack of normal response to insulin. Signs of diabetes in pets include: increased urination, thirst and appetite; increased susceptibility to infections, especially of the urinary tract; poor healing; weight loss; and muscle weakness. Type I diabetes is inherited, but regular exercise and proper diet are helpful in preventing Type II diabetes from developing.
Pets eat weird things. So when stomach disorders strike, the best thing you can do is suspend all food, but encourage the pet to drink as much as it’s willing to do. Parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, threadworms and giardia, are another common cause for stomach disorders. Sometimes, though, the animal may act distressed, and if the condition lasts for more than 24 hours, contact your veterinarian. Signs of poisoning include vomiting and staggering, weakness and disorientation.
Diarrhea is also a side effect of many drugs and medications used in treating illnesses. Heart medications, deworming compounds and antibiotics can all cause diarrhea. When dogs are overly excited or upset, they may experience loose stools. Emotional diarrhea can be caused by any sudden change of diet or daily events, such as going to the vet or participating in a show.
Accidents may happen with older dogs because they are no longer able to control their bodily functions as well as they could when they were younger. It’s a good idea to plan on more frequent potty breaks, especially before bedtime or the first thing in the morning, as your pet ages.
Routine vaccinations will keep many infectious diseases in pets at bay. Rabies is deadly and transmissible to humans. Vaccination of dogs is mandatory in the United States. However, there are other infectious diseases in pets that routine vaccinations by your vet will control. These include distemper, parvovirus, coronavirus, hepatitis, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, kennel cough (Bordetella virus), and parainfluenza. Each of these diseases can seriously harm the pet. Prevention is always the best cure.
Sources: acvim.org, avma.org, aspca.org, vetcancersociety.org, voices.yahoo.com and webmd.com.