Animal General Hospital

Hookworms are thick, short worms that are whitish to reddish brown with a hooked front end. They live in the gastrointestinal tract.

How it’s transmitted among dogs and cats: Through ingestion of larvae from contaminated environments, ingestion of infected prey and larval penetration of the skin. Puppies may also become infected during nursing.

Signs and complications in pets: Diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, and ­deterioration of the skin and coat condition; adult dogs and cats may not show signs

How your veterinarian detects it: Performing a fecal examination and observing worm eggs under the microscope

Preventing the disease in pets and people: 

Disease: Roundworm Infection

• Promptly remove animal feces from your yard.
• To limit pets’ exposure to contaminated areas, keep dogs on leashes or in a fenced area and keep cats indoors.
• Deworm puppies as recommended by your veterinarian, then follow with a monthly parasite-prevention product.
• Promptly treat infected pets to prevent the shedding of roundworm eggs, which are hardy and long-lived.
• Ask your veterinarian to perform fecal examinations at least once a year.
• Cover children’s sandboxes when not in use.

Disease: Tapeworm Infection

• Make sure all family pets use a monthly flea-­prevention product recommended by your veterinarian. 
• Ask your veterinarian to perform fecal examinations at least once a year.
• Deworm pets that are good hunters as recommended by your veterinarian to keep the parasite burden down.

All information from VetStreet. 

Overview
As is the case with people, a dog’s health changes with age. Unfortunately, our pets age much faster than we do.

Symptoms

Regardless of your dog’s age, you play a key role in helping her combat illness and remain as healthy as possible. Remember, your dog cannot describe symptoms to you, but she can show you signs of disease. Awareness of the signs of the most common diseases is one way to help reduce your pet’s risk of being affected by them. It’s a little scary to consider that 10% of pets that appear healthy to their owners and their veterinarians during annual checkups have underlying diseases.¹

The top 10 signs that your dog may be ill are:

If your best friend shows symptoms of being ill, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Unfortunately, you may not always recognize that your dog is sick. Often, even the most well-intentioned dog owners attribute the subtle signs of disease to aging.

• Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic function, as well as sugar levels
• Antibody tests to identify if your pet has been exposed to tick-borne or other infectious diseases
• A complete blood count to rule out blood-related conditions
• Electrolyte tests to ensure your dog isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance
• Urine tests to screen for urinary tract infection and other disease and to evaluate the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine
• A thyroid test to determine if the thyroid gland is producing too little thyroid hormone
• An ECG to screen for an abnormal heart rhythm, which may indicate underlying heart disease

Making the decision to spay or neuter your pet means fewer pets—pets as sweet, loving, healthy, and deserving of companionship as your own—will be euthanized for lack of a home.

But just in case you need more information before making this important decision, here is the truth behind some commonly spread myths about spaying and neutering.

MYTH: It's better to have one litter before spaying a female pet.
FACT: Every litter counts.

Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate time for these procedures.

MYTH: I want my children to experience the miracle of birth.
FACT: The miracle of birth is quickly overshadowed by the thousands of animals euthanized in animal shelters in communities all across the country.

Teach children that all life is precious by spaying and neutering your pets. 

MYTH: But my pet is a purebred.
FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats—mixed breed and purebred. About half of all animals entering shelters are euthanized.

MYTH: I want my dog to be protective.
FACT:  It is a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.

MYTH: I don't want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male.
FACT: Pets don't have any concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.
 

MYTH: My pet will get fat and lazy.

FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their owners feed them too much and don't give them enough exercise.

MYTH: But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten) just like her.
FACT: Your pet's puppies or kittens have an unlikely chance of being a carbon copy of your pet. Even professional breeders cannot make this guarantee. There are shelter pets waiting for homes who are just as cute, smart, sweet, and loving as your own.

MYTH: I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.
FACT: You may find homes for your pet's puppies and kittens. But you can only control what decisions you make with your own pet, not the decisions other people make with theirs. Your pet’s puppies and kittens, or their puppies or kittens, could end up in an animal shelter, as one of the many homeless pets in every community competing for a home. Will they be one of the lucky ones?

All information from the Humane Society of the United States.

Hepatitis:

This virus is spread by contact with urine, feces and other secretions from infected animals. The liver is the primary organ affected and death is possible is severe cases. 

Clinical signs include:

    Chronic form:

• Lethargy
• No Appetite

• Fever
• Bloody Diarrhea
• Vomiting Blood
• Refusal to Eat
• Painful Movement
• Clouding of Cornea (called Blue Eye)

Tick-Borne Disease

Lyme Disease:

The bacteria which causes Lyme disease in dogs and humans is carried by a specific tick species. Infected ticks, as small as the heads of a pin, may inhabit lawns and gardens, as well as fields and forests. Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose because of the long incubation period and vague, arthritic, flu-like symptoms. As the disease progresses, Lyme-causing bacteria damage many different organs including the liver, heart, nervous system and kidneys. 

Clinical signs may include:

• Lameness
• Anorexia
• Depression
• Inflammation Leading to Vital Organ Dysfunction
• Fever
• Stiffness
• Joint Pain/Swelling 

Gastrointestinal Disease

Parvovirus:

This highly contagious and debilitating virus is spread through infected fecal material. It is a very hardy virus and can survive in the environment for months or years. In severe cases, it can lead to shock and death. Vaccination against parvovirus is extremely important for all dogs, 

Clinical signs may include:

• Severe Depression
• Loss of Appetite
• Vomiting
• High Fever
• Profuse Diarrhea

Contagious Respiratory Disease

Kennel Cough or Tracheobronchitis:

Several types of bacteria and viruses are known to cause infection and inflammation of the lungs and respiratory passages of dogs. The most prevalent are adenovirus type 2, parainfuenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica. Dogs exposed to high-population situations such as daycare, shelters, breeding facilities, boarding or the show circuit are at risk. These environments can increase stress and exposure to disease. 

Clinical signs may include:

• Harsh, Dry, Hacking Cough

Nervous System Disease

Distemper:

Vaccination against distemper virus is essential for all dogs. Nearly every dog will be exposed to distemper virus in its lifetime. In its final stages, distemper may cause convulsions. Death may occur one to three after infection. 

Clinical signs may include:

    Early clinical signs:

• Fever
• Loss of Appetite
• Listlessness
• Dry Cough
• Watery Discharge from Eyes and Nose (discharge becomes yellow and thick)
• Diarrhea

• Brain Involvement
• Head Shaking
• Chewing Movements
• Seizures
• Confusion

This is a fatal viral disease of all mammals including dogs, cats, livestock and humans. Infected wildlife and unvaccinated animals are the source of this virus. Because rabies is a significant health hazard, it is extremely important to vaccinate your pet. In may states and cities, rabies vaccines is required by law. 


All information is from a pamphlet from Boehringer Ingelheim and BeVaccineSMART.com

We have talked about flea and heartworm prevention and heartworms in cats but we haven't talked about heartworms in dogs. The following article from Vet Street should answer any questions you have about this preventable disease. 

Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition that affects dogs, cats, and up to 30 other species of animals. It is caused by parasitic worms (heartworms) living in the major blood vessels of the lungs and, occasionally, in the heart. These worms are transmitted (as microscopic larvae) through the bite of an infected mosquito. The scientific name for the heartworm parasite is Dirofilaria immitis.

Heartworms are spread through the bite of a mosquito, and dogs increase the risk of infection for other dogs, cats and other animals. When a mosquito bites an infected dog it draws blood that contains immature heartworms (called microfilariae [pronounced micro-fill-air-ee-ay]). These microfilariae mature inside the mosquito to become infective larvae. When the mosquito eventually bites another dog or a cat, the larvae enter the new host. In dogs, these larvae often mature to become adult heartworms, which produce more microfilariae and continue the heartworm’s life cycle.

Heartworm disease can cause a variety of medical problems affecting the lungs, heart, liver, and/or kidneys. Severe complications can lead to death. Although a safe and effective treatment is available, it can be a costly and complicated process depending on how long the dog has been infected and how severe the infection is.

Despite the fact that heartworm disease is virtually 100 percent preventable, many dogs are diagnosed with it each year. The American Heartworm Society (AHS) estimates that one million dogs in the United States have heartworm disease today, and that this number may be rising.

Some dogs may show no signs of infection. However, depending on the number of worms and the duration of infection, dogs may begin to show the following clinical signs:

Apart from clinical signs, heartworm disease can be diagnosed using laboratory tests that check the dog’s blood for evidence of infection. Additional testing, including a CBC (complete blood cell count), blood chemistry panel, and urinalysis may be recommended for a heartworm positive pet to help assess the severity of the disease. Sometimes evidence of heartworms can be seen on ultrasound images or radiographs (X-rays) of the heart and lungs.

Dogs of any breed can become infected with heartworms.

If infection is detected early enough, heartworm disease can be treated before permanent damage to the heart, lungs, and/or blood vessels occurs. However, if the infection has been present for a long time or consists of a large number of worms, the risk of complications increases. In these cases, treatment can be more expensive and complicated and dogs may take many months to recover from the infection.

Standard treatment of heartworm disease in dogs involves administering a series of injections with a medication that kills the heartworms. Surgical removal of the worms may be recommended in some cases.

Unfortunately, untreated heartworm disease can be fatal.

The Australian Terrier is a happy dog by nature, known for his clever sense of humor and his affection for people. The shaggy-coated Australian — about 15 pounds of spunk in all – is an independent, somewhat stubborn breed. He is a tireless ratter and excellent watchdog with an easy-care coat that sheds little.

 The cute factor of the Australian Terrier helps him to worm his way into many a heart before owner knows just how clever and active a little dog he is. For the people who love this breed, the attitude of this Down Under original becomes even more appealing over time. Live with an Australian Terrier and you’ll need a sense of humor since he finds typical terrier hobbies — digging, barking, and terrorizing the family cat — extremely amusing. With proper guidance and an owner who understands that “small” doesn’t mean “mellow,” the Australian can fit into many kinds of families and homes from city loft to country acreage.

As with virtually all terriers, consistent training should start young to channel this breed’s inquisitive nature and on-the-go attitude into activities that won’t involve noise or destructiveness. The American Kennel Club’s Earthdog events offer one such possibility; agility or other active sports are others.

A bored Australian Terrier with energy to burn will create his own competitive event, known as “Just how many holes can I dig in the backyard before they notice?” Or another perennial favorite: “Exactly how high a fence can one bored determined dog jump anyway?”

 The Australian Terrier is the perfect size for apartment or condo living, but only if you can train him to control his barking or be there to keep it to a low roar. These little dogs are very alert watchdogs or, as the neighbors would describe it, nuisance barkers.

Australian Terriers are not a great choice if you have cats, and they don’t tend to get along with other dogs, particularly if both are males. Marking behavior can also be a problem, and belly bands to block the pee from hitting the furniture are not uncommon in these confident little leg-lifters.

While the show dogs get more careful grooming, pet Australian Terriers have easy-care coats in a variety of colors; an occasional bath and weekly combing or brushing to keep shedding to a minimum are all that’s necessary. Not a backyard dog by any means, the Australian Terrier needs to live indoors as a member of the family.

All info from Vet Street.