Usenet 1994 January/usenetsourcesnewsgroupsinfomagicjanuary1994.iso/answers/dogs-faq/medical-info

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From: [e-mail] (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: rec.pets.dogs:  Canine Medical Information FAQ
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Summary: Lists major diseases, infections and infestations that canines
         can have.  Includes a list of poisonous substances (including
         plants).
X-Last-Updated: 1993/12/05
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Archive-name: dogs-faq/medical-info
Last-modified: 05 Dec 1993

This is one of the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Lists for
rec.pets.dogs.  It is posted on a monthly basis: updates, additions,
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The multiple parts are all archived at rtfm.mit.edu in the directory
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breeding, medical-info, training, behavior, working, service,
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------
This article is Copyright (c) 1992, 1993 by Cindy Tittle Moore.  It may be
freely distributed in its entirety provided that this copyright notice
is not removed.  It may not be sold for profit nor incorporated in
commercial documents without the author's written permission.  This
article is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.

Cindy Tittle Moore
Internet: [e-mail]           USmail: PO BOX 4188, Irvine CA 92716
--------------------------------------------------------------------------


New: Patellar Luxation, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Rabies,
     additional info on Hip Dysplasia

CANINE MEDICAL INFORMATION

  Prologue
  A.  Anal Sacs.
  B.  Anesthetics.
  C.  Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)
  D.  Breathing Disorders.
  E.  Bloody Stools.
  F.  Brucellosis.
  G.  Canine Parvovirus (CPV).
  H.  Chrondrodysplasia (CHD or Chd).
  I.  Distemper.
  J.  Epilepsy.
  K.  Eye Problems.
  L.  Gastric Dilation and Bloat.
  M.  Giardia.
  N.  Heartworms.
  O.  Hip Dysplasia (HD, or C(anine)HD).
  P.  Infectious Canine Hepatitis.
  Q.  Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis).
  R.  Kidney Failure.
  S.  Leptospirosis.
  T.  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
  U.  Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD).
  V.  Panosteitis (puppy limp).
  W.  Patellar Subluxation.
  X.  Poisons.
  Y.  Rabies.
  Z.  Ringworm.
  AA.  Thyroid Disorders.

Prologue.

Much of the information found in this article is summarized from
Carlson & Giffin.  I would like to thank them for their informative
and accessible information.  Any mistakes made in the summaries are my
responsibility and not Carlson & Giffin's.  I believe that I am within
copyright laws by using summarizations (no direct quoting, except for
the toxic plants section), my own organization of the material, and
precise acknowledgement where relevant.
                                                   Cindy Tittle Moore

An *excellent* resource that details all aspects of health issues for
dogs, and one that every conscientious dog owner should have is:

Carlson, Delbert G., DVM, and James M. Giffin, MD.  _Dog Owners's
Home Veterinary Handbook_.  Howell Book House, Macmillan Publishing
Company, 866 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022 USA (1980).  ISBN:
0-87605-764-4 (hardcover).
  This comprehensive book is a complete guide to health care of dogs.
  It lets you know when you can treat the dog, or when you need to
  take it to the vet post-haste.  It lists symptoms so that you may
  inform your vet of relevant information about its condition.  The
  arrangement of the material facilitates rapid reference.
  Illustration of key procedures (pilling, taking pulse/temperature,
  etc).  Lists poisonous substances, including houseplants.


A.  Anal Sacs.

(summarized from Carlson & Giffin)

Normally, anal sacs are emptied when the dog defecates.  Some dogs
with overactive anal glands may require occasional help.  Your vet can
demonstrate the procedure.

"Scooting" (dragging the rear on the ground) is a common indication of
trouble with the anal sacs.

Impaction: occurs when the anal sacs fail to empty properly.  This is
more common in smaller breeds.  Squeezing the sacs yourself as needed
will control the problem.

Infection: complicates impaction.  There is blood or pus in the
secretions, and the dog may scoot (drag its rear on the ground).  It
may be painful.  Check with your vet for an antibiotic you can apply
after you empty the sacs.

Abscess: Signs of anal infection, with a swelling at the site of the
gland.  It goes from initially red to a deep purple.  You will have to
have it lanced and cleaned by the vet.

Dogs whose anal sacs become repeatedly infected and/or abscessed will
need to have the glands removed.  Surgery is uncomplicated, although
the dog will have poor bowel control for the next few days after
surgery.  Try putting a pair of small boy's underpants, with the dog's
tail through the third opening, on the dog to contain accidents.


B.  Anesthetics.

Remember that this is not intended as complete information by any
means. Your best source for that is from your veterinarian. Don't be
afraid to ask questions.

1.  Why is anesthesia used for OFA X-rays?

Most Xrays can be taken without any sort of sedation, but OFA Hip
X-Rays require an abnormal amount of stretching and twisting of the
legs to get the hips into a proper position. Most dogs will struggle
from the pain, and the resulting X-rays can end up blurred. While for
many cases this would be OK, OFA requires very sharp images. It is
possible (as has been mentioned here often) to get acceptable X-rays
without sedation, but it requires a lot of work and experience. If
your vet does not feel comfortable doing X-rays without sedation or
anesthesia you are probably better off getting an experienced vet to
do it.

2.  How dangerous is anesthesia?

While anesthesia is not without risks, it is most certainly not
guaranteed death for your dog. Your vet anesthetizes dozens of animals
a week without losing them, and your pet should be no exception. There
are a number of different anesthetics available, each with their own
benifits and risks.  Halothane is probably the most commonly used. It
is a good general purpose anesthesia which is simple to control. A
drawback is that it takes animals up to an hour to completely wake up
from it and they usually behave sedated for up to another 12 hours.
Metophane is less common. It allows very deep levels of sedation for
painful surgeries such as bone surgery or for very large dogs.  It
also has a long recovery time. If your vet uses either of these
anesthetics it is a good idea to schedule the procedure early in the
day so that your dog can be kept under observation for a longer period
of time. (Most vets do this anyway if at all possible). Finally there
is Isoflourane.  This is a quick acting anesthetic which makes it a
little more difficult to monitor, but also causes the least trauma. It
is also much more expensive, and may not be offered by every vet. It
is best used for shorter or nonintrusive procedures such as X-rays,
teeth cleanings and tattoos.

3.  What can I do to improve the odds?

The greatest danger from anesthetics is improper processing of the
drug by the dogs metabolism.  All these anesthetics are eliminated
from the blood stream through the liver and kidneys.  Older dogs in
particular can have defects in these organs that can cause
complications under anesthesia. If you are concerned about this your
vet can do a preliminary blood panel to detect potential problems. If
your pet has a heart murmur or a respiratory problem make sure your
vet is aware of it. These are not neccessary problems during
anesthesia, but will allow your vet to make an informed decision
should a problem arise.  You should also ask your vet if sie knows of
any problems peculiar to your breed. Sighthounds in particular are
more sensitive to anesthetic and require lower levels to achieve the
same effect.  Make sure that you keep a complete medical history of
your dog and that you take a copy of it with you whenever you change
vets.


C.  Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)

This disease is only partially understood at this time.

Symptoms include:
  * pale gums, possibly yellow in severe cases
  * yellow feces (from bile pigments)
  * red or orange-brown urine (but may look normal)

Procedures to reverse this condition include various chemotherapies,
steroids, cyclosporin, and blood transfusions.  However, the only
"tried and tested" treatment is corticosteroid therapy. Other
cytotoxic drugs, like cyclosporin, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine and
danazol are recommended by various people, generally because somebody
else recommended them somewhere else. Their actual benefit seems
uncertain. The general consensus is that cyclophosphamide is the best
of these drugs to use.

Blood transfusions are the topic of much controversy. One school of
thought is that the animal is likely to hemolyse the transfusion, so
blood should be tranfused only in lifethreatening situations. The
other school argues that transfusions have never been proven to be
dangerous in this disease (and goes on to assume that they are
therefore safe).

There are two types of AHA: primary, where the system destroys its
own red blood cells for no apparent reason, and secondary, where the
red cell membrane is changed (perhaps by a virus or parasite) and is
then destroyed as abnormal.  Prognosis for secondary AHA is much better
and depends on how well the underlying cause can be treated.  The
prognosis for primary AHA is much worse, with only 50% of the animals
living beyond 12 months.


D.  Breathing Disorders.

Dogs that breath noisily may have a serious health problem.  For
example, some animals have an elongated palate, which prevents them
from breathing properly.  The animal can also have a hard time
drinking and eating.  This also can affect the heart since it has to
work extra hard to breath.

If your dog has this problem check with your vet.  There is an
operation that can correct the problem of elongated palates.  In any
case, dogs should not be constantly panting and breathing noisily, so
a vet check is in order.


E.  Bloody Stools.

Blood in the stool can appear in several ways, each indicating a
different problem.  Black stools mean bleeding high up in the
digestive tract, most likely a bleeding stomach ulcer.  Reddish stools
indicate blood further down the pipe, after the digestive juices have
been neutralized somewhat.  This can be anything from ulcers in the
small intestine to ulcerative colitis.  Red blotches/streaks on the
surface of the stools (with normal color otherwise) indicate bleeding
in the last segment of the large intestine or rectum, after the stool
has begun to solidify (the function of the large intestine is to
neutralize digestive juices and absorb liquid).  This can be
ulcerative colitis (or some other inflammatory bowel disease) or
bleeding hemorrhoids.  Each of these problems can be very serious, and
in some cases life-threatening (with the exception of hemorrhoids).

Coloring (natural or artificial) in food can also directly color the
stool so you can't be sure of anything without a chemical analysis. A
sudden diet change/addition can also affect stool color.

Get a sample to the vet.


F.  Brucellosis.

Brucellosis is one of the few venereal diseases among dogs.  It is
associated with testicular atrophy.  It causes sterilization (sometime
obvious, sometimes not) in the male, embryonic reabsorption, abortion,
weak pups that die soon after birth and eventual sterility in females.
Males are contagious for months through their semen, females are
contagious for several weeks after the failed pregnancy.

*Brucellosis may be passed to humans.*  It can cause suppressed immune
systems and sterility in humans.

Diagnosis can be quickly made, although animals tested less than three
weeks after exposure will show negative.  False positives are
possible; followup diagnosis with more reliable methods should follow
any initial positives.

Treatment for brucellosis is not generally very successful and often
very expensive.  Extensive antibiotic therapy, evaluation and
additional testing will add up quickly, with no guarantee of success.
No vaccine is available.

Any animal with brucellosis should not be bred, and should be
eliminated from the kennel or other breeding stock before infecting
the entire colony.  Animals entering the breeding area, male and
female, should be tested for brucellosis PRIOR TO breeding.


G.  Canine Parvovirus (CPV).

This is a recent disease, first noted in the late seventies.  It is
highly contagious and puppies have the highest mortality.  There is a
vaccine available, and you should make sure your dog is up on its
shots.  In some areas where parvo is prevalent, you may need booster
shots every six months instead of every year.

Parvovirus comes in several forms:

(summarized from Carlson & Giffin)

  * Diarrhea syndrome: Severe depression, loss of appetite, vomiting.
    Extreme pain.  High fever follows with profuse diarrhea.  No other
    disease comes close to matching the amount of diarrhea induced by
    CPV.

  * Cardiac syndrome: Affects the muscles of the heart, especially in
    puppies.  Puppies stop nursing, cry and gasp for breath.  Death
    can occur suddenly or after several days.  Puppies that recover
    often develop chronic congestive heart failure that may kill them
    several months later.

Dogs may have either or both syndromes.  Treatment is difficult,
requiring hospitalization; those who recover are immune.  The quarters
of an infected dog should be thoroughly sterilized; a solution of 1:30
bleach and water is recommended.  As with any use of bleach, make sure
you do not mix it with ammonia, which results in mustard gas and can
kill you and your dog.  Be sure to rinse the bleach off thoroughly
after application.

In the US, there is a current upswing in Parvo infections.  Make sure
your dog is up-to-date on its vaccinations.  Don't let a too-young
puppy roam where possibly infected dogs have been (for example, in the
park).


H.  Chrondrodysplasia

Chrondrodysplaysia was discovered around 1930-1940s. This disease is
neither "dwarfism" as it is commonly referred to nor is it dysplaysia
(in the true sense of the word). This debilitating disease is actually
a birth defect causing the dog's upper foreleg to become overly
massive, short, and twisted and appears in Malamute and related
breeds.  Malamute breeders were appalled by this condition when it
appeared and immediately set out to eradicate it.

Steps were taken to locate these recessive genes.  By breeding an
unknown dog to a known CHD, the pups were then rebred to CHD dogs and
percentages were calculated.  Most Malamutes today have been CHD
rated.  The percentage is the actual likelihood of CHD showing up in a
breeding.  Malamute breeders tend to agree that 6.25% (one
great-great-great grandparent is a carrier) is the upper limit of
acceptablity in a CHD rating.

Puppies are CHD rated now by taking the CHD factors of both parents
and averaging them together.  Example:

Dog       1.75%
Bitch     2.01%
---------------
(1.75 + 2.01)/2 =
puppies   1.88%

Needless to say, an non-CHD certified Mal or a Mal that is certified
above a 6.25% should not be bred, in order to contain the disease.
Non-CHD certified dogs can be CHD certified, but it is a very
expensive procedure.

CHD may be diagnosed with various tests that include blood tests and
x-rays.

_The Complete Alaskan Malamute_ by Riddle and Seely covers this
disease fairly well.


I.  Distemper.

(summarized From Carlson & Giffin)

Distemper is the leading cause of infectious disease death in dogs,
most commonly in unvaccinated puppies 3-8 months of age.  Among
infected dogs: half show little in the way of illness; many show mild
symptoms; and in a few the illness is severe or fatal.  Malnourished
and ill-kept dogs tend to show more acute forms of the disease.
Secondary infections and complications with distemper are common.
Prognosis depends on how quickly the dog is diagnosed and treated, and
which form of the disease the dog has.

There are two stages.  Symptoms in the first stage include fever, loss
of appetite, listlessness, and a watery discharge from the eyes and
nose.  It may appear like a cold -- but dogs do not get colds the way
people do; a "cold" is therefore much more serious in a dog than in a
person.  Within a few days the discharge will thicken: a primary
indication of distemper.  Dry cough, pus blisters on the stomach,
diarrhea (and associated dehydration) may follow.  At this point, the
dog may recover, or proceed on to the second stage which involves the
brain.  Dogs with brain involvement do not usually survive.


J.  Epilepsy.

(from a post by Stu Farhnam)

Canine epilepsy is remarkably similar in both presentation and
treatment to epilepsy in humans.  However, it is much more common
among dogs, with an approximate 10% rate (compared with 1% for
humans).

Epilepsy may be due to a number of causes: injury, toxicity, disease,
heredity, etc.  In cases where no apparent cause can be found, the
diagnosis is "idiopathic epilepsy", which essentially means "seizures
of unknown origin". Epilepsy is fairly common in dogs. Idiopathic
epilepsy is believed to have a genetic component which is not well
understood.

If the epilepsy has a specific determinable cause, it can often be
treated by removing the source.  For example, a dog may have epilepsic
siezures when exposed to a specific toxin; eliminating that toxin will
remove the epilepsy.  For idiopathic epilepsy and permanent epilepsy
(eg due to a head-injury), treatment consists of one or more
anticonvulsant drugs. Dosage and combination are usually arrived at
empirically.  That is, you and your vet will experiment with different
drugs at different doses in an attempt to find the best treatment for
your dog.  Common anticonvulsants include primadone, phenobarbitol,
valium, and others.

The vast majority of cases of canine epilepsy yield to treatment.
While most of the drugs have long term side effects (e.g. liver
toxicity), they allow epileptic dogs to live near normal lives.

Siezures can appear in many forms, from undistractible "spaciness" to
the more commonly thought of spasmodic movements, loss of bladder and
bowel control, etc. Seizures pose little direct threat to the dog when
they occur singly and are of short duration (seconds - a few minutes).
The most common problem associated with a seizure is that the dog
injures itself during the period of loss of motor control.

Sometimes, however, the seizure occur in groups (clusters) or do not
end quickly (so-called "status epilepticus"). In these cases the
physical stress on the dog can be enormous and lead to secondary
problems.


K.  Eye Problems.

1. CEA

CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) is the most common form of eye problem found
in the collie, both rough and smooth variety.  It is also found in the
border collie, shetland sheepdog, and bearded collie.  It is believed
to by controlled by a genetic cluster, or large group of genes, and
thus, it is hard to control by breeding, and ranges in severity.

2. PRA

PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) is common in MANY breeds of dogs
(including mixed breeds), and is not isolated to the collie like the
CEA tends to be.

Generalized PRA affects the entire retina.  Most dogs with GPRA become
night blind at three and are usually totally blind by five.
Generalized PRA has been detected as early as six weeks in puppies,
and these puppies are usually blind by six to eight months.  An
electroretinography can be used to detect the early signs of PRA.
Animals to be tested in this manner are anesthetized while lenses are
placed on the eyes to record the retina's reaction to light. (Like
wearing contacts.)

ALL dogs affected with PRA eventually go blind.

3.  GPRA

GPRA is believed to be transmitted by a simple autosomal recessive
gene.  Studies have shown that both parents must be carriers for any
offspring to be affected.  Breeding PRA affected animals to PRA
NON-affected animals results in 100% carriers for the PRA gene.  The
most common form of PRA in the collie is generalized PRA and it is
detectable at an early age (6wks and over).

The other form, Central PRA, is uncommon and usually occurs between
three and five years old, but has been detected as early as three
weeks.  The mode of transmission is not known.  Animals with CPRA can
usually see moving objects because the peripheral vision is retained
longer, but often will collide with stationary objects.  An
electroretinogram is not able to detect the CPRA.

NOTE:  In October 1945 the Kennel Club of England added PRA to
the list of disqualifications from winning any award in the show ring.

For more information on Canine Eye disease contact:
CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation)
South Campus Courts C
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN  47906

Information on CEA, PRA and GPRA was compiled with the wealth of
information located in:

  * Rubin, Lionel F.  _Inherited Eye Diseases in Purebred Dogs_.
  * Vanderlip, Sharon Lynn, DVM.  _The Collie: A Veterinary Reference
    for the Professional Breeder_.
  * CERF pamphlets.

Please consult these books and others for more breed specific
information.

4.  Glaucoma

This is a condition where the pressure of the fluid in the eye
increases until the sight is gone in that eye.  If it strikes one eye,
the other eye is likely also to be affected.

Once the retina is damaged and the sight is gone the options are as
follows:

  * Inject the eye with a fluid which kills the fluid producing cells
    in the eye, hence no further increase in pressure and no pain.
    This is not a guaranteed solution.
  * Remove the eye and sew the lids shut.  Probably the most practical.
  * Remove the eye and replace it with a prosthetic (i.e., glass eye).
    There are potential problems with infection of the eye socket.

5.  Cataracts

Cataracts are fairly common in older dogs and sometimes is a
complication of another condition (such as diabetes).  Treatment can
involve removing the clouded portion of the lense.  This usually
renders the dog unable to focus, but since sight is not a primary
sense for the dog, the procedure appears to give them usable vision.

[Need more info]


L.  Gastric Dilation and Bloat.

A condition more commonly seen in larger breeds.  Gas in the stomach
causes it to swell.  In some cases, the stomach rotates on its axis,
closing off both ends of it.  Digestive processes continue unabated
and the stomach swells up.  The cause of bloat is unknown.

Some forms of bloat are fatal untreated; survival depends on
understanding what is happening and getting the dog to the vet, the
earlier the better.

Terminology:

  * The stomach is full of gas and begins to swell: gastric dilation.
  * The stomach partially rotates on its axis: torsion.
  * The stomach rotates 180 or more degrees: volvolus.

Some facts (from Carlson & Giffin):

  * Dogs who bloat are almost always at least 2 years old.
  * Two-thirds are male.
  * Larger, deeper chested breeds are affected.
  * They eat large amounts of dry kibble.
  * They exercise vigorously after eating and tend to drink water in
    large amounts after meals.
  * They may have a history of digestive upsets.
  * There may be a familial association with other dogs who bloat.

According to Carlson & Giffin, the symptoms are: excessive salivation
and drooling, extreme restlessness, attempts to vomit and defecate,
evidence of abdominal pain and abdominal distension.  Abdominal
fullness, whining, pacing, getting up and lying down, stretching,
looking at the abdomen, anxiety.

History is important: in nearly all cases, there is a history of
overeating, eating fermented foods, drinking excessively after eating,
or taking vigorous exercise after a meal (within two or three hours).

If your dog is able to belch or vomit, it is more likely a gastric
upset.  If it cannot, rush it to the vet or emergency care *now* for
emergency surgery.

If your dog is at risk for gastric bloat, you should discuss it with
your vet before a possible episode.  Your vet may recommend (and
demonstrate) some things you can try to do as life-saving measures
while getting it to the vet.

Measures thought to reduce the risk of gastric torsion ("bloat")
[From the Bloat Panel, sponsored by the Morris Animal Foundations,
published in the August 1992 Irish Setter Club of America's _Memo To
Members_.]

  * Feed two or three times daily.  Be sure someone is around to
    observe after-feeding behavior for possible symptoms.
  * Water should be available at all times except immediately after
    feeding, especially if the dog seems to over-drink.  Or mixing dry
    kibble and water before eating to prevent later swelling up in the
    abdomen.
  * Vigorous exercise, excitement and stress should be avoided one
    hour before and two hours after meals.  Walking is alright and may
    help stimulate normal gastrointestinal function.
  * Any dietary changes should be introduced gradually over several days.

There is another article about bloat in the Spring '92 issue
of _Today's Breeder_ (published by Purina dog foods) (pp 8,9,15).


M.  Giardia.  (prepared by Dr. James Coggins)

If your dog has been diagnosed with Giardia, it is infected with
the one-celled protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia.  These flagellate
parasites are usually contracted by drinking contaminated water or
sometimes by eating contaminated feces.  Giardiasis, the disease
caused by Giardia, can range from asymptomatic (no visible signs
of distress) to extremely acute where the dog is severely ill.
Canine giardiasis should be treated since it is potentially
transmissible to humans and other animals.

Giardiasis is a malabsorptive syndrome.  The parasites adhere to the
lining of the small intestine where they interfere with absorption of
nutrients.  Light cases of Giardia often go undetected and many dogs
"self cure" by expelling and developing an immunity to the parasite.
In heavier infections, Giardia can interfere with absorption of
certain types of nutrients, especially fats and certain vitamins.
Fats are not absorbed and result in excess mucus in the stools which
are very pungent and diarrhetic.

The parasites interfere with normal metabolism by forming a physical
barrier between the lumen of the intestine and the absorptive cells.
Excess mucus results from malabsorption of fats while excess water
results in the diarrhea.  The intestinal lining is not usually injured
so stools should not contain blood. The parasites feed on partially
digested food in the lumen of the intestine.  They do not compete
directly with the host for food. Their metabolism is primarily
anaerobic, meaning that they do not utilize oxygen in their
respiration.  They lack cellular organelles concerned with aerobic
respiration such as mitochondria.

The active stage within the host is the trophozoite (feeding body);
this is the only pathological form.  The transfer stage of the
parasite is the termed the cyst.  Giardia forms cysts by extruding
cellular food particles and other vacuoles and secreting a resistant
cyst membrane around the cell.  This highly resistant cyst is then
passed from the host in the feces. Trophozoites may be passed but
quickly die.  Cysts that are passed into water can survive for an
extended time, up to 1-2 months under proper conditions.  Survival
times on land are somewhat less.  A new host becomes infected by
drinking fecally contaminated water or eating the feces of an infected
animal. While food-borne transmission is rare, it has been documented
for humans. Dogs may become infected by drinking out of streams, lakes
or ponds containing Giardia cysts.  Other sources of infection are
wild animals that visit the kennel area and deposit infected feces in
an area accessible to the dog.  Scats of other dogs or wild animals
are potential sources of infection for domestic dogs.  Giardia is
potentially transmissible to humans so caution is warranted.

Giardia can be difficult to detect even for professionals.  It is too
small to be seen by the unaided eye.  A high quality microscope is
needed for proper diagnosis; phase contrast microscopy is helpful.  A
definitive negative diagnosis should include stools collected on
multiple days since cyst production tends to be cyclic with millions
produced one day and few the following day.  The cyst is the
diagnostic stage of Giardia. Cysts tend to be approximately 9-15
micrometers in length and 4-5 um in width.  Cysts are identified by
size, the presence of four nuclei, axostyles and claw-hammer shaped
median bodies.

The current drug of choice is metronidazole, known by the trade name
FLAGYL.  Although highly effective it is a known carcinogen and
mutagen in mice.  Quinacrine (ATABRINE) can also be used but is not as
effective.  Treatment is usually one tablet per day for 7-10 days,
depending on the weight of the dog. Recovery is usually uneventful but
a dog may become reinfected after treatment.  Thus, it is important to
try to isolate and eliminate the source of infection.


N.  Heartworms.

Indications may not appear until a full year has passed since
infection.  Because of this, the disease is often mistaken for another
problem.  The most persistant sign is a soft, deep cough.  After
exercise, the cough may be so severe that that the dog faints.  Weight
loss, discharge of bloody sputum, listlessness, and weakness are also
common (from Carlson & Giffin).

Heartworm is a very serious disease (parasite, actually).  It is
transmitted through mosquitos.  The heartworm larvae then travel
through a dog's blood stream to its heart and lungs where the worms
grow and grow and grow.  The only effective treatment once a dog has
contracted heartworms is arsenic.  Please be sure that your vet does
preliminary blood work on your dog prior to administering the
treatment--this will ensure that your dogs liver is healthy enough to
metabolize the drug.  Understand that it is a risky treatment, but it
is the only known effective treatment.

There are two commonly used tests.  The antigen test is more accurate
(and more expensive).

Dogs that undergo successful treatment recover completely provided they
go on heartworm preventive afterwards.  There usually are no long-term
effects if the disease was detected early in its development.
Sometimes a cough may linger.  You will need to keep the dog's
activity level to a minimum for quite a few months following treatment
to prevent any of the dead worms from clogging your dog's heart and
causing a heart attack.  Following the treatment, you will also want
to start your dog on the preventive medicine as soon as your vet says
it's possible.

Heartworm preventives include
  Interceptor
    Prevents hookworm infestations as well as heartworms.
    Safe for Collies.  Monthly.
  Ivermectin
    Excellent control of hookworms and roundworms as well as heartworms.
    Has caused seizures in higher doses to Collies.  Monthly.
  Filarbits Plus
    Contraindicated if microfilariae are already present in blood.
    Controls hook, round, and whip worms to some extent.  Can
    be used in puppies 8 weeks or older.  Daily.


O.  Hip Dysplasia (HD, or C(anine)HD).

An *excellent* source of information on hip dysplasia is:

                Hip Dysplasia
                A Guide for Dog Breeders and Owners
                2nd Edition 1989
                By E.A. Corley and G.G. Keller

A single copy is available for a donation and multiple copies are
$3.00 each at Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc, 2300 Nifong
Blvd, Columbia, MO 65201, 314-442-0418.

The work is copyrighted and permission to reproduce the work was not
given since the costs of production are still being recouped, so only
highlights from the monograph are presented here.

Another excellent source of information on Hip Dysplasia may be found
in the chapter "Hip Dysplasia" in _Genetics of the Dog_ by Malcolm
B. Willis (Howell Book House).  Information from this chapter is also
presented below.

1.  In general

Hip dysplasia ("bad development") appears in people and many species
of animals. In some breeds of dogs, it is the most common cause of
osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.  Extensive research on
hip dysplasia suggests that CHD is a more complex disease than was
first thought.  There are no simple answers or solutions to the
problem.  The complexity of CHD results in research findings that
appear to be contradictory.  However, many aspects of the disease have
been repeatedly and independently documented and are generally
accepted by the scientific community. Three important ones are:

  * Canine hip dysplasia is caused by the presence of many genes
    (polygenic).  While no environmental cause has been found, many
    environmental factors contribute to its expression in a particular
    dog (phenotype).
  * The only current means for reducing the occurrence of CHD is by
    selectively breeding for normal hips.
  * Radiography is the accepted means for evaluating the hip status.

2.  Development

Regardless of what the initiating factor or factors may be, abnormal
looseness of the hip joint after 2 weeks of age seems to be the event
most commonly reported to result in hip dysplasia. However, there are
exceptions to this, and dogs with tight hips have developed hip
dysplasia.

The early changes are not easily detected.  Severe cases may be
diagnosed as early as 7 weeks of age; others may not show up in
radiographs until over 2 years of age.  This is why OFA only certifies
dogs over two years of age.

3.  Breeding

Most inherited traits in animals are polygenic.  These traits do not
follow patterns based on dominant/recessive pairs because polygenic
traits are affected by many genes.  Only some puppies will have the
same combination of genes for a trait as the parents. Some will have a
more desirable combination while others will have a less desirable
pattern. As the number of involved genes increase, the possible
outcomes also increase.  In addition, remember that it is also
possible for different genes to have a different level of influence on
the trait, complicating the outcomes considerably.  Predictions of a
specific outcome from a particular mating involving polygenic traits
is currently impossible.

In Corley and Keller's opinion, a dog with excellent hips but with
more than 25% of its brothers and sisters affected with hip dysplasia
is a poorer breeding prospect than a dog with fair hips and less than
25% of its brothers and sisters exhibiting dysplasia.


4.  Clinical symptoms

(from Corley & Keller)

"...[T]he signs [of hip dysplasia] vary from decreased exercise
tolerance to severe crippling. They include: a reluctance or inability
to go up or down stairs, difficulty in rising from a sitting or prone
position, bunny-hopping gait when running, stiffness early in the
morning that improves as the dog warms up, change in disposition due
to pain, lameness after exercise, wobbly gait, a clicking sound when
walking, and many others. Many dogs will shift their center of gravity
forward in an effort to relieve weight and pressure on the hips.
These dogs generally present a front end that appears well-developed
relative to the rear end.

"In dysplastic dogs, the hip joint is a weakened structure that is
more subject to being injured by normal activity such as jumping off a
couch, or rough housing with a playmate. Frequently, this results in
an acute lameness that in the mind of the owner was caused by the
injury, whereas the underlying dysplasia actually made the joint more
susceptible to injury. Obviously, the normal hip can be injured, but
the radiographic examination can usually distinguish between a hip
problem due to dysplasia and one due to other causes.

"CHD can not be diagnosed by observing how the dog moves, acts, lies
down, etc. The clinical signs may be caused by other problems;
therefore, a complete orthopedic and radiographic examination is
required before arriving at the conclusion that the signs are caused
by CHD."

5.  Environmental Influences

Environmental factors such as type of food and exercise in puppyhood
have been shown to affect the displayed symptoms within the same
litter.  However, subsequent generations from both groups showed the
same rates of dysplasia meaning that while the phenotype may be
affected, the genotype is what determines whether a dog has the
potential for being affected with HD.

In general, low protien diets and low activity levels through
puppyhood reduced the symptoms of HD markedly.  However, the degree of
diet reduction and no activity may or may not be practical for the
average dog-owner to attempt. (See Willis.)

It's best to keep your puppy from any kind of jumping for the first
year or so in life.  It's also best to keep from sustained exercise
until at least a year old.  Sustained exercise includes: jogging with
owner, pulling weights, mushing, running with owner on bike, etc.
Even for dogs not at risk from HD, it's wise not to exercise too
strongly too early as such exercise may interfere with proper growth
of joints, leading to similar problems such as arthritis on the joint
or OCD.

6.  Life for dogs with Hip Dysplasia

First of all, be sure that your dog has been accurately diagnosed with
HD.  Many vets do not have the expertise in reading the x-rays, so you
need to be sure that an experienced radiologist reads them.  If you're
not familiar with the competencies of the vets in your area, your best
bet is to have the x-rays sent in to OFA for evaluation.  You CANNOT
definitively diagnose HD on the basis of external appearance or
palpitation of the joint or anything like that.  Many things can cause
limping, some of which are correctible, so it pays to be certain you
have the correct diagnosis.

Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia is not an automatic death sentence for your
dog!  Because it is a polygenetic trait, the variability of expression
is actually quite wide.  Some dogs may experience little or no
discomfort and you may never know they have HD unless you test for it.
Other dogs may experience more pain, but it may be easily controlled
with proper exercise and judicious use of aspirin under the direction
of a vet.  Only a small percentage of cases are so crippled by HD that
they must be put down.

You *should* immediately neuter any dog that has HD.  The only known
means of eliminating this disease lie in well-managed breeding
programs, so do your part by eliminating the possibility of your dog
contributing to the overall problem.

Discuss with your vet appropriate strategies for dealing with HD.  In
most cases, the general advice is to keep the dog from doing any kind
of jumping or causing other sudden stress to the joints.  However, as
solid muscle buildup around the joint helps to ease the pressure on
the joint, regular exercise is generally recommended, with swimming
topping the list as gaining the most benefit with the least stress to
the joints.


P.  Infectious Canine Hepatitis.

(summarized From Carlson & Giffin)

This disease should NOT be confused with human hepatitis.  This is a
highly contagious disease transmissible only to dogs.  It affects the
liver, kidneys and lining of the blood vessels.  It can sometimes be
hard to distinguish from distemper as there are a variety of signs and
symptoms that range from mild to fatal.  Exposed dogs rapidly become
contagious and remain contagious throughout convalescence.

Fatal form: the dog becomes ill, develops bloody diarrhea, collapses
and dies.  Puppies may die without symptoms.

Acute form: High fever, bloody diarrhea, possibly bloody vomit.
Refusal to eat and painful movements.  The dog can become
light-sensitive.

Mild form: Lethargy, possible loss of appetite.


Q.  Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis).

This is characterized by a harsh, convulsive cough.  It is persistent,
contagious, and often develops into secondary complications, such as
chronic bronchitis.  This disease can eventually be fatal.  If your
dog is exposed to many other dogs, or will be boarded at a kennel, it
should be vaccinated against this.  It is so-called, because it
spreads rapidly under "kennel" conditions -- many dogs kept relatively
close together.

"Kennel Cough" is a generic name for a set of symptoms caused by a
number of organisms. These include parainfluenza as well as
bordatella, as well as many others.  Dogs vaccinated with the
bordatella vaccine can still get "kennel cough" because of all the
bugs involved, but it tends to be much less severe.

Bordatella vaccine is squirted into each nostril of the dog and should
be repeated semi-annually.  Parainfluenza vaccine should be a normal
part of your dog's regular shots.

The vaccination is not effective for the first 24 hours, so if you are
getting your dog vaccinated because you will be boarding it, get it
done at least several days in advance!


R.  Kidney Failure.

Acute kidney failure, or kidney failure, is sudden and extreme and
requires urgent care. Usually the dog recovers completely if it
survives at all.

Chronic kidney failure, or kidney disease, is common in old dogs. The
kidneys slowly wear out over a long time.  It can be diagnosed by a
blood test or urinalysis. Early signs include drinking and urinating
more, since the kidneys need extra water, and foamy urine is sometimes
seen.

Treatment is mostly dietary.  They need a very low protein diet that
is also low in certain minerals.  The kidneys are stressed by too much
protein and will wear out more slowly on a low protein diet.  Dogs
with sick kidneys should be given all the water they will drink.

The best known kidney diet is Hills K/D, but there is also Hi-Tor
Neodiet, Neura Kidney Diet, and others. Some "senior dog food" is low
in protein as well, but not as low as the kidney foods.

If you have any reason to suspect it, have the dog checked by a vet.
Many old-dog kidney cases live happily for years with no special care
other than the food.


S.  Leptospirosis.

(summarized From Carlson & Giffin)

In most cases the disease is mild.  Primary symptoms are fever,
listlessness, loss of appetite and depression.  Other symptoms involve
the kidneys: a "hunched up" look due to kidney pain, ulcers on the
mucus membranes of the mouth and tongue, thick brown coating on the
tongue, bleeding from the mouth or bloody stools, severe thirst with
increased urination.  The whites of the eyes may turn yellow.
Persistent vomiting and diarrhea are common.  This disease is more
prevalent in some areas than others.


T.  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Summarized from a set of articles posted by Jim Jaskie
<[e-mail]>

Retrievers that lick their paws excessively, horses that "stump suck",
Dobermans that "flank suck" share the same disorder.  The disorder is
generally mild and most people never notice it, but sometimes it can
go too far and become a hindrance to normal functioning.

Dr. Judith Rapaport (head of the Child Psychiatry Branch of the
National Institute of Mental Health and author of "The Boy Who
Couldn't Stop Washing") explored this area thoroughly, because of
similarities with a human malady called "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
(OCD)."  This is a disorder that induces unusual behavior such as an
irresistible desire to wash your hands, over and over, even when they
are not dirty.

The experiments at NIMH showed that this behavior is caused by a lack
of Seratonin.  This lack can be caused by a genetic predisposition and
also by stress.  Proper medication was shown to relieve similar
problems in dogs, horses and people!  Some of the reported results
were on Labradors that literally licked the hair off of their paws,
dropping the habit completely after medication.

This research is also a landmark in the understanding of the effect of
some of the neural transmitters and has led to a whole new family of
some wonderful new medicines.  This work has already saved dogs,
horses and people from one of nature's less pleasant maladies, and
promises to shed light on other problems such as epilepsy.

The medication that Dr. Judith Rapoport found to work for dogs with
acralick dermatitis as well as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is
Clomipramine (brand name is Anafranil).  However, Fluoxetine (brand
name is Prozac) is now being used very successfully for OCD and has
fewer side effects.  You should discuss this with your vet, who will
be able to prescribe these medications for your dog if it has OCD.

Some old-ish but very informative articles that describe this problem
are "Chemistry of Compulsion" by Robert Trotter in the June 1990 issue
of Discover magazine and the very thorough but easy to read article,
"The Biology of Obsessions and Compulsions" by Dr. Rapoport in the
March 1989 issue of Scientific American.  Only the first article
specifically mentions Rapoport's work with dogs, but if you want to
understand what is really going on, read both articles.


U.  Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD).

Osteochondrosis dissecans affects dogs of the large rapidly growing
breeds between the ages of four and twelve months.  It usually is
found in the shoulder joints, but rarely it can affect the hocks or
stifles.  It is due to a defect in the cartilage overlying the head of
one of the long bones.  A puppy who jumps down stairs might sustain
such an injury.  The tendency for cartilage to be easily damaged may
be hereditary.  Repeated stress to the joint perpetrates the
condition.  The signs are gradual lameness in a young dog of one of
the larger breeds.

Pain is present on flexing the joint.  X-rays may show fragmentation
of the joint cartilage, or a loose piece of cartilage in the joint.
Treatment: The condition can be treated by confinement, or by surgical
removal of the damaged cartilage.  Pain pills are not recommended, as
they are in most traumatic joint conditions, because they encourage
the dog to exercise which only further damages the joint.


V.  Panosteitis (puppy limp).

Also called pano, this is an inflammation of the membrane covering the
bone and is relatively common.  Rest, quiet, and sometimes a
vet-approved painkiller are generally recommended for the puppy.  Some
vets recommend a reduced protien (usually an adult mixture) diet.
This can strike anytime between 6-18 months of age and rarely lasts
past two years of age.

If the limping goes from leg to leg (i.e., one day the dog limps on
the right rear leg and the next it limps on the left front), it is
very likely pano.  Pano can also be diagnosed via x-rays.

Fortunately, lasting effects are uncommon, and most puppies outgrow
it.  It is not known what causes pano, the belief is that there is
either a hereditary link, perhaps just a predisposition toward,
causing pano.


W.  Patellar Luxation

Thanks to Edwin Barkdoll for this summary, and to Jeff Parke for comments:

There are many types and degrees of patellar luxation.  The patella
(kneecap) can luxate (dislocate) medially (towards the body midline)
or laterally (away from the midline) and can be traumatic or
congenital in origin.  Small or toy breeds are much more likely to
have this problem than larger breeds and they tend towards medial
luxations; larger breeds tend to have lateral luxations if they
develop this problem.

A system has been devised for grading patellar luxations: Type I -
luxation seen only with leg in extension and when pressure is applied
to the patella directly say during a physical exam by the vet,
luxation resolves spontaneously when pressure is removed.  Type II -
patella is usually in normal position, but luxates with pressure or
during flexion of the limb.  The patella does not spontaneously
return to normal but can be returned to normal manually or by the dog
itself.  Type III - patella is luxated most of the time but can be
temporarily returned to normal position manually.  Type IV - patella
is always luxated and cannot be returned to normal position manually.

Surgical correction is not usually considered necessary unless the dog
shows symptoms - pain, gait abnormalities - but you should talk with
your vet about your options and get a second opinion if necessary.

Regarding surgical success, apparently about 50% of surgically treated
cases demonstrate _recurrent_ patellar luxation after 1-7 years
although the severity of the patellar luxation at followup was reduced
and about 90% (!)  showed no signs of lameness.  For the curious, the
(incomplete) reference for these data is Willauer and Vasseur (1987)
in _Veterinary Surgery_.


X.  Poisons.

If you need to *induce* vomiting, first make sure that it's appropriate
to do so.  Don't induce vomiting
  * more than two hours after ingesting problematic substance
  * when the substance is an acid, alkali, solvent, or petroleum product,
    as it will do as much damage on the way up as it did the way down
  * when dog is comatose or very depressed

To induce vomiting:
  * 1 teaspoon hydrogen peroxide per 30lbs body weight; give once,
    repeat after ten minutes; don't administer more than three times;
    some dogs will drool and look miserable before vomiting
  * 1 teaspoon syrup of Ipecac per 10lbs body weight; works quickly
  * 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt placed far back on the tongue or dissolved
    in 1 oz water; do NOT repeat dosage; dry mustard powder (same
    instructions) may be substituted

1.  Local Poison Control Centers

Check the emergency room of the local hospital and ask for the number
of the local Poison Control Center.  You should have this number up on
the refrigerator alongside the vet's number and the emergency care
number.

2.  National Animal Poison Control Center

The National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) provides as 24-hour
emergency hotline that every dog owner should keep in plain sight.
The hotline numbers are [phone] and [phone].  The 800
number requires a credit card number and charges a flat $30; the 900
number is $2.95 per minute for a maximum of $30.

The NAPCC is a non-profit service of the University of Illinois and is
the first animal-oriented poison center in the United States.  Since
1978, it has provided advice to animal owners and conferred with
veterinarians about poisoning exposures.  The NAPCC's phones are
answered by licensed veterinarians and board-certified veterinary
toxicologists.  They have specialized information that lets the
experienced NAPCC staff make specific recommendations for your
animals; plus over 250,000 records are in their database.

When you call, be ready to provide:
  * Your name, address, and phone number;
  * If calling the 800 number, your credit card number;
  * The species, breed, age, sex, weight, and number of animals involved;
  * The poison your animals have been exposed to, if known;
  * Information concerning the poisoning (the amount of poison, the time
    since exposure, etc.); and
  * The problems your animals are experiencing.

Household products and plants are the most common culprits in poisoning
cases.  In the case of poisoning from household products, many companies
cover the costs the pet owners incur when it has been determined that
their product is responsible for the reaction.

For further information, write to: The American Humane Association, 63
Inverness Drive East, Englewood, CO 80112-5117, or call (303)
792-9900.


3.  Foods.

Chocolate, tea, coffee, cola:

It is not chocolate itself that is poisonous to dogs, it is the
theobromine, a naturally occuring compound found in chocolate.
Theobromine causes different reactions to different dogs: dogs with
health problems, especially epilepsy, are more affected by theobromine
than healthy dogs.  Theobromine can trigger epileptic seizures in dogs
prone to or at risk of epilepsy.  The size of the dog will also be a
major factor: the smaller the dog, the more affected it is by the same
amount than a larger dog.  Therefore, toxicity is described on a mg/Kg
basis.

Furthermore, theobromine can cause cardiac irregularity, especially if
the dog becomes excited.  Cardiac arythmia can precipitate a
myocardial infarct which can kill the dog.

Theobromine also irritates the GI tract and in some dogs can cause
internal bleeding which in some cases kills them a day or so later.

Theobromine is also present in differing amounts in different kinds of
chocolate.  milk chocolate has 44-66 mg/oz, dark chocolate 450 mg/oz
and baking/bitter chocolate or cocoa powder varies as much as 150-600
mg/oz.  How much chocolate a dog can survive depends on its weight
(and other unknown circumstances).  Under 200 mg theobromine per kg
body weight no deaths have been observed.

Theobromine will stay in the bloodstream between 14 and 20 hours.  It
goes back into the bloodstream through the stomach lining and takes a
long time for the body to filter out.  Because theobromine is
eliminated through the liver rather than through the kidneys, it takes
a long time to eliminate it.

Within two hours of ingestion, try inducing vomiting unless your dog
is markedly stimulated, comatose, or has lost the gag reflex.  If your
dog has eaten a considerable amount of chocolate, or displays any of
the above symptoms, take it to the vet without delay.

In the absence of major symptoms, administer activated charcoal.  The
unabsorbed theobromine will chemically bond to this and be eliminated
in the feces.  In pinch, burnt (as in thoroughly burnt, crumbling in
hand) toast will do.

Nuts:

Walnuts are poisonous to dogs and should be avoided.  Many nuts are
not good for dogs in general, their high phosporous content is said to
possibly lead to bladder stones.

Misc:

Onions, especially raw onions, have been shown to trigger hemolytic
anemia in dogs.


Potato poisonings among people and dogs have occurred.  Solanum
alkaloids can be found in in green sprouts and green potato skins,
which occurs when the tubers are exposed to sunlight during growth or
after harvest.  The relatively rare occurrence of actual poisoning is
due to several factors: solanine is poorly absorbed; it is mostly
hydrolyzed into less toxic solanidinel; and the metabolites are
quickly eliminated.  Note that cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for
dogs, actually quite nutritious and digestible.

Turkey skin is currently thought to cause acute pancreatis in dogs.

4.  Poisonous houseplants

In assessing the risk to your dog from these plants, you need to consider
both the age of your dog and it's propensity to chew on plants.  Many of
the below toxic plants rarely cause problems because most dogs don't chew
them -- the exceptions being, of course, young puppies who are inclined
to explore the world with their mouths, teething dogs who may chew on
EVERYTHING, and older dogs that are simply fond of chewing.  Oleander,
for example, is rather toxic, but most cases of poisoning involve
1) cattle, other grazing livestock 2) puppies and 3) human babies/toddlers.

Dumb cane is probably the one plant that should always be kept out of
reach, since it takes only one nibble to have a potentially fatal
situation.

(from Carlson & Giffin.)

  * That give rash after contact with the skin or mouth:
    (mums might produce dermatitis)

    chrysanthemum        poinsettia           creeping fig
    weeping fig          spider mum           pot mum

  * Irritating (toxic oxalates), especially the mouth gets swollen;
    tongue pain; sore lips; some swell so quickly a tracheotomy is
    needed before asphyxiation:

    arrowhead vine       majesty              boston ivy
    neththytis ivy       colodium             pathos
    emerald duke         red princess         heart leaf (philodendron)
    split leaf (phil.)   saddle leaf (phil.)  marble queen

  * Toxic plants - may contain wide variety of poisons.  Most cause
    vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps.  Some cause tremors, heart and
    respiratory and/or kidney problems, which are difficult for
    owner to interpret:

    amaryllis            elephant ears        pot mum
    asparagus fern       glocal ivy           ripple ivy
    azalea               heart ivy            spider mum
    bird of paradise     ivy                  sprangeri fern
    creeping charlie     jerusalem cherry     umbrella plant
    crown of thorns      needlepoint ivy

5.  Poisonous outdoor plants

(from Carlson & Giffin.)

  * Produce vomiting and diarrhea in some cases:

    delphinium           poke weed            indian tobacco
    daffodil             bittersweet woody    wisteria
    castor bean          ground cherry        soap berry
    indian turnip        fox glove            skunk cabbage
    larkspur

  * May produce vomiting, abdominal pain, and in some cases diarrhea

    horse chestnut buckeye   western yew      apricot, almond
    rain tree monkey pod     english holly    peach, cherry
    privet                   wild cherry      mock orange
    japanese plum            american yew     bird of paradise
    balsam pear              english yew      black locust

  * Varied toxic effect

    rhubarb               buttercup           moonseed
    spinach               nightshade          may apple
    sunburned potatoes    poison hemolock     dutchman's breeches
    tomato vine           jimson weed         mescal bean
    loco weed             pig weed            angel's trumpet
    lupine                water hemlock       jasmine
    dologeton             mushrooms           matrimony vine
    dumb cane

  * Hallucinogens

    marijuana             periwinkle          morning glory
    peyote                nutmeg              loco weed

  * Convulsions

    china berry           nux vomica          coriaria
    water hemlock         moon weed

6.  Poisonous household items

Acetaminophen               Laxatives
AntiFreeze            Lead
Aspirin                Lye
Bleach                Matches
Boric Acid            Metal Polish
Brake Fluid            Mineral Spirits
Carbon Monoxide            Mothballs
Carbuerator Cleaner        Nail Polish and Remover
Christmas Tinsel        Paint & Remover
Cleaning Fluid            Perm Solutions
Deoderants/Deoderizers        Phenol
Detergents            Photo Developer
Disinfectants            Rat Poison
Drain Cleaner            Rubbing Alcohol
Dye                Shoe Polish
Fungicides            Sleeping Pills
Furniture Polish        Soaps
Gasoline            Suntan Lotions
Hair Colorings            Tar
Herbicides            Turpentine
Insecticides            Windshield Fluid
Kerosene            Woodstains

7.  Poisonous animals

Bufo toads.  Found in various areas, especially in south Florida.
Very poisonous -- it can kill a small dog in a matter of minutes. It
burns the mucous membrane of the mouth (gums) which is why they drool
and foam, and that's also how it enters the bloodstream.  It kills by
elevating the heart rate and blood pressure to deadly levels, similar
to the effects of chocolate.  There is an antidote and the effects can
be lessened if you immediately flush the dog's mouth with water before
taking it to the vet.


Y.  Rabies

From information supplied by Margaret F. Riley:

Rabies is transmitted by body fluids--urine, saliva, or blood.  An
animal that has rolled in a rabid carcass or has fought with a rabid
animal and has gotten saliva on its fur can still carry rabies home
to you and your family.  Friends of mine are now being treated for
exposure to rabies after playing with the raccoon kits adopted by
another family.  Only the dog is safe.  Ironic, no?

For rabies to infect you, it must come in contact with the skin or
be ingested.   Dogs and cats can ingest it by getting the saliva or
blood of a rabid animal in their mouths where it will be absorbed
through the mucous membranes.  Humans are particularly at risk since
we have so many minute cuts in our skin, that if we touch our dog or
cat after he/she has met a rabid animal, we can become infected.
Dog safe, family rabid.

Rabies cannot be detected by a blood test since it invades the neural
system.  The only detection at this time is by examining the brain after
death for signs of the infection.   The incubation time is 3-6 months,
which is why the standard quarantine for animals in some countries is
6 months.

Call the local health inspector, animal control officer, or police if
your dog or cat has tangled with another animal that you suspect might
be rabid.  Dogs and cats which have been vaccinated against rabies
should wear a tag at all times when not in the house to prevent being
destroyed to check for rabies.  It is much more serious than a bite,
it is the transmission of body fluids which moves the virus around.

Additional information from [e-mail]:

This debate on the transmission of rabies is beginning to sound like
the debate that has been raging about AIDS.  What I learned in my
veterinary science courses and my animal management courses is as
follows:
  * Rabies is transmitted through bite wounds, especially the puncture
    wounds , as it needs a damp place for the virus to live and
    "incubate".  I have never heard it mentioned that the rabies virus
    can pass through mucous membranes and skin, unless this is a new
    development (or a new fear, like AIDS in the air).
  * The virus travels along the nerves until it reaches the brain and
    kills the animal.  This is why the brain is needed for the test
    and the test can only be performed if the animal has been killed.
    This is also why the incubation period for the virus varies.  The
    virus is also very sensitive and requires very specific conditions
    to survive.
  * Most veterinarians will recommend another booster as soon as
    possible if the dog has been bit or is suspected to have been bit.
    The sooner the better to help protect against the virus before it
    has time to spread.


Z.  Ringworm.

(prepared by Edwin Barkdoll)

Despite the name, ringworm is caused by a fungus _Microsporum canis_
and less frequently by other species.  Ringworm infections remain
limited to skin and superficial structures like hair and less
frequently nails in cats and dogs.  The infecting fungi require the
keratin in superficial skin layers and nails, horns etc for their
metabolism and furthermore do not grow well at the warmer temperatures
of subcutaneous tissues, hence the superficial distribution.  Note
that ringoworm agents are obligate parasites - they normally live on
the skin, although not in pathogenic numbers.

It can be transmitted between animals by skin abrasion or mild trauma,
grooming tools, scabs etc particularly if the animal's immune system
has been compromised, e.g. with steroids.  In a normal, healthy animal
ringworm infections are usually mild and self limiting, say 1-2
months.  A major motivation for getting rid of a ringworm infection is
to prevent *you* the owner from getting it.

If it is a mild infection topical application of lime sulfur is
supposed to be good, although it can be smelly.  Chlorhexidine shampoo
is also effective as is also a relatively new 2% miconazole shampoo
($$$).  If the infection is severe, oral griseofulvin is effective but
also $$$.

The round, ring-like lesions are suggestive but _not_ diagnostic and
are not even the typical lestion in cats and dogs.  The animal may
have itchy, scaly, crusty and hairless areas.  Fungal culture is
probably the best diagnostic method but many vets are not set up to
culture fungi.  A Wood's lamp can be used but not all ringworm agents
will fluouresce so absence of fluourescence does not mean no ringworm,
furthermore other things besides ringworm also fluoresce.  In other
words Wood's lamp is not a great test.  Microscopic examination of
skin scrapings may reveal the actual organism.

Finally, if you think your dog/cat has ringworm take it to the vet for
diagnosis and treatment.  If it does have ringworm, *you* can get it,
but prevention is straightforward - treat your animal.


AA.  Thyroid Disorders.

Common symptoms are:
  * seeking warm places to curl up
  * lessened activity
  * slow coat growth, brittle fur
  * ring around the neck where fur won't grow, or loss of hair in trunk
  * loss of appetite/excessive appetite
  * dry, thickened skin
  * prone to skin infections
  * infertility

Dogs are often middle-aged or older, although this also occurs in
younger dogs.  According to the Merck Veterinary Manual,
hypothyroidism is common in all breeds and all sexes, although the
incidence is highest in spayed females.  Treatment involves daily
thyroid pills, a permanent regimen.

In the March '92 issue of Dog World is an excellent article,
"Autoimmune thyroid disease" by Dr. Jean Dodds DVM (a nationally
recognized expert on the subject) explains a lot about thyroid
conditions in dogs.  She also goes to great effort to explain that
dogs can be hypothyroid WITHOUT showing the "classic" signs.  She also
explains typical course of treatment and followups.  There's also a
long list of breeds that are "predisposed" to problems.

[As a counterweight, note that many vets do not take Dr. Dodds
seriously because she does not publish in respected journals such as
JAVMA but rather in "popular" magazines. So always discuss fully and
candidly with your vet and bear in mind that many otherwise
"asymptomatic" dogs are diagnosed with low or abnormal thyroid levels.
This article is not attempting to argue one way or another over
Dr. Dodds' credentials, it's merely trying to be as informative as
possible.]

More subtle signs:
  * overweight despite controlled diets
  * thin coats (not hair loss)
  * smelling bad
  * chronic ear infections
  * seizures.
  * sudden changes in temperament

The article by Dr. Dodds points out that the "subtle" signs are just
now being recognized by the veterinary community.

There is another article about thyroid problems in the Sept or Oct
('91) _Dog World_, and again, pointing out more unusual signs in the
Sept. '92 issue of _Dog World_.

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This article is Copyright (c) 1992, 1993 by Cindy Tittle Moore.  It may be
freely distributed in its entirety provided that this copyright notice
is not removed.  It may not be sold for profit nor incorporated in
commercial documents without the author's written permission.  This
article is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty.

Cindy Tittle Moore
Internet: [e-mail]           USmail: PO BOX 4188, Irvine CA 92716
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