Common Pets Diseases & Symptoms

Common Pets Diseases 

Common Dog Diseases & Symptoms

As a dog owner, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of common dog diseases illnesses so you can seek veterinary help for your dog as soon as possible.

Cancer

Symptoms of cancer in dogs (which are not always malignant, but should always be examined by a vet)

·         Swelling

·         Persistent sores

·         Abnormal discharge from any part of the body

·         Bad breath

·         Listlessness/lethargy

·         Rapid, often unexplained weight loss

·         Sudden lameness

·         Black, tarry stools (a symptom of ulcers, which can be caused by mast cell tumors)

·         Decreased or loss of appetite

·         Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog shows any of the clinical signs mentioned on the list above

Diabetes

Diabetes in dogs is a complex disease caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or an inadequate response to insulin.

Diabetes Symptoms in Dogs:

·         Change in appetite

·         Excessive thirst/increase in water consumption

·         Weight loss

·         Increased urination

·         Unusually sweet-smelling or fruity breath

·         Lethargy

·         Dehydration

·         Urinary tract infections

·         Vomiting

·         Cataract formation, blindness

·         Chronic skin infections

If your dog is showing any abnormal clinical signs as listed above, make an appointment to see your veterinarian immediately. If a diabetic dog is not treated, he can develop secondary health problems like cataracts and severe urinary tract problems.

Heartworm

Heartworm is a parasitic worm that lives in the heart and pulmonary arteries of an infected animal.

Heartworm Symptoms:

·         Labored breathing

·         Coughing

·         Vomiting

·         Weight loss, listlessness and fatigue after only moderate exercise

Some dogs exhibit no symptoms at all until late stages of infection

Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is a term loosely used to describe a complex of respiratory infections—both viral and bacterial

Symptoms of Kennel Cough:

·         Gagging

·         Coughing up white foamy phlegm

·         Fever

·         Nasal discharge

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that may affect the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including cats, dogs and humans.

Symptoms of Rabies:

·         Changes in behavior (including restlessness, apprehension, aggression or irritability)

·         Biting or snapping at any form of stimulus

·         Attacking other animals, humans and even inanimate objects

·         Licking, biting and chewing at the bite site

·         Fever

·         Hypersensitivity

·         Hiding in dark places

·         Eating unusual objects

·         Paralysis of the throat and jaw muscles

·         Foaming at the mouth

·         Paralysis of the hind legs

·         Loss of appetite

·         Weakness

·         Seizures

Ringworm

Ringworm Symptoms:

·         Skin lesions that typically appear on the head, ears, paws and forelimbs.

·         Ringworm can patchy, crusted, circular bald spots that sometimes look red in the center

·         In mild cases, there may be just a few broken hairs, while bad cases can spread over most of a dog’s body.

·         It’s also possible for a pet to carry the fungus and not show any symptoms whatsoever.

Treating Ringworm

Bathe all pets in the household with a medicated rinse or shampoo.

Wash the infected animals’ bedding and toys with a disinfectant that kills ringworm spores.

Frequently vacuum to rid the house of infected hairs and skin cells. (Yes, the fungus can survive on hair and skin that your dog sheds!)

Common Cat Diseases

As a cat owner, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of common illnesses so you can seek veterinary help.

Cancer

Cancer is a class of diseases in which cells grow uncontrollably, invade surrounding tissue and may spread to other areas of the body. 

Cancer Symptoms

·         Lumps (which are not always malignant, but are always worth having a veterinarian examine)

·         Swelling

·         Persistent sores or skin infections

·         Abnormal discharge from any part of the body

·         Bad breath

·         Weight loss

·         Sudden lameness

·         Diarrhea or vomiting

·         Scaly and/or red skin patches

·         Decreased or loss of appetite

·         Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

·         Change in behavior

·         Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat shows any of the clinical signs mentioned on the list above.

Diabetes

Diabetes in cats is a complex disease caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or an inadequate response to insulin.

Diabetes Symptoms in Cats:

·         Change in appetite (either increased or decreased)

·         Weight loss

·         Excessive thirst/increase in water consumption

·         Increased urination

·         Urinating in areas other than litter box

·         Unusually sweet-smelling breath

·         Lethargy

·         Dehydration

·         Unkempt hair coat

·         Urinary tract infection

If your cat is showing any abnormal clinical signs as listed above, make an appointment to see your veterinarian immediately.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may not show symptoms until years after the initial infection occurred.

If your cat is demonstrating any of the following symptoms, please have examined by your veterinarian:

·         Enlarged lymph nodes

·         Fever

·         Anemia

·         Weight loss

·         Disheveled coat

·         Poor appetite

·         Diarrhea

·         Abnormal appearance or inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis)

·         Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis)

·         Inflammation of the mouth (stomatitis)

·         Dental disease

·         Skin redness or hair loss

·         Wounds that don’t heal

·         Sneezing

·         Discharge from eyes or nose

·         Frequent urination, straining to urinate or urinating outside of litter box

·         Behavior change

Heartworm

Spread by infected mosquitoes, heartworm is increasingly being recognized as an underlying cause of health problems in domestic cats

The following signs may indicate that your cat has been infected:

·         Persistent cough

·         Breathing difficulties (panting, wheezing, rapid or open-mouthed breathing)

·         Depression

·         Loss of appetite

·         Weight loss

·         Sporadic vomiting

·         Lethargy

Ringworm

Although the name suggests otherwise, ringworm isn’t caused by a worm at all—but a fungus that can infect the skin, hair and nails.

Ringworm Symptoms:

·         Ringworm can cause flaky bald patches that sometimes look red in the center.

·         In mild cases, there may be localized areas of redness or simply dandruff, while more severe infections can spread over a cat’s entire body.

·         It’s also possible for a pet to carry ringworm spores and not show any symptoms whatsoever.

Common Parrot Diseases

·         Psittacosis (Parrot fever)

·         Lack of appetite

·         Difficulty breathing

·         Depression

·         Watery, green droppings

·         Discharge from eyes and nose

·         Antibiotic treatment under the proper care of your avian vet can result in successful treatment of your parrot.

·         Polyomavirus

·         Specific signs that your bird might be infected:

·         Swollen abdomen

·         Loss of appetite

·         Vomiting or diarrhea

·         Weight loss

·         Dehydration

·         Pacheco’s Disease

·         Specific symptoms include:

·         Tremors

·         Lethargy

·         Sinusitis

·         Anorexia

·         Green droppings

·         This deadly, viral disease is caused by a form of the herpes virus. It is spread through infected feces and nasal discharge.

·         Giardia

·         A protozoal disease with these symptoms:

·         Diarrhea

·         Dry itching skin

·         Weight loss

·         Bulky stool

·         This parasitic disease can be passed from infected birds through cysts released into the bird’s feces. It can be treated with antibiotics and usually requires several courses as it often recurs.

·         Bacterial Infection

·         Specific signs include:

·         Discharge in the choana or nares

·         Plaques or white, ropy mucus in the oropharynx

·         Wheezing

·         Sinusitis

The only way to determine if indeed there is a bacterial infection is a blood test. Treatment is with antibiotics and if caught in time prognosis is good.