3 Dog and Cat Health

Question 1

Canine Distemper

Answer 1

Caused by an airborne virus, distemper is a severe disease that, among other problems, may cause permanent brain damage.

Question 2

Infectious Canine Hepatitis

Answer 2

Viral infection of the liver of dogs that can spread through body fluids. Affects circulation and prolongs clotting time.

Question 3

Canine Parvovirus

Answer 3

Highly contagious disease that affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs; The virus attacks the lining of the intestines and the bone marrow. The damaged bone marrow can no longer produce enough white blood cells needed to fight off infections.and presents with most commonly gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhoea.

Question 4

Bordetellosis (Kennel Cough)

Answer 4

Can start off as a viral infection. Bordetella bronchiseptica is the normal bacteria in upper respiratory tract of dog; doesn’t auto mean dog will get kennel cough, only if conditions align leading to increased bacteria growth which will paralyse cilia.

Cilia is a mucus escalator; mucus traps dust etc and cilia moves mucus layer so when it’s paralysed, virus has better chance of infection –> immune suppression

Question 5

Tapeworm

Answer 5

1) Dipylidium canium: long segmented worm in small intestine
- Eggs get on the carpet, fleas eat egg, grows in the fleas, fleas get on dog

2)Echinococcus granulosus: more dangerous to humans
Eggs get on the grass, sheep comes along and eats, larvae grows in sheep as a big fluid filled cyst;
Cysts can develop in internal organs of humans as well; cysts can be very big by the time of diagnosis (~10l); people end up having several ops to remove.

Stop dogs from eating offal

Question 6

Dog skin diseases

Answer 6

1) Immune mediated
2) Infectious
3) Hereditary
4) Secondary
5) Skin cancers

Question 7

Worms (Cats)

Answer 7

1) Tapeworm
2) Roundworm
3) Flea/Rodent