Canine Health Flashcards
2 Major Areas
Prevention (most of our focus)
* Biosecurity
* Quarantine
* Nutrition
* Sanitation
* Parasite Prevention
* Dental Care
* Vaccination
Treatment
Quarantine
Really a part of biosecurity
Not easy to do in most household situations
Introducing new animals:
* Quarantining new dogs can protect current animals from diseases new dogs might have
* Good to check vaccination history of dogs (both new and old)
* Vaccinate ahead of time if possible
Nutrition
Good quality feed is important
Most commercial diets are acceptable (make sure they are AAFCO certified)
Obesity is a BIG problem:
* Precursor to many ailments
* Must resist urge to overfeed
Nutrition: Pups
Should have colostrum (in first 24-48 hours)
Colostrum contains immunoglobulins (Ig) (maternal antibodies)
* Passive immunity
* Ig titers will be important for vaccination strategy
Don’t give calcium supplements (especially to large breed pups) - shouldn’t need supplements bc you should be feeding a good diet
* Can mess up ratio of calcium, phosphorus, vit D and cause problems
Sanitation
- Equipment: bowls, brushes - easily cleaned
- Kennels: Wire or concrete floors, if possible (easily cleaned)
- Outdoor yards (exercise areas) can be a problem
Disinfectants
* Chlorine bleach (cheap, available, effective safe) - must get rid of organic matter first (dirt, feces)
* Fomite - inanimate item that can transmit disease
* Vector - living organism that transmits disease
Dental Care
Good to brush dog’s teeth
Some dental toys available, too
Studies show increase in lifespan
Vaccination
Active immunity
DHLP-P, rabies
Distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus
Often vaccinate pups multiple times (at least 3 times)
* 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 weeks for example
Why do we vaccinate so often? (red - green - blue)
Titer - measure of # of antibodies dog has
* Titer must be above the unsafe line bc otherwise dog will probably get sick
* If Titer is above the green, dog is so safe that the body won’t even recognize the virus (hyperimmunity)
* When pup is born, titer immediately goes way up to blue because of the colostrum
* If you vaccinate right away, it won’t work bc maternal antibodies will wipe out vaccine
* Titer starts to go down after colostrum wears out, so while it is going down, should vaccinate while titer is in the green
* All pups are different - so vaccinate multiple times bc one of them should be in the window
Puppy Shots
- Different from vaccinations
- Not overly common
- May be given to pups with special risk or highly stressed pups
- Contains immunoglobulins (antiserum)
- NOT active immunity - for pups who didn’t get colostrum, etc
Viral Diseases
- Distemper
- Hepatitis (affects liver)
- Parvovirus
- Coronavirus
- Rabies
- Para-influenza (part of Kennel Cough disease)
- Kennel Cough
Distemper
Pretty deadly
Annual booster vaccinations - becoming less common
Hepatitis (affects liver)
Usually affects young and old
Parvovirus
Fever, bloody diarrhea, dehydration
Highly contagious
Coronavirus
Similar to parvovirus
Less damaging to intestine
Bloody diarrhea
Para-influenza (part of Kennel Cough disease)
Usually combined with bacteria
Dry, hacking cough, gagging
Kennel cough
Greater exposure in group kennels
Vaccination
May be given intranasally
Produces better local immunity
Bacterial Diseases
Bordetella bronchiseptica
* “The other half” of kennel cough
* Usually included in the vaccination
Leptospirosis
* Acute infection
* Spread through contact (esp urine)
* Drinking from water outside
* Can affect humans
* Vaccinate annually if dog is at risk
Other diseases
Fungal: ringworm - patches of hair falling out
Parasites
Cancer
Fairly common problem
Estimated 1 in 4 dogs die from cancer
Can be very expensive to treat
Common signs
* Abnormal swellings
* Weight loss, loss of appetite
Dentistry, Eyes, Wheelchair
Dentistry:
* Preventive care at home - brush teeth
* Favorite flavors (malt, poultry, beef)
* More “exotic work”
* Many dogs have gum disease
Eyes: eye tests
Wheelchairs: for dogs w/ paralysis in legs
