Illness + Injuries

Question 1

Different types of diseases

Answer 1

Infectious diseases eg Avian influenza
Deficiency diseases eg Scurvy
Hereditary diseases eg Hip dysplasia
Physiological diseases eg Diabetes

Question 2

Canine Distemper

Answer 2

A virus that attacks multiple organs e.g. heart, lungs, brain, immune system

Signs - runny ears and eyes, diarrhea, thickened paw pads, coughing, tremors, paralysis, seizure

No treatment / General care given to make the dog comfortable / Vaccinate as a puppy

Question 3

Canine Parvovirus

Answer 3

A virus that attacks the intestines

Spreads in fecal matter

Signs - smelly, watery and bloody diarrhea, vomiting,

No treatment / Intensive nursing and fluid therapy / Vaccinate as a puppy

Question 4

Canine Leptospirosis

Answer 4

A bacterial disease that primarily affects the liver or kidneys

Signs - Jaundice, bloody diarrhea, blood from mouth and eyes

Treatment in isolation / Antibiotics and fluid therapy / Vaccinate as a puppy

Question 5

Kennel Cough

Answer 5

A highly infectious respiratory disease

Signs - hacking cough, white phlegm, runny nose and eyes, a lot of sneezing

Treatment - general care and rest to help fight infection / Anti-inflammatories / Vaccinate as a puppy

Question 6

Canine Parainfluenza

Answer 6

A serious respiratory condition that spreads easily

Signs - dry and wet sounding coughs, may cough blood, discharge from eyes and nose

No treatment / Meds given to ease symptoms / Antibiotics may be given to reduce the risk of secondary infections

Question 7

Canine Hepatitis

Answer 7

A viral infection - inflammation of liver

Signs - appear depressed, cloudiness of the cornea, respiratory signs, discharge from eyes and nose

No treatment / Antibiotics to help prevent secondary infections / Fluid therapy

Question 8

Feline Panleukopenia

Answer 8

A highly infectious disease caused by feline parvovirus

Signs - vomiting, watery diarrhea with blood

No treatment / Fluid therapy and antibiotics offered / Vaccinate

Question 9

Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (Cat Flu)

Answer 9

Bacterial and viral (often like a common human cold)

Signs - sneezing, coughing, sore throat, weepy eyes, snotty nose, sore eyes, mouth ulcers

No treatment but meds given to ease some symptoms / Anti-inflammatories for temp / meds such as Mucolytics helps break down mucous in cats respiratory tract / Vaccinate

Question 10

Feline Leukemia Virus

Answer 10

A fatal viral disease that effects the immune system. Caught by direct contact with the saliva of an infected cat.

Signs - recurrent infections, off colour, severe anemia, cancer, breeding issues

No cure prognosis is poor / Would likely PTS

Question 11

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD)
/ Viral Haem Disease

Answer 11

A virus that attacks their internal organs (liver) and causes significant internal bleeding likely leading to death

Fatal between 12-14 days

Signs - blood around nose, ears, mouth, or bottom area, sudden death

No treatment / Kindest option is PTS

Question 12

Myxomatosis

Answer 12

A fatal viral disease (can be spread by ectoparasites e.g. fleas and ticks)

Death can occur 10 - 14 days after infection

Signs - swelling, redness, ulcers and discharge from eyes and nose and possibly ears, blindness due to inflammation, respiratory problems

No treatment so only support given / Prevention is key so vaccinate

Question 13

Common Surgical Conditions

Answer 13

Abscesses
Wounds
Breaks / Fractures
Foreign bodies

Question 14

Arthritis

Answer 14

Inflammation of the joints
Prone to older animals
Damaged or abnormal cartilage
Overweight animals are prone as well
No cure
Pain meds given
Surgery may be an option if it becomes to much to control with pain meds
Hydrotherapy

Question 15

Colitis

Answer 15

The inflammation of the large intestine (colon)
Numerous causes: from eating anything unusual to something long term such as irritable bowel syndrome

Signs - Runny, more frequent faeces containing fresh blood and/or mucus, constipation, lack of appetite which can lead to weight loss, lethargy

Diagnosis - Physical Examination / Stool samples / In server cases X-rays &/or ultrasounds / Blood counts, colonoscopies or colon biopsies

Treatment:
- A bland diet (or special veterinary diet) for a short period.
- De-worming treatment if your vet suspects worms could be the cause.
- Probiotics
- Anti-inflammatories specifically for the gut, which reduce inflammation and pain.

Question 16

Pancreatitis

Answer 16

Inflammation of the pancreas

Causes
Overweight
-Unwell or have recently had surgery
-Recently eaten some high fat foods (e.g. pork, cheese, butter).

Signs - Vomiting, Nausea, Painful Abdomen, Eating less which leads to weight loss

Diagnosis
-PE - including stomach
-Blood tests to measure pancreatic enzymes
-Radiographs or ultrasound, to rule out other causes
-Surgery to take biopsy - worst case

Treatment
-Fluid Therapy - to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance
-Fasting - to give the pancreas a chance to rest and stop producing digestive enzymes
-Pain Medications - with or without anti inflammatories.
-Medications to help with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
-A special diet / low-fat diet. A low-fat, highly digestible diet is ideal for dogs with pancreatitis.

Question 17

Pyometra

Answer 17

A severe infection of the womb. The
womb fills with pus.

Cause - Its caused by a bacterial infection, most
commonly E. coli & often occurs a few weeks after a female has finished a season.

Symptoms
-Extreme cases - thick, brownish pus seeping from the female’s vulva
-Mild cases – Being quiet and off her food
-A noticeably increased thirst
-Licking her private parts

Diagnosis = Blood Test / Ultrasound to confirm

Treatment - Urgent surgery to remove womb

Question 18

Diabetes Mellitus

Answer 18

When an animal can’t produce enough insulin to control their blood sugar level.

• Type 1 – Body does not produce enough
  insulin
• Type 2 – Body produces insulin but cant use
  it well
• Gestational – Hormonal Imbalance
  Temporary condition during pregnancy

Signs - Increased urination, excessive thirst, increased hunger, weight loss

Diagnosis
-Urine Test – Looking at glucose levels in the urine
-Blood Test – Again looking at glucose levels

No treatment for Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes / Insulin injections / Control Feeding / Controlled Exercise

Question 19

Chronic Renal Failure

Answer 19

Occurs where there is long-standing, irreversible damage to the kidneys which impairs their
function. Affects mainly older animals.

Causes – Hard to identify, however other health issues are linked such as:
-Polycystic Kidney Disease
-Infections
-Age - renal functionality
-Toxins

Diagnosis
-Urine Tests – assessing concentrated & whether protein is being lost in their urine.
-Blood Tests – to check for specific kidney function, to get an idea of overall health & to see if the build-up of toxins has affected any of their other organs.

Treatment
No cure – It is a progressive condition therefore early diagnosis & supportive
treatment are required to slow the progression & improve the animals quality of life.

If an underlying cause can be found and if this is treatable, the progression of the CRF
may be stopped.

In most cases however a specific cause is not found and treatment is aimed at
management of the disease.

Question 20

Urinary Tract Disease

Answer 20

UTD is a very general term used to describe any one of several conditions that can affect any part of the urinary tract. Affects kidneys, uterus, bladder, urethra.

A few of the conditions that can affect the urinary tract:
-Kidney Failure
-Kidney & Bladder Stones
-Urinary Tract Infections
-Urinary Incontinence

Question 21

Congestive Heart Failure

Answer 21

When the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood to the body, causing an increase in pressure & fluid that eventually leaks into the lungs.

Causes
-Heart defect at birth
-Old Age
-Injury of the Heart
-Lack of proper diet

Symptoms
-Struggling to breathe
-Getting tired more easily on walks or during play
-Coughing up blood
-Collapsing

Diagnosis
-Chest X-rays – Checking the size of the heart
-An electrocardiogram to measure the electrical activity in the heart
-An echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart

Treatment
-Oxygen Therapy

Medications:
-To remove the excess fluid, build up in the lungs and body
-To relax the body’s blood vessels
-To strengthen the force of contractions in the heart and improve blood flow