Illness + Injuries Flashcards
Different types of diseases
Infectious diseases eg Avian influenza
Deficiency diseases eg Scurvy
Hereditary diseases eg Hip dysplasia
Physiological diseases eg Diabetes
Canine Distemper
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
Canine Parvovirus
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
Canine Leptospirosis
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
Kennel Cough
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
Canine Parainfluenza
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
Canine Hepatitis
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
Feline Panleukopenia
A highly infectious disease caused by feline parvovirus
Signs - vomiting, watery diarrhea with blood
No treatment / Fluid therapy and antibiotics offered / Vaccinate
Feline Upper Respiratory Disease (Cat Flu)
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
Feline Leukemia Virus
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
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD)
/ Viral Haem Disease
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
Myxomatosis
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
Common Surgical Conditions
Abscesses
Wounds
Breaks / Fractures
Foreign bodies
Arthritis
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
Colitis
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.
Pancreatitis
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.
Pyometra
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
Diabetes Mellitus
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
Chronic Renal Failure
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.
Urinary Tract Disease
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
Congestive Heart Failure
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
