Canine Bordetella

Canine bordetella is a very contagious disease caused by bacteria. The bacteria invades your dog’s respiratory system. The disease, which routinely affects puppies, is rarely life-threatening.

Cause

The bacteria that causes bordetella can easily be transmitted through the air. The disease mostly affects dogs that live with lots of other dogs. Kennels and pet shops are commonly affected. Once one dog gets infected, the condition will quickly spread unless the infected dog is separated from the rest.

Symptoms

Symptoms of canine bordetella normally appear one week after the dog has been infected. The main symptom of the disease is a severe cough that lasts about two weeks. To you, it may sound like your dog has something stuck in his throat. If your dog has a weak immune system, then this cough may last longer than two weeks. In some cases, dogs also develop pneumonia which can be life-threatening. The onset of pneumonia will require that your dog be hospitalized.

Treatment

Since it is caused by bacteria, this condition can be treated with antibiotics. The veterinarian may also give your dog cough suppressants. Dogs usually respond to treatment soon after it has begun. However, some dogs will develop a chronic cough as the result of a bout with canine bordetella. This coughing can last for a few months. The best way to prevent your dog from getting this disease is to have him vaccinated. The vaccine is given via nose drops

We all want our dogs to remain healthy forever. However, sooner or later something is bound to happen. It's best to be prepared for this situation by having affordable pet insurance. This will help you deal with veterinary bills in case the unexpected happens. Learn how you can start protecting your dog today with a free pet insurance quote!

Canine Blastomycosis

Canine blastomycosis is a fungal disease that usually begins in the lungs. After infecting the lungs, it spreads to other parts of your dog’s body. This condition causes symptoms similar to a viral infection or cancer. Therefore, it is routinely misdiagnosed.

Blastomycosis is caused by a fungus that grows in decaying vegetation or moist soil. The fungus releases spores when the soil or vegetation is disturbed. Dogs easily inhale these spores into their lungs while digging. Humans can also inhale these spores and become infected.

As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of this disease are usually mistaken for cancer, canine Lyme disease, a viral infection, or canine valley fever. Common symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, and fever. It is also common for dogs to develop lesions on their paws and nose.

Some dogs also suffer ocular disorders. This can prompt your dog to suddenly go blind. If blastomycosis causes your dog to lose his vision, he will never get it back. The fungus originates in the lungs and can also cause respiratory problems as the disease advances. These symptoms can progress very quickly and cause death if not diagnosed fast enough.

In order to diagnose canine blastomycosis, the veterinarian will have to extract fluid or tissue samples. These samples can be taken from fluid your dog coughs up, a skin lesion, or a swollen lymph node. The veterinarian will then examine the sample under a microscope to look for the fungus.

The main method of treatment for this disease is oral anti-fungal medication. Your dog will have to take this medication for at least three months. Most dogs can discontinue treatment after six months, but some will have to go a bit longer.

Your dog will have a much better chance of surviving this disease if it is diagnosed and treated early. It can spread to the spinal cord, brain, or bones if left unchecked. In these cases, the prognosis will be much worse. Other factors that influence the prognosis include your dog’s age, overall health, and location of the lesions.

The fungus that causes canine blastomycosis normally inhabits soil along streams and rivers. Therefore, it is best to prevent your dog from digging up soil in these areas. The fungus is especially prevalent along the Ohio River, Mississippi River, and upper Midwest.

Canine Anaplasmosis

Canine anaplasmosis is a disease caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The bacteria can be transmitted to your dog when he is bitted by a deer tick. Since deer ticks commonly carry other diseases, it is common for dogs with anaplasmosis to have numerous infections. One of the most common is canine Lyme disease.

Dogs with this disease generally show symptoms within two weeks of being bitten. However, some dogs won’t show any signs for months. Since the bacteria invades white blood cells, it can cause a range of problems. Some of the most common symptoms include lethargy, fever, and loss of appetite. Your dog may also suffer from swollen joints that will be painful.

Canine anaplasmosis may also cause bleeding problems. Your dog may have blood in his urine or suffer from periodic nosebleeds. The disease may also cause diarrhea, vomiting, and problems with your dog’s kidneys and liver. Some canines also develop neurological signs.

Diagnosing this condition can sometimes be difficult. Initially, a blood sample will be analyzed for the presence of the bacteria. A urinalysis is also useful since the disease can cause kidney damage. The veterinarian may also choose to do a complete blood count. This will check for abnormal amounts of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Once a definitive diagnosis of canine anaplasmosis has been made, your dog will be treated with antibiotics. He will have to take these antibiotics one or two times a day for up to a month. Sometimes, treatment lasts longer than a month to ensure that all bacteria have been killed off. If your dog has too few red blood cells circulating in his blood, he may require a blood transfusion. If there is kidney or liver damage, it will also need to be treated.

Canine Bordetella

Canine Blastomycosis

Canine Anaplasmosis

Articles