Commom Diseases in the Dog, F-J

COMMON DISEASES AFFECTING DOGS

[All diseases listed under commonly used name]

DISEASE	ALTERNATE NAMES	DESCRIPTION	SYMPTOMS
FEARFULNESS	Fear biter Aggressive	Fearful of things or events that would not normally bother other dogs. Includes fear of thunder, noise, people and may be aggressive through fear with other dogs.	Hiding, escaping, growling, lunging, barking, biting
FUNGAL NASAL DISEASE	-	Fungal (mycotic) infection of the nasal and paranasal sinuses is a well-recognised cause of chronic, mucopurulent discharge in the dog	A nasal disease with a profuse mucopurulent (greenish-yellow) discharge, intermittent sneezing and, usually, facial pain or discomfort. Often the animal is depressed and withdrawn. Nose bleeds may be an occasional finding. Ulceration and depigmentation of the nostrils is considered a characteristic feature of nasal aspergillosis, although this is not consistent in all cases.
FADING PUPPY SYNDROME	-	Fading Puppy Syndrome is the name given to a collection of illnesses in puppies, each of which can lead to death within a few days of birth. Fading Puppy Syndrome may be caused by infection with many agents. The main ones are Canine Adenovirus, Canine Herpes Viru, Bordetella bronchiseptica, E.coli and Salmonella	Puppies become progressively weaker until they are unable to suckle, they may have an abnormally low, or a high temperature, and they are depressed with extreme pallor. They vomit and have diarrhoea, both of which can contain blood. Puppies collapse due to shock and die within 1-3 days. There are no drugs to kill the virus, and only supportive therapy can be given, sometimes in the form of blood transfusions.

DISEASE	ALTERNATE NAMES	DESCRIPTION	SYMPTOMS
GASTRITIS	Vomiting	Can be the dog eating something totally unsuitable ie: rubbish from the bin or food leftovers, eaten too fast, too much, or exercised too soon after a meal. However, vomiting can be the side effect of another illness. You should consult your vet if sickness lasts more than 24 hours	Sign of pain which can be trembling, shaking, has breathing difficulties or signs of any other illness such as diarrhoea. Veterinary advice should be sought without delay if there is blood in the vomit, the sick is projectile, or stomach bloating occurs.
GIARDIASIS	Giardia Lamblia	The parasite is found in untreated water, i.e. puddles and ponds.	The basic symptoms are diarrhoea, fever, dehydration and nausea.
GRAY COLLIE SYNDROME	Canine Cyclic Neutropenia	Stem cell disorder that occurs in Collies. Caused by an abnormality of the stem cells in the bone marrow from which all blood cells are developed. The result is a cyclic fluctuation in blood cell numbers every 10 - 12 days.	Puppies are usually smaller and weaker than their litter mates and by 8 to 12 weeks of age they develop clinical signs such as fever, diarrhoea, joint pain, or other signs associated with eye, respiratory, or skin infections. Affected puppies have a silver grey coat, that ranges in color from very light, to darkish pewter grey, sometimes with a slight yellowing due to a mixture of light beige and light gray hair. No matter what color variation or type, all Collies have black noses except those with gray collie syndrome. If the nose continues to come in grey, then that is pathognomonic for "gray collie syndrome". Sable "gray collie syndrome" dogs have brown or pale sable noses, but never black noses as they should have. As well as the nose pigment, another sure sign is the lack of complete tan markings on the face. (more information)
GSD FOOTPAD SYNDROME	Familial Vasculopathy of German Shepherds Soft Feet	May be severe in young puppies, footpads become thin and soft	Feet are swollen, crusty, ulcerated and have pigment loss. Feet may bleed if a dog walks on hard and/or rough surfaces
GUM DISEASE	Tooth Decay Bad Breath Dental Calculus	Calculus accumulations on a dogs teeth can cause changes inside the body that may result in organ dysfunction and a shortened lifespan. If you lift your dogs lip, and it has bad breath this is an early sign that bacteria are being harbored in the mouth. With a very mild buildup of dental calculus the breath starts smelling foul.	Normal teeth are white and shiny all the way to the gum-line. If you see yellow or brown deposits, especially near the gums, there is a problem. As a dog or cat chews their food the calculus is rubbed off the tips of the teeth. It is very rare to ever see calculus on the tips of the teeth, but since the cone-shape of the tooth breaks the food they are chewing the abrasive action never reaches the gum-line. Calculus builds up and the bacterial toxins damage the gums. Your pets gums should be pale rose in colour and taper down to a knife edge where they meet the tooth. If there is a bright red line where the gum meets the tooth or if the knife edge has become rounded the pet is starting to have gum disease. Abscessation and tooth loss are usually soon to follow.

DISEASE	ALTERNATE NAMES	DESCRIPTION	SYMPTOMS
HEART DEFECTS	Mitral Valve Stenosis Patent Ductas Arterosus Pulmonic Stenosis Subeortic Stenosis Tricspid Valve Dysplasia Ventricular Septal Defect Patent Ductus Arteriosus	Developmenetal heart defects present at birth. Each describes the part of the heart that is affected.	Failure to thrive, weakness, coughing murmus, atypical heart rhythms, exercise intolerance, fluid on lungs. In severe cases sudden death, particularly when heart defect has been undetected
HEART FAILURE	Pitting Edema	There are three types of heart failure: Right-sided. If the right side of the heart fails, blood returning to the heart from throughout the body backs up, and fluid accumulation is most noticeable in the liver, abdomen, and limbs.Left-sided. If the left side of the heart fails, blood returning from the lungs to the heart backs up, and fluid accumulates in the lungs. Right- and left-sided. If both sides of the heart fail, the entire blood circulation system is affected.	General weakness and fatigue, particularly noticeable after exercise. Some dogs may faint if forced to exercise.Shortness of breath and a cough. Most evident if left-sided heart failure, these are symptoms of an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.Swelling of the abdomen and limbs. Most evident in right-sided heart failure. This edema is due to an accumulation of fluid throughout the body. Pressure on the swollen feet will leave a deep indentation or depression that is slow to disappear.A bluish appearance to the tongue and gums as a result of the poor blood circulation.A poor appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation due to insufficient blood circulation to the liver and digestive organs.Excessive drinking and urination.An incrased heart rate and weak pulse
HERNIA	-	Caused by a weakness, protrusion or bulge of a part of the body tissue, fat, or an organ through an abnormal opening of the surrounding tissues. There are numerous types of hernias, each type named after its affected area.	Symptoms are dependant on the type of hernia. An umbilical hernia is the most common type of hernia found in puppies. Umbilical hernias may be present at birth, or may be acquired. An inguinal hernia is the result of abdominal organs, fat or tissue protruding through the inguinal ring. A diaphragmatic hernia is the result of a tear in the diaphragm which allows abdominal organ portions to pass into the chest area. The most common occurrence of a diaphragmatic hernia is following an accident
HEATSTROKE	-	A dogs coat is designed to trap heat and as they do not sweat, they rely on panting to regulate their body temperate.	The first signs of heatstroke are the dog panting more than usual, it may become agitated and sound uncomfortable or distressed. Panting can become excessive, accompanied by laboured breathing, and the dog may drool. The dog may also appear to be glassy eyed, and have dark red gums. In extreme cases body temperature rises to a point where cell death in the brain results in seizures, coma and ultimately death.
HIP DYSPLASIA	HD Canine Hip Dysplasia	Developmental Malformation of the hip joint. Hip Dysplasia is a progressive degenerative condition of the pelvic joint that can lead to severe lameness and pain and be extremely debilitating. Because hip dysplasia is passed on genetically, if a dog with HD is bred from the painful disease will be perpetuated into the gene pool. The best way for breeders to prevent hip dysplasia is to breed only dogs that have disease free joints, based on appropriate radiographic evaluation, and those that come from bloodlines with disease free joints.	Hind legs-gait is abnormal. May bunny hop. Have difficulty rising, and leg muscles may weaken. Hip dysplasia is the most common inherited orthopedic disease in large and giant breed dogs, and occurs in many medium sized breeds as well. When obtaining a dog from a large or giant breed, you should ask the breeder about hip certification in their breeding dogs, and for several generations back.
HOT SPOTS	Moist Dermatitis	Localized area of skin inflammation and infection, can be superficial or deep. Can be painful and you should take care when touching the area.	Hairloss, hair can also become matted over the infected area which may require shaving to ensure area is clean and dry. Depending on the severity and size of the hot spot, your vet may prescribe oral antibiotics, topical drying sprays or medications, and/or special shampoos. You should restrain your dog from licking, biting and scratching the area, sometimes this may involve the wearing of an Elizabethan collar. (more information)
HORMONAL SKIN DISEASE	Hyperestrogenism	The most frequent encountered skin problems in male dogs related to sex hormones is the overproduction of estrogen (female hormone), which causes feminization of the dog. If the cause is from a tumor, the affected testicle will be enlarged, but often the testicle is retained to the abdomen and cannot be seen. In bitches, Hyperestrogenism is the production of too much estrogen in the female dog, and is most commonly due to cysts on the ovaries. Symptoms include loss of hair on the flanks an genital areas, and later on the abdomen and under the elbows. The skin darkens, becomes oily, and the ears produce excessive wax. Infertility, false pregnancy, and enlargement of the vulva and mammary glands with milk production are other common symptoms.	Hair loss in an evenly distributed pattern on each side of the body, and some darkening of the skin.. The skin changes are just one symptom of hormonal abnormalities. In males signs include a hair loss, particularly on the flanks and in the genital area, mammary gland enlargement and sometimes milk production, lack of libido; attractiveness to other male dogs, darkening and thickenning of the skin; oiliness of the skin; and excessive wax in the ears. Hypoestrogenism is a condition caused by too low production of estrogen and is seen most often in spayed bitches. There is a gradual loss and thinning of the hair starting in the genital and lower abdominal areas, and eventually spreading to the chest, neck, and ears. The skin is soft and smooth, and the coat is very fine. The nipples and vulva are usually small, and there may be dribbling of urine.
HIRSCHSPRUNG'S DISEASE	Congenital Aganglionic Megacolon HD	A rare congenital disease where the normal enteric nerves are missing, meaning that the affected segment of bowel doesn't function as it should.	Chronic constipation, abdominal distension, in the human form infants can have diarrhoea and severe chronic gastroenteritis
HERPES	-	Herpes, being a virus, can cause infertility and abortion in bitches, reduce litter size, and produce small puppies as well as fading puppy syndrome.	A new vaccine has been shown to increase litter size and weight and the number and size of puppies weaned. The vaccine is given around mating with the second dose one to two weeks before whelping. This needs to be repeated during each pregnancy as the vaccine is necessary to protect each litter, but does not need to be done annually, only when breeding. Fading Puppy Syndrome or multifactora, show signs of anorexia, abdominal pain with continual crying, nervous signs and soft faeces with mortality within one or two days of onset and up to 80% mortality in infected litters. The serious consequences in adult dogs are abortion, infertility, placentitis, kennel cough, and genital ulceration.

DISEASE

ALTERNATE NAMES

DESCRIPTION

SYMPTOMS

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

I.B.D

Eosinophilic Gastritis

Enteritis

Lymphoplasmactic Enteritis

Colitis

SIBO

Enteritis

Idopathic Colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease describes inflammation of the digestive system. Inflammation will be named depending on the type of cells found and the area of the intestine that is inflamed. Symptoms vary with the area of the intestine affected.

Chronic or frequent diarrhoea. There may be increased or decreased stool production, together with frequency. Stools may have blood or mucous, and dogs may vomit and have weight loss.

INCONTINENCE

URINIARY INCONTINENCE

Spayed bitches and sometimes castrated dogs are 8 times more likely to suffer from uriniary incontinence than unspayed bitches.

Leaking and wanted to urinate frequently. Propalin Syrup available from vets, has been shown to increase urethral tone and thus alleviate urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence is less common in entire bitches, but not all that unusual in neutered bitches. The sphincter muscle of the bladder can, normally, withstand a significant pressure of urine, but in some spayed bitches the mechanism appears to lose the ability to do so. It has been thought that the level of oestrogen has some effect on the strength of the sphincter muscle of the bladder, but some spayed, and incontinent, bitches have been found to have levels of oestrogen comparable with entire bitches. Female HRT has in some cases worked in preventing incontinence but such treatment is often associated with side effects, and one which makes the bitch attractive to male dogs, which rather defeats the object of spaying.

DISEASE	ALTERNATE NAMES	DESCRIPTION	SYMPTOMS