Page 11 - Canine-Diseases

or aborted fetuses. The bacterium invades the body via the mucous indwelling, intravenous, or urinary catheters; administration of
membranes of the genitals, nose, eyes, or mouth and is spread antibiotics; and immunosuppressive drugs or diseases.
throughout the body via blood and lymph nodes.
Canine brucellosis: Is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria
C Brucella canis. Although other Brucella species can infect dogs,
such as Brucella suis (pigs) and Brucella abortus (cattle), B.
canis is the most common Brucella species found in dogs. It is
transmitted to other dogs through breeding and contact with aborted
fetuses. Brucellosis can occur in humans that come in contact with
Calcinosis cutis: Occurs when calcium crystals are abnormally infected aborted tissue or semen. The bacteria in dogs normally
deposited in the skin. The most common cause is high levels of infect the genitals and lymphatic system, but can also spread to
steroids, either due to steroid administration or due to increases in the eye, kidney, and intervertebral disc (causing discospondylitis).
steroid production by the body. Calcinosis circumscripta, a more Symptoms of brucellosis in dogs include abortion in female
localized form of calcium deposition in the skin, can occur on dogs and scrotal inflammation and orchitis (inflammation of the
pressure points such as the paws and elbows, at suture sites, and testicles) in males.
on the tongue, but has different underlying causes than calcinosis
cutis. Calcinosis circumscripta is usually a disease of large dog Canine coronavirus: Coronavirus disease is a highly contagious
breeds and occurs before two years of age. intestinal infection in dogs, especially puppies. To date, several
strains of canine coronavirus have been isolated from the outbreaks
Calcium oxalate uroliths: Also referred to as calculi, are of diarrheal disease in dogs. It is the second most common viral
stones within the urinary tract composed of the mineral calcium cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the canine species, parvovirus
oxalate and are most common stones in the urinary tract of being the first. Crowding and unsanitary conditions lead to
dogs. There may be a large, single stone or a collection of stones coronavirus transmission. The incubation period from ingestion
that range in size from sand-like grains to gravel. Dietary risk to clinical signs is one to four days. The duration of illness is
factors for calcium oxalate uroliths include excessive calcium two to ten days in most dogs. Secondary infections by bacteria,
supplementation or excessive calcium restriction, excessive oxalic parasites, and other viruses may develop and prolong illness
acid, high protein, high sodium, restricted phosphorus, restricted and recovery. Dogs may be carriers of the disease for up to six
potassium, and restricted moisture (dry formulations). Dogs months after infection. Clinical signs include depression, loss of
with hyperadrenocorticism or hypercalcemia are predisposed to appetite, vomiting, yellow to orange diarrhea varying from soft to
calcium oxalate urolith formation. The most common signs that watery (may also contain blood), and fever (occasionally). Canine
a dog has bladder stones are hematuria (blood in the urine) and coronavirus does not affect people.
dysuria (straining to urinate). Breeds most commonly diagnosed
with struvite and calcium oxalate bladder stones included Shih- Canine distemper: Is a viral disease caused by the members of
Tzus, Miniature Schnauzers, Miniature Poodles, Bichon Frisés, Paramyxoviridae family that affects a wide variety of animals,
Lhasa Apsos, and Yorkshire Terriers. including domestic and wild species of dogs, coyotes, foxes,
pandas, wolves, ferrets, skunks, raccoons, and large cats, as
Campylobacteriosis: Is a common cause of intestinal inflammation well as pinnipeds, some primates, and a variety of other species.
in man and several animal species, including dogs and cats caused Canine distemper is a contagious and serious disease that attacks
by Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter upsaliensis. There the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of puppies
are several known causes of the disease in dog, but the most and dogs. Initially, infected dogs will develop watery to pus-
common is from kennels which allow animals to come into direct like discharge from their eyes. They then develop fever, nasal
contact with contaminated feces. Ingestion of contaminated food discharge, coughing, lethargy, reduced appetite, and vomiting.
or water is another mode of transmission. Symptoms include As the virus attacks the nervous system, infected dogs develop
fecal mucus sheath that gets progressively softer until watery circling behavior, head tilt, muscle twitches, convulsions with jaw
and may also contain blood, feces usually mustard in colour and chewing movements and salivation (“chewing gum fits”), seizures,
have a sweet/flowery aroma, fever, vomiting, straining to defecate and partial or complete paralysis. The virus may also cause the
(tenesmus), anorexia, and lymphadenitis. In many cases, dogs and footpads to thicken and harden, leading to its nickname “hard pad
cats are carriers of the organism, but show no clinical signs. The disease.” Distemper is often fatal, and dogs that survive usually
disease can be transferred between humans, cats, dogs and other have permanent, irreparable nervous system damage. Young,
livestock. Humans usually acquire an infection by consuming unvaccinated puppies and non-immunized older dogs tend to be
contaminated raw milk, undercooked chicken or poultry, or other more susceptible to the disease.
food contaminated during preparation.
Canine glaucoma: Is an increase of pressure within the eye.
Candidiasis: Candidiasis is a localized mucocutaneous disease Glaucoma is caused by inadequate drainage of aqueous fluid rather
caused by species of the yeast-like fungus Candida, most than the over production of fluid. Glaucoma may be further classified
commonly Candida albicans. It is a normal inhabitant of the as primary or secondary. Primary glaucoma results in increased
nasopharynx, GI tract, and external genitalia of many species of intra-ocular pressure in a healthy eye and secondary glaucoma
animals and is opportunistic in causing disease. Factors associated results in increased intra-ocular pressure due to disease or injury
with candidal infections are disruption of mucosal integrity; to the eye. The most common cause of glaucoma in dogs include

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