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Von Willebrand’s Disease

 

Dogs suffering from Von Willebrands disease are missing a specific blood protein which is responsible for blood clotting. As a result sufferers may experience nosebleeds, blood in faeces or urine, bleeding gums, and bruising. Prolonged bleeding may result in anemia or in severe cases, shock.

 

  • Causes – Deficiency of a blood clotting protein.

  • Treatment – No specific treatment. Manage episodes of bleeding. Blood transfusions may be required to replenish blood levels.

  • Prevention – No prevention – hereditary condition but tests can be carried out on susceptible dogs.

     

 

Examples of breeds of dog which commonly suffer from Von Willebrands disease.

  • Welsh Corgi

  • Golden Retrievers

  • Miniature Schnauzers 

 

 

Grooming consideration - Dogs with Von Willebrand’s Disease should avoid having their nails trimmed. Where trimming is essential this should be carried out by a veterinary professional.

 

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Kennel Cough

 

Kennel cough is a highly contagious, airborne disease which, although uncommon, can be zoonotic. As the name suggests it causes a severe, persistent, hacking cough, although usually a dry cough in some cases phlegm will be coughed up. Some dogs may also develop sneezing along with nasal and ocular discharge.

 

  • Causes – Commonly caused by either the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica of the parainfluoza virus.

  • Treatment – Usually self-limiting within three weeks although antibiotics may speed up recovery. Anti-inflammatories may also be prescribed to manage the symptoms

  • Prevention – Vaccine

     

 

Grooming consideration – to prevent spread up to date vaccination certificates should be presented for each dog. Where symptoms are identified during the groom the animal should be immediately isolated and the owner informed. Once returned to the owner the environment should be thoroughly disinfected.

 

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Rabies

Britain is currently a rabies free country, however with increasing numbers of owners travelling abroad with their pets it is a disease which groomers should be aware of. The virus can incubate within the host for up to 6 months before beginning its attack. Rabies is generally contracted as a result of being bitten by an infected animal as the virus is present in the saliva.

 

Rabies is a zoonotic disease which affects the brain and central nervous system causing extreme behavioural changes including increased aggression and pica. A fever may also be present in the initial stages. As the virus takes hold the dog may become hypersensitive to touch and sound, choosing to hide in dark areas. In advanced stages the dogs throat and mouth become paralysed causing the dog to foam at the mouth, paralysis of the hind legs may also occur along with weakness, seizures and finally death.

 

  • Causes – Infection with a strain of the Lyssavirus virus

  • Treatment – No treatment, the disease is fatal and the animal is euthanised to control the spread. 

  • Prevention – Vaccination, 21 days before returning to Britain from the EU followed by annual boosters. 

     

 

Reporting procedure for rabies  is under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, The Animal Health Act 1981 and the Rabies Control Order 1974. If you suspect rabies, do not approach live animal that you think may be rabid or touch dead animals that may have had the disease. You must immediately tell your nearest APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) office, so the animals can be tested and if necessary humanely destroyed.

 

 

 

 

 

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Enteritis

 

Enteritis is the term used to describe inflammation of the small intestine and has a number of causes. The inflammation can result in diarrhoea. abdominal pain, vomiting and blackened faeces. While enteritis is not directly infectious or zoonotic many of the bacterial and viral causes are.

 

  • Causes – Enteritis can be caused by endoparasites, metabolic disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial or viral infection and allergies as well as a physical blockage to the intestine caused by the dog ingesting a foreign object.

  • Treatment – Treatment depends on the specific cause. Antibiotics, fluid therapy and anti-inflammatory may ease the dogs symptoms and aid the recovery process. 

  • Prevention – Prevent ingestion of foreign objects. Maintain good hygiene and preventative care routines. Isolate dogs showing symptoms of the illness.

 

 

 

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Epilepsy

 

Epilepsy is a neurological condition where excessive electrical activity in the brain causes the animal to have a seizure. The severity of the seizure can vary as can the length of the seizure. In some cases the seizure may present itself as a mild twitching but the most commonly recognized seizures involve the animal collapsing.

 

Seizures follow a three phase pattern.

 

Stage 1 – Prior to the seizure the following changes may occur:

 

     Change in behaviour (e.g. pacing or licking lips)

 

                Change in bodily functions (e.g. salivating or urinating)

 

                Change in anxiety level (e.g. attention seeking or withdrawing)

 

 

 

Stage 2 – The seizure sends the dog into an unconscious state and causes muscle

 

                 stiffening often followed by collapse and rigid jerking movements and tremors.

 

 

 

Stage 3 – After the seizure the animal may remain motionless. When they do get up they

 

                May experience disorientation, hunger or thirst, urination and muscle

 

                weakness.

 

 

 

There are two types of epilepsy, primary epilepsy and secondary epilepsy. Primary epilepsy is categorized as having no underlying cause where as the cause for secondary epilepsy can be identified, possible causes include: brain tumors, trauma, bacterial or viral infection, poisoning or liver and kidney problems.

 

  • Treatment – While the disorder can not be cured it is possible to manage and control the seizures with medication. 

  • Prevention – No prevention available.

     

 

Examples of breeds of dog which commonly suffer from primary epilepsy.

 

  • Siberian Husky

  • Shetland Sheepdog

  • Cocker Spaniels

  • Dachshunds

 

 

Grooming considerations:

 

  • Reduce stress wherever possible.

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Diabetes

 

Diabetes is a hormonal disorder where the body fails to regulate the hormone insulin correctly. Insulin is responsible for the control of blood sugar levels. Dogs most commonly develop type 1 diabetes, occurring when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Symptoms of diabetes include polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss and the development of cataracts. 

 

  • Causes – Lack of insulin production. There is a genetic link for the development of diabetes and factors such as obesity can also increase the likelihood of developing the condition.

  • Treatment – Regular injections of insulin. 

  • Prevention – No prevention – can be a hereditary condition but maintaining an appropriate weight can reduce the risk of occurrence.

 

 

 

Examples of breeds of dog which commonly suffer from diabetes.

 

  • Schnauzers

  • Poodles

  • Samoyeds

  • Keeshonds 

 

Grooming considerations:

 

  • Provide regular access to water

 

 

 

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Cushing’s Syndrome

 

Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder where the body over produces the hormone cortisol and as such can also be known as hyperadrenocorticism. Cortisol has a number of roles within the body including controlling weight, maintaining blood sugar levels and responding to stressful situations. Due to its role in maintaining blood sugar levels many of the symptoms seen in dogs are similar to those associated with diabetes (i.e. polydipsia and polyuria). Other symptoms include: hair loss, thinning of skin, development of a pot belly and lethargy.

 

  • Causes – Cushings can be caused by a tumour in either the pituitary gland in the brain or in the adrenal glands near the kidneys

  • Treatment – Tumour is removed where possible. Where removal is not possible medication is used to control the symptoms.

  • Prevention – No prevention.

 

 

 

Examples of breeds of dog which commonly suffer from Cushing’s syndrome.

 

  • Yorkshire Terriers

  • Boston Terriers

  • Poodles

  • Dachshunds 

 

Grooming considerations:

 

  • Take additional care around areas of thin skin.

 

 

 

 

 

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Addison’s Disease

 

Like Cushing’s disease, Addison’s disease is a disease which affects the hormone cortisol, although in this case it is underproduction of the hormone. For this reason Addison’s disease is also known as hypoadrenocorticism. The disease produces general symptoms making it hard to identify without blood testing. The symptoms include; lethargy, vomiting, muscle weakness, collapse and anorexia.

 

  • Causes – Auto immune disorder – the immune system attacks the adrenal glands located near the kidneys.

  • Treatment – Medication to increase the levels of cortisol. 

  • Prevention – No prevention available. 

     

 

Grooming considerations:

 

  • Support dog during grooming

 

 

 

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Hypothyroid Disease

 

Hypothyroid disease is a hormonal disorder where the thyroid gland in the neck under-produces the hormone thyroxine. Thyroxine is involved in controlling the body’s metabolism and under-production results in weight gain, slowed heart rate, lethargy and an intolerance to the cold. However, the first symptom of the disease is usually loss of hair along the animals back, back legs and tail.

 

  • Causes – Auto immune disorder – the immune system attacks the thyroid gland in the neck

  • Treatment – Medication – provision of synthetic hormones.  

  • Prevention – No prevention available. 

 

 

 

Examples of breeds of dog which commonly suffer from hypothyroidism.

 

  • Irish Setter

  • English Sheepdog

  • Golden Retrievers

  • Pinschers 

 

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Hyperthyroid Disease

 

Hyperthyroid disease is a hormonal disorder where the thyroid gland in the neck over produces the hormone thyroxine. Thyroxine is involved in controlling the body’s metabolism and over production results in weight loss, increased or irregular heart rate, hyperactivity, increased appetite, polydipsia and polyuria. It is much less common than hypothyroid disease.

 

  • Causes – Usually caused by cancer of the thyroid gland

  • Treatment – Medication – provision of synthetic hormones.  

  • Prevention – No prevention available. 

 

 

 

 

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Blindness

 

Blindness can be a genetic condition, can be the result of trauma or disease or can be a degenerative condition linked to age. The severity of blindness can vary from mild impairment to complete loss of vision, and can affect one or both eyes and can have a gradual or sudden onset.

 

Regardless of the cause the symptoms of visual impairment and blindness involve the dog appearing clumsy, disorientated or cautious when moving around, they may walk with a high stepping action or bump into things and becoming nervous or reluctant to play / explore.

 

There are a large number of conditions which can cause blindness in dogs, these include:

 

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – An inherited condition where the light detecting cells (rods and cones) in the retina stop working effectively. The condition does not cause pain to the dog. Specific symptoms for PRA include poor night vision and dilated pupils. There is no current treatment for PRA.

    Examples of breeds of dog which commonly suffer from progressive retinal atrophy.

  • Papillon

  • Portuguese Water Dog 

  • Tibetan Spaniels

  • Akita 

 

 

  • Glaucoma – Glaucoma occurs when the fluid within the eye can not drain properly and causes a build up of pressure which then damages the optic nerve and affects vision. Glaucoma is a painful condition. The symptoms of glaucoma include excessive blinking, redness of the eye and a dilated or unresponsive pupil. When diagnosed early glaucoma is easily treated with eye drops to reduce the volume of fluid produced, but surgery may be required in more serious cases.

 

     Examples of breeds of dog which commonly suffer from glaucoma

  • Chow Chow

  • Dalmatian

  • Malamute

  • Schnauzer

 

 

  • Lens luxation – The lens of the eye is held in place by specialised fibres, when lens luxation occurs the lens is no longer held in place and rotates either forward of backwards into a different part of the eye. The condition is painful and causes swelling and redness, iris and lens trembling. There are several causes of lens luxation including tumours, cataracts and glaucoma.

     

    Examples of breeds of dog which commonly suffer from lens luxation

    - Jack Russell Terriers

    - Patterdale Terriers  

    - Cross breeds  

 

Treatment options for blindness are limited and depend on the cause however many dogs continue to have a good quality of life regardless of the blindness.

 

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Arthritis

 

There are two main types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis however they both cause inflammation of one or more joints. Arthritis is a painful condition. The symptoms include; limping, stiffness or difficulty moving, abnormal posture, weakness and muscle wasting. It is commonly seen in the hips, elbow and stifle. 

 

Osteoarthritis is linked to old age although can also be caused by joint disease. It causes a deterioration to the protective layer of cartilage lining of the joint making movement painful. To compensate for the lack of cartilage the tendons and ligaments become more involved and the body produces new bone resulting in swelling and the development of bony spurs (osteophytes).

 

Rheumatoid arthritis develops when the body’s own immune system begins attacking the joints causing swelling and pain as well as the breakdown of bone and cartilage.

 

  • Treatment – There is no current cure, medication can be provided to manage pain and slow down the deterioration. In severe cases surgical replacement of the joint may be carried out.  

  • Prevention – No prevention available. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cancer

 

Cancer is a generic term given to diseases where body cells begin to over divide, spreading (metastasising) and taking over the animals tissues. There are hundreds of types of cancer and it can affect all areas of the body. Tumors which do not spread are said to be benign, those which do spread are classified as malignant and are said to be cancerous.

 

Treatment options depend on the type of cancer and the stage it is detected. Where possible surgery will be carried out to remove the tumor, with chemotherapy and radiation treatment carried out when appropriate. Early detection is vital in ensuring a successful outcome.

 

There is no guaranteed method of preventing cancer and some cancers are linked to a genetic predisposition.

 

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