Clinical signs of coccidia usually are present or shortly following stress such as weather changes; weaning; overcrowding; long automobile or plane rides; relocation to a new home and new owners; and/or unsanitary conditions. Symptoms or signs of coccidia will depend on the state of the disease at the time of observation. In general, coccidia affects the intestinal tract and symptoms are associated with it. In mild cases, only a watery diarrhea may be present, and if blood is present in the feces, it is only in small amounts. Severely affected animals may have a thin, watery feces with considerable amounts of intestinal mucosa and blood. Straining usually is evident, rapid dehydration, weight loss and anorexia (off feed) also may be clinically visible. One of the most prevalent canine coccidia is S. tenella and during autopsies of dead animals appears as microscopic muscle cysts in the host animal. Oocysts in the feces of dogs are also microscopic in size and can only be positively identified through lab tests or direct observation under a microscope.

Coccidiosis is frequently referred to as an opportunist – a disease that will develop when other stress factors are present. For example, the highest incidence of coccidiosis is in the first 21 days after a dog has changed owners and moved to a new residence. If a normal animal carries oocysts, it is relatively easy for rapid development when the conditions are right – adverse weather, shipping, dog food changes, new owners, new residence, and other stresses are important.

General information on coccidiosis in canines:

1. Coccidiosis is an opportunistic disease – it generally affects stressed animals.

2. Kennel conditions provide ideal circumstances for an outbreak.

3. In most confinement situations, prevention with sulfadimethoxine drug such as Albon® is recommended.

4. Mass treatment of all dogs in an entire kennel is usually the only effective method.

5. Sick animals should be treated as soon as possible and isolated from the healthy animals.

6. Have your veterinarian confirm positive diagnosis of the coccidia protozoa in your dog's feces through the use of lab tests or positive identification through direct observation under a microscope.

Parvo is the most devastating disease we have ever wittiness in animals or humans . You must be very careful with young dogs because  their system is not strong enough to fight off diseases.

Prevention is your best policy. When you take you puppy to the veterinary clinic always keep the puppy in a crate and never let anyone touch your puppy because they may  have been holding a puppy with Parvo. Never put you puppy on the floor at the veterinary office. Sick dogs walk on these floors all day  long and Parvo is VERY HIGHLY contagious ! Young toy breed puppies usually don't survive Parvo .

When you leave the veterinary office you can track Parvo home on you shoes . Clorox is the only thing that will kill the Parvo virus on floors and shoes.

Parvo virus causes severe intestinal tract disease in dogs. Parvo first appeared in 1978 and quickly spread all over the world, now being famous as one of the most contagious and deadly diseases in the dog population.

What Are The Clinical Signs Of Parvo?

The classic symptoms of Parvo are severe vomiting and diarrhea (often with blood in it) along with extreme weakness and dehydration. Parvo literally destroys the lining of the GI tract, allowing bacteria to infect the bloodstream (a serious condition called septicemia). On those occasions when puppies (and sometimes adult dogs) die from Parvo it's usually due to the combined effects of dehydration, upset in the pH balance of the bloodstream, and septicemia. The symptoms of Parvo are remarkably similar to, and as serious as, those of people with radiation sickness (such as from nuclear fallout) with the difference being that recovery is usually complete (meaning with no lasting side effects) in those puppies who recover from Parvo. Although veterinary medicine has made tremendous progress in the treatment of Parvo in recent years and many puppies are being saved, Parvo should still be considered an extremely serious and often fatal disease.

                                                       

                                               

                                                         How Is Parvo Virus Transmitted?

Dogs acquire infection with Parvo virus by ingesting (meaning to swallow) the infectious virus particles. The Parvo virus is one of the hardiest viruses known to science and this virus can live outside the body in a dormant yet infectious state for one to two years. Puppies do not have to be in direct contact with other dogs to catch Parvo since the virus can be spread by people's clothing, shoes, and other inanimate surfaces, and can even travel on the dust in the air. A dog (or puppy) who is shedding the Parvo virus can defecate (go to the bathroom) on a surface and then a susceptible puppy can come by and sniff or lick this surface over a year later and can still catch Parvo !! 

In all honesty,  I recommend you  NOT socialize your puppy, with strangers or other  pets, til it has had, atleast , its 3rd set of shots!.

Parvo Virus

Coccidia

  A hernia is a 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.

    A hernia which can be pushed back into the abdomen is called reducible.  Hernias which are not reducible are called incarcerated.  If the blood supply to an incarcerated hernia is pinched off the hernia becomes strangulated.  A strangulated hernia is an emergency situation and must be brought to the immediate attention of your veterinarian.

    Some of the most common types of hernias are:

                                                                            

An umbilical hernia is the most common type of hernia found in puppies.  In the case of umbilical hernias, a portion of fat or internal organs protrudes through an incompletely closed umbilical ring.  Umbilical hernias may be present at birth, or may be acquired.  The most common means of acquiring an umbilical hernia is as a result of the umbilical cord being severed too close to the abdominal wall.

    In most cases umbilical hernias are small and reduce as the puppy grows.  Generally, by the time the pup is six months old the umbilical hernia will shrink and disappear on its own. Often it is recommend to gently massage the fat through the opening while the puppy is growing and the hole is closing

This type of hernia is very common and  usually not a health risk.

An inguinal hernia is the result of abdominal organs, fat or tissue protruding through the inguinal ring.  Inguinal hernias are presented as skin-covered bulges in the groin.  They can be bilateral, involving both sides, or unilateral, involving only one side.

    Inguinal hernias are more common in females than males, but do occur in both sexes.  As with umbilical hernias most inguinal hernias will shrink and disappear as the puppy grows, although you must keep an eye on the size of the hernia(s).

    Inguinal hernias can also occur in unsprayed, middle-aged female dogs.  This may occur as the result of stretching of abdominal tissue due to pregnancy, or atrophy of abdominal tissue and musculature due to advanced age.

    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.  If the tear is small, there may not be any obvious clinical indications.  If the hernia is significant, however, there are indications such as strained respiration, lack of appetite, difficulty swallowing  or vomiting.  If a large portion of the abdominal organ have passed through the diaphragmatic tear the dog tends to stand with an extremely "tucked up" abdominal area.

Hernia

Umbilical Hernia

Inguinal Hernia

Diaphragmatic Hernia

Hypoglycemia is a common problem in small breed dogs . The definition, symptoms, and treatment for hypoglycemia is outlined.

Hypoglycemia is a common ailment in toy breed . Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. The pancreas makes the hormone insulin, when there is too much insulin the body can develop hypoglycemia.  Small breed dogs can develop hypoglycemia even when they are healthy because they don't have the fat stores to use for energy, and their liver can not produce enough sugar to use as energy.

Symptoms include but are not limited to: Slow heartbeat and breathing, weak, sleepy, disoriented, wobbly, glassy eyed, and seizures. In some cases pets may lose consciousness and fall into a coma. Pets can die from hypoglycemia if they do not receive treatment.

                                                            

Your veterinarian can diagnose hypoglycemia with a quick blood test that checks your pets blood glucose or blood sugar.

                                                                            Treatment for hypoglycemia: 

If you notice your pet is acting wobbly or weak try giving some treats or canned food, anything you know your pet will eat. If your pet won't eat, try giving it some sugar, Karo syrup works the best. Rub the syrup on the gums and under the tongue if your pet is unconscious. If your pet is not unconscious and can swallow you can give the sugar with a needleless syringe. If your pets blood sugar drops it may also begin to suffer with hypothermia, so you'll need to help keep your pet warm . This treatment can also work with puppies and kittens who are failing to thrive. After giving initial first aid get your pet to your veterinarian immediately.

Staying consistent with a feeding and exercise schedule will help avoid the dangers of hypoglycemia. If you are worried about your pets blood sugar levels, call your veterinarian.

Additional information: If you own a toy breed dog you should feed atleast 3 small meals a day to help avoid hypoglycemia.  Hypoglycemia is very dangerous and can kill a dog or cat if left without treatment.

Hypoglycemia

This page  is  made for educational  purposes