Coccidia
~ These small protozoans (one-celled organisms) are common mostly in puppies
less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune systems are
suppressed, or in animals who are stressed (change in ownership, new
environment, etc). As a puppy ages, they tend to develop a natural immunity to
the effects of coccidia. As an adult, they may carry coccidian in their
intestines, and shed the cyst in the feces, but experience no ill effects.
Kennel
Cough
~ This is just another way of describing that the dog has a regular cough. It
sounds as if the dog needs to clear its throat and the cough will be triggered
by extra activity or exercise. Their general state of health and alertness will
be unaffected. They usually have no rise in temperature and do not lose their
appetites. In most cases the cough will go away on its own. However, antibiotics
and cough suppressants can be used to hasten recovery. Another remedy is fish
Flex, It’s a natural antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in animals.
Open
Fontanel
~ This is also known as a “soft spotâ€
common at the top of many human babies’ heads. As a puppy matures, the bony
plates of the skull will become more rigid and will gradually fuse together.
This process usually takes anywhere from 2-3 months. In some puppies, the
fontanel never fully closes. They can still live a full, energetic and active
life.
Giardia
~ This is a diarrhea illness caused by a one-celled, microscopic parasite.
Giardia infection has become recognized as one of the most common causes of
waterborne diseases (found in both drinking and recreational water). Giardia is
also found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with
the feces from infected humans or animals. Keeping this in mind, it is crucial
that you monitor where your puppy sniffs around and not let it interact with
potential giardia positive dogs at parks, until it has received all its puppy
vaccines and rabies shot. Giardia may still be contracted as an adult; so
constant monitoring for symptoms is needed.
Inguinal
Hernia
~ 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, and 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. Inguinal hernias can also occur in unspayed, middle-aged
female dogs. This may occur as the result of stretching abdominal tissue due to
pregnancy, or atrophy of abdominal tissue and musculature due to advanced age.
Umbilical
Hernia
~ 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. If the pup has a large hernia, or
one that can be pushed into the abdomen with a finger, consult your veterinarian
regarding possible surgical repair.
Heart
Murmur
~ It describes an abnormality in the way the heartbeat sounds when listened to
with a stethoscope. Unlike the sharp, short beat of a normal heart, the murmur
is a softer and longer noise. It is caused by abnormal blood flow through the
heart and it indicates exactly that. Murmurs are graded in severity from 1 to 6,
with 1 being the softest murmur that can be heard and 6 being loud enough to be
heard with the stethoscope not yet touching the chest. Grades 1 & 2 are
innocent and anything greater should receive veterinarian attention.
Luxating
Patella
~ Also known as a trick knee, it is a condition in which the patella, or
kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. Patellar luxation is a
common condition in dogs, particularly small and miniature breeds. Diagnosis is
made through palpation of the knee. The luxating patella often causes no or very
slight symptoms. There are several stages in patellar luxation, ranging from
minor (Grade 1) to very serious (Grade 4). Puppies with Grades 1 & 2 may
grow out of it, however, Grades 3 & 4 should receive veterinarian attention.
Some common puppies include: Pomeranians, Poodles, Dachshunds, etc.
Collapsed
Trachea
~ The trachea is also known as the windpipe and serves the purpose of directing
air into the respiratory tract. A collapsed trachea occurs when the rings that
create the frame of the trachea lose their stiffness and is not able to retain
its proper shape. The most common clinical sign is a chronic cough. It is often
described as dry and harsh or the term “goose honkâ€.
The cough may also being due to excitement, pressure on the trachea (from a
leash), or from drinking water or eating. Some common puppies include:
Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Poodles, Yorkies,
etc.
Underbite
/Overbite
~ Underbite is where the lower jaw protrudes out past the upper jaw and overbite
is when the upper jaw extends beyond the lower jaw. In both cases, it prevents
the jaw from aligning snugly. As the puppy ages, a mild underbite/overbite can
correct itself. Many breeds just like humans naturally do have a slight
underbite/overbite which will not affect their lives.
~ These small protozoans (one-celled organisms) are common mostly in puppies
less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune systems are
suppressed, or in animals who are stressed (change in ownership, new
environment, etc). As a puppy ages, they tend to develop a natural immunity to
the effects of coccidia. As an adult, they may carry coccidian in their
intestines, and shed the cyst in the feces, but experience no ill effects.
Kennel
Cough
~ This is just another way of describing that the dog has a regular cough. It
sounds as if the dog needs to clear its throat and the cough will be triggered
by extra activity or exercise. Their general state of health and alertness will
be unaffected. They usually have no rise in temperature and do not lose their
appetites. In most cases the cough will go away on its own. However, antibiotics
and cough suppressants can be used to hasten recovery. Another remedy is fish
Flex, It’s a natural antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in animals.
Open
Fontanel
~ This is also known as a “soft spotâ€
common at the top of many human babies’ heads. As a puppy matures, the bony
plates of the skull will become more rigid and will gradually fuse together.
This process usually takes anywhere from 2-3 months. In some puppies, the
fontanel never fully closes. They can still live a full, energetic and active
life.
Giardia
~ This is a diarrhea illness caused by a one-celled, microscopic parasite.
Giardia infection has become recognized as one of the most common causes of
waterborne diseases (found in both drinking and recreational water). Giardia is
also found in soil, food, water, or surfaces that have been contaminated with
the feces from infected humans or animals. Keeping this in mind, it is crucial
that you monitor where your puppy sniffs around and not let it interact with
potential giardia positive dogs at parks, until it has received all its puppy
vaccines and rabies shot. Giardia may still be contracted as an adult; so
constant monitoring for symptoms is needed.
Inguinal
Hernia
~ 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, and 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. Inguinal hernias can also occur in unspayed, middle-aged
female dogs. This may occur as the result of stretching abdominal tissue due to
pregnancy, or atrophy of abdominal tissue and musculature due to advanced age.
Umbilical
Hernia
~ 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. If the pup has a large hernia, or
one that can be pushed into the abdomen with a finger, consult your veterinarian
regarding possible surgical repair.
Heart
Murmur
~ It describes an abnormality in the way the heartbeat sounds when listened to
with a stethoscope. Unlike the sharp, short beat of a normal heart, the murmur
is a softer and longer noise. It is caused by abnormal blood flow through the
heart and it indicates exactly that. Murmurs are graded in severity from 1 to 6,
with 1 being the softest murmur that can be heard and 6 being loud enough to be
heard with the stethoscope not yet touching the chest. Grades 1 & 2 are
innocent and anything greater should receive veterinarian attention.
Luxating
Patella
~ Also known as a trick knee, it is a condition in which the patella, or
kneecap, dislocates or moves out of its normal location. Patellar luxation is a
common condition in dogs, particularly small and miniature breeds. Diagnosis is
made through palpation of the knee. The luxating patella often causes no or very
slight symptoms. There are several stages in patellar luxation, ranging from
minor (Grade 1) to very serious (Grade 4). Puppies with Grades 1 & 2 may
grow out of it, however, Grades 3 & 4 should receive veterinarian attention.
Some common puppies include: Pomeranians, Poodles, Dachshunds, etc.
Collapsed
Trachea
~ The trachea is also known as the windpipe and serves the purpose of directing
air into the respiratory tract. A collapsed trachea occurs when the rings that
create the frame of the trachea lose their stiffness and is not able to retain
its proper shape. The most common clinical sign is a chronic cough. It is often
described as dry and harsh or the term “goose honkâ€.
The cough may also being due to excitement, pressure on the trachea (from a
leash), or from drinking water or eating. Some common puppies include:
Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Poodles, Yorkies,
etc.
Underbite
/Overbite
~ Underbite is where the lower jaw protrudes out past the upper jaw and overbite
is when the upper jaw extends beyond the lower jaw. In both cases, it prevents
the jaw from aligning snugly. As the puppy ages, a mild underbite/overbite can
correct itself. Many breeds just like humans naturally do have a slight
underbite/overbite which will not affect their lives.