History of the APBT
and
HEALTH ISSUES may
AFFECT YOUR DOG
By Jason Mann
Disclaimer: The origin of the American Pit Bull
Terrier is not set in stone. Clear cut records of their development before
modern history are not available and the exact origin of the breed is debatable.
What you will learn here is my take on the origins of the American Pit Bull
Terrier based on over 2,000 hours of research of material both on and off the
world wide web.
Keep in mind this article is a brief overview of the breeds history.
Terrier or bulldog what is the American Pit Bull Terrier?
Popular belief is the bulldog of old was crossed with the now extinct English
White Terrier (dog in picture to the left)to create what we call the
American Pit Bull Terrier.
However it is important to remember that no one really knows this for sure.
Personally I believe if there was a cross, the extinct English White Terrier
would have to be the most likely candidate. However, that's if there was
a cross at all.
Some believe the dogs of today are largely unchanged and are the "pure" bulldog
of old.
Again, this is highly questionable but it does hold water. If you read stories
and view prints and paintings of old bull baiting dogs you could easily be
talking about the modern American Pit Bull Terrier.
In the picture to the right you can see the resemblance of the two bulldogs to
the American Pit Bull Terrier of today.
On the subject of whether or not the American Pit Bull Terrier is a result of a
crossing of bulldogs of old and the extinct White Terrier you have to draw your
own opinion.
American Pit Bull Terriers are only
good for Dog Fighting
Throughout the history of the bulldog dog fighting patiently waited along side
the larger more expensive events like bull baiting and bear baiting.
Here's where historians and people interested in the history of the breed really
cross their wires and get confused. After spending literally years trying to
figure this out I have come to the following conclusion.
Dog fighting has always been a sport in which bulldogs were involved. It was
extremely popular during the hay day of bull baiting too.
The poor people of England and Ireland started to focus on dog fights because
they were cheaper, easier to stage, and easier to hide (it was made illegal
along with bull baiting in 1875) from authorities.
Since it was such a low-key event authorities often turned their heads to the
fact dog fights were being held in their areas.
How much did dog fighting influence the development of the American Pit Bull
Terrier? I personally think it had very little impact on the breed as a whole.
Since these dogs were already baiting bulls, fighting bears, and engaging in dog
on dog combat long before they came to America the dog fighting
aspect of their history is the most important because it was continued to this
day.
Modern Pit Bulls have proved they are not only good at fighting, but they excel
at just about anything their people put in front of them. Whether they are
running agility, pulling weights in excess of 2,000 lbs, working cattle, earning
obedience titles or catching hogs, American Pit Bull Terriers are far more than
fighting dogs.
Where did they come from? England, Ireland, or some place else?
Another common misconception is the breed is from England. I beg to differ. The
breed was well established in Ireland as too.
J.P. Colby's line of dogs is reported to be heavy with Irish Pit Bull blood. He
even paid for Irish men to come to America if they would bring a "good bulldog
or two with them."
As we get into modern history the name of the American Pit Bull Terrier was
changed several times and was finally changed to American Pit Bull Terrier to
include the word, "pit" in the name.
Out of all the breeds that are referred to as the "pitbull" the American Pit
Bull Terrier is the only breed with the actual words "Pit Bull" in their name.
I won't even get into the whole registry
problem of naming the breed. It's laughable at best.
I will say this, the American Staffordshire Terrier was started off
American Pit Bull Terriers and the fact the American Kennel Club does
not recognize the APBT as a purebred dog is hilarious.
The original standard for the Amstaff was based on a Colby American Pit Bull
Terrier.
Politics and image resulted in a different strain of American Pit Bull Terrier,
we call this strain, The American Staffordshire Terrier.
The United Kennel Club started hosting fights and registering Pit Bulls and then
the American Dog Breeders Association came along because they felt the UKC was
not doing a great job representing the breed.
As far as history is concerned the American Pit Bull Terrier is a pure dog
fighting dog that is supposed to be used for dog fighting. Despite the ample
amount of evidence to prove otherwise.
More dogs lived as farm dogs and household pets than fighting dogs. This is also
proven by the breeders records of the time.
The American Pit Bull Terrier Today
Today the American Pit Bull Terrier is still used for dog fighting, bull baiting
and bear baiting. Japan and Pakistan are both countries that host such events.
In 2004 bear baiting events were on the rise in Pakistan. Illegal events were
being hosted all over the country and authorities were slow to react.
Many of these contests used imported American Pit Bull Terriers on the Bears.
In the picture to the left, two Pit Bulls or Pit Bull type dogs are engaging a
baited bear in Pakistan. (2004)
Despite their misuse the American Pit Bull Terrier is still a truly versatile
canine that continues to astonish people with their ability to adapt and
overcome anything that is asked of them.
Dog fighting, bear baiting, and other barbaric acts of cruelty while still very
much alive and well show only a small portion of the APBT's true ability.
Agility, protection sports, obedience, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs,
drug and bomb detection dogs, are all activities the modern American Pit Bull
Terrier excels at.
A large part of their history is made up
of blood and battle. This is not something to shrink away from as a fancier of
the breed. Their history should be embraced, understood, and once we have a full
understanding, we can control the future.
Purists who think they are "only good for fighting" need to wake up and smell
the coffee. Change will happen and fighting and blood sports is the first place
we should focus our efforts.
The History of the American Pit Bull Terrier Summed Up
History is the recording of the past or the telling of the past. As I mentioned
above the history of the Pit Bull is filled with blood and battles against all
kinds of animals including their own kind.
We can not change the history of the breed. We can however change the history
our children's children will be writing about in the future.
History shows us where we, as people, made grave mistakes in judgment and where
we made great improvements.
I for one am grateful of my breeds
history. It has helped shape them into the greatest dogs known to man.
With that said, our actions from this point on will dictate if they stay the
greatest dogs known to man or if our actions will cause their total annihilation
from our society.
The ancestors of modern pit bulls come from the
bulldogs and
terriers
of
England. At one time every county in England
had its own breed of terrier. Many of these still exist; however, some have
evolved into new ones. Such is the case for the English White and the Black and
Tan terriers, whose descendants include the bull-and-terriers, the
Fox Terrier, and the
Manchester Terrier.
Terriers served an important purpose in England by killing
Vermin
that might otherwise ruin crops, damage property, or spread disease such as the
Black Plague.
The development of sports such as rat- or badger-
baiting
further added to the breeds' importance.
Mastiff
type dogs also have a long history in England; they are thought to have been
brought by the
Celts. It also known that the
Normans
introduced the
Alaunt.
These dogs were used in battle and for guarding, but they also served
utilitarian purposes, such as farm work. Specifically, these dogs accompanied
farmers into the fields to assist with bringing
bulls in for
breeding,
castration, or
slaughter.
The dogs, known generally as
bulldogs, protected the farmer by subduing the
bull if it attempted to
gore him. Typically a dog would do this by
biting the bull on the nose and holding on until the bull submitted. Bulldogs
were bred to have powerful, muscular bodies and the resolve to hold onto a
violently struggling bull despite injury. These traits permitted the development
and rise of the bloody sports of
bull-baiting and
bear-baiting.
In
Elizabethan
England, these spectacles were popular forms of
entertainment. However, in
1835,
bull-baiting and bear-baiting were abolished by Parliament as cruel, and the
custom died out over the following years.
The sport of dog fighting, which could be carried out under
clandestine measures, blossomed. Since Bulldogs proved too ponderous and
uninterested in dog fighting, the Bulldogs were crossed to English White and
Black and Tan Terriers. They were also bred to be intelligent and level-headed
during fights and remain non-aggressive toward their handlers. Part of the
standard for organized dog-fighting required that the match referee who is
unacquainted with the dog be able to enter the ring, pick up a dog while it was
engaged in a fight, and get the respective owner to carry it out of the ring
without being bitten. Dogs that bit the referee were culled.
As a result, Victorian fighting dogs (Staffordshire
Bull Terriers and, though less commonly used as fighters,
English Bull Terriers) generally had stable
temperaments and were commonly kept in the home by the gambling men who owned
them.
During the mid-1800s,
immigration to the
United States from
Ireland and
England
brought an influx of these dogs to America, mainly to
Boston, where they were bred to be larger and
stockier, working as farm dogs in the West as much as fighting dogs in the
cities. The resulting breed, also called the
American Pit Bull Terrier, became known as an
"all-American" dog. Pit bull type dogs became popular as family pets for
citizens who were not involved in dog-fighting or farming. In the early
1900s they began to appear in films, one of the
more famous examples being
Pete the Pup from the
Our Gang
shorts (later known as The Little Rascals).
During
World War I the breed's widespread popularity led to its being featured on
pro-American
propaganda
posters.
[edit]
Pit bulls as pets
There are often more dogs (many are mixed breeds which are
lumped into the category of "pit bull") than there are owners. Pit bulls or dogs
that appear to be pit bulls may be destroyed in dog pounds due to the stigma
associated with the breed. Pit bulls and pit mixed dogs are a common sight in
animal shelters. This means that even if the dog is a friendly family dog, like
many other dogs, then someone can put it down just because they decide it might
have slight pit bull blood. Owning a pit bull has its good points as well as the
negative points. Pit bulls are not bred for dog aggression. Pit bulls, as with
any dog, can be aggressive if they are mistreated. Pit bulls are basically
hardwired to listen to their owners. This makes training extremely easy.
However, it must also be said that if an owner trains his pit bull to attack
humans, it will do so without hesitation. They thrive on pleasing their owners,
no matter what the cost. And while their attacks aren't among the vast majority,
they are more dangerous because of the breed's tenacity. They do have a very
high tolerance to pain.
Those who are responsible and who own well-bred pit bulls
know of the breed's wonderful tolerance for children, and even their mothering
nature. They also face taunts, threats, and unfair treatment based solely on
their dog's breed.
Although friendliness and tolerance towards humans are traits
of the breed, there are, as in any breed, those that are dangerous toward
animals as well as humans. It is the owner's responsibility to be in total
control of his dogs, and there are countless attacks that show just how
unsuitable this breed is for some people.
Regardless of who he is, any owner of a pit bull must train
the dog well. Lack of proper socialization can lead to a dog with aggressive
tendencies towards humans, therefore completely against what the breed is about.
Under the care of an overly permissive or uneducated owner, pit bulls can become
very dangerous dogs.
Pet Health Issues
You must understand health issues
to help you pet
There are many health issues that
may affect your pet. In this section we have provided
an index to assist you in finding the information you
need. You may also subscribe to our
RSS subscription service
where you will receive updates on health related
topics. Please be advised that these topics are
general in nature and are not meant to be substituted
for the professional advice of your veterinarian. If
you need to find a veterinarian for your pets, please
feel free to visit our
vet locator to find one in your area. Through the
vet locator service we offer more than 44,000
listings of veterinarians.
Index:
Parvo
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Parvo
can strike a dog at any time in its life. Puppies younger than 9 weeks of age
are at most risk and most danger of contracting this disease. Parvo itself is
not what can kill the dog, but the symptoms can. Once dehydration has set in
this is usually marked by decreased appetite, diarrhea, and then moves
progressively to vomiting. All of which continue to lead to severe dehydration,
shallow breathing, depression, and in most un-maintained cases, death.
The good news is, however, that once your dog survives Parvo
it has an increased tolerance to the disease and some experts say that in some
cases even a lifetime immunity.
The bad news is the longer it takes to recognize that your
dog is in progressive Parvo, the more drastic the maintenance procedure in
keeping them alive and many times the more costly.
It is possible to treat Parvo at home if the disease is
caught early on.
It is important to treat all areas with 1oz bleach to 9 oz
water ratio. This includes the yard and any where in the house your dog can
reach that may withstand such a concentration of bleach. These areas include
wood, linoleum, or tile floors, doorknobs, counters, etc.
All shared dishes should be washed in this solution and
thoroughly rinsed or at a minimum be run through a dishwasher.
Humans cannot catch Parvo but we are probably one of the
greatest transmitters of the disease. Humans carry it from dog to dog via
petting, dog showcasing, walking in common areas, etc.
The greatest precaution one can take is to begin puppies of a
litter on preventative shots as early as three weeks. Worming should also begin
at this time. If one has an increased concern for risk of Parvo, they may follow
up with this treatment at week 4-5 and again on week 6-7. These shots may be
purchased at most feed stores or CO-OPs, etc.
If one begins to notice symptoms of Parvo it is important to
begin to act promptly because death can occur within two to three days. Most
dogs who make it through their progressive symptoms for at least 5 days or more
will most likely survive.
Mixing a 1/2 proportional level of indigestion medicine in a
moist dog food will assist in reducing gastric production and assist in
hydration of the dog. A Tagamet-like liquid substance is often administered
through injection by the vet and with special care may be attempted by the brave
at heart right in the home. This may in some cases be acquired by your
understanding vet if you ask to undertake this level of care yourself. It is of
the utmost importance that this injection is placed in the muscle, because if
you inject it into a vein this most surely will mean the death of your dog.
If the dog progresses into major dehydration it will be
necessary to place the dog on an IV of 60-75cc of IV fluid per 1 lb. This
fluid is placed underneath the skin along the neck and on each side of the spine
and divided into approximately 4-5 locations. This will initially cause the skin
to form large bubbles underneath the injected area, but that is okay. If leaking
occurs when removing the IV needle one may pinch the exit wound and gently shake
the water-swollen bubble to assist in fluid dispersement and body absorption.
Although many dogs may recover within a 5-day period this procedure should be
used as little as possible. The more often one has to resort to this procedure
the more the skin becomes traumatically disturbed and there is an increased
chance of large segments of skin falling off the dog which may lead to death
itself and increase the potential of infection. It is our opinion that one
should only partake of this over a 5-day period three times at the most unless
obvious death will occur without treatment. If this IV induction is performed by
a vet they will also administer antibiotics to the dog to assist with any
potential infections. One should try to work with their vet to try and arrange
an outpatient treatment intervention on days 2 & 4 and a follow up visit on day
5 or 6 based on the dogs progress. If the dog makes it this long it has a pretty
good chance of survival.
As you go through this treatment period it may also be good
to administer Tagamet or other acid-reducer proportionate to the weight of the
dog as compared to a human's weight on the box. This can be as small as 1/4 pill
for a puppy up to one full pill for an adult dog. One can often encourage the
dog to take the pill by covering it with peanut butter or by mixing it in with a
piece of soft food or ground beef.
During the time of treatment it is also good to try to get
the dog to eat things high in moisture content. Dehydration is the biggest
problem. Overcooked boiled noodles mixed with a little meat or moist food is
good and is often taken eagerly by the dog. This will assist the dog in
maintaining a higher level of hydration. This does not have all the nutrients
the dog needs, however. After the dog is recovered it is very important to make
sure that the dog gets the nutrients it needs which can often be found in high
nutrient dog food able to be found at the vet and pet supply stores. Also one
may look at getting a nutrient paste and using this during the treatment period.
These pastes are also available at the vet and pet supply stores and can be
applied directly into the dog's mouth.
Current preventative shots are reportedly not hindered by the
maternal hormones given by the mother dog. There is a lot of out of date
information on Parvo but would caution one to begin preventative shots as early
as 3 weeks with regular follow-up and to treat all possible infected areas with
the appropriate bleach mixtures.
Canine
Distemper
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Distemper,
which was first discovered in the early 1900’s, is a very infectious disease
that causes death in 50% - 80% of all dogs that are infected. The younger the
dog, the greater the chance of death.
For many years Distemper has been the most feared of all
canine diseases possibly only surpassed by Parvo today.
Not only does Canine Distemper affect dogs but it affects
other animals such as ferrets, seals, mink, weasels and their kin among the
Mustelidae family as well as raccoons, pandas and other members of the
Procyonidae family. It has even been thought to have been the cause of the
deaths of a number of African Lions.
Distemper is an RNA virus from the same viral family that
causes measles in humans. Although from the same family, distemper is not
transmittable to humans. Although contracted by puppies, dogs of all ages are
susceptible.
Diagnosing distemper can be difficult as it has many of the
same symptoms as other illnesses. Some signs of distemper are transient fever,
loss of appetite and mild depression as symptoms at the onset. Other dogs are
affected by a systemic illness with nasal and ocular discharges, coughing,
vomiting and diarrhea.
Seizures, behavioral changes, walking in circles and other
ambulatory problems commonly develop. Many dogs who show neurologic signs
develop what is scientifically known as chorea - rhythmic motions or "tics".
Dogs that survive both the initial infection and subsequent neurologic disease
may go on to develop retinal damage, corneal discoloration or extreme hardness
of the skin of the nose or foot pads and sometimes even a lifetime of seizures.
Currently there is no cure for distemper. The only thing that
can be done is supportive care and control of neurologic signs. Often times when
a dog is diagnosed with distemper it is advised that it be euthanized due to the
lifetime of illnesses that they face.
Because distemper is present in every bodily excretion and
can be spread from contact, human to animal transmission and even through
airborne transmission, it is critical that puppies be vaccinated to prevent
infection from occurring.
Vaccinations should begin at approximately 6 weeks. Because
the mother’s milk often interferes with vaccination potency, a regular interval
of shots should be given after the first dose and around week 9, 12, 16 and
annually thereafter. Doing this will help insure that the dog receives the full
value of the vaccination and is of minimal risk to contraction throughout its
life.
Hip Dysplasia
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Hip
Dysplasia is a debilitating disease that is similar in nature to human
arthritis. This disease tends to be primarily genetic in nature and affects
mostly large breeds of dogs. Although other animals besides dogs can also have
this disease.
If a dog is known to be Hip Dysplastic it is imperative that
they be spay / neutered so as not to pass on this negative genetic trait.
Responsible breeding has the greatest impact on the prevalence of this disease.
Along with not breeding a known Hip Dysplastic dog, breeders should also limit
their levels of inbreeding. The greater level of genetic diversity any species
has, the healthier that species is. Lack of genetic diversity is why many
species have been placed on the endangered species list and in many cases have
become or do become extinct.
Hip Dysplasia can severely effect some dogs’ qualities of
life and not even show to be positive in review of their x-rays. Others may
appear to have severe Hip Dysplasia on their x-rays but exhibit little or no
symptoms.
In other cases a dog may be a simple carrier of the Hip
Dysplasia gene yet it may never develop into the disease. If two such carriers
breed, the potential for the disease actively developing in the offspring is
significantly increased. Because inbreeding brings out the most recessive
genetic traits it is easy to see how such practice can increase the odds of
offspring developing the disease from seemingly healthy adults.
It is important to realize that if a dog is diagnosed with
the disease the effects of the disease can be minimized through dietary control
and exercise. Probably the best known exercise is swimming. This disease when
mild may also be treated with various over the counter aspirin medications (NOT
TYLENOL – especially in cats where it can cause methemoglobinemia).
When necessary, prescription medications can be used to
manage the negative effects of Hip Dysplasia. Some cases, however, must be
surgically repaired. When this is the case there are three primary options:
- Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)
- Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO)
- Total Hip Replacement (THR)
It is important that if this disease is suspected in any way
that proper diagnosis be made. If positive, one should take the time to sit down
with their veterinarian and discuss treatment options thoroughly. It is always a
good idea to confirm the diagnosis through an unbiased second opinion by another
vet. Treat your pet’s medical health the same as you would your own and get
second and even third opinions if necessary. Your pet may survive a botched job
from an unscrupulous vet, but at the same time their quality of life can be
severely diminished if you are not careful.
Roundworm
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There
are two different Roundworms. Their scientific names are Toxocara canis and
Toxascaris leonina. The control and treatment of these worms are the same, but
since Toxacara canis is the most common of the two types, we will focus our
information here.
The adult Roundworm can achieve a length of up to 10 cm and
live in the small intestines of the host dog. Upon entry into the intestines
they are around 2cm but within ten days can grow 250+%, around 5 or 6 cm. For
pups that are severely infected with these worms they will have a potbellied
appearance. Because the worm affects the nutritional intake of the puppy another
symptom that may be present is the development of a poor starting coat of fur.
For some where this worm is very severe, blockage of the gut may occur, which
can lead to death.
For one to understand how to control and treat a pet with
roundworm infection it is important to know the lifecycle of the worm. As
mentioned before the adult roundworm lives in the small intestines. In one day
while in the small intestines a female can lay up to 200,000 eggs. These eggs
are subsequently passed through the bowels and deposited upon the ground. While
in and on the ground a two-stage larvae begins to develop in the egg and this
egg is very sticky and easily clings to the fur or paws of the unsuspecting dog.
Once it attaches to a dog it often finds its way into the mouth when the dog
licks these regions.
Because the egg has a thick and durable shell it is well
protected against environmental factors and disinfectants.
If the larvae is in its second stage when digested the shell
will dissolve and the larvae then find their way to the small intestines. Once
in the small intestine they dig their way through the intestine walls and into
the surrounding blood vessels.
From the blood vessels they move to the liver where they
burrow through the tissue and begin to molt into a third stage larvae. This
third stage larvae then find their way through a blood vessel, through the
heart, and into the lungs.
While in the lungs the larvae grow for a number of weeks and
finally break out into the air spaces in the lungs and can be severe enough to
cause bronchitis. During this time the dog will cough the worms up and
re-swallow them where they will then find their way back to the small
intestines.
The reason it is important to understand the lifecycle is
because while the worm is moving through the tissue it is unable to be treated.
The only time that treatment is effective is when the worm is an adult and in
the gut of the dog.
When looking for a good de-wormer medicine our vet has
advised us to purchase products with the active ingredient of Pyrantel Pamoate.
Under the theory that "more is better" it is our opinion that medicines with a
higher level of this ingredient are probably more affective and worth the extra
$1 or $2. If advised differently by your vet we certainly recommend that you
follow their directions.
While in the small intestine the larvae develop into adults.
Within 2-3 weeks the female adults begin to lay their eggs where the whole cycle
begins again. As long as a puppy is exposed to these eggs that puppy will face
an issue of infection with worms in various stages of development.
Because only adult worms can be treated if medicated, the dog
will only expel live eggs and dead adults. Those larvae in development in the
dog will remain developing and the dog will remain infected. Because each female
can lay a large amount of eggs within a very small amount of time the dog will
be re-colonized and infected with worms in various stages of development.
Because only adult worms can be treated, it is of the utmost
importance to realize that a single treatment will not be effective in the
treatment of an infected puppy. Because of this it is important to treat the
puppy on a regular and continual basis for a certain period of time to insure
that the infection has been taken care of properly.
After the puppy reaches about twelve weeks of age their
immune system is developed to a significant enough level to take care of
infections and treatment can stop.
One exception to this is pregnant and lactating female dogs,
who once again become susceptible to infection. Because of this, the risk to new
pups is significant since they can pick up the eggs through the mothers’
droppings or through larvae that have stuck to her fur.
Another way a pup may be susceptible to infection is inutero
(while in the uterus). This happens when the female dog has had worms when she
was a pup and some larvae have hibernated in the tissue of the female until she
becomes pregnant. This hibernation can last for many years. Upon pregnancy, for
reasons not fully understood, these larvae once again become active and find
their way to the uterus and burrow through to infect the pup. Because of this it
is possible for a pup as early as two weeks old to have an active infestation of
adult Roundworms.
Because adult Roundworms can be found in a pup as early as
two weeks of age this is usually the time when the de-worming process should
begin. Beginning treatment early will not only help the puppy out early in its
life but also decrease the chances of it developing hibernating larvae, which
could infect future litters.
Because worms can exist in various stages of development it
is important for the purchaser to realize that worms are a common occurrence and
have very little to do with the care of the pup by the breeder. It is also
equally important for the breeder to have been regularly treating for worms and
advise the purchaser of the potential for Roundworm infection and the
appropriate treatment cycle.
In order to help reduce the chances of worms and other
various diseases, such as Parvo and Distemper, the following steps should be
taken:
- Collect all droppings.
- Reduce exposure to other animals and areas frequented buy other
animals.
- Reduce exposure to unnecessary human contact, as they may be
carriers.
- When possible, eliminate dirt runs. Where elimination is not possible
make these runs as large as possible to help dilute the potential of
infection.
- Maintain a strict treatment program.
A good worming program should begin as early as two weeks and
continue on the third, fourth, sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth week with a
Pyrantel Pamoate based de-wormer which is also effective against Hookworms.
Breeding females should be treated at least three times. Once
before mating, another time after giving birth, and once again shortly before
the pups are weaned. Because of the reduced level of immunity in older dogs
treatment should also be given them on occasion.
Because humans can also become infected with the Roundworm it
is important to realize the health risk involved. Because the worm can not pass
through human tissue as it can through a dog’s tissue, the larvae tend to remain
in various parts of the human body. These larvae are known as "visceral larvae
migrans". These larvae often infect nervous system tissue and can cause
blindness if they reach the optic nerve.
Because of the risk of infection and its possible side
effects it is important that we try to avoid infection. Human infection comes
through the swallowing of eggs, which may either be picked up from the soil or
off the fur of an animal. Young children are most susceptible because they often
ignore proper hygiene and are often the ones most interactive with animals. When
you have children who play with animals it is important that you stress the
importance of proper hygiene and the washing of hands to help reduce the
likelihood of infection.
Some statistics everyone, especially those with children,
should be aware of:
25% of park soil may contain eggs.
40-60% of urban dogs carry this parasite.
Hookworm
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There
are three different types of hookworm. Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma
braziliense and Uncinaria stenocephala.
The Ancylostoma caninum prefers a tropical climate and the
Uncinaria stenocephala prefers a cooler climate. Because of the various climates
these worms enjoy, hookworm can occur in most any part of the world.
Of the three the Ancylostoma caninum is the most dangerous.
These worms are not particular to the age of the dog they infect and can infect
any dog of any age.
The hookworm derives its name due to the fact that it looks
like a tiny fishhook.
The hookworm is small at only around 1cm but do not let this
fool you as they multiply in mass amounts and can cause serious health issues
such as anemia and even death. Because the hookworm feeds on the blood of the
dog this can often weaken the dog’s immune defenses and may lead into secondary
health issues.
The hookworm’s mouth is well adapted to attach to the
intestine lining of the dog and with a very sharp tooth causes the dog to bleed.
The adult hookworm lives in the intestine of the dog and lays
its eggs there where it is then passed out of the dog
through
its feces and in lactating bitches through her milk as well. The female can lay
as many as 30,000 eggs per day.
After passing out of the infected dog with the right
conditions of humidity and temperature the eggs develop into larvae, which go
through two molts and emerge from the egg shell as moving free living larvae.
Although these larvae like shade and need moisture in which to move they are
quite resistant to many environmental conditions due to their ability to bury
themselves in the soil for extended periods of time.
The hookworm can either infect the dog through consumption by
the dog or through borrowing through the skin of the dog.
Skin penetrating larvae go to the lungs, break out of the
lungs, are swallowed and eventually establish themselves as adults in the large
intestine.
Larvae, which enter the dog through the mouth establish
themselves immediately in the small intestine.
After infection the worm has a relatively short life
cycle and in as little as two weeks can be mature egg
producers. Because of this and the fact that treatment
can only occur when the worm has established itself in
the intestine completely curing the dog of such
infection can be difficult. Because of these issues in
treatment it is important once a dog is known (or
suspected) to be infected that a regular treatment
schedule begins and lasts for several weeks at a time.
Typically a treatment program can be administered every other
week by the dogs owner but in cases where hookworm infection is severe and
environmental conditions are right treatment should be done in weekly intervals.
As mentioned before lactating bitches can often be the source
of infection to its pups. Although the hookworm may pass through the tissue and
infect the pup inutero in most cases it happens in very large numbers through
the milk. Because of this pups as young as two or three weeks of age can
actually have adult hookworms in their intestine. Pups are not able to withstand
the blood loss due to hookworm infections because their blood replacing organs
are not fully developed, so if they develop anemia it can be rapidly fatal for
them.
In developing and treating the hookworm one should follow
these following suggestions:
- Keep your dogs run and living area dry.
- Avoid having shade over the dirt section of the dogs living and
recreation areas.
- Where shade is allowed they should be concrete or raised boards.
- Minimize dirt in living and recreation areas where possible and allow
good drainage.
- Pick up droppings daily where practical.
- Prevent grass outside runs from growing through the fence and
providing shade for larvae. Because dogs like to lay in shaded areas this
provides a perfect opportunity for larvae to infect the dog by borrowing
through the skin.
- Make dirt runs as large as possible (if dirt is unavoidable). This
will give a dilution effect.
- Limit shared areas between pups and adult dogs.
- Use a strict program of treatment
Worming a dog may begin at one week of age and then continue
every week through week four and then every other week thereafter until week
twelve. After week twelve, treatment should be given once every three months.
Worming products can be typically purchased at most pet
supply stores and can be given orally. Typically this comes in a liquid that has
a similar taste to banana. When looking for a worming product one should make
sure that it contains the ingredient Pyrantel Pamoate, which has been proven to
be effective in the treatment process.
Whipworm
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The
Whipworm parasite, called Trichuris vulpis, lives in the caecum (a large pouch
at the beginning of the large intestine) of dogs. This parasite, unlike most
other worm parasites, usually effects only dogs over 12 weeks of age.
The worm that is called Whipworm is similar in appearance to
a whip. The adult Whipworm is 4-7cm in length.
Although this parasite does not seem to severely effect a dog
some dogs do develop bouts of smelly diarrhea which itself can become a problem
and create further health complications.
The egg of the Whipworm has a very thick shell, which
protects the parasite for long periods of time (years) and through many adverse
conditions. Once the dog ingests the egg, the larvae, then emerges and attaches
itself in the intestine. While in the large intestine they lay eggs where they
are then released in the dogs waste.
A dog will pick up the eggs by licking his paws or from the
ground. The eggs will hatch out in the small intestine, pass down to the large
intestine and start establishing themselves as adults. This process takes
approximately twelve weeks, and also helps explain why young dogs do not tend to
become fully infected.
With the Whipworm there is no tissue migration as with other
worm parasites and puppies cannot be infected by the mother other than through
the droppings.
Not all types of de-worming medications are effective against
Whipworm, so be sure when selecting a worming product that treatment for the
Whipworm is specifically mentioned.
In order to prevent Whipworm infection, the dog's dirt run
should be limited and where dog droppings are present these should be removed
and properly disposed of.
Tapeworm
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There
are various types of tapeworm that can affect dogs. The most common is called
Dipylidium caninum (the flea tapeworm). The most serious from the human point of
view is Echinococcus granulosus (the hydatid tapeworm).
Tapeworms consist of a head part, which attaches to the
lining of the dog’s intestine and a body, and numerous segments which hang into
the inside of the dog’s gut. The flea tapeworm is quite large (up to 50cm) and
its segments can often be seen in dog droppings, which resemble small melon
seeds and will often move about. The hydatid tapeworm is much smaller (4-6 cm)
and the segments in the dog’s droppings cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Tapeworms have a complicated life cycle. Adult tapeworms shed
segments with the dog’s droppings from time to time. These segments are full of
fertile eggs. Unlike most other worms, tapeworms must go through a development
stage in another animal (an intermediate host) before they can re-infect the
dog.
The flea tapeworm’s intermediate host is the dog flea. When
flea larvae feed on the droppings of infected dogs, they take in the tapeworm
eggs that develop into cysts inside the flea. When a dog nibbles at its fleas it
will occasionally swallow one – if this flea has tapeworm cysts they hatch out
and develop into adult tapeworms in the dog’s intestine.
The intermediate host of the hydatid tapeworm is one of a
number of farm animals including sheep, cattle and pigs. Man can also act as an
intermediate host as we will discuss below. When grazing animals graze areas of
grass contaminated with the droppings of hydatid tapeworm infected dogs, they
will pick up the eggs of the tapeworm from the contaminated droppings. Once
inside the grazing animal, these eggs will develop into large cysts called
hydatids, which usually occur in the offal (i.e. the liver, the lungs, etc.) of
the intermediate host. If a dog should then eat the offal from an animal
containing hydatids it will become infected with adult hydatid tapeworms. It
takes about six weeks for a new hydatid tapeworm infection in the dog to start
laying eggs.
Unless present in very large numbers, tapeworms do not
usually cause a great deal of discomfort to dogs. However, the segments passed
by the flea tapeworm may cause irritation of the dog’s tail and cause the dog to
rub its bottom along the grounds.
There is no risk to humans from the flea tapeworm but the
hydatid tapeworm may present a considerable public health problem. As mentioned
previously, man can act as an intermediate host for this tapeworm if he picks up
eggs from an infected dog. These eggs will develop into cysts or hydatids in the
organs of the human, in the same way that they will in the cattle or other
intermediate host. If hydatids develop in the lungs, the liver or the heart of
an infected human, severe disease can result and may only be cured by surgery.
It is important to realize that it is the hydatid, which affects man, not the
adult worm. So eating hydatids in the offal of a cow cannot infect man, but he
can become infected by picking up eggs from the droppings of dogs. Because rural
dogs are most likely to have access to infected offal, hydatid tapeworm
infection is mainly a problem in rural areas. However, the increasing practice
of feeding untreated offal to urban dogs means that the incidence of hydatid
tapeworm in urban dogs is probably also increasing. The urban dog owner should
also be alert to the dangers.
The flea tapeworm can best be controlled in dogs by a
combination of careful flea control and regular treatments for the dog. Twice
yearly treatment with a drug that is effective against all tapeworms will
normally be sufficient for most dogs. One should always read the full
instructions on all medications before use and make sure they cover the issue of
concern.
The hydatid tapeworm is probably best avoided by not feeding
on uncooked offal or feeding it to their animals. Where this practice is carried
out or access to offal cannot be avoided, it is important that dogs should be
treated every six weeks with a suitable drug to prevent the buildup of hydatid
tapeworms. The risk will be considerably reduced if offal is thoroughly cooked
or boiled before being fed.
Heartworm
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Have
you noticed the mosquitoes yet? If not hear they come its best to be prepared.
Whether you have noticed the mosquitors or not if your Pit Bull or other pets
spend any amount of time outside it’s a good bet that they are aware of their
presence. With the presence of Heartworm also come the chance that your pets may
be subject to Heartworm infection.
Heartworm is probably one of the least considered worms in
our grouping but failure to treat your Pit could ultimately lead to severe heart
damage and slow death. Others may be under the impression that it’s just a worm
that can be easily treated.
In the Heartworm’s case however the best treatment is
Prevention. True medical treatment after infection has occurred should be done
by a veterinarian, can cause serous side effects including death, and should be
expected to be somewhat costly.
There are two primary preventative methods used. There is a
once a month tablet given your dog or a more recent advancement the twice a year
shot.
The Heartworm is a long thin worm, which finds its way
to the heart and close by blood vessels. Although
Heartworms
do not tend to seriously have infected the dog before
six months of age.
As males and females gather in the heart they mate and
reproduce there with the female eventually releasing tiny larvae
(microfilariae). As the tiny larvae circulate throughout the infected dog they
are once again picked up by their transmitter the mosquito. While in the
mosquito they continue developing an then passed onto the next dog not in a
preventative treatment program.
Once passed back into another dog the larvae begins to mature
in the deep tissues of the dog. After maturing to a young adult (approximately 3
months). Once the heart contains both male and females they begin to reproduce
after 6-7 months of the dogs initial infection new larvae will be produced.
As more and more adults accumulate in the heart they begin to
cause heart failure in the dog. The dog will exhibit the same symptoms as heart
failure does in that the dog will become tolerant of exercise less and less of
exercise and have abdominal fluid buildup.
Typically Heartworm diagnosis is done by your vet giving your
dog a blood test. These tests are able to predict such infection even before
onset of any symptoms. Dogs blood tests should be reviewed annually to insure
that any preventative techniques being used is also effective.
In order for any dog to be first put on preventative
treatment it should be first tested. If an infected dog is treated without
having this blood test these treatments can be very harmful and even fatal. A
preventative treatment program should typically begin around the dogs 8-10 week
of age mark.
One way we can all help in controlling the worms is through
controlling the mosquito. Here is a basic but effective method of controlling
mosquito populations. Eliminate open aired stagnant water sources such as
troths, open rain barrels, septic overflow saturation, bird baths, buckets, etc.
Demodectic Mange
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Often
referred to as Red Mange, Demodectic mange (canine demodecosis) is caused by the
mite Demodex canis.
Although the majority of dogs have this mite some who have
impaired immune systems are susceptible to having this mite reproduce in a way
that their immune system can not effectively keep the mite in check. This
weakened immune system seems to often be a genetic trait passed on by the
parents that often can be linked back to inbreeding practices.
There are three primary forms:
Localized:
This form will often go away on it's own. This is typically
characterized by a well defined red scaly lesion and hair loss most often
occurring on the face and forelegs. Although treatment may be given to this type
it is often advised that it not be done so as to be able to determine the level
of the immune system in the animal and to be able to make a determination as to
whether or not it will become generalized.
If treated this determination can not be arrived at
accurately.
Generalized:
This is typical of a dog who has a genetically weak immune
system. This is characterized by enlarged lymph nodes, red scaly lesions and
hair loss that spreads over the entire body. This weakened immune system is
often a trait inherited from genetically weak parents and can cause issues for
the pet the entirety of its life. Any pet determined to have this form should be
spay/neutered.
Any pregnant animal who has been determined to have this
condition should be spayed after recovery from birth. It is important not to
treat this animal until it is fully recovered as this period in their life is
stressful and added stress can cause treatment of the condition to be much more
difficult and have a lower rate of success.
After birth it is imperative that the babies be IMMEDIATELY
removed and not allowed contact with the infected mother. Hand raising these
babies will be necessary to help in the prevention of infection to them. Because
of the hereditary component of this type of red mange and the care involved with
hand raising the babies, those affected do not make good breeding candidates and
such attempts should never be undertaken.
Demodectic Pododermatitis:
This is where the mange has confined itself to the paws. In
many cases this mange must be determined through biopsy and is often accompanied
by bacterial infections.
Treatment is typically undertaken by a vet and can be quite
costly. The drug Amitraz (Mitaban) is often used and can cause bad reactions for
people who are exposed to the treatment and are taking serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (such as Prozac). Because of this both those treating the animal and
those who have exposure to the treated animal should be aware of possible health
risks to themselves. This type of treatment should also never be used on any toy
breeds or young puppies.
Other treatments do exist but vary in their effectiveness and
reviewed by your treating veterinarian.
In old times people would attempt to treat this condition
with motor oil. THIS IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT. IT WILL NOT WORK. In
addition to it not working trying this will put your pet at great risk since it
is likely that they will lick much of it off and cause sever kidney and liver
damage in many cases leading to death. That which is not licked off can absorb
through the skin and cause severe blood pressure drops and lead to death as
well.
Spay / Neuter
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In this issue
we will be discussing spay and neutering. We often receive inquiries on this
subject from members and the general community. This article is intended to
inform interested individuals as best possible about both the positives and
negatives in making such a choice for a pet. This article should not take the
place of professional veterinary consultation, but it is provided to help
responsible pet owners in making an informed choice on the topic.
Because there are very few negative drawbacks to the
process we will address these issues first.
In choosing to spay or neuter
your pet one should know that if they have intentions for “showing” the pet,
many registries frown upon it and will subsequently penalize the animal and
owner. At The American Pit Bull Registry we personally feel that this
penalization is unfair. Shows are intended to determine conformity, skill,
talent, and a myriad of other qualities, but not whether the pet has the
capacity to breed. As such we feel that having a pet spay or neutered is a
decision that should not have any effect on its performance or be used against
it in the judging process.
Next in line of negatives is
the potential negative effects of anestisizing the pet for the surgery. As with
all surgery there is this risk. This risk is very minimal however. If a pet has
ever been in surgery, prior knowledge of its tolerance to anesthesia can be
helpful in making an informed decision about the process. If the pet has never
had a surgical procedure you should consult the operating veterinarian on ways
to minimize such risk.
For some there are concerns
that the males may have less developed chests, heads, and muscling. If this is a
concern then waiting until the pet has reached one year should minimize such
effects. Neutering at an early age additionally may lead to larger (obese) males
but this can often be controlled with proper nutritional care and proper diets.
Because of the potential for weight gain there is also the potential for the
development or aggravation of orthopedic issues such as Hip Dysplasia.
For females there may be a
tendency for slightly increased aggression due to increased testosterone. This
may be of concern to those with children but can often be more controlled with
proper training of the pet and teaching children proper respect toward animals.
As a side note, most bites that occur to children are a result of their lack of
respect for the animal in question, its health conditions, and its defined
territories. As responsible pet owners and parents the ultimate responsibility
in their care lies within ourselves.
Female pets that have been spayed may also suffer from
urinary incontinence, which is most often treatable
but can be a life long issue in some.
Now on to the positives.
Spaying females eliminates the
heat cycle and it’s correlated mood swings. With the elimination of the heat
cycle there is no spotting which is a concern for many who feel this issue
itself is enough to warrant the process.
Neutering males eliminates the
desire to roam to find a viable female in heat. This reduction in roaming desire
reduces the risk of escape and running away to find a mate. This reduced roaming
desire thus reduces the risk of injury due to car accidents, territorial
domination, fighting for females among other males, and being picked up by
animal control officials which is often a death sentence for the Pit Bull in
many communities around the world.
It should be noted that dogs
have a very keen sense of smell and males can often tell when a female is in
heat from very long distances away.
For those who use their dogs
for hunting purposes the distraction of a female in heat can often lead to a
distraction from the task and even the loss of the male hunting dog.
With pets that are not altered
there comes the increased risk of unwanted parenthood. Pregnancy can be harmful
to females and can in some cases, can lead to death. Unwanted pets,
especially of mixed varieties, make up the predominance of those euthanized
daily in shelters around the world. Thousands die annually unnecessarily in such
places due to unplanned pregnancies and irresponsible ownership.
In addition to unwanted
pregnancy there also comes the increased risk of venereal disease.
For females that have been
spayed their risk of dying later in life due to mammary cancer is less than 1%
when the procedure is done before her first heat cycle. If spayed between the
first and second heat cycle this is reduced to 8%. Those spayed after their
second heat are at a 25% risk, which is the same as those who have not been
altered.
For females that are spayed
they can avoid the risk of Pyometra (uterine infection) which effects
approximately 8% of the female dog population during their lifetime. Dogs are
especially susceptible to this condition due to their unique estrus cycle.
Pyometra can go on for a long period of time before it is detected and can
become quite a serious issue.
For males that are neutered
they have a reduced tendency in marking (urinating for territory). This alone is
a good enough reason for many to go through with this procedure and can reduce
negative effects of marking, especially as the male ages.
We hope this has given a
balanced and informative review on the subject of sexual alteration.
Tick Borne Illness and Prevention
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There
are several illnesses associated with ticks. It is important to realize that not
all tick bites will result in illness but that when a tick is itself infected
with the associated bacteria it can then transmit this illness on to other
species including your pets, your children, and you.
By far the most serious of illnesses
associated with ticks is that of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The name is
misleading as this illness has been found to have a range from Alaska and
Southern Canada to as far south as South America. This illness was first
reported in 1896 in Idaho and was called Black Measles for its measle like
appearance. Diagnosis of this illness can be difficult and easily overlooked.
Treatment of this disease is critical as 3% - 5% of those effected still
die as a result of the infection despite effective treatments and advances in
medical care.
Certainly the most prevalent illness associated with
ticks is Lyme disease. Lyme disease effects
approximately 16,000 individuals in the US each year
and has been reported in every state.
Although there have been a few Lyme disease related deaths the
probability of death from Lyme disease is next to 0
especially with the appropriate medical treatment.
Estimated costs associated with education and
treatment of this disease exceed $60 million annually.
Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness is
another tick borne illness. This illness is primarily confined from Texas
eastward with the majority of cases in the southern states and eastern seaboard.
Although this illness is not as common as Lyme disease it shares many of the
symptoms and without clinical tests to rule out Lyme disease can be easily
misdiagnosed.
Ehrlichiosis caused by the Ehrlichia
bacterium. Although only a few cases in America have been reported similar
illnesses related to this bacteria have been reported in the Southeast Asia and
Far East predominantly in western Japan. Little is known about the illness and
transmission associated with the Erlichia bacterium but investigations are
currently underway to help promote better understanding.
Babesia Infection although extremely rare
has been classified as an emerging infectious disease or EID. Because of the
rarity of this disease very little is known about it. Individuals who have been
diagnosed with this illness are of great interest to the medical community for
study. The medical community is interested in these individuals in order to gain
greater understanding of the illness. With this
understanding they try to develop appropriate treatment methods and ways of
treating it in its early stages as well as developing ways to eliminate the
illness before it becomes more prevalent in the world wide community.
Symptoms of these illnesses are often very
similar which include rash, headaches, fever, aches, and swelling especially in
the major joints.
The best prevention against getting an
illness associated with ticks is to avoid areas such as the woods and overgrown
brush. Knowing this is not really feasible for many of us, the next best thing
is to dress in such a way as to limit skin exposure, wear insect repellant, and
thoroughly search yourself and pets when coming from such environments.
Pets should also be treated to
help prevent them from being the target of ticks with liquid treatments like
those available through Frontline and Advantix. Some
animals may be sensitive to such treatments so after their application one
should supervise their pets health for a few days afterwards. In addition to
repelling ticks such treatments have been made to also repel fleas and
mosquitoes, which also has positive health benefits for your pets.
If a tick is found to be lodged in you or
your pet it is important to remove it appropriately. The appropriate method of
removing a tick is with the use of tweezers or rubber gloves. It is important to
grab the tick as close to the base of the skin as possible and pull directly
outward slowly. Ticks should not be jerked or twisted out as this may severe
their mouth parts which may remain lodged in the skin. If this happens these
should also be removed to prevent continuing or increased risk of infection. It
is also important not to handle the tick with bare hands or squish the tick. If
the tick is a carrier of a bacteria, handling the tick inappropriately can
result in passing the infection on even without bite especially when in contact
with the mucus membranes or even small unseen cuts in the skin may be. After
removal it is important to wash any skin that has came in contact with the tick
with soap (preferably antibacterial soap) and hot water. Subsequent treatment
with Hydrogen Peroxide is also recommended.
If there is cause for concern it is advisable to place
the tick in a sealable plastic bag and to make note of
the date of exposure and any subsequent symptoms there
may be of illness. Having the tick specimen will help
a lab run tests to determine if the tick is an actual
carrier of any bacteria that could cause illness. If
cases of illness have been reported in your area this
is an especially important step to help determine
treatment and community prevalence.
Canine
Brucellosis
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Brucellosis
is a disease spread by the bacteria in the genus Brucella. This disease can
affect most any vertebrate animal including sheep, goat, elk, deer, pigs, and
our wonderful companion friend, the dog.
Brucellosis is contagious and can be
transmitted from one animal species to another through contact of contaminated
animals or animal products. Vectors of contamination include eating, drinking,
contact of bodily fluids, and on rare occasion through inhalation.
When Brucellosis is transmitted to humans
it manifests itself into flue like symptoms such as fever, sweats, aches and
pains, and weakness. Severe infections can affect the nervous system and lining
of the heart. Symptoms do not usually last very long but can in some cases
become chronic. Most cases in humans are a result of partaking in unpasturized
milk, ice cream and cheeses. This most often occurs to Americans when visiting
foreign countries and ingesting dairy products. Human to human infection can
occur through transplants, breast feeding, and sexual interaction.
In canines the effects of Brucellosis are much more
severe. The Brucellosis infection in the dog will
affect its reproductive system. In the female this
leads to abortion of inutero pups and death to
infected pups after birth. In males this can cause an
infection in the sexual organs leading to discomfort
and inflammation. Infertility, poor health, and damage
to the kidneys and nervous system can be long-term
effects in both sexes.
Although infection is rare and typically
the result of stray unhealthy companions, if breeding stock becomes infected in
a kennel type of arrangement this can lead to disaster. In order to avoid such
contamination in breeding it is a good idea to have all mates tested through a
simple blood test available through your veterinarian. Because of the rareness
(1% - 6%) of this illness some vets may see this as unnecessary and may try to
talk a responsible breeder out of it. If considering breeding you should explain
your concerns to your vet and remind them they are they to serve you as a
customer and the reason why you are asking for such a test is to be responsible
in your breeding program.
If any pet you have is determined to have
this disease it is imperative that they be removed from consideration as a
breeding subject and that they be kept separated from any other breeding stock
you may have. If any pet or human in your household becomes infected it is
important to have the entire set of breeding dogs subsequently tested.
If a pet is determined to have Brucellosis while
pregnant and still does to manage to have a litter it
will be crucial to the pups survival that they be
removed without the opportunity to nurse. This should
be done with the use of rubber gloves and by giving
the pups a thorough washing. After washing the pups
you should wash any parts of your body that have come
into direct contact with the pups. The new owners must
be informed of their infection and it will be
necessary to spay/neuter the entire lot to prevent
spread of the disease. Although no vaccine has been
found for this disease, treatment with Tetracycline or
Streptomycin may be administered on a long-term
schedule but even this is often still ineffective.
Although the APBR does not condone euthanasia in most
cases, humanely culling such pups, given the potential
threat of this disease, may be considered.
Because of the potential of spread to
humans, health departments in many states may order such infected animals
destroyed.
The best prevention of this disease is
through eliminating the exposure your pet has to outside roaming animals through
responsible containment such as with well-maintained fences of proper height or
keeping them inside.
Coccidia
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This
species Coccidia is an opportunistic single cell parasite that affects the
digestive system. Like worms this parasite is often detected by fecal exam.
Unlike worms however these parasites never grow large enough to be seen by the
naked eye.
The Coccidia is also known in its initial state as an
Oocysts (pronounced o'o-sists), which can easily be visualized as a little “o”
inside of a big “O” as seen through the microscopic picture below.
Coccidia are spread through fecal matter. Such infected
fecal matter is easily passed through contact with other animals or the areas
they habitate. Squirrels, birds, people’s shoes, hands, car tires and even the
rain itself may spread it. Coccidia can even be spread by an infected mouse,
which is then eaten by a pet and then leads to its infection. Because this
illness can contaminate the cleanest environment it is important to always be
on the lookout for it and treat all pets especially the very young at the
first sign any infection has occurred.
Because Coccidia is only visible through microscopic
evaluation and its symptoms can often mimic that of other diseases such as
Parvo and Distemper the illness is often misdiagnosed. The only real
verification of this very prevalent illness is through fecal exam under a
microscope. Because the fecal exam is much easier and cost efficient it is
often the first thing that should be considered when a pet is exhibiting any
of the below symptoms.
The symptoms of Coccidia range from none at all to nausea,
lethargy, depression and diarrhea, which is often watery and may contain
blood. Because its symptoms are much the same as Parvo and other illnesses
that cause dehydration the course of treatment is often the same with the
addition of the special drugs Albon or another similar sulfa medication to
help with the condition.
An anti nausea/vomiting drug is often also provided.
Anti-nausea/vomiting drugs are widely used with any condition where vomiting
is a threat. Vomiting can cause great stress to a young pup and can lead to
severe depression and less will to live. It is most important to treat
vomiting as a critical issue. Severe vomiting can lead to rapid dehydration.
Severe dehydration is the actual killer and not the disease itself in many
cases where death from illness occurs.
Understanding the signs of dehydration and immediately
acting on its reversal can significantly improve the odds of that pet’s
survival. Such action may involve something as easy as providing a moisture
rich food to syringe feed and watering all the way up to IV Fluid treatment.
It is important to note that Coccidia cannot be cured by the
drugs that are used, but instead that these drugs inhibit the parasites growth
and aid in its expulsion from the pet’s system. With fewer Coccidia in the
digestive tract the pet’s immune system then is allowed to catch up and
complete the task to kill the remaining.
On the positive side of a pet’s infection with Coccidia,
like Parvo if a dog is unlucky enough to have caught it but yet survives it
will then likely gain a lifetime of immunity from future episodes.
Kennel Cough
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Kennel
Cough is not typically dangerous and is typically caused by any one several
different infectious agents that irritate the lining of the throat. The most
common organisms associated with such infections are the bacteria Bordetella,
two viruses Parainfluena and Adenovirus, and the organism Mycoplasma.
Typically the symptoms of infection are a dry, hacking cough
occur around 3-7 days from the point of exposure and last typically 7-21 days
in duration. Symptoms increase with the activity of the dog due to the
increased irritation of air passing over exposed nerves in the dog’s trachea.
Other than the cough there are typically no other symptoms.
Most cases of kennel cough will go away on their own without
the need for medications. Cough suppressants and antibiotics may also aid in
speeding up the recovery process and reducing the cough thus making it more
comfortable for the dog involved.
Kennel cough is typically transmitted in areas where there
are numbers of dogs confined together such as kennels, shelters, dog shows,
dog parks and so on. In-door environments perpetuate the risk due to lack of
airflow. Like a human cold it only takes one infected dog to spread the
infection and may do so for days or even weeks after they have seemed to
recover.
Kennel cough can be acquired even in the cleanest
environments and is not subject to blame typically of the kennel, shelter,
show operator. Many dogs develop an immunity against such infection due to
minor exposures they receive during their life that act in the same way an
immunization booster shot does.
All cough should be reviewed by a vet as there may be other
causes such as serious respiratory disease, heartworms and cardiac disease.
Vaccination is available but non-commercial brands
typically only protect against the Bordetella agent. Other agents are however
typically protected against with routine vaccinations. If considering
activities that will regularly expose your dog to such infection vaccination
should be considered and provided at least a few weeks beforehand.
Rabies
Return to Index
Rabies is a viral
infection typically spread by bite through the saliva of an infected animal.
Rabies is easily avoidable in the pet population through rabies immunization
shots, which are typically required of pet owners living in the United States.
Other countries however do not have such requirements leading to numerous
human deaths especially in the countries of Africa and India.
The rabies virus is an RNA virus, which do not replicate
using a DNA intermediate. The virus itself is shaped similar to a bullet with
spikes.
Typically an infected animal will exhibit erratic behavior
due to the effect the virus has on the animal’s brain. Once the virus reaches
the brain it rapidly causes encephalitis, which is an acute inflammation of
the brain.
Rabies is first presented with flu-like symptoms and
presents itself typically between 3-12 weeks of exposure although it may take
as long as 2 years. Symptoms typically progress in severity until full-blown
insanity and subsequent death.
There is no known cure for rabies and the only real hope is
in vaccination, which should occur as soon as possible after a bite before the
virus has the ability to take hold. Typically the period of time for
vaccination should be within 14 days of exposure with a treatment regimen
lasting over a 28 day period, which is critical to success.
During the progression of the infection an animal will
typically produce large amounts of saliva coupled with the inability to
swallow (commonly known as foaming at the mouth). All such animals exhibiting
this symptom should be avoided at all costs and reported to the local
authorities so that immediate action can be taken to reduce the risk of bite
and transmission.
Only six people have survived have full-blown contraction of
rabies and of the six only one (Jeanna Giese) survived without severe brain
damage.
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