Types of Small Animal Diseases

Small animal medicine treats companion animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets. While these animals possess many differences in anatomy and physiology, they all are susceptible to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, heart, neurological system and skin. Veterinarians who treat dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets, as opposed to those who focus on large animals such as horses, cows and other farm animals, are trained to identify and manage any disease found among small animals.

  1. Cardiac Disease

    • While heart disease is less common in rabbits and ferrets, these animals, as well as dogs and cats, can experience a variety of cardiac problems. Rabbits have been known to develop arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms, for example, and ferrets can suffer from cardiomyopathy, a deterioration of heart muscle. Congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart is no longer able to efficiently pump blood needed by the body, is common in older dogs and cats. Small animal veterinarians typically run a variety of tests on animals if a heart problem is suspected, and medications can help in many cases.

    Gastrointestinal Disease

    • Viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases can attack the intestinal tracts of cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets. Symptoms in any animal can be as obvious as diarrhea or as subtle as slow weight loss. When a GI problem is suspected, a small animal veterinarian will order a fecal culture. Results will determine which medication is administered and on what schedule. Ample fresh water is recommended as an animal recovers from an intestinal infection.

    Neurological Disease

    • Vestibular disease affects all small mammals, and it manifests as staggering, head tilting and stroke-like symptoms. The vestibular system, which includes nerves in the brain and the inner ear, is responsible for a sense of balance and orientation when an animal walks, stands, lies down and plays. Two types of vestibular disease strike animals: central vestibular disease, which comes from a brain abnormality, and peripheral vestibular disease, which is triggered by an inner ear nerve problem. Some cases are idiopathic, meaning no cause can be found, and these cases typically resolve on their own. More serious vestibular problems require medication, and herbal treatments sometimes are added.

    Skin Disease

    • Unusual lumps, bumps, flaking, scaling and itchy patches can be found on the bodies of all dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets. Causes range from bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral skin infections and allergies, to more serious problems such as autoimmune diseases and thyroid conditions. To diagnose the cause of the skin disease, your veterinarian will examine the physical signs, scrape enough tissue to biopsy, and possibly run blood or other tests. Medications typically cure basic skin infections. Allergy medicine and oatmeal baths help many animals with seasonal itching. Autoimmune and thyroid diseases call for different types of medications and long-term management.