About Chronic Diseases in Dogs

Skin Diseases

• Many skin diseases are hereditary in canines. The most common is flea dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to flea bites. The dog will get bald spots from biting and scratching at the bites and have very red and inflamed skin. A simple flea treatment is not always effective in these cases. Your vet can prescribe a antihistamine, which will greatly improve their skin and distress. This should be given to your dog along with treating the yard, their bedding and your house for fleas on a regular basis. Dust mites along with outside allergens of tree, weed and flower pollen can have the same effect on your dog. The symptoms may occur as early as 3 months old, or not until they are 1 to 3 years old. The vet will also prescribe an antihistamine for these conditions. An over-the-counter topical cream that works well is Corona Ointment, with its skin-calming formula of analgesic and antiseptic products. This is available in your local feed store or can be purchased at online pet supply stores as Jeffers Pet.

Hip Dysplasia

• This disease is a malformation of the hip ball-and-socket joint in the hind legs of dogs. You may notice that your dog walks with a limp, doesn't jump as much as he did at a younger age or refuses to jump onto the furniture or into your truck as he used to. You may also notice the back hips looking too wide for the dog's body frame or a hopping gait at a run. Hip dysplasia is commonly found in larger breeds such as German shepherds, Great Danes, Labrador retrievers, St. Bernards, Rottweilers and golden retrievers. Severe cases will need hip-replacement surgery, while less severe cases may be treated with non-steroidal antiinflammatory prescriptions. A cortisone-based steroid may also be prescribed, along with the use of arthritis supplements such as glucosamine and chondrotin, which have also proven helpful in treatment. A few simple steps can help alleviate the pain, such as making sure your dog has some non-strenuous exercise each day so their joints don't stiffen and keeping them from gaining weight and putting more pressure on their joints.

Hypoglycemia

• A sudden drop in blood sugar due to the pancreas overproducing insulin creates a condition called hypoglycemia. This is prevalent in the toy breeds of dogs such as the Yorkshire terrier, chihuahua, pomeranian and maltese. This condition occurs more in small dogs because of their eating habits. They eat such a small amount at a time, so they need to eat very often during the day and night in order to retain a healthy blood -ugar level. Signs of hypoglycemic distress are trembling, confusion, weakness, inability to walk and seizures ranging from mild to severe. Small dogs can get stressed easily with the return of a child or family member, or playing too hard, or even from other pets who bark incessantly. These stresses can trigger an onset of a hypoglycemic attack. At the first sign of distress you can rub Nutri-Cal on their gums, which is a sugar-based substance. If you don't have this product, which can be purchased at pet stores and feed stores, apply Karo Syrup to their gums for the same results. Make sure that your pet has plenty of fresh water and drinks often so they don't become dehydrated, which can make this condition worse.

Lyme Disease

• When a tick that is infected with bacteria bites your dog and is attached to his skin for one or more days, it can cause Lyme disease. This is the result of bacteria being transferred into the dog's bloodstream, and can be very serious. The symptoms of infection are swollen lymph nodes, a high fever, lameness and a sudden disinterest in food. If this disease is left untreated, your pet can suffer heart disease and it can affect their joints as well as their kidney function. If these symptoms are noticed, take your pet to the vet, where a blood test can be done to identify the disease. The treatment is a regimen of three to four weeks of a strong antibiotic such as doxycycline.

Prevention

• As with any illness in humans or canines, it is always important to get vaccines on a regular basis in order to prevent serious diseases. Vaccines may not protect against all diseases, but with regular check ps, many ailments may be caught at an early stage to cause less distress to your family dog.