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> Arthritis > Heartworm Disease > Hypothyroidism > Giardia |
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ARTHRITIS Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint, which can cause pain and/or swelling. Several types exist, including rheumatoid, degenerative, and infectious arthritis, each of which has a different cause. An arthritic joint can cause immense pain, especially in the morning and in cold weather. As your Pet's advocate, it's up to you to watch for trouble. Warning signs associated with arthritis include a decrease in activity, stiffness or limping, swollen joints, fever and depression. Lightening the load on joints may help decrease the pain associated with arthritis. If your Pet is overweight, proper diet and weight control are essential. Your Banfield veterinarian can recommend a therapeutic diet and exercise program, such as regular walking, to decrease your Pet's weight safely. Providing a padded bed and a warm, dry environment and appropriate medications for your Pet can also help control discomfort. Comprehensive examinations, such as those covered by Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans®, help your veterinarian detect and treat arthritis before it becomes too painful. If you do notice signs of arthritis, see a veterinarian immediately. Your doctor will perform a complete physical examination and may use blood tests, X-rays, and joint fluid analysis to help determine the cause and severity of the arthritis. Fortunately, there are many, many therapeutic options to help older Pets deal effectively with this common symptom of old age. ^ top HEARTWORM DISEASE Heartworm disease is caused by long slender parasites that are transmitted from one Pet to another by mosquitoes. Reaching up to 12 inches in length, these worms live in the right side of the heart and adjoining vessels of infected Pets, and are capable of causing substantial damage to the heart and lungs before they show any signs of disease. Fortunately, this is a disease that is entirely preventable. Symptoms include coughing, fainting, exercise intolerance, excessive panting and difficulty breathing. Dogs at highest risk for heartworms are those that spend time outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are active. Since limiting mosquito exposure is difficult, the surest way to prevent heartworm infection is by administering a safe, semi-annual heartworm preventive that kills immature worms before they cause damage. Because they may already be infected, it is important for dogs over six months of age to have a blood test before starting heartworm preventive. At Banfield, we provide a quick in-house blood test to screen for infection. Additional testing, including a complete blood count (CBC), organ function profile or X-rays, is often necessary to determine the degree of infection. Banfield Optimum Wellness Plans cover the cost of yearly heartworm testing for dogs. ^ top HYPOTHYROIDISM Hypothyroidism is primarily a disease of middle-age to older dogs, although it can affect any dog. Some breeds, such as cocker spaniels, dachshunds, Scotties, golden retrievers, Rottweilers, and Doberman pinschers are more often affected. You can't prevent your Pet from developing hypothyroidism, but early detection helps minimize complications. Here's how your Banfield veterinarian can help: Recognizing the symptoms of hypothyroidism is critical to early detection. If your Pet demonstrates behavior changes such as lethargy, excessive sleeping, or aggression; skin and coat changes such as dryness, dullness, darkening or excessive shedding; constipation, weight gain or frequent infections, schedule a time for examination and testing as soon as possible. Supplementing your Pet with synthetic thyroid hormone is a safe, simple, and highly effective treatment. Your dog will require medication once or twice daily, most likely for the rest of his life. Thyroid hormone levels need to be remeasured on a regular basis and the medication dosage adjusted as needed. Initial rechecks usually begin one to two months after starting the medication and consist of physical exams and blood testing. ^ top GIARDIA Giardia is a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestines of many domestic and wild animals. The parasite is shed in the feces and can survive in moist areas, particularly stagnant water and animal waste. Giardia attaches to the intestinal lining, damaging the tissue and interfering with the host's ability to absorb nutrients. If your dog is infected, she may exhibit diarrhea, depression, weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, or a combination of these symptoms. If giardia parasites remain in the host for a long time, they erode the intestinal lining and cause sporadic bloody diarrhea. Left untreated, your Pet may become increasingly debilitated and susceptible to other infections. Because giardia is a zoonotic parasite, there is a risk that it can be transmitted between Pets and humans. People suffering from giardia infection are subject to the same health threats as their Pets. If your Pet is infected with giardia, your Banfield veterinarian is ready with GiardiaVax™ and a broad range of antibiotics and dewormers to treat the infection. If diarrhea and vomiting are severe, a special diet and anti-diarrheal and anti-nausea drugs are needed. Banfield recommends routine evaluation of your dog's fecal samples to help catch infections early. Cleaning your Pet's environment is an extremely important part of eliminating giardia, preventing reinfection, and protecting your family. To further reduce the threat of infection, don't let your Pet drink from streams or lakes. Bring iodine tablets with you when you camp to treat drinking water, as the iodine kills giardia. Anytime you're away from home, have fresh, clean water available for your Pet. Keep your yard clean of feces; feces from all animals, including birds, can be sources of infection. Regularly remove animal waste from your yard to help minimize exposure. And remember to wash your hands thoroughly after contact with feces. Authored by Brent Carroll, DVM ^ top |
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