DEWORMING IN PUPPIES
Deworming is very important in puppies. Its starts with ensuring the dam is fully dewormed before mating. This is because dams can transmit the worms transplacental (in placenta) or trans mammary (when breastfeeding). Symptoms of worms. Diarrhea Vomiting Coughing Chewing or licking under the tail Short of breath Weight loss Dull coat Anemia- hookworms Diagnosis Fecal exam through centrifugation to check for intestinal worms. Transplacental and trans mammary transmission leads to severe parasitic conditions, even before the worms are shed in stool. Treatment There are several types of worms which include: hookworms, roundworms, whipworms and tapeworms. For this reason, deworming should be done at weeks 2,4,6,8,10 and 12 weeks. Then monthly till 6 months, every 3 months thereafter. during this time, also deworm the dam. A broad spectrum dewormer is always recommended. Prevention/ control Ensure proper sanitization/ good hygiene to prevention worm re-infection from the environment. The beddings should be kept clean, dry and changed frequently to reduce contamination of the environment.
TICK BORNE DISEASES IN DOGS
TICK BORNE DISEASES IN DOGS Ticks not only suck blood, cause disturbance but also transmit diseases to dogs. Ticks transmit diseases through the bites. A tick has to be infected with the disease to be able to infect the dog with the disease. The following diseases are transmitted by ticks: Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Bartonellosis and Hepatozoonosis. LYME DISEASE It’s caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Its transmitted by the blacklegged tick (Deer tick). A dog infected with this disease will exhibit the following signs: fever, lameness, limping, joint pain/swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy and lack of appetite. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood test ERLICHIOSIS It’s caused by Elrichia canis. Its transmitted by the brown dog tick. A dog infected with Ehrlichiosis will exhibit the following signs: fever, lack of appetite, low blood platelets, lethargy, dullness and loss of weight. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood test. ANAPLASMOSIS It’s caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Its transmitted by the blacklegged tick (Deer tick). A dog infected with Anaplasmosis exhibit the following signs: lameness, joint pain, fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and enlarged lymph nodes. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood test. BABESIOSIS It’s caused by Babesia gibsoni. Its transmitted by several tick species. It’s also transmitted trans placentally, through blood transfusion and mechanically through shared piercing objects. A dog infected with Babesiosis exhibit the following signs: fever, anemia, destruction of red blood cells, jaundice, red urine, lack of appetite, dullness, lethargy and weight loss. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood test. BARTONELLOSIS It’s caused by Bartonella. Its transmitted by fleas, sand flies, lice and ticks. A dog infected with Bartonellosis exhibits the following signs: fever, enlarged spleen and liver, lameness, enlarged lymph nodes, endocarditis and myocarditis. Diagnosis is confirmed through blood test. HEPATOZOONOSIS It’s caused by Hepatozoon canis and Hepatozoon americanumis. Its transmitted when the dog swallows an infected tick. Dog infected with this disease exhibits the following signs: fever, weight loss, lethargy, lack of appetite, muscle pain and weakness, reluctance to move.
