Conditions, Diseases

• Congestive Heart Failure 


  Conditions which fluid builds up, due to hearts reduced ability to pump blood efficiently through out the body.

  A damaged heart may stuggle to pump blood which can cause blood to back up in the lungs leading to fluid accumulating in the chest, abdomen or both.
• Congestive Heart Failure - Causes

  • Mitral or tricuspid valve disease
  • Congenital defects
  • Pericardial Disease
• Congestive Heart Failure- Treatment and management 


  Diuretic therapy- works to reduce the fluid accumulation.

  Medication is lifelong and symptoms will deteriorate over time.
• CHF - Types 


  Left sided- More common type to occur in dogs and occurs when blood backs up in the lungs, causing swelling in lungs (pulmonary edema). Dogs will usually have cough and difficulty breathing.

  Right sided- when right side of heart malfunctions, main circulatory becomes backed up with blood throughout body and fluid gathers in abdomen or limbs.
• CHF - Signs and symptoms

  • Abdominal Swelling
  • Difficulty exercising
  • Faster respiratory rate
  • Discomfort when lying down
  • Loss of appetite
• Congestive Heart failure

  is a progressive disease and can be categorised based on the severity from A-D
• What does infectious mean?


  Capability of microorganism such as bacterium’s, viruses or parasite to invade and potentially spread within a host organism leading to an infection.
• Canine Distemper 


  Affects several body systems - gastrointestinal, respiratory tract, spinal cord, brain.

  Spread via inhalation

  The viral infection can be accompanied by secondary infections and can present eventual neurological symptoms.
• Canine Distemper 


  High mortality rate, disease duration and severity it depends mainly on animals age and immune status
• Distemper- Symptoms

  • High fever
  • Eye inflammation
  • Eye/nose discharge
  • Laboured breathing
  • Lethargic
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting and diarrhoea
  • Dehydration
• Treatment - Distemper 


  Antiemetics- stop vomiting

  Antibiotics- stop secondary infection

  IV Fluids- Replace fluids lost from diarrhoea/ vomiting

  Intensive nursing- patient must be monitored closely for advancing symptoms

  Anticonvulsants- stop seizures
• Distemper - Vaccines 


  Vaccinate at 6-8 weeks old

  Booster at 1 years old

  Every 3 years or protection will drop and the animal is at risk
• Canine Parvovirus


  Spread through faecal/ oral route

  Virus is shed in faeces of infected dogs and can be transmitted through other dogs oral interactions and contaminated environments.

  Tends to be most severe and deadly in puppies under 6 months

  Mortality rates can be as high as 90% or more if left untreated or delayed.
• Canine Parvovirus- Symptoms

  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Severe bloody diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Lack of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Inability to digest food
• Canine parvovirus - treatment

  • No cure- must treat individual symptoms
  • Gastroprotectants- heal stomach ulcers from stomach acid corrosion
  • Isolation- infected dogs are isolated to prevent spread
• Leptospirosis - Bacteria


  Spread through urine or infected animals, contaminated water, soil or surfaces.

  Severe disease and can lead to jaundice, kidney disease.
• Symptoms of Leptospirosis

  • Sudden Fever
  • Stiff gait
  • Lack of appetite
  • Sore muscles
  • Shivering
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Jaundice
• Treatment- Leptospirosis


  Antibiotics

  Gastroprotectants

  Isolation

  Vaccination
• Canine Hepatitis 


  Caused by canine adenovirus type 1

  Transmitted primarily through contact with urine, faeces, saliva or nasal secretions

  Can lead to various complications including liver damage, bleeding disorders and secondary bacterial infections

  Mortality rate can increase
• Signs and Symptoms- Canine Hepatitis

  • Fever
  • Lethargic
  • High Temperature
  • Nasal Discharge
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Lack of appetite
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Jaundiced mucus membranes
  • Coughing
• Treatment- Hepatitis 


  No cure- treat symptoms individually

  Isolation to prevent the spread

  Blood transfusion for further complications

  Vaccination
• Hepatitis Vaccination


  6-8 weeks of age

  Continuing until 16-20 weeks

  followed by regular boosters
• Kennel Cough 


  Bacteria/ Virus

  Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza
• Kennel Cough 


  Mild and Self-limiting condition in healthy dogs

  Mortality is low

  However young and old dogs may be vulnerable to severe respiratory infections like pneumonia
• Symptoms - Kennel cough

  • Persistent forceful cough
  • Lethargic
  • Sneezing
  • Nose Discharge
  • Eye Discharge
  • Lack of appetite
  • Potential Retching
• Treatment - Kennel Cough

  • Rest and relaxation
  • Antibiotics/ IV/ Anti-virals
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Vaccination
• Kennel Cough Vaccination


  Puppies should receive a series of vaccinations:

  6-8 weeks and continuing until 16-20 weeks

  Regular boosters
• Feline Panleukopenia- also known as…


  Feline Parvovirus or Feline Infectious Enteritis
• Feline Panleukopenia 


  Infected via direct contact with infected cat or fomites

  Can also be transmitted through mother to kittens

  Severe and life threatening especially to vulnerable groups

  High Mortality Rates
• Feline Panleukopenia - Symptoms

  • Anorexia
  • Lethargy
  • Diarrhoea
  • Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Dehydration
• Feline Panleukopenia - Treatment

  • Antimetics-stops vomiting
  • Antibiotics- stop secondary infection
  • IV fluids - replace lost fluids from diarrhoea
  • Intensive Nursing- monitored for advancing symptoms
  • Blood Transfusions - low white blood cell - infection
  • Vaccination - 6-8 weeks and boosters
• Feline Leukemia Virus 


  Passed via saliva, blood and extently urine or faeces - whilst grooming or fighting

  Leading cause of death in cats after trauma
• Symptoms- Feline Leukemia

  • Pale gums
  • Yellow mucus membranes
  • Weight loss
  • Poor coat conditions
  • Diarrhoea
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Loss of appetite
  • Lethargy/ weakness
• Treatment- Feline Leukemia 


  No cure- treat secondary infection

  Kept indoors and neutered

  Supportive care- medication

  Regular vet checkups

  Antibiotics
• Myxmatosis 


  Direct contact with rabbits or via blood sucking insects like fleas, mosquitoes or mites.

  Wild rabbits can act as vectors for domesticated rabbits

  Very severe and often fatal

  Progress rapidly in some cases
• Symptoms - Myxmatosis

  • Swelling and discharge from eyes, nose and genitalia
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Nasal congestion
• Treatment - Myxmatosis 


  No cure

  Supportive care - keeping rabbit comfortable

  Isolate infected to prevent spread

  Vaccinations - 5-6 weeks of age and booster shots
• Symptoms - Diabetes Mellitus 


  Increased thirst

  Sudden weight loss

  Increased urination

  Increased lethargy

  When glucose is prevented from entering the cells due to insufficient insulin in the body, building up high levels in the blood/ causes hyperglycaemia.
• Why does diabetes mellitus occur 


  When glucose is prevented from entering the cells due to insufficient insulin in the body, it builds up high levels in blood, causing hyperglycaemia
• Arthritis- Signs and Symptoms 


  Stiffness

  Limping

  Lameness

  Slow walking

  Lethargy

  Hesitancy to jump

  Enlarged or swollen joints