Common Diseases and Parasites
Canine Coronavirus Disease
A viral intestinal infection that may cause considerable discomfort to the dog for a few days. Humans are not affected by canine coronavirus.
Infected dogs
usually shed the virus in their feces for one to two weeks. The virus is usually transmitted from contaminated food bowls or direct contact with the infected dog. The incubation period is one to five days.
The usually signs are; sudden diarrhea, lethargy and decreased appetite. The stool is loose, mushy with a horrible odor, and orange tinted.
There is no drug that kills the virus, it must run its course. Although, there are vaccines that are part of the routine vaccination program.
Canine Parvovirus InfectionA highly contagious viral infection that attacks the intestines, the lymph nodes, and the bone marrow, and eating away at them. There is no evidence to indicate that it is transmissible to cats or humans.
The main source of the virus is the
feces of an infected dog.
CPV is stable in the environment and is resistant to the effects of heat, detergents, and alcohol. CPV has recovered from dog feces even after
three months. Contamination can occur from shoes, clothes, and other objects.
Direct contact is not necessary. Dog will become ill within 7 to 10 days of infection. The usually signs are severe
vomiting and
diarrhea. CPV affects dogs of all ages, but is most common in dogs less than one year old.
CPV is diagnosed through a stool and blood test. There is no treatment for CPV once the dog is infected. CPV does not cause death, but rather, it causes the
loss of the intestinal lining resulting in;
dehydration,
electrolyte imbalance, and infection in the blood. The first step in treatment is to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances through intravenous. If caught early, with aggressive treatment, most dogs will recover.
The
best method of protection is proper vaccination and
regular removal of dog feces, and properly disinfecting food bowls, water bowls, and other areas.
Giardia
One-celled parasites that invades the gastrointestinal tract and can cause diarrhea. The dog becomes infected when he swallows the cyst stage of the parasite. Once inside the intestines, the cyst matures. Then, the infected cyst is passed, it lays in the environment and can infect other dogs. It is possible for giardia to be transmitted through drinking infected water. Furthermore, it can cause diarrhea in in humans. Regular removal of waste and proper disinfection is very important.
Giardia is diagnosed through a microscopic examination of a stool sample. Typically, an antibiotic is given for 5 to 7 days.
Canine Hookworm
Parasites with hook-like mouthparts that attach to the intestinal wall. They are about 1/8” long. They suck large amounts of blood from the intestinal wall. A large number of hookworms can cause anemia.
A dog may swallow the hookworm larvae, or it may penetrate the skin and migrate to the intestines. It may also be transmitted from mother to puppy or fetus.
Hookworm is characterized by intestinal distress and anemia, diarrhea, weakness, and weight loss. Skin irritation and itching are also common signs of a heavy infestation.
It is diagnosed with a stool sample. One adult female hookworm is reported to produce as many as 20,000 eggs a day.
Adult hookworms do not infect humans, although the larvae can burrow into the human skin. This causes itching, but the worms do not mature