A
new and relatively unknown disease is affecting canines in the UK. It resembles a disease that first emerged in
the United States in the 1980s, called Alabama
Rot. One thing is certain, this
infection, which first appears as lesions on legs, paws or dog faces leads to
kidney failure. Over a dozen UK canines
have been reported dead as a result of this disease.
Although
New Forest has seen the highest number of infections, dog owners in other areas
should not count themselves out of the woods yet. Deaths in County Durham, Worcestershire,
Surrey and Cornwall have also been reported.
Although the actual source of the contamination is unknown, the
Environment Agency has ruled out chemical contamination.
Dog
owners in the UK should take these reports and the warning notices of the
Forestry Commission seriously. If your
dog develops any lesions, anywhere on his body, take him to the vet
urgently. Early treatment seems to be
the key to preventing an unfortunate death.
Although
this is the sort of symptom that most pet owners would typically watch for a
day or two before determining its severity, that length of time may just be too
long to save your dog from kidney decline, and possible failure. Even if you believe you can talk away a
lesion as a scratch from a little rough and tumble, it is always better to be
safe than sorry when then health of your best friend is on the line.
With
that in mind, now is the perfect time to brush up on the other canine symptoms
that demand an immediate visit to the vet.
Trauma – This
one is typically a no-brainer. If your
pet is hit by a passing car, or gets into a fight with another dog, you know
you need to head to the vet. There is no
other way to determine whether, or what, internal damage has occurred. But, no matter how vigilant you are,
accidents can happen that you know nothing about; perhaps your pet fell down
the stairs while you were at work. It
can happen. Dogs don’t typically whimper
in pain unless it is serious. Nor do
they limp for sympathy. If your animal
begins to demonstrate any symptoms that can correlate with an accident, do not
hesitate. Often your pet is in a lot
more pain than he’s willing to let on - quite possibly because he doesn’t want
to cause you any fuss, but more than likely it’s because he doesn’t realise
that modern medicine can take the pain away.
Difficulty Breathing – This is
never normal for a dog. And, it can mean
a variety of different things. You may
be able to tell what it is by simply listening, but there is no action or
course you can safely undertake except getting your dog off to the vet
urgently. Breathing difficulty presents
itself in a number of different ways, from choking to wheezing. Sometimes breathing will become so weak you
can barely hear it, or so raspy that you’re unable to tune it out. And, if your dog stops breathing altogether,
that obviously means trouble. Sometimes
breathing difficulties are an allergic response, although it could also be
heart or pulmonary disease. Another
major cause of difficulty is when something lodges in your dog’s throat – and
that does mean that you need to hustle to the vet as it is never recommended
for owners to attempt to dislodge anything from their dog’s mouths (unless
you’re playing fetch).
Seizures – You’ve
seen your dog chasing rabbits in her sleep, right? It’s funny.
Sometimes it’s the kind of funny that makes you burst with laughter,
causing your dog to jolt from her sleep.
But, this is also the sort of paddling that can indicate that your dog
is having a seizure. (Don’t worry, what
you believe is your dog imagining he’s a hound dog on the prowl after the
neighbour’s cat, is likely to be just that.)
But, paddling of the legs, accompanied by uncontrollable tremors or
shaking is cause for concern. Count that
doubly so if those symptoms present themselves alongside a loss of
consciousness or bowel and urinary control.
If your dog has never had a seizure before, it’s time to load her into
the car and head over to the vet. Most
often, seizures are an indication of epilepsy which can be managed, but
sometimes it is a sign of poisoning or toxicity which must be treated urgently.
Vomiting and
Diarrhoea –
Yes, your dog does vomit more than you do.
But if that’s the case (or maybe, especially if that’s the case), then
you should know that there is a difference between a little belly clean and a
problem. Stomach upsets are normal – so
long as your dog is still behaving normally.
If you are concerned, withhold food for a couple of hours to see if the
vomiting continues without food, and to check for other symptoms. Just make sure your pet has access to plenty
of fresh water at all times. The same
goes for diarrhoea. You can watch for
other symptoms for a few hours. But, if
either symptom persists for over 24 hours, it is time for a professional
opinion as it could be symptomatic of something much worse than a simple
stomach ache.
Strange Eating
Behaviours or Excessive Drinking – Most people lose a bit of their
appetite when it’s hot outside. It’s
normal for animals to react the same way to the heat. Missing a meal or two is okay, but it can
only be a once off. If your dog goes
more than a day without eating, that could be indicative of a larger problem. Conversely, some diseases cause extreme
hunger, and you may find that your well behaved pooch begins to push the lid of
his food tin. Of course, this could be
just a symptom of boredom, but only if it happens once. Otherwise, it is time for a vet visit. Uncontrollable drinking or excessive
urination can also be a problem, even if it is hot outside. If you find your dog is constantly at her
water bowl, then you will want to take her off to the vet as it could be
symptomatic of diabetes or kidney disease.
Distended Abdomen – After a
really large, delicious meal, it’s normal for your belly to push out a bit
while your food digests. Canines
experience similar stomach expansions, especially after they’ve managed to
wiggle their way into the pantry and chow all the biscuits. However, this state should be temporary, and
only accompanied by a bit of a nap. But,
a distended abdomen, which presents itself with dry heaves, difficulty
breathing or apparent weakness, could be a sign of a larger problem. Larger breed dogs are prone to a condition
where their stomach can turn over on itself, which can be life
threatening. Early detection is critical
to save your pet’s life. Distension
could also signify heart disease or internal bleeding. Regardless of the cause, this is one
condition that cannot be ignored.
Extreme Fatigue -
Lethargy is not a normal for most dogs.
Unless your pooch has just gotten into the pantry and eaten a week's
worth of food, fatigue is a clear sign that something is wrong. There are a number of reasons that your dog
would choose a nap over an afternoon walk.
Many of them have to do with infection though, and that is obviously
deserving of a trip to the vet. Anemia
and poor diet are other common reasons for a dog to spend his days on the
floor. Of course, there are a couple of
other, particularly serious reasons that this could occur. Two of those are diabetes and cancer, and
with both of these diseases, you can expect to give your dog a longer, happier
life if it is diagnosed early enough.
Bum Dragging - Canines
do a lot of funny things, don't they?
They chase their tails and get super excited that they've gotten a bone
before promptly burying it. And
sometimes they drag their bums on the ground.
It can be funny to watch, but it is often a symptom of something rather
troubling. On the plus side, it may just
be worms, which can typically be fixed with just a tablet or two. But it can also be a sign of blocked anal
glands, which requires a vet's intervention.
But, as with many of the symptoms on this list, it can also indicate
that your dog has diabetes. Even worse,
it is also a symptom of kidney disease.
If you happen to catch your beloved pet doing this once, you can chalk
it up to a funny movement; but more than once and it is time for a professional
opinion.
You
know your dog better than anyone, so it you think there is something troubling
your dog, then take action. This list is
by no means comprehensive, and it is always better to play it safe - especially
when it comes to your best friend.
For
more information about dog welfare please visit the Burges Pet Care website - http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/pet-care/supadog.html
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