Lupus disease is an ailment wherein the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy cells and tissues. The reason for this is that the immune system mistakes the healthy cells as foreign harmful organisms.
Because the immune system’s antigens readily travel throughout the body, all systems are in danger: nervous system, circulatory system, and others.The immune system does not discriminate between cells so that major organs can easily be targeted: heart, lungs, kidneys, etc.Because lupus attacks different organs and body systems, the symptoms could be different among patients.
Still, the following symptoms may be observed in dogs with lupus: Skin lesions Muscle inflammation Anemia Infections Hair loss or dull hair Inflammation of the heart muscles Anorexia Seizure Fever Increased urination Lethargy.To diagnose lupus, the vet will go through the symptoms, medical history, and make certain clinical tests. These tests include: Complete blood count Immunofluorescence test ,Antinuclear antibody tests,Skin biopsy Urinalysis.
There is no direct treatment for canine lupus. Still, the symptoms can be minimized and the affected organs or systems are treated.Thus, treatment for lupus also varies among individuals.Possible treatments are: Anti-inflammatory medications Antibiotics Topical creams to address skin infections and ailments Vitamin E is often provided to help improve skin and coat conditions.It is also very important that the dog is protected from UV radiation from the sun as this is among the main triggers for the ailment.
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Showing posts with label bDogsb. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bDogsb. Show all posts
Monday, May 23, 2011
Lyme Disease in Dogs | Free Dog Health and Veterinary Information!
Oftentimes, it is hard to spot signs of Lyme Disease because most manifestations may signify a variety of different disease conditions. A dog with Lyme Disease often exhibits the following symptoms—lameness, swelling of the affected joints, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph glands.
Lameness can often be mistaken for arthritis however lameness associated with Lyme Disease has a sudden onset and may alternate between one leg to another. Whereas, lameness due to arthritis develop over a considerable period of time and consistently affects a particular joint or joints.
What’s confusing about Lyme Disease is that the symptoms may mysteriously disappear even without treatment only to show up again sometime later. Beware though, for this can mean that the disease may have progressed to a more advanced level.
Major problems associated with Lyme Disease include renal failure as a consequence of a progressive kidney disease. Other major organs can also be affected including the heart and nervous system resulting in serious complications.
Tetracycline or penicillin-based antibiotics are the drugs of choice for Lyme Disease in dogs. Although dogs can recover within two weeks since the start of treatment, antibiotic therapy is usually a long-term regimen reaching thirty days or longer to prevent recurrence.
A good preventive program against Lyme Disease in dogs involve vaccination and tick control. Puppies living in tick-infested areas should be vaccinated at twelve weeks of age followed by another shot three weeks after and yearly boosters.
Tick control can be done by applying topical tick medication once a month and never allowing your dogs to wander around the bushes and grassy areas where ticks wait to cling to passing dogs.
View the original article here
Lameness can often be mistaken for arthritis however lameness associated with Lyme Disease has a sudden onset and may alternate between one leg to another. Whereas, lameness due to arthritis develop over a considerable period of time and consistently affects a particular joint or joints.
What’s confusing about Lyme Disease is that the symptoms may mysteriously disappear even without treatment only to show up again sometime later. Beware though, for this can mean that the disease may have progressed to a more advanced level.
Major problems associated with Lyme Disease include renal failure as a consequence of a progressive kidney disease. Other major organs can also be affected including the heart and nervous system resulting in serious complications.
Tetracycline or penicillin-based antibiotics are the drugs of choice for Lyme Disease in dogs. Although dogs can recover within two weeks since the start of treatment, antibiotic therapy is usually a long-term regimen reaching thirty days or longer to prevent recurrence.
A good preventive program against Lyme Disease in dogs involve vaccination and tick control. Puppies living in tick-infested areas should be vaccinated at twelve weeks of age followed by another shot three weeks after and yearly boosters.
Tick control can be done by applying topical tick medication once a month and never allowing your dogs to wander around the bushes and grassy areas where ticks wait to cling to passing dogs.
View the original article here
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Lyme Disease in Dogs
Lyme disease in dogs also called Borreliosis is a disease caused in dogs in Europe, North east and pacific regions of northern U.S.A, Asia and Midwest regions of the World. This disease has derived its name from Lyme, Connecticut where in 1975 there was an occurrence of juvenile arthritis caused by tick borne spirochete Borrelia burgdoferi. Learn more about Lyme disease , causes of Lyme disease and symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs here.
Lyme Disease in Dogs:
Lyme disease in dogs is caused by Borrelia burgdoferi which is corkscrew-shaped bacteria, called a spirochete that is transmitted by the lyme disease tick or deer tick, Lyme disease is also transmitted to mammals like humans, dogs, horses by the deer tick. Lyme disease Deer ticks are found in places like woodpiles, yards, roads, and any wooded areas and are most active when temperature crosses 40 degrees.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs
When a dog catches Lyme disease in dogs he starts showing symptoms of joint pain which can be easily identified by the change in his walking style and pace. The nervous symptoms are numerous like fatigue, lethargy, abnormal movements, seizures, etc .These symptoms of lyme disease in dogs are very confusing and therefore the diagnosis becomes very difficult and hence the treatment. Thus the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs matches with many common diseased conditions like arthritis, old age etc, in dogs.
Diagnosis of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Lyme disease in dogs can be diagnosed by step by step lyme disease tests and elimination of other similar problems like inflammatory joint disease, cellulitis and trauma. Blood sample tests are very important and can give confirmed results as the disease is caused by intracellular bacteria.
Treatment of Lyme Disease in Dogs
When it is confirmed that the disease is Lyme disease in dogs then suitable antibiotics and medications are administered to the dog. Generally a course of doxycycline, Rifampacin or tetracycline is administered for four weeks.
Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Immunization is one of the main precautions to be taken to prevent this disease as it can also spread in humans. Immunization with Lyme vaccine has proven records in preventing the disease. As the disease is very painful and can be fatal, prevention becomes very important. Lyme disease is also difficult in diagnosing and hence any symptoms mentioned above should not be taken lightly. If your dog is having any of the matching symptoms do not ignore but contact a good veterinary doctor.
Prevention is always better than cure and therefore some precautions should be taken if you live at a place where deer tick is found. Deer ticks reside in wooden materials, so prevent your dog from going near woodpiles and logs. Dog collar specially having Amitraz on it can be used. Vaccination is one of the most desirable remedies for the prevention of Lyme disease .It should be ensured that your dog gets full course of vaccination at proper intervals and a booster dose in follow up. One of the options is to search and remove deer ticks from your dog’s body by tweezers at regular intervals. This procedure should be done with care and it helps not only to prevent Lyme disease but you can also remove other visible parasites present on your dog.
By knowing the symptoms of Lyme disease you can take a timely action in providing medical help to your dog. As prevention is always better than cure so the proper steps taken on time will ensure that your dear pet does not suffers from Lyme disease.
View the original article here
Lyme Disease in Dogs:
Lyme disease in dogs is caused by Borrelia burgdoferi which is corkscrew-shaped bacteria, called a spirochete that is transmitted by the lyme disease tick or deer tick, Lyme disease is also transmitted to mammals like humans, dogs, horses by the deer tick. Lyme disease Deer ticks are found in places like woodpiles, yards, roads, and any wooded areas and are most active when temperature crosses 40 degrees.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs
When a dog catches Lyme disease in dogs he starts showing symptoms of joint pain which can be easily identified by the change in his walking style and pace. The nervous symptoms are numerous like fatigue, lethargy, abnormal movements, seizures, etc .These symptoms of lyme disease in dogs are very confusing and therefore the diagnosis becomes very difficult and hence the treatment. Thus the symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs matches with many common diseased conditions like arthritis, old age etc, in dogs.
Diagnosis of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Lyme disease in dogs can be diagnosed by step by step lyme disease tests and elimination of other similar problems like inflammatory joint disease, cellulitis and trauma. Blood sample tests are very important and can give confirmed results as the disease is caused by intracellular bacteria.
Treatment of Lyme Disease in Dogs
When it is confirmed that the disease is Lyme disease in dogs then suitable antibiotics and medications are administered to the dog. Generally a course of doxycycline, Rifampacin or tetracycline is administered for four weeks.
Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs
Immunization is one of the main precautions to be taken to prevent this disease as it can also spread in humans. Immunization with Lyme vaccine has proven records in preventing the disease. As the disease is very painful and can be fatal, prevention becomes very important. Lyme disease is also difficult in diagnosing and hence any symptoms mentioned above should not be taken lightly. If your dog is having any of the matching symptoms do not ignore but contact a good veterinary doctor.
Prevention is always better than cure and therefore some precautions should be taken if you live at a place where deer tick is found. Deer ticks reside in wooden materials, so prevent your dog from going near woodpiles and logs. Dog collar specially having Amitraz on it can be used. Vaccination is one of the most desirable remedies for the prevention of Lyme disease .It should be ensured that your dog gets full course of vaccination at proper intervals and a booster dose in follow up. One of the options is to search and remove deer ticks from your dog’s body by tweezers at regular intervals. This procedure should be done with care and it helps not only to prevent Lyme disease but you can also remove other visible parasites present on your dog.
By knowing the symptoms of Lyme disease you can take a timely action in providing medical help to your dog. As prevention is always better than cure so the proper steps taken on time will ensure that your dear pet does not suffers from Lyme disease.
View the original article here
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