Tag Archive for: dog diseases

Ortopedia canina

Distemper in dogs and its treatment

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Distemper in dogs is a serious viral disease. Although the symptoms are varied, one of the clearest signs is weakness in the hind legs. In case of contagion, we must act quickly, as it can be lethal. We tell you what your treatment is.

What is distemper in dogs and how is it spread?

The RNA virus, belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family, is the cause of one of the most contagious and dangerous diseases. Better known as distemper in dogs, it is contracted by direct contact with one that is infected. The symptoms do not appear immediately since there is an incubation period between 14 and 18 days beforehand.

Not all strains of distemper in dogs have the same virulence. Therefore, each clinical picture has its own severity and evolution. Replication occurs in the lymphoid tissue, thus causing immunosuppression in the animal. From there it progresses and infects the central nervous system. At this point is when we can observe the weakness in the hind legs.

Distemper in dogs mainly affects puppies between 3 and 6 months of age, as they have a weaker immune system. However, older dogs can also be infected.

Symptoms of distemper in dogs

The initial symptoms of distemper in dogs are very varied, and include rhinitis, mucopurulent discharge, cough, conjunctivitis, vomiting or diarrhea, fever, dehydration, anorexia or weight loss, and pneumonia (due to secondary bacterial infections), among others. others.

When the disease reaches the central nervous system, other types of symptoms appear. These are encephalitis, which is responsible for weakness in the legs, tremors and various paralyzes, as well as convulsions and blindness.

Encephalitis, when it affects adult dogs, can occur in two different ways. In the first place, as multifocal encephalitis, whose main characteristic is incoordination, tilted head, facial paralysis and tremors, as well as the aforementioned weakness in the hind legs. This type of distemper in dogs appears between the ages of 4 and 8, and evolves into paralysis , although they can recover.

Secondly, when it comes to older dogs, that is, older than 6, a visual deficit appears, as well as mental depression, personality changes, tournament and also inability to hold the head. Recovery is complex in these cases.

Distemper

Treatment of distemper in dogs

There is currently no specific treatment for distemper in dogs. Although there is a way to prevent contagion and that is through vaccination. In the event of contagion, isolation is essential to avoid spreading the disease.

For secondary infections, antibiotics will be administered, and for the specific symptoms of distemper in dogs, anti-inflammatories and antipyretics. There are also medications for seizures. In addition to all this, we will make sure that the animal eats and drinks so as not to become dehydrated.

Regarding the quality of life of the animal, we can help with mobility using specific harnesses , as well as wheelchairs if necessary. If you need advice to choose the right ones, you can contact us.

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Ortopedia canina

How to detect osteoarthritis in dogs

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Animals function similarly to people. They suffer from diseases like us, their joints degenerate over the years and their mobility is reduced while experiencing pain. Today we are going to know how to detect osteoarthritis in dogs.

Cómo detectar la artrosis en los perros

What is osteoarthritis and when it appears

A joint is the union that exists between the bones and that allows us to move the way we do. The ends of those are covered by a protective cartilage, responsible for giving softness to the movements and protecting from impacts.

When this cartilage begins to lose or weaken in its structure, we say that osteoarthritis appears. This is, therefore, a chronic and degenerative disease that affects the joints, and that in some cases can be congenital. Consequently, pain appears and mobility is progressively lost. These are some keys to detect osteoarthritis in dogs.

As happens to people suffering from this disease, changes in the weather generate discomfort. Thus, cold, humidity or very high temperatures aggravate the symptomatology.

In elderly dogs it is common for it to appear. Unlike in young dogs, the cartilage has lost nutrients and decreases thickness and flexibility. However, trauma or blows to the joints can also favor their appearance. The difference in detecting osteoarthritis will be that in one case it will be general while in the second it will be localized.

How we can detect osteoarthritis in our dog

Whether young or old, we should always pay attention to the mobility of our dog. Any change that is perceived in time will be easier to correct or deal with than another that is allowed to advance. Detecting osteoarthritis from its early stages will help us prolong the mobility of the animal.

Problems with stairs

If your dog has begun to refuse to go up or down stairs, you may have just spotted osteoarthritis. This type of movement involves an impulse or a load of one’s own weight that, in the case of suffering from weakness in the joints, can be an important effort.

Slouching

Another way to detect osteoarthritis is by slouching. The reduction in movements makes it expensive to stretch completely. In this way, the limbs or spine may begin to curve excessively.

Lack of energy

If it is time for the walk or you propose to your dog to play and no longer responds with the illusion of before, you have before you another symptom to detect osteoarthritis. You will most likely have a hard time getting up or making sudden movements.

Lameness

Intermittent lameness also helps us detect osteoarthritis. A limp that comes and goes may be due to a joint that begins to lose strength. If you also complain when we touch it or prevent us from doing so, you are likely to feel pain.

If you think you have been able to detect osteoarthritis in your dog, go to your veterinarian as soon as possible for a radiological study. Although it is a degenerative disease, there are many treatments to prolong its mobility.

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Ortopedia canina

How to identify pain in dogs

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De igual modo que les sucede a los humanos, los perros también pueden experimentar dolor y malestar por múltiples motivos. Puesto que ellos no suelen quejarse, debemos saber cómo identificar el dolor para poder llevarles al veterinario.

Cómo identificar el dolor en los perros

Cómo podemos identificar el dolor

Muchos perros no exteriorizan su malestar. Por tanto, hay que prestar atención a su comportamiento para darnos cuenta de si les pasa algo. Si nos fijamos en los detalles, podremos identificar el dolor que estén experimentando y tomar medidas. A continuación vamos a conocer varias señales que pueden esconder un problema.

Se esconden

Cuando los perros sienten miedo tienden a esconderse. Esto lo hacen para refugiarse en algún sitio tranquilo en el que se sientan a salvo. También, cuando se encuentran mal, utilizan este recurso, como medio para descansar y soportar mejor la enfermedad o recuperarse de lesiones. Aunque también se debe a un instinto que les hace protegerse de los depredadores cuando se encuentran débiles.

Así, si observamos que nuestro perro se está escondiendo bajo la cama o los sofás, es una señal para identificar el dolor. Si no hay ruidos externos atípicos ni visitas en casa, puede ser un buen momento para llevarle al veterinario.

Pérdida del apetito

Dicen que cuando el cuerpo está enfermo solicita menos comida para centrarse en combatir el virus que lo ataca. Los perros también muestran este comportamiento, por lo que es una ayuda para identificar el dolor o malestar.

Cuando no se superan las 24 horas sin comer no se considera grave. Sin embargo, es conveniente que el perro se mantenga al menos hidratado. Si esta actitud de inapetencia persiste y no logramos identificar el dolor, debemos acudir al veterinario.

Cojeras o dificultad para andar

La señal más evidente para identificar el dolor en los perros es la cojera. Cuando algo les duele o molesta pisan con dificultad o levantan una de las patas. No obstante, puesto que su resistencia es bastante fuerte, hay que observarles con regularidad. De lo contrario, una cojera leve podría pasar desapercibida y no podríamos identificar el dolor.

Una cojera puede deberse a que han pisado algún objeto pequeño y se les ha quedado entre los dedos, se han cortado o se han hecho una lesión más grave como un esguince o una fractura. En estos casos será el veterinario quien haga el diagnóstico.

Aumento del sueño

Otra señal para identificar el dolor es el aumento de las horas de descanso. Hay ciertas épocas, como los cambios estacionales, en los que podemos necesitar dormir más. Pero cuando esta actitud persiste y afecta a su interés por el juego e incluso los paseos, hay que preocuparse.

Podemos probar a darles otros estímulos y así identificar el dolor en caso de que exista. Si continúa sin responder lo más recomendable es llevarles al veterinario para que determinen allí qué les sucede.

Gemidos y ladridos

Otra de las señales más evidentes para identificar el dolor en los perros son sus propias quejas. Aunque no es lo más frecuente, algunos pueden lloriquear o gemir para llamar nuestra atención. Por otra parte, pueden ayudarnos a localizar la molestia, ya que al palpar la zona dolorida probablemente se quejarán.

Para poder identificar el dolor en los perros tenemos que volvernos observadores. De esta manera, ninguna molestia pasará desapercibida y podremos tratarles con rapidez. Recuerda que cuanto antes localicemos un problema, mayores serán las probabilidades de recuperarse correctamente.

Ayudas para perros con artrosis

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