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Distemper in dogs and its treatment

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.

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.

24/01/2019/0 Comments/by Ortopedia canina

How to take care of the skin of a disabled dog

Animal welfare

The skin serves as protection against external aggressions, both to humans and to other animals. When it comes to a dog whose mobility is reduced, it tends to suffer more due to continuous rubbing in certain areas of its body. To prevent it from being damaged, we are going to learn how we can take care of the skin of a disabled dog.

Why does the skin get irritated?

Whether we are talking about dogs with disabilities or one that is not, the skin not only serves to protect their internal structure, but it is also the means they have to relate to what surrounds them.

When we spend a lot of time in the same position or there is something that regularly rubs against a specific area of the skin, ulcers and irritation can appear. If we do not take care of the skin, these wounds can worsen, to the point of exposing the bone and becoming infected.

To prevent this from happening, we must learn to care for the skin of a disabled dog. It is simply a matter of increasing precautions and paying attention to this delicate part of the body. Although it is resistant, it also needs protection.

How can we take care of the skin of a disabled dog?

The first thing we must do to care for the skin of a disabled dog is to protect it. This point consists of looking for those elements that do not cause injuries to your body. Specifically, in those parts that are more susceptible to wounds or ulcerations, such as the hips, elbows or ankles.

The harness that we use must have protections inside, so that the part that is in contact with the skin is padded and soft. In our gallery you can see what these types of harness are like. In the event that there is already a wound, we must protect it well to prevent any part of them from rubbing it.

Carrying open wounds is also a risk for other reasons. Flies or other insects can deposit larvae, causing the wound to become infected. Depending on the dog’s disability, you will have more trouble driving them away. If we use diapers, we must remove them when going outside, so the wounds can breathe.

Secondly, to take care of the skin of a disabled dog, we must regularly modify its posture. The parts that stand out the most, and that we mentioned earlier, are more susceptible to injuries, so we must check them frequently. In addition to using creams that help heal, we can move the animal’s limbs as part of physiotherapy at home.

Finally, to take care of the skin of a disabled dog, we must be careful with drag. The legs without mobility will always be supported against the ground, and when moving, it can cause injuries. In addition to wearing protective coats, we can purchase wheelchairs to help you get around.

Taking care of the skin of a disabled dog does not have to be a complicated task. In the same way that we hydrate our skin and avoid damaging it, we will have to do it with our little friend. And if you have doubts, you can contact us and we will help you in any way we can.

05/12/2018/0 Comments/by Ortopedia canina

What can cause paralysis in dogs?

injuries, most commented, Pathologies, Treatments

Paralysis in dogs

, which makes the animal unable to move its hind legs, front legs, or four legs, has various origins. It can be caused by trauma, but also by illness. It can also be gradual or sudden, be irreversible, or offer possibilities for improvement or healing.

Wheelchair for Ortocanis dog

In any case, it will be necessary to provide the animal with all the necessary care to facilitate its recovery. For this, it is essential to know the cause of paralysis to apply the most appropriate treatment. We could not only alleviate your symptoms, but reverse them in certain cases, and if not possible, provide you with the highest possible quality of life .

Main causes of paralysis in dogs

Fundamentally, paralysis in dogs is caused by either trauma or disease. This can be congenital or infectious. Among the congenital diseases that cause paralysis in dogs, especially in the hind limbs, is a degenerative pathology of the intervertebral discs. Dogs that suffer from it, usually due to age, lose mobility, since the membrane that surrounds their spinal cord progressively decomposes.

As for infectious diseases that cause paralysis , there are two that are particularly dangerous. They are rabies and distemper. On the other hand, the animal experiencing paralysis may have a tumor somewhere on its body that affects its mobility. For example, if you have one in your spine, it can affect your limbs.

In addition, the dog may suffer paralysis from an injury to the neck or spinal cord. Generally, these types of injuries are the result of a hard blow or an accident. In these cases, the paralysis is usually permanent.

On many occasions the dog does not want to move because it has pain. It is common to find cases of ligament injuries or osteoarthritis where the dog avoids using the affected limb. We would not talk about a paralysis itself but we must know these cases since they are more frequent. Normally we will see that the animal complains if we manipulate the affected area. In these cases the veterinarian could recommend the use of an
orthosis
.

In another order of things, paralysis in dogs can also be psychological, as a result of shock. In these cases, since there are no spinal cord injuries, the paralysis will be temporary. It can also cause the intake of spoiled food, contaminated with botulinum toxin. It can even be caused by the bite of an insect, since there are animals that with a bite can cause paralysis in dogs. This is the case of some families of ticks.

Symptoms and treatment of paralysis in dogs

In addition to being unable to walk, paralysis in dogs can have other symptoms. For example, difficulties getting up. It can also be an indicator that the animal cannot urinate, or that it has trouble controlling urine. In the latter case, it will drip constantly. This can also happen to the animal when defecating. In addition, you may also walk in pain or as if you are dizzy.

In these cases, it is best to take the animal to the veterinarian to examine it and decide the best way to help it. In case you suffer from incontinence apart from paralysis, it will be necessary to keep it as clean as possible. This will prevent the animal from having infections (and undesirable odors). In these cases you can use special
diapers
for dogs and protective coats.

On the other hand, we must ensure that he rests in the most comfortable way possible. For this it is advisable to use an orthopedic bed for dogs. In addition to providing them with better rest, these beds are designed to distribute the weight of the animal, avoid pressure points and ulcers on the skin due to prolonged use.

In any case, having a paralysis is not currently an obstacle for dogs to continue moving and enjoying. There are wheelchairs adapted to them, with which, if they have mobility in the front legs, they can continue walking and moving as if all four legs worked well.

Ortocanis Writing Team

12/11/2018/0 Comments/by Ortopedia canina

Myositis in dogs: main causes, symptoms and treatment

Animal welfare, most commented, Pathologies, Treatments

Myositis in dogs is one of the canine diseases that most affects their quality of life. Not only because it can affect your ability to move and perform your usual daily activity. Also because it is a very painful pathology that limits them a lot. It is an inflammation of one or more muscles that can affect different parts of the body. Its origin can be multiple, and can be due to wounds and muscle breaks as well as overexertion. But also to the effects of age.

It mainly affects short-haired pets, such as various breeds of dog. It can occur at any age, although it appears more frequently in adult and older dogs. There are three types: eosinophilic, rheumatic and purulent.

Causes and symptoms of myositis in dogs

Myositis in dogs can be due to several reasons. Among them, a muscle tear or a hematoma, both the product of a blow or a fall and excessive physical activity or a jump from a high height. But it can also appear after bearing an excessive load without the animal being prepared for it.

Sometimes it also occurs as a result of hypothermia that a dog can suffer when it is in an environment in which it is excessively cold and without being prepared for it. Then, the muscles have trouble moving, since the cold paralyzes them, and inflammation appears.

When it appears in an older dog, it is simply about the effects of age, which produce various pains and ailments. Or by parasites that nest in the muscles and other mobile areas of the animal’s organism, and cause displacements and erosions.

Obviously, one of the main symptoms that a dog has myositis, in addition to the difficulty of displacement if it affects the legs or the area of the joints and spine, is pain. Affected dogs will have so much pain that they usually won’t want to move (or won’t be able to), and they will moan in pain. They will also refuse to touch the affected area, and even caresses, even if they are soft.

The dog may feel better first thing in the morning after sleeping, but he will already appear tired. And the pain will increase as the day goes by. It is especially indicative of the presence of myositis pain in the area of the pelvis or shoulder, two of the points in which this ailment first manifests.

In addition, myositis presents other additional symptoms. Among them, the difficulties to pose one leg or several, the curved position of the dog’s back , etc. All together with an evident tension in the neck area, product of pain and difficulties in moving, and swelling of the affected area. It can also increase body temperature, and blood appears in the urine. And as a consequence of all this, come decay and loss of appetite.

Treatment of myositis in dogs

When myositis is detected early, and it is a mild form, it will be enough to take the animal to the veterinarian to put an appropriate treatment after finding the cause of the disease. It will usually be fully restored within a couple of weeks. But when it comes to severe myositis or its treatment is postponed, it may take longer to heal, and you may have sequelae.

Among these sequelae are the shortening of the affected muscles, muscle atrophy and the paralysis of one or more limbs. In these cases, in addition to a treatment to eliminate the pain and try to repair as much as possible the damage, the dog may need rehabilitation and various supports to be able to move. These range from a protector for the affected limbs to a wheelchair adapted for more severe cases involving paralysis of the hind legs.

11/10/2018/0 Comments/by Ortopedia canina

How to care for a disabled dog

Animal welfare

Due to the great veterinary advances, today we can find various solutions for the mobility problems of animals. Whether our friend has suffered from an illness or if we consider adopting, it is possible to take care of a disabled dog so that he enjoys a happy life.

What are the causes of loss of mobility

Although until not too long ago the option of caring for a disabled dog was not valued, today they are given a chance. Thanks to the work of those who fight for their lives, in the market we can find different options to help them improve their quality of life.

But before we move on to the solutions available to care for a disabled dog, let’s look at the causes. In some cases, mobility can recover progressively, but in others, paralysis will be definitive.

Diseases or degenerative processes: some pathologies such as canine osteoarthritis of severe type, dysplasia, hernias or degenerative myelopathy, among others, affect the physical abilities of dogs.
Interventions: a surgical intervention, a fracture or some accidents temporarily reduce the mobility of the animal. It will be temporary or permanent depending on the severity and damage.
Paralysis: being born with a defect or suffering an amputation causes permanent paralysis in the animal.
Neurological problems: these types of problems, as well as those of the spine and traumas, usually appear with age or overweight. The solution varies depending on the cause.

Thus, we can distinguish between permanent and temporary paralysis. Depending on the causes, treatment and options for caring for a disabled dog will change. There are different chairs and harnesses on the market to help them. And it is also convenient to use physiotherapy to speed up rehabilitation when possible.

Elements to care for a disabled dog

Caring for a disabled dog is now quite simple given the options we have at our fingertips. Although there are different models of wheelchairs and harnesses on the market, there are those who prefer to build them themselves.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs for caring for a disabled dog are usually made in industrial processes. However, there are also handmade models. At present, we find models made in 3D, which are adapted to the measurements of our friend.

Likewise, the chairs are also adapted for the lack of mobility in the front legs (uncommon) and the posterior legs. And there are wheels for rehabilitation and integral, if mobility is reduced.

Harness

Harnesses are also used to care for a disabled dog. They are indicated for the loss of mobility, for the paralyzed or when there is a disability. Thanks to their design they allow us to support the weight of the hind legs, front legs or both.

For greater comfort when caring for a disabled dog, there are also variants with restraint on the vine. The range of types of harnesses is very wide and we will have to look for the one that best suits.

In Ortocanis you can find different models that adapt to the different pathologies of the dog. If you have questions, you can contact us and we will help you choose the right one. You can also read the experience of other buyers. Caring for a disabled dog is giving life a chance.

04/10/2018/0 Comments/by Ortopedia canina

Herniated disc in dogs: tips to help your pet

Animal welfare, injuries, Treatments, vet

Herniated disc in dogs is a painful disease. Many owners want to help their pets, but they don’t know how. Is this your case? Read on and find out how to help your dog with his herniated disc.

If you have a dog with many years of life or of certain specific breeds (such as beagles or poodles), your pet may have suffered a herniated disc in dogs or is at risk of suffering from it. This disease is painful and can cause problems in mobility, paralysis in certain areas of your body, lack of control of the bladder …

Many dog owners suffer from seeing their best friends in that position, but they don’t know how to help them. In this article we want to give you some tips to make the recovery of herniated disc in dogs more bearable.

Herniated Disc in Dogs: Tips to Help Your Dog

1. When in doubt, take your pet to the vet

Hernia in dogs can occur for several reasons. Sometimes they are degenerative herniated discs produced by age. And some dogs have a genetic tendency to contract them. But sometimes they are produced by activity. A jump or a bad fall can lead to a herniated disc in dogs. If you notice any kind of limping or pain in your dog, take him to the vet. Express your doubts and ask him to do a complete check-up on the dog. Prevention can prevent your dog from annoying and painful rehabilitation and even surgery.

2. Follow the program prescribed to your dog

Herniated discs in dogs have built-in rehabilitation that includes exercises and medication. This can be a nuisance to you as a dog owner, but remember. Your dog is a loyal friend and deserves the best. Follow the guidelines that the veterinarian prescribes you and you will see how your state of health improves. Some exercises you can do are treadmill rides, stimulation, application of heat to the affected area using an infrared lamp … The veterinarian is the expert, so you should ask him any questions about the treatment that may arise.

3. Complement the treatment with alternative methods

A word of warning: an alternative treatment is an adjunct to the therapy ordered by the veterinarian. In no case replace medication or rehabilitation exercises with an alternative therapy.

However, certain techniques have been shown to help relieve pets during their recovery from a herniated disc in dogs. Animal physiotherapy or electrotherapy can help accelerate the effects of veterinary therapy and make it less unpleasant for your dog.

4. Acquire specialized equipment

Some accessories, such as dog wheelchairs, thermal coats, special feeders or ramps to help you get on the sofa or car can make it easier to rehabilitate herniated discs in dogs.

Dogs are faithful creatures that are by our side when we need it most. Give him the same treatment. Help him when he faces the pains of the herniated disc in dogs and you will see how the joy of your pet returns to the home.

06/06/2018/0 Comments/by Ortopedia canina