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Common Diseases of Small Animals
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Objectives To analyze the diseases which affect small animals.
To discover the common symptoms of various diseases. To examine treatment and prevention methods of various diseases.
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Small Animals Include: dogs cats birds rabbits guinea pigs hamsters
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Small Animals Are as prone to disease as humans
Can be vaccinated to prevent disease Can spread disease to humans
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Main Menu Birds Rabbits Hamsters Dogs Cats
Click Pictures to Select Chapter
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Dogs Back To Menu
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Common Dog Diseases Heart disease Heartworm disease Canine distemper
Canine parvovirus Kennel cough Lyme disease
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Canine Heart Disease Can be present at birth or acquired
Normally develops during middle age Causes heart failure results from the heart’s inability to pump blood at a rate required to meet the body’s needs
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Canine Heart Disease Symptoms: early stages have no visible signs
heart enlargement coughing difficulty breathing loss of appetite
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Diagnosis Is made by a veterinarian who completes a: physical exam
blood or urine test x-rays EKG (electrocardiogram)
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Canine Heart Disease Treatment:
there is no cure, but medications can be provided by your veterinarian to treat the symptoms Prevention: regular check-ups moderate exercise balanced diet
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Heartworms Can affect any dog whether it is an indoor or outdoor pet
Occurs when an infected female mosquito bites a dog and the larvae migrate through the tissues and eventually into a dog’s heart When mature are from six to fourteen inches long
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Heartworms Symptoms: may not be visible until later stages of infection are the same as congestive heart failure dull coat lack of energy coughing and difficulty breathing enlarged abdomen
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Heartworms Diagnosis: is made through testing by a veterinarian
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Heartworms Treatment: can be dangerous and expensive
involves a series of injections no vigorous activity large amounts of rest preventive medication given once heartworms are eliminated Prevention: once-a-month heart worm oral medication year round testing for heartworms at least once a year
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Canine Distemper Is a virus Damages a dog’s nervous system
Is highly contagious Is transmitted by contact with infected urine, fecal material or saliva
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Canine Distemper vomiting Symptoms can be mild to extreme
constant squinting congestion of the eyes pus discharge from the eyes and nose weight loss vomiting
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Canine Distemper Diagnosis can be difficult is based on a dog’s:
vaccination history symptoms laboratory tests
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Canine Distemper Treatment:
there is no cure, but medications can be given to treat symptoms Prevention: vaccination is the best method should occur when dogs receive early shots isolation of sick dogs away from non infected dogs
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Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
Is a viral disease which attacks the intestinal tract, white blood cells and the heart Is also called Parvo Is spread by dog-to-dog contact, fecal material of infected dogs, can also be carried on the hair and feet of dog, contaminated cages or shoes Is less likely to occur in single dog homes
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Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
Symptoms: depression loss of appetite vomiting diarrhea fecal discoloration blood in feces Diagnosis: fecal tests blood tests biopsy
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Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
Treatment: combat dehydration with water and electrolytes antibiotics given in the form of a shot or IV rest Prevention: vaccination booster vaccinations proper cleaning of kennels keeping dogs away from fecal waste of other dogs
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Kennel Cough Is formally known as canine bordetellosis or bordetella
Is caused by the bacteria Bordetalla bronchiseptica Causes a severe chronic cough Is transmitted by contact with the nasal secretions of infected dogs
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Kennel Cough Symptoms: dry hacking cough followed by gagging
watery nasal discharge lethargic fever pneumonia Diagnosis: is based on symptoms and history of exposure to other dogs performing bacterial cultures blood tests
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Kennel Cough Treatment:
for mild cases, let the disease run its course with a cough suppressant being administered for severe cases, antibiotics are administered water should be kept available at all times to reduce the chance of dehydration Prevention: avoid contact with other dogs, especially puppies vaccinations
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Lyme Disease Is a bacterial infectious disease syndrome
Is spread primarily by ticks Symptoms can last months after the disease has been treated
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Lyme Disease Symptoms: Diagnosis: fever loss of appetite
acute lameness arthritis weight loss Diagnosis: blood tests identification of symptoms
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Lyme Disease Treatment: Prevention: administering antibiotics
giving pain relievers is a long process Prevention: avoiding ticks applying tick dips vaccinations Back To Menu
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Cats Back To Menu
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Common Cat Diseases Heartworms Feline Panleukopenia
Feline Leukemia Virus Feline Respiratory Disease
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Heartworms Can affect any cat whether it is an indoor or outdoor pet
Occurs when an infected female mosquito bites a cat and the larvae migrate through the tissues and eventually into a cat’s heart Can also reside in the pulmonary arteries When mature are from nine to eleven inches long
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Heartworms Symptoms: may not be visible until later stages of infection are the same as congestive heart failure dull coat lack of energy coughing and difficulty breathing enlarged abdomen convulsions sudden death
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Heartworms Diagnosis: clinical signs blood tests radiographs
ultrasound
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Heartworms Treatment: no approved treatment for cats
can use some dog treatments, but there are some side effects which can cause pulmonary failure can treat the symptoms of heart worms and hope the cat outlives the worms Prevention: once-a-month heart worm oral medication year round testing for heartworms at least once a year
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Feline Panleukopenia Is also called feline distemper
Is a highly contagious viral disease Usually occurs in groups of cats Is passed from cat-to-cat by direct contact or by fecal waste from infected cats Destroys a cat’s cells making them more susceptible to other diseases and infections Has a very high mortality rate
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Feline Panleukopenia Symptoms: loss of appetite depression high fever
lethargy vomiting dehydration Diagnosis: physical exam virus isolation history clinical signs
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Feline Panleukopenia Treatment:
if reached is limited to supportive therapy there are no antibiotics try to combat dehydration and malnutrition strict isolation constant attention Prevention: some cats will have immunity due to a survived mild case or have received the immunity from their mother vaccinations
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Feline Leukemia Virus Is a fatal retrovirus affecting the cat’s immune system Increases the cat’s susceptibility to other disease Can be spread by contaminated nasal secretions, infected urine, feces and milk Does not survive for long outside of a cat’s body
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Feline Leukemia Virus Diagnosis: Symptoms: clinical signs weight loss
recurring chronic illness lethargy fever diarrhea erratic breathing patterns yellow color around the mouth Diagnosis: clinical signs blood test is the most accurate
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Feline Leukemia Treatment: there is no cure
confine cat to prevent exposure to non-infected cats symptoms are treated feed nutritionally balanced diets avoid feeding raw foods schedule check-ups for cat Prevention: avoidance of infected cats vaccination
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Feline Respiratory Diseases
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis Feline Calicivirus Feline Pneumonitis each cause respiratory diseases in cats are highly contagious transmitted from cat-to-cat through direct contact, through the air by sneezing or coughing or by humans if they have been close to infected cats
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Feline Respiratory Diseases
Symptoms: runny nose sneezing coughing lethargy fever loss of appetite Diagnosis: clinical signs vaccination and clinical history rarely a blood test
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Feline Respiratory Diseases
Treatment: administering antibiotics ensuring food and water intake rest Prevention: vaccination avoidance of infected animals Back To Menu
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Birds Back To Menu
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Common Bird Diseases Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
Pacheco’s Disease Polyoma Virus Psittacine Wasting Disease Bacterial Infections Aspergillosis
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Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease
Is a highly contagious viral infection Is mainly found in cockatoos, but is potentially contagious to all psittacine birds Is an airborne virus normally spread in bird nurseries, pet shops, bird fairs and when birds are brought together in stressful conditions Attacks the beak and feathers of birds as well as decreases the efficiency of the immune system
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Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease
Symptoms: irreversible loss of feathers shedding of developing feathers abnormal feather development loss of powder down abnormal beak with lesions weight loss
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Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease
Diagnosis: clinical symptoms skin biopsy surgical biopsy of feathers blood test feather samples
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Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease
Treatment: there is no treatment available at this time Prevention: there is no vaccine available at this time strict isolation of diseased birds to inhibit the spread of the disease DNA testing of birds keep facilities clean
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Pacheco’s Disease Is caused by a herpes virus which attacks the liver
Results in liver failure and eventually death Is spread through infected feces and nasal discharge Is very stable outside the host body so it can contaminate the air, surfaces, food and water aiding in the spread of the disease
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Pacheco’s Disease Symptoms: lethargy diarrhea ruffled feathers
weight loss eye infections tremors in the neck, wings and legs Diagnosis: PCR and sequence testing of DNA postmortem inspection of the liver
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Pacheco’s Disease Treatment: is limited to supportive care
treat with antibiotics to minimize the spread of the virus acyclovir, an antiviral medication, is helpful on decreasing the mortality of the disease
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Pacheco’s Disease Prevention: vaccination and yearly boosters
quarantine and test new birds isolate any bird which could be shedding the virus disinfect all surfaces with bleach
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Polyoma Virus Is also known as Budgerigar Fledgling Disease Is a virus
Is one of the most significant threats to caged birds Infects almost all parrot species Is most lethal to young birds Is spread through feather dust, aerosols, parental feeding of chicks, direct contact with infected environments and carrier birds
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Polyoma Virus Diagnosis: Symptoms: DNA test swollen abdomen blood test
environment test biopsy Symptoms: swollen abdomen depression loss of appetite weight loss regurgitation diarrhea dehydration tremors paralysis
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Polyoma Virus Treatment: Prevention:
no treatment is available at this time Prevention: vaccination of all birds quarantine new birds disinfect all surfaces the bird comes in contact with using bleach
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Bacterial Infections Are numerous
Usually occur when the bird is stressed, suffers from poor nutrition, inadequate care or the bacterial population overwhelms the bird’s immune system Can be given to birds by humans Can cause organ damage and even death Include: upper respiratory infections urinary tract infections intestinal infections
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Upper Respiratory Infections
Symptoms: sneezing, nasal discharge, inflamed eyes or swelling of the head Diagnosis: clinical signs and bacterial culture Treatment: oral antibiotic, eye or nasal drops, increased fluid intake Prevention: reduce stress of the bird, feed a balanced diet and keep areas where the bird will be clean
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Intestinal Infections
Symptoms: loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and depression Diagnosis: clinical signs, analysis of bird feed (spoiled food is a common cause) and bacterial culture of feces Treatment: administering an antibiotic, supportive therapy, incubation and tube feeding Prevention: check food for spoilage, keep water and cage clean, do not feed birds from your mouth
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Aspergillosis Is a fungal infection
Is caused by an endotoxin which is produced by the fungus Is considered to be opportunistic as it mainly occurs in birds with a suppressed immune system Can be caused by malnutrition, inadequate housing and contaminated feed Is grown in the airsacs of a bird’s upper respiratory system
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Aspergillosis Diagnosis: Symptoms:
clinical signs and the absence of a bacterial infection blood test x-rays radiographs fungal samples Symptoms: respiratory distress voice changes abnormal feces regurgitation poor appetite lesions in the lungs, air sacs and trachea
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Aspergillosis Treatment: Prevention: antifungal treatments
immunostimulants surgery (if needed) Prevention: minimize stress and overcrowding provide proper ventilation feed a proper diet Back To Menu
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Rabbits Back To Menu
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Common Rabbit Diseases
Snuffles Heat stroke Wryneck
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Snuffles Is a bacterial infection
Is caused by the bacterial organism Pasteurella Bacteria resides in the nose, lungs and eye membranes Is a respiratory disease, but may also include ear infections, pneumonia, heart problems, abscesses, eye problems and septicemia Is spread among chronically infected animals and their litters or between breeding males and females
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Snuffles Symptoms: sneezing runny nose
stained yellow nose and paws from the mucus matted eyes Diagnosis: DNA PCR technology bacterial culture blood tests
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Snuffles Treatment: administer antibiotics to treat clinical signs
bacteria will never be completely removed from an infected rabbit so relapsing can occur which will require additional treatment
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Snuffles Prevention: test new rabbits for Snuffles prior to exposing to others quarantine new rabbits sanitize areas where the rabbit will be located decrease stress provide proper food, water and housing
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Heat Stress Is the common cause of heat strokes in rabbits
Is extremely likely to occur in overweight or heavily furred rabbits, when the environmental temperature is above 85 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity
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Heat Stress Symptoms: panting salivation ear reddening weakness
delirium convulsions Diagnosis: presence of clinical signs action should be taken immediately
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Heat Stress Treatment: lower body temperature
spray or bathe rabbits with cool water apply cold running water to ear flaps increase fluids Prevention: provide adequate shade from the sun, proper ventilation continuous mist or spray of water have a fan in the area of the rabbit to keep it cool
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Wryneck Is a severe twisting of the head which causes coordination problems and sometimes total incapacitation Is most often a result of a bacterial infection of the inner ear Can also be caused by ear mites, cancer or nutritional imbalances
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Wryneck Symptoms: rabbit’s head is often turned to one side
recent ear infection uncoordination shaking head lethargic loss of appetite Diagnosis: clinical signs physical exam
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Wryneck Treatment: is dependent upon the cause
if caused by ear infection, an antibiotic is used if caused by ear mites, the mites should be removed with an approved pesticide if caused by a nutritional imbalance, the imbalance should be identified and corrected through the use of supplements Prevention: keep rabbit’s ears clean feed a balanced diet Back To Menu
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Common Guinea Pig Diseases
Scurvy Bordetellosis Salmonellosis Lumps
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Scurvy Is caused by a vitamin C deficiency
Causes connective tissue cells to not produce collagen at a normal rate Cause weak bones which are easily traumatized
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Scurvy Symptoms: hemorrhages in the joints and gums loose teeth
rough hair coat loss of appetite lameness Diagnosis: based on evaluation of the diet and clinical signs a blood test can be used to determine vitamin C levels, but is not usually necessary
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Scurvy Treatment: Prevention:
supplementation with vitamin C by injection or orally balancing the diet to include more vitamin C Prevention: feed a balanced diet which includes plenty of vitamin C to meet the needs of the guinea pig
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Bordetellosis Is a bacterial infection of the respiratory system caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica Affects guinea pigs of all ages Is spread from animal to animal through direct contact Is carried by guinea pigs who have had the disease and survived
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Bordetellosis Symptoms: Diagnosis: abnormal breathing patterns
nasal discharge loss of appetite weight loss Diagnosis: clinical signs bacterial culture x-rays
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Bordetellosis Treatment: is often unsuccessful
antibiotics can be given to ease symptoms Prevention: vaccination vaccinated animals will become carriers of the disease
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Salmonellosis Is a bacterial infection
Is transmitted by ingesting contaminated food, water, bedding or feces Can be spread by animal’s who have survived the disease and are now carriers Bacteria can enter the guinea pig’s system through the eyes
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Salmonellosis Diagnosis: Symptoms: physical exam depression lethargy
bacterial culture blood test Symptoms: depression lethargy anorexia weight loss rough hair coat eye infections
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Salmonellosis Treatment Prevention
administer antibiotics to treat symptoms Prevention quarantine new animals keep housing clean always feed clean food and keep water clean
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Hamsters Back To Menu
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Common Hamster Diseases
Wet tail Cancer Bladder stones
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Wet Tail Is a serious intestinal disease
Is also known as proliferative ileitis Is an extremely contagious disease
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Wet Tail Symptoms: Diagnosis: lethargy hunched posture
extreme diarrhea rectal prolapse Diagnosis: clinical signs physical examination
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Wet Tail Treatment: fluid replacement therapy
oral antidiarrheal medication antibiotics is often not successful Prevention: sanitize cage often do not breed hamsters which have had wet tail keep the stress level of the hamster low
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Cancer Is extremely common in hamsters
Is more likely to affect the female than the male
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Cancer Symptoms: Diagnosis: uncommon tumors or abscesses lethargy
loss of appetite Diagnosis: clinical signs physical exam biopsy of the tumors or abscesses
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Cancer Treatment: Prevention:
removal of tumors or abscesses if malignant is very difficult to complete and very expensive Prevention: no known method of prevention in hamsters
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Bladder Stones Are also known as urinary calculi
Can occur in all animals but are very prevalent in hamsters due to their small size
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Bladder Stones Symptoms: Diagnosis: urinary tract infection
trouble urinating increased water consumption Diagnosis: clinical signs physical examination
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Bladder Stones Treatment: Prevention:
can be removed by an experienced veterinarian administering antibiotics Prevention: you can try managing hamster’s diet, but is not practical
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Zoonotic Diseases
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Zoonosis Is any infectious disease which is able to be transmitted from animals to humans or from humans to animals Is a disease which normally exists in other animals but has the ability to infect humans Back To Menu
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H1N1 Flu Virus Detected in the following small animals Clinical signs
Cats Dogs Ferrets Birds Clinical signs Coughing and sneezing Difficulty breathing Fever, lethargy and loss of appetite
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H1N1 Flu Virus No vaccines are currently available
Pet owners can pass it on to pets Prevention techniques Wash hands frequently Avoid touching your face Cover your mouth when coughing
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How Can Diseases Be Transmitted from Pets to People?
Biting Scratching Animal walking across a food preparation area Eating outdoors Unsanitary conditions Direct contact Not washing hands
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Example Zoonotic Diseases Humans Catch From Small Animals
Roundworms Ringworms Avian influenza Toxoplasmosis West Nile Virus Rabies Salmonellosis Pasteurellosis Heliobacter pylori causes gastric ulcers Cat Scratch Fever Lyme Disease
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How to Prevent Zoonotic Spread of Disease
Clean wounds incurred by animals Keep food preparation areas clean Keep animal waste areas and living areas clean Do not allow animals to eat off of plate or table Wash hands after handling animals
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Small Animal Diseases No matter the type of small animal you own, regularly scheduled check-ups and vaccinations are always the best way to insure animal health If disease does occur take the animal to a trained veterinarian to gain an accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment for the sake of the animal and yourself
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