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Articles for VetsDiseases of Small Animals

Dirofilariasis: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

by aliraza

Dirofilaria immitis,the dog heartworm, is a parasitic roundworm that is spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitoes.

Dirofilariasis: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

SYMPTOMS AND TYPES

Heartworm disease is defined in three classes, varying in severity.

  • Class I heartworm disease are often asymptomatic, meaning they exhibit no visible symptoms, or may only exhibit minimal signs such as an occasional cough. 
  • Class II patients usually exhibit coughing and unusual intolerance to exercise.    
  • Class III may show symptoms of anemia, exercise intolerance, fainting spells, and — in severely affected dogs, right-sided chronic heart failure.

Diagnosis 

Identification of  Dirofilaria worm in blood samples plus clinical signs and history, serological tests are also available.

Treatment

Treating canine heartworm disease involves both killing the adult worms that live in the heart and pulmonary arteries and the larval stages (called microfilaria) that circulate in the bloodstream of the dog.

  • Ivermectin is the medication most commonly used to kill the microfilaria (larval stage)
  • The only medication currently available to kill the adult heartworms is melarsomine 
  • Steroids may be given to reduce anaphylaxis  
  • Acetylsalicylic acid plus prednisolone prevents thromboembolism.
Articles for VetsDiseases of Small Animals

Pyometra: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

by aliraza

It is chronic disease as a sequel of Endometritis or Metritis , which means accumolation of large amount of pus in the uterus.

Characterized by

Accumulation of pus
persist corpus luteum
Anestrum

Causes

Either due to infection by Corynebacterium pyogen & Trichomonas fetus that lead to production and accumulation of the pus in uterus . or without infection specially in cow which characterized by conversion of pregnancy (fetus) to mummified fetus ( closed cervix , persist C.L. for long time , anestrum )

Classification

Pyometra with closed cervix (common )
Pyometra with opened cervix

Diagnosis

In pyometra with open cervix
There is large amount purulent discharge
In pyometra with closed cervix diagnosed by Ultrasound

sequle of Pyometra is lead to sterility of animal

Treatment 

Evacuation of pus from uterus
Pgf2a 25mg for regretion of C.L.
Estradiol 5mg for dilation of cervix then after 2 hrs. Can give Oxytocin 50 IU
Cervical manipulation by using special catheter to dilation of cervix & evacuate the pus

Note

We cannot use antibiotic in case of pyometra due to presence of pus .
For inside uterus we must be use eye ointment as a local antibody & if there is not present we can use intra mammary infusion

Articles for VetsDiseases of AnimalsDiseases of Small Animals

Nystagmus in Dogs and Cats

by aliraza

Nystagmus is a condition defined by the involuntary and rhythmic oscillation of the eyeballs; that is, the eyes unintentionally move or swing back and forth. Nystagmus can occur in both dogs and cats and is a characteristic sign of a problem in the animal’s nervous system.

SYMPTOMS AND TYPES

There are two types of nystagmus: jerk nystagmus and pendular nystagmus. Jerk nystagmus is characterized by slow eye movements in one direction with a rapid correction phase in the opposite direction, while pendular nystagmus is characterized by small oscillations of the eyes with no movement being distinctively slower or faster than the other. Of these two types, jerk nystagmus is more commonly seen in dogs. Other common signs associated with nystagmus include head tilting and circling.

CAUSES

There are a variety of causes that may lead to nystagmus, many of which stem either from a peripheral vestibular or central vestibular disease. Sometimes called the “balance system,” the vestibular system is the sensory system responsible for maintaining proper balance of the head and body.
Peripheral vestibular diseases that may lead to nystagmus include hypothyroidism, traumatic injuries (such as those acquired in a car accident), and neoplastic tumors. Nystagmus-causing central vestibular disorders include tumors, thiamine deficiency, viral infections (such as canine distemper), and consequent inflammation, heart attacks, hemorrhages in the heart, and exposure to toxins (such as lead).

DIAGNOSIS

Nystagmus is often diagnosed via an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, which can also reveal inflammation associated with the disorder. Brain imaging (e.g., CT scan) is another diagnostic procedure used to identify brain abnormalities. Otherwise, your veterinarian may conduct analysis on the urine and bacterial cultures and serologic testing to check for infectious agents in the body.