Library
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The general condition of your dog's skin and coat are good indicators of his health. A healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, not brittle or coarse, and healthy skin should be supple and clear, not greasy, flaky, or bumpy. Selective breeding has led to the development of dogs with various coat characteristics requiring varying grooming needs. Nutrition also plays an important role in skin and coat maintenance.
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Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the soil fungus Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadii. The early signs of coccidioidomycosis include fever, lethargy, poor appetite, coughing, and joint pain. Diagnosis is by biopsy of lesions or blood testing for antibodies to the Coccidioides organism. The prognosis for recovery is dependent of the extent of lesions in the cat’s body.
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Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal disease caused by the soil fungus Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadii. The early signs of coccidioidomycosis include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, and joint pain. Diagnosis is by biopsy of lesions or blood testing for antibodies to the Coccidioides organism. The prognosis for recovery is dependent of the extent of lesions in the dog’s body.
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Colitis refers to inflammation of the large intestine (colon). Colitis most commonly describes diarrhea or loose stools associated with the large bowel. Large bowel diarrhea is another term for colitis. This handout discusses signs, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Collie eye anomaly (CEA), also called “collie eye defect,” is an inherited, developmental disease in dogs in which there is a mutation of the gene that determines the development of the eye. This mutation results in defects of many layers of the back of the eye. The most common sign of CEA is blindness.
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Color dilution alopecia is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that affects dogs with dilute-colored coats causing hair loss. Some dogs will also be affected by secondary bacterial infections so topical management and pruritus treatments may be needed to improve the dog's comfort. Affected dogs and their relatives should not be bred.
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Pet birds often become ill when they are not cared for or fed appropriately. Birds can develop infections with bacteria (e.g., Chlamydia psittaci) and parasites (e.g., Giardia). They also commonly suffer from reproductive problems (e.g., egg binding and tumors) and feather-picking. Birds on all-seed, high-fat diets may become obese and develop fatty liver syndrome. Older birds may develop cloacal papillomas or cancer. Your veterinarian familiar with birds will formulate an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan if your pet bird becomes ill.
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Turtles may be affected by one of the following diseases: metabolic bone disease (MBD), vitamin A deficiency, respiratory diseases, abscesses, shell infections, shell fractures, and parasites. Improper diet, poor water filtration, and lack of UV light are contributing factors for many aquatic turtle diseases. Seek immediate veterinary care if your aquatic turtle shows any deviation from normal.
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Turtles may be affected by any of the following conditions: metabolic bone disease (MBD), vitamin A deficiency, respiratory infections, abscesses, shell infections and fractures, and parasites. This article outlines typical signs and treatment for these common conditions. Seek immediate veterinary care if there is any deviation from normal in your pet turtle.
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Common conditions of pet snakes include infectious stomatitis (mouth rot), parasites, skin infections, respiratory disease, septicemia, and viral diseases such as inclusion body disease (IBD). Signs may be specific for a certain disease or non-specific, such as lack of appetite and lethargy, which can be seen with many diseases. Any deviation from normal is a cause for concern and should be evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. This handout outlines how to know your snake is sick and the treatments for common conditions.
