Canine Influenza, otherwise known as dog flu, was first seen in the United States in 2004 in racing greyhounds in Florida. It has now spread to over 38 states and commonly occurs in the canine population. Genetic analysis shows the virus is closely related to equine influenza, and as greyhounds and race horses often are around the same racetracks, speculation is that canine influenza evolved from the equine virus and jumped from horses to dogs....

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The Life Cycle of Heartworm Heartworm is a parasitic round worm (Dirofilaria immitis) which lives in the heart and lungs of dogs and occasionally in cats, ferrets and other mammals. Mosquitos transmit the parasite from dog to dog. The parasite is a major problem in many regions of the North America and in other countries, especially in areas where mosquitoes are present year-round and areas with warm temperatures. It takes 6 to 7 months after...

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Blastomycosis is a rare, but potentially fatal fungal infection caused by the pathogen Blastomyces dermatitidis. The fungus grows in moist soil or vegetation. In certain conditions, spores are released into the air that can be inhaled by dogs or people, thereby infecting them. Once the pathogen enters the lungs, the spores transform into large, thick walled broad-based budding yeast that multiply within the lung and other tissues of the infected animal. The symptoms and illness...

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Lyme disease is one of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in the world. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium (borrelia burgdorferi) that is commonly transmitted to animal hosts by ticks. Deer ticks, Western black-legged ticks, Taiga ticks and Sheep ticks (Castor Bean ticks) are the most common vector ticks for Lyme disease. These ticks and other kinds also carry different blood-born diseases such as Rocky mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, canine ehrlichiosis etc. Basically, a...

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Dogs are such common victims of some tick species that the ticks have the word 'dog' in their name. Ticks carry many blood-borne diseases, transmitted when they attach to the host's skin and staying attached until they've filled their bodies with blood. When ticks first attach, they are almost impossible to find in a heavily coated dog because of their tiny size. But they swell as they become engorged with blood, and then appear to...

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On the heals of scientists discovering that dogs can catch norovirus from humans, a team of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine have discovered that an Epstein-Barr-like virus can infect dogs. The virus may also be responsible for causing cancerous lymphomas in canines. The Epstein Barr virus is a herpes-type virus and is most commonly known as "the kissing disease" and for causing mononucleosis in...

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Canine Parvovirus (or "Parvo" as it is commonly referred to) is highly contagious virus infection that is spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with their feces. Canine Parvovirus affects domestic dogs and also other canine species including foxes, wolves, and coyotes. The disease is primarily spread through fecal matter in dirt. It can also live on surfaces and objects such as shoes, clothing, food and water dishes, toys, bedding and towels....

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Coccidioidomycosis, otherwise known as Valley Fever (and sometimes referred to as "California disease" or "Desert rheumatism"), is an infectious disease caused by a fungal organism called Coccidioides Immitis. This fungus is located in the soil of certain regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Dogs primarily contract Valley Fever in the low desert regions of Arizona, New Mexico and southwestern Texas and the central deserts of California. Arizona sees 80% of all Valley...

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When you go fishing, or you purchase a raw salmon, think twice before sharing it with your dog. Salmon Poisoning Disease (or fish disease) is a rare, but potentially fatal condition seen in dogs that eat certain types of raw fish. Salmon (salmonid fish) and other anadromous fish (fish that swim upstream in freshwater to breed such as trout, shad and sturgeon) can be infected with a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola. Overall, the parasite is...

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During warm temperatures and hot weather months, blue-green algae blooms can suddenly grow in freshwater lakes, rivers, or waterways. It is sometimes found in saltwater near river mouths. Avoiding areas contaminated with blue-green algae is extremely important, as contact with toxic blooms can potentially be fatal for dogs and people.   About blue-green algae Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, grows in warm, slow-moving or still water. It is found predominantly in freshwaters throughout the world. It...

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The Life Cycle of Heartworm Heartworm is a parasitic round worm (Dirofilaria immitis) which lives in the heart and lungs of dogs and occasionally in cats, ferrets and other mammals. Mosquitos transmit the parasite from dog to dog. The parasite is a major problem in many regions of the North America and in other countries, especially in areas where mosquitoes are present year-round and areas with warm temperatures. It takes 6 to 7 months after...

Read more

Canine Influenza, otherwise known as dog flu, was first seen in the United States in 2004 in racing greyhounds in Florida. It has now spread to over 38 states and commonly occurs in the canine population. Genetic analysis shows the virus is closely related to equine influenza, and as greyhounds and race horses often are around the same racetracks, speculation is that canine influenza evolved from the equine virus and jumped from horses to dogs....

Read more