Library Kennel Cough Kennel cough is most commonly associated with a bacterial infection caused by the organism Bordetella bronchiseptica. While it is hard to be certain in veterinary medicine when discussing statistics, it is estimated that 80 to 90% of the cases of kennel cough...

Library Vaccinations & Immunizations CANINE PARVOVIRUS & VACCINATIONS Canine Parvovirus is probably the single most devastating disease to attack the dog population. In most cases the victim is a young non-vaccinated puppy, six months of age or younger. But an unprotected dog can become infected...

Library Shot Knots A “shot knot” is a localized swelling arising in the area of an injection or vaccination. It is an inflammatory reaction in the tissues that can also involve a bacterial infection. These knots vary in size and can be difficult and time...

Library Sarcoptic Mange (ALSO CALLED "SCABIES") THE ORGANISM AND HOW IT LIVES Sarcoptic mange is the name for the skin disease caused by infection with theSarcoptes scabei mite. Mites are not insects; instead they are more closely related to spiders.  They are microscopic and cannot...

Library Ringworm Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is an infection of the skin caused by a fungus (not a worm). Several fungi can cause it and are acquired from the soil or other animals (dogs, rodents). Dogs and cats are major sources for human cases of ringworm. Transmission...

Library Heartworms Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are a blood parasite transmitted to dogs by many species of mosquitos. A female mosquito picks up larvae while feeding on an infected dog. The larvae develops in the mosquito and is then transmitted to another dog when the mosquito...

Library Entropion What is entropion? Entropion is the inward rolling of the eyelid, most commonly the lower lid. This irritates the surface of the eye (the cornea) and may ultimately cause visual impairment. Entropion is a common hereditary disorder in dogs. Selection for a particular...

Library Ear Mites WHAT ARE EAR MITES? Ear mites are tiny infectious organisms resembling microscopic ticks.  The mite can just barely be seen as a small white dot with the naked eye but usually must be detected by examination of a sample of ear wax...

Library Distichiasis Distichiasis is the abnormal growth of an eyelash from the meibomian glands along the eyelid margin. This positions them directly out of the lid margin and they contact the eye surface due to this. The harm this causes depends on the stiffness of...