Sudden death of a German Shepherd causes. Why do puppies die? Euthanasia or death from disease is a difficult choice

20.06.2020 -

SUDDEN DEATH IN DOGS AND CATS. HOW TO AVOID. It happens that a seemingly healthy pet, without receiving any visible injury, dies in a matter of seconds, minutes or hours. The pathologist of the veterinary clinic “Biocontrol”, candidate of science, talks about the common causes of sudden death of dogs and cats. biological sciences Dmitry Evgenievich Mitrushkin. POISONING IN DOGS AND CATS. Dogs are more often poisoned by poisons intended to fight rodents (rats and mice), and poisons distributed by “dog hunters” (persons who, on their own initiative, engage in extermination stray dogs). Poisons against rodents are often anticoagulants (substances that reduce blood clotting, for example, zoocoumarin), leading to massive hemorrhages in the skin and internal organs(primarily into the cavity of the stomach and intestines). They manifest themselves as lethargy, diarrhea and/or vomiting with blood and the development of severe anemia. It must be added that death small dog(or cat) can occur from eating a poisoned mouse or rat (weakened and becoming easy prey because bleeding has already begun in its organs and tissues). The poison used by dog hunters is often the drug isoniazid, intended for the treatment of human tuberculosis, but which is toxic to dogs. It is added in the form of tablets to sausages or sausages laid out on the ground in courtyards and parks. Sometimes domestic dogs also eat them. The effect of the drug begins after 1-1.5 hours and leads to inhibition of activity brain, resulting in confusion, incoordination of movements with further profuse salivation and foaming from the mouth. In case of severe poisoning, convulsions, coma, and paralysis of the respiratory muscles are possible. To prevent the poisoning described above, it is necessary to educate the dog in the ability not to pick up food from the ground, walk it on a leash and constantly carefully watch what it is doing. If you are unable to keep an eye on your dog, you should put a fully closed muzzle on it, especially in places where you have already seen a pack of stray dogs or heard about it from other owners. Cats are pickier eaters (compared to dogs) and are more likely to be poisoned by antifreeze (a sweet-tasting liquid that does not freeze at low temperatures, used to cool internal combustion engines) or lilies. Antifreeze can leak under the car or be spilled by the car owner on the asphalt, garage floor, etc. When thirsty animals lick the resulting puddle (or simply lick their paws that pass through it), ethylene glycol, which is the basis of antifreeze, is absorbed into gastrointestinal tract. Within an hour, vomiting, weakness, and loss of coordination of movements begin with a further progressive reduction in the amount of urine (up to its absence) due to the development of acute renal failure. It should be added that the lethal dose of antifreeze for a cat may be about 1.5 ml/kg, for a dog - about 6.6 ml/kg. To prevent poisoning, it is necessary to prevent antifreeze from leaking or use antifreeze based on propylene glycol, which has lower toxicity. Many types of lilies are toxic to cats. Eating them or pollen that ends up on the animal’s fur (with further licking and getting it into the stomach) can cause the death of the animal due to acute renal failure. Therefore, cat owners should avoid purchasing or growing this plant. HEART DISEASE IN DOGS AND CATS Large breed dogs (usually middle-aged and older) can die suddenly from a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (with or without heart failure). heart rate), characterized by expansion of the cavities of the heart and myocardial dysfunction. Clinically the pathology is early stages manifests itself asymptomatically or only with increased fatigue; As the disease develops, general weakness, rapid breathing, coughing and even fainting are usually noted. Cats of any age often suffer from heart pathologies such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Among the most predisposed breeds are: British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, Maine Coon. The genetically determined disease is characterized by hypertrophy (thickening) of the walls of the organ (usually the left ventricle), leading to periodic rapid breathing with the mouth slightly open. The disease is complicated either by thromboembolism (acute death occurs when blood clots form in the branches pulmonary artery, obstructing blood flow), or pulmonary edema. To diagnose heart disease in dogs and cats, periodic X-ray examination of the chest cavity, electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography (EchoCG or ultrasound of the heart) are necessary. Using these methods, the cardiologist will be able to assess the structural and functional state organ, prevent and treat cardiac pathologies. PNEUMOTHORAX IN DOGS AND CATS. Pneumothorax is the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity. May be exogenous (usually associated with penetrating trauma chest) and endogenous origin. Endogenous pneumothorax is most often formed due to the breakthrough of air into pleural cavity when an emphysematous bladder (thin-walled pathological cavity) or lung tumor ruptures. The occurrence of a rupture of a pathological focus of the lung is facilitated by high physical activity, a concussion of the chest, and a sharp cough impulse. Pathology classified as a complication of the disease manifests itself in increasing respiratory failure causing the death of the animal. To prevent pneumothorax, it is recommended to avoid physical overload and periodically conduct x-ray examinations of the chest cavity of dogs and cats. TRACHEA COLLAPSE IN DOGS. Tracheal collapse – hereditary chronic disease, characterized by a narrowing of the lumen of the trachea (the air tube connecting the larynx to the lungs). The disease is more common in dwarf dog breeds (Yorkshire terriers, toy terriers, Chihuahuas, dwarf Spitz dogs, Pekingese, miniature poodles etc.) aged from 6 months to 7 years. Clinically, a sudden cough is observed, more often after physical exertion or emotional stress, moist rales, depression general condition. As the disease progresses, manifested by a pronounced degree of flattening of the trachea, the animal may die from suffocation. To prevent symptoms of the disease in predisposed dog breeds, it is especially important to carry out X-ray examination trachea, check the upper respiratory tract on chronic infection, avoid hypothermia and obesity, replace the collar with a harness. ATLANTO-AXIAL INSTABILITY IN DOGS. The disease is more often observed in young dogs of dwarf breeds (Yorkshire terriers, toy terriers, Chihuahuas, etc.). Atlanto-axial instability – congenital pathology, which is characterized by displacement of the first cervical vertebra (atlas) relative to the second (epistrophy). The main reason is underdevelopment or rupture of the ligaments connecting these two vertebrae. Trauma to this area (for example, when an animal falls from your hand) can lead to an acceleration of the onset of major clinical signs (acute pain when moving the head, manifested by squealing); forced position of the head and neck no higher than the level of the withers; weakness of the thoracic and pelvic limbs). Possible acute development of symptoms and death from compression spinal cord epistropheus. ACUTE DILATION AND VOLSION OF THE STOMACH IN DOGS. Acute gastric dilatation is a disease characterized by significant swelling (swelling) of the stomach due to weakness of its wall or spasm of the pylorus (the narrowed part of the stomach at the point where it passes into duodenum). Large, less often medium-sized dogs (usually older ones) are affected. The disease leads to compression of the diaphragm, large vessels and intestines, which leads to intestinal obstruction, as well as a decrease in blood supply to many organs, leading to death. To death dangerous disease large and medium-sized dogs also include gastric volvulus, complicated by necrosis of its wall due to torsion of blood vessels, which can occur without previous acute dilatation organ. The main reason is weakness and stretching of the gastric ligaments (usually in older dogs), which are unable to hold the stomach in the correct position, as well as the absence of the gastrocolic ligament in dogs (present in humans). Clinically, with the above-described stomach diseases, anxiety turning into stiffness, increased salivation, vomiting, enlargement of the abdomen in the area of the last ribs, shortness of breath, bulging of the eyes, pallor (or cyanosis) of the gums are observed. Prevention of acute dilation and volvulus of the stomach of dogs comes down to recommendations for normalizing nutrition and physical activity: - animals should be fed two to three times a day in small portions. The diet should reduce the amount of carbohydrates (cereals and vegetables) and increase the content of high-quality protein products (meat, fish). We recommend premium industrial dry food from world-famous companies, all components of which are balanced. Protein food saturates in small volume and is processed by the body quickly, i.e. does not overfill the stomach and does not stretch its walls. -feeding and walking (and even more so the working use of the animal) should be at least one and a half to two hours apart; food and water should be at room temperature. - try to keep your dog, especially older ones, in good physical shape. STOMACH ULCERS IN DOGS AND CATS. Gastric ulcer is a disease characterized by the formation of ulcers (local defects) in the internal layers of the organ wall. The progression of the ulcerative process can become so fatal dangerous complications as perforation or gastric bleeding. When perforation (perforation) of the ulcer, i.e. formation of a through hole in the gastric wall, food along with gastric juice penetrates into the peritoneal cavity with the development of acute peritonitis (characterized exclusively by acute “dagger” pain). In more rare cases, an ulcer formed over a relatively large vessel can cause bleeding into the stomach cavity (manifested by bloody vomiting and the release of black feces due to the admixture of a large amount of discolored blood). For prevention peptic ulcer stomach, nutritious feeding of dogs and cats is recommended (see recommendations for normalizing nutrition in the previous topic). RUPTURE OF SPLEN TUMORS IN DOGS AND CATS. With spleen tumors (both benign, for example, hematoma, and malignant, for example, lymphoma), they can rupture with bleeding into the peritoneal cavity (with fatal blood loss). Rupture of splenic tumors can occur with the most minor trauma (including severe straining during defecation, intense physical activity) both immediately and delayed. For an intact spleen to rupture, the injury must be significant, often combined with injury to other organs. For prevention of this disease It is necessary to conduct a preventive ultrasound abdominal cavity dogs and cats. FOREIGN BODY IN THE PHARYNX IN DOGS AND CATS. A variety of foreign bodies (pieces of toys, bones, splinters, broken glass, sewing needle) may end up in the throat of a dog or cat (usually puppies and kittens) while playing with various objects or hastily eating. The animal will lie with its mouth open; breathing will become difficult, coughing will occur with the development of suffocation. If there is a large substance in the throat foreign body, then instant death of your pet is possible. To prevent the disease, you should: - before leaving for work, close all doors to the rooms, leaving the kitchen and corridor for the animal to move around; put away shoes; -buy toys made specifically for dogs and cats that cannot be chewed into small pieces or swallowed whole (the most reliable are made of cast rubber or edible toys). HEAT STROKE IN DOGS AND CATS Heat stroke is a condition that occurs as a result of prolonged overheating of the body (often in dogs in a car on a hot day). Overheating is especially dangerous for dogs of short-faced (brachycephalic) breeds - bulldogs, boxers, pugs, Pekingese, as well as representatives long-haired breeds. Animals suffering from heart or lung disease are at risk. Dogs' breathing and heart rate increase, their body temperature rises, and coma. To prevent heatstroke never leave your dog in a parked car in hot weather; provide the animal with access to a cool room and large number water on a hot day. ELECTRICAL INJURY IN DOGS AND CATS. Electrical injury - defeat electric shock. Death from electric shock most often occurs in puppies and kittens when they chew the wire of an electrical appliance (TV, refrigerator, etc.) that is plugged into the network. Electric current passing through the body can lead to cardiac arrest. Cats are more resistant to electric shock. The death of an animal is also possible if it comes into contact with a bare or broken electrical wire. To reduce the risk of electrical injury, do not leave a teething puppy in a room where there are live wires. In conclusion, it must be recalled that a responsible pet owner must know in advance exactly when veterinary clinic(at any time of the day or night) he will immediately take his pet in case sharp deterioration health conditions, without wasting time looking for “who to contact” for diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

The death of a beloved dog is a great grief for every owner. Whatever the reason, this event always leaves an indelible mark on the soul, but life does not end there and you need to learn to cope with the shock. The most difficult thing in this situation is to survive the first days, when, in addition to the difficult emotional state, you have to deal with other issues related to the death of your pet.

For many, a dog becomes a real member of the family, so its death becomes the same tragedy as the loss loved one. Psychologist Julie Axerold believes that after her death, a person loses not only a pet, but also a source unconditional love, a constant companion who provides comfort and safety, as well as a ward for whom the owner is a kind of mentor, like for a child. How to survive this period? In our culture, there are no rituals that would help us more easily cope with loss (obituaries, memorial days), so sometimes it is easier to do this if you follow some recommendations from psychologists. Despite the fact that they are quite simple, it is not always possible to do what experts advise during periods of intense grief.

Do not look for someone to blame, especially if the pet died due to illness or injury. It is worth realizing that even ideal owners and experienced doctors sometimes make mistakes, so it is important not to blame yourself with possible phrases “I didn’t have time”, “I made a mistake in choosing a veterinarian”. Every owner does everything in his power, so the main thing is that the dog spends happy life in a caring atmosphere.
Take a break and wait until the pain subsides. You should not immediately rush to search for a replacement for a departed pet, as this will be fraught with comparisons of different animals, which often turn out to be not in favor of new pets. After a loss, it is better to limit communication with familiar dog lovers, visits to the usual pet store or veterinary clinic in order to avoid unnecessary questions and memories.
Fill the void. The dog owner develops a special rhythm and schedule of life, which may revolve around the needs of the pet (for example, daily walks, feeding schedule, etc.). Lifestyle changes are one of the biggest sources of stress, so it’s important to come up with a new hobby or activity that will occupy your free time. This could be English or programming courses, going to the gym or renovating your own apartment - any options that will shift attention away from pain and sad thoughts.
Remember only the good things. Immediately after the death of a dog, the period when he was already sick or old most often pops up in the mind, but you need to try to get rid of such thoughts. After all, there were many other, more pleasant moments in the dog’s life: clumsy puppyhood, first training lessons, joint walks and trips, and other occasions that should be emphasized. To reinforce positive emotions, you can make an album or frames with photographs, and after a while, memories of your pet will only bring a smile, not tears.

Get rid of reminders. You need to hide all things that remind you of the loss (collar, leash, feeding bowl, toys). You can give them to friends or donate them to a dog shelter where they will definitely find useful use.
Help other animals. Psychologists believe that helping a dog shelter is good way overcome difficult things faster emotional state. The realization that your help brings joy and benefit to someone will over time displace negative experiences.
Get a puppy. It is no coincidence that this advice comes last, since you should not think about a new animal until the pain of loss has subsided. If, when thinking about a new puppy, an involuntary comparison arises that he will never be as smart or loyal, then it is better to abandon such an idea for now. Otherwise, the new family member will not be able to receive the care and love of the owner to the fullest and give him new bright emotions.

What to do when a dog dies

Death from an accident or injuries, a long struggle with a dangerous or incurable disease - no matter how much you want to change the situation, the owner is faced with the fact: the dog has died and something needs to be done next. One of the painful questions is what to do with the body, because it needs to be buried.

Responsibility for the burial of a pet falls entirely on the shoulders of its owner, but in Russia this issue remains not fully resolved. According to the law, there are two options for the disposal of dead animals: burning in a crematorium or disinfection in Beccari pits, which are located in most large cities.

Sometimes animal owners prefer to bury the animal after death and even erect a monument, for which in some cities entire animal cemeteries are organized.

Important! Under no circumstances should you bury your pet in a park, country house or forest, especially if it died due to infectious disease. The pathogens will exist in the ground for decades and over time are transferred by groundwater into wells and wells, which is fraught with the outbreak of a dangerous epidemic.

Private veterinary clinics and centers with their own crematoriums also provide assistance in this matter. Their employees are ready to arrive at any time to pick up the body of the deceased dog and transport it for autopsy and subsequent cremation. Such centers offer two cremation options:

general - several corpses are burned in the chamber at the same time, the ashes of which are mixed, but the owner can take away part of it with the thought that there is a piece of his pet there too.
individual - includes burning one animal corpse in one chamber, so the owner will be sure that the urn contains only the ashes of his dog.

The memory of pets can also be immortalized in a virtual cemetery, which is organized in social networks or on special websites. It provides the opportunity to register your own page, where you can not only post a photo of a deceased animal, but also receive psychological support and tips for coping with grief from other pet owners.

How dogs sense death

There is no clear answer to the question “do dogs sense their death,” but often old and sick animals leave the house, and the owner later finds the body and realizes that the leaving was intentional.

There are several versions to explain the reasons for this behavior. Some people believe that the animal is trying to relieve a person’s pain and melancholy by leaving, but this version cannot be reliable. To do this, you need to have human consciousness, since it is only human nature to think about death and fear it. But animals do this unconsciously, because for them life and death are equally natural phenomena. American psychologists believe that their intelligence can be compared to the intelligence of a 2-3 year old child, who also does not realize that death is an irreversible phenomenon.

According to biologists, the departure of a pet from home before death can be explained by the same reasons as the departure of a sick or old wolf from the pack. The dog’s consciousness becomes clouded, so the habits acquired over the years of living with a person displace the more ancient instincts inherent in all representatives of the canine family:

a weak individual that cannot run fast and hunt successfully will be a burden for the pack;
a weak individual can be an easy prey and thus attract the attention of a pack of other predators;
if you don’t hide, there is a risk of meeting a large predator and dying painfully after being torn to pieces;
if you die in a flock, then the decomposition products negatively affect the health of the young.

It is assumed that these are the impulses that an animal is guided by when it leaves its owner. But pets that retain consciousness and affection do not always succumb to instincts, so they are left to die in the house where they spent their whole lives.

There is a legend according to which all dying dogs go to the Rainbow Bridge. This is a kind of dog paradise, where they get rid of all ailments and do not feel hunger or fear. They can spend time in endless games with other deceased animals, so one can only be glad that all the hardships for the dog are left behind. Moreover, on the Rainbow Bridge they have another pleasure that was not available during life due to their vision: they can see all its colors.

When faced for the first time with the death of puppies that are absolutely healthy at first glance, any person experiences shock and begins to search for the truth, blaming himself, those around him, and even unknown attackers for what happened.

However, unfortunately, for veterinarians such phenomena do not seem unusual or rare. In this article we will try to understand the causes of sudden puppy death syndrome.

Causes of death of puppies

Some dog breeders have witnessed the death of entire litters. The culprit of such rapidly developing events may be herpes virus infection, hepatitis or bacterial infection, penetrated into fragile organism puppy with mother's milk.

A characteristic feature of the pathogenesis of infection by microorganisms is the transience of the disease, leading to the death of the entire litter in a matter of days. With a herpes virus infection, the pathogen enters the puppy’s body through saliva or discharge from the nasal passages. Infection can also occur through close contact or using the same items for care and feeding.

Even the owner himself can provoke an outbreak of the epidemic among his pets by bringing home the virus on his clothes, shoes and even hands. As practice shows, crowded keeping of animals in nurseries and homes leads to the fact that a herpes virus infection that occurs in one individual leads to 100% infection of all other pets. And there are no exceptions to this rule.

Curiously, adult dogs have quite good immunity to herpes virus infection. For this reason, the clinical picture of this pathology is quite blurry. But puppies, pregnant animals or individuals with weakened immune systems suffer severely from a herpes virus infection, which spreads like lightning throughout their entire body.

If we talk about puppies, they, as a rule, do not die immediately, but after 2 weeks. The virus travels a long and complex path before leading to the death of an animal. Having penetrated the mucous membrane of its host, the virus begins intensive reproduction in conditions low temperature. Naturally, such activity destroys cells, which leads to erosion of the mucous membrane.

If for some reason the immune system is unable to resist pathology at this stage, then the virus will unhinderedly continue its march through the body, infecting nerve ganglia, which will serve as a refuge for him for the entire period of latent development. Next, when stressful situation, for example, when the conditions for keeping puppies deteriorate, the genome is reactivated and the herpes virus re-infects the mucous membrane of the animal.

From this moment on, the dog becomes infectious, since the causative agent of herpes virus infection is actively released into the environment, although the carrier himself may still lack a clear clinical picture of the pathology. Miscarriages and stillbirths are quite common in infected young bitches. Even if puppies are born alive, they are completely unviable and die without even living for 2 days.

What to do to avoid puppy death?

After the puppies are born, the owner must carefully monitor their development. The first signal indicating an impending disaster will be the babies’ refusal of mother’s milk. After a short period of time, the puppies clearly show problems with the respiratory system. Then the puppies begin to rapidly die one after another. In less than a week, the entire litter dies.

You need to understand that when deployed clinical picture There is no point in treating puppies with pathologies. The only thing you can try to do is isolate healthy babies by transferring them to artificial feeding. In parallel with this, it is necessary to improve the living conditions of animals.

According to veterinary experts, the most effective method The fight against sudden death of puppies is to build the mother's immunity. Even short-term contact with dogs that have recovered from the herpes virus will allow the formation of natural immunity at the bitch's. However, such events should not follow soon after.

Although infectious hepatitis is much less common than herpesvirus infection, its consequences are no less terrible. The death of the litter occurs so quickly that the owner does not even have time to invite veterinarian. Less than 1 hour passes from infection to death.

Clinical picture represented by vomiting, diarrhea, fever and heavy discharge from the eyes and nose, confuse even experienced dog breeders as they diagnose their pets with poisoning. Even a recovered animal will be a carrier of the virus for a year.

The pathogen is released into the environment along with the dog's urine and excrement. Thus, the owner should prohibit his pet from walking on fresh air sniff dog marks, since in this case the risk of infectious hepatitis penetrating through the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth is extremely high.

The life cycle of the virus in a dog’s body begins with damage to the lymph nodes, where it multiplies intensively. Further, having left the affected cells of the lymph nodes, viral particles accumulate in the liver parenchyma, causing its destruction.

It happens that a seemingly healthy pet, without receiving any visible injury, dies in a matter of seconds, minutes or hours. Pathomorphologist of the Biocontrol veterinary clinic, Candidate of Biological Sciences Dmitry Evgenievich Mitrushkin talks about the common causes of sudden death of dogs and cats.

Poisoning in dogs and cats

Dogs are more often poisoned by poisons intended to control rodents (rats and mice), and poisons distributed by “dog hunters” (persons who, on their own initiative, exterminate stray dogs).

Poisons against rodents are often anticoagulants (substances that reduce blood clotting, for example, zoocoumarin), leading to massive hemorrhages in the skin and internal organs (primarily in the cavity of the stomach and intestines). They manifest themselves as lethargy, diarrhea and/or vomiting with blood and the development of severe anemia. It should be added that the death of a small dog (or cat) can occur from eating a poisoned mouse or rat (weakened and becoming easy prey because bleeding has already begun in its organs and tissues).

The poison used by dog hunters is often the drug isoniazid, intended for the treatment of human tuberculosis, but which is toxic to dogs. It is added in the form of tablets to sausages or sausages laid out on the ground in courtyards and parks. Sometimes domestic dogs also eat them. The effect of the drug begins after 1-1.5 hours and leads to inhibition of brain activity, resulting in confusion, incoordination of movements, followed by excessive salivation and foaming from the mouth. In case of severe poisoning, convulsions, coma, and paralysis of the respiratory muscles are possible.

To prevent the poisoning described above, it is necessary to educate the dog in the ability not to pick up food from the ground, walk it on a leash and constantly carefully watch what it is doing. If you are unable to keep an eye on your dog, you should put a fully closed muzzle on it, especially in places where you have already seen a pack of stray dogs or heard about it from other owners.

Cats are pickier eaters (compared to dogs) and are more likely to be poisoned by antifreeze (a sweet-tasting liquid that does not freeze at low temperatures, used to cool internal combustion engines) or lilies.

Antifreeze can leak under the car or be spilled by the car owner on the asphalt, garage floor, etc. When thirsty animals lick the resulting puddle (or simply lick their paws that have passed through it), ethylene glycol, which is the basis of antifreeze, is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Within an hour, vomiting, weakness, and loss of coordination of movements begin, with a further progressive reduction in the amount of urine (up to its absence) due to the development of acute renal failure. It should be added that the lethal dose of antifreeze for a cat may be about 1.5 ml/kg, for a dog - about 6.6 ml/kg. To prevent poisoning, it is necessary to prevent antifreeze from leaking or use antifreeze based on propylene glycol, which has lower toxicity.

Many types of lilies are toxic to cats. Eating them or pollen that ends up on the animal’s fur (with further licking and getting it into the stomach) can cause the death of the animal due to acute renal failure. Therefore, cat owners should avoid purchasing or growing this plant.

Heart disease in dogs and cats

Large breeds of dogs (usually middle-aged and older) can die suddenly from a heart disease (with or without cardiac arrhythmia), characterized by dilation of the heart cavities and myocardial dysfunction. Clinically, the pathology in the early stages manifests itself asymptomatically or only with increased fatigue; As the disease develops, general weakness, rapid breathing, coughing and even fainting are usually noted.

Cats of any age often suffer from cardiac pathology such as hypertrophic. Among the most predisposed breeds are: British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, Maine Coon, Sphynx, etc. The genetically determined disease is characterized by hypertrophy (thickening) of the walls of the organ (usually the left ventricle), leading to periodic rapid breathing with the mouth slightly open. The disease is complicated by either thromboembolism (acute death occurs when blood clots form in the branches of the pulmonary artery, obstructing blood flow) or pulmonary edema.

POISONING IN DOGS AND CATS.

Dogs are more often poisoned by poisons intended to control rodents (rats and mice), and poisons distributed by “dog hunters” (persons who, on their own initiative, exterminate stray dogs).

HEART DISEASE IN DOGS AND CATS

Large breeds of dogs (usually middle-aged and older) can die suddenly from a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy (with or without heart rhythm disturbances), characterized by dilation of the heart cavities and myocardial dysfunction. Clinically, the pathology in the early stages manifests itself asymptomatically or only with increased fatigue; As the disease develops, general weakness, rapid breathing, coughing and even fainting are usually noted.

Cats of any age often suffer from cardiac pathology such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Among the most predisposed breeds are: British Shorthair, Scottish Fold, Maine Coon. The genetically determined disease is characterized by hypertrophy (thickening) of the walls of the organ (usually the left ventricle), leading to periodic rapid breathing with the mouth slightly open. The disease is complicated by either thromboembolism (acute death occurs when blood clots form in the branches of the pulmonary artery, obstructing blood flow) or pulmonary edema.

To diagnose heart disease in dogs and cats, periodic X-ray examination of the chest cavity, electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography (EchoCG or ultrasound of the heart) are necessary. Using these methods, a cardiologist will be able to assess the structural and functional state of the organ, prevent and treat cardiac pathologies.

PNEUMOTHORAX IN DOGS AND CATS.

Pneumothorax is the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity. It can be exogenous (usually associated with penetrating chest trauma) and endogenous origin. Endogenous pneumothorax is most often formed due to the breakthrough of air into the pleural cavity when an emphysematous bladder (thin-walled pathological cavity) or lung tumor ruptures. The occurrence of a rupture of a pathological focus of the lung is facilitated by high physical activity, a concussion of the chest, and a sharp cough impulse. The pathology, classified as a complication of the disease, is manifested by increasing respiratory failure, causing the death of the animal. To prevent pneumothorax, it is recommended to avoid physical overload and periodically conduct x-ray examinations of the chest cavity of dogs and cats.

TRACHEA COLLAPSE IN DOGS.

Tracheal collapse is a hereditary chronic disease characterized by a narrowing of the lumen of the trachea (the air tube connecting the larynx to the lungs). The disease is more common in dwarf breeds of dogs (Yorkshire terriers, toy terriers, Chihuahuas, dwarf Spitz, Pekingese, dwarf poodles, etc.) aged 6 months to 7 years.

Clinically, a sudden cough is observed, more often after physical exertion or emotional stress, moist rales, and depression of the general condition. As the disease progresses, manifested by a pronounced degree of flattening of the trachea, the animal may die from suffocation. To prevent symptoms of the disease in predisposed dog breeds, it is especially important to conduct an X-ray examination of the trachea, check the upper respiratory tract for chronic infection, prevent hypothermia and obesity, and replace the collar with a harness.

ATLANTO-AXIAL INSTABILITY IN DOGS.

The disease is more often observed in young dogs of dwarf breeds (Yorkshire terriers, toy terriers, Chihuahuas, etc.). Atlanto-axial instability is a congenital pathology, which is characterized by displacement of the first cervical vertebra (atlas) relative to the second (epistrophy). The main reason is underdevelopment or rupture of the ligaments connecting these two vertebrae. Trauma to this area (for example, when an animal falls from your hand) can lead to an acceleration of the onset of the main clinical signs (acute pain when moving the head, manifested by yelping); forced position of the head and neck no higher than the level of the withers; weakness of the thoracic and pelvic limbs). Possible acute development of symptoms and death from compression of the spinal cord by epistrophy.

ACUTE DILATION AND VOLSION OF THE STOMACH IN DOGS.

Acute gastric dilatation is a disease characterized by significant bloating (swelling) of the stomach due to weakness of its wall or spasm of the pylorus (the narrowed part of the stomach at the point of its transition to the duodenum). Large, less often medium-sized dogs (usually older ones) are affected. The disease leads to compression of the diaphragm, large vessels and intestines, which leads to intestinal obstruction, as well as a decrease in blood supply to many organs, leading to death.

A fatal disease of large and medium-sized dogs also includes gastric volvulus, complicated by necrosis of its wall due to torsion of blood vessels, which can occur without previous acute dilatation of the organ. The main reason is weakness and stretching of the gastric ligaments (usually in older dogs), which are unable to hold the stomach in the correct position, as well as the absence of the gastrocolic ligament in dogs (present in humans).

Clinically, with the above-described stomach diseases, anxiety turning into stiffness, increased salivation, vomiting, enlarged abdomen in the area of the last ribs, shortness of breath, bulging eyes, pallor (or cyanosis) of the gums are observed. Prevention of acute dilation and volvulus of the stomach of dogs comes down to recommendations for normalizing nutrition and physical activity:

Animals should be fed two to three times a day in small portions. The diet should reduce the amount of carbohydrates (cereals and vegetables) and increase the content of high-quality protein products (meat, fish). We recommend premium industrial dry food from world-famous companies, all components of which are balanced. Protein food saturates in small volume and is processed by the body quickly, i.e. does not overfill the stomach and does not stretch its walls.

Feeding and walking (and especially the working use of the animal) should be at least one and a half to two hours apart; food and water should be at room temperature.

Try to keep your dog, especially older ones, in good physical shape.

STOMACH ULCERS IN DOGS AND CATS.

Gastric ulcer is a disease characterized by the formation of ulcers (local defects) in the internal layers of the organ wall. The progression of the ulcerative process can manifest itself with such deadly complications as perforation or gastric bleeding. When perforation (perforation) of the ulcer, i.e. the formation of a through hole in the gastric wall, food along with gastric juice penetrates into the peritoneal cavity with the development of acute peritonitis (characterized exclusively by acute “dagger” pain). In more rare cases, an ulcer formed over a relatively large vessel can cause bleeding into the stomach cavity (manifested by bloody vomiting and the release of black feces due to the admixture of a large amount of discolored blood). To prevent gastric ulcers, nutritious feeding of dogs and cats is recommended (see recommendations for normalizing nutrition in the previous topic).

RUPTURE OF SPLEN TUMORS IN DOGS AND CATS.

With spleen tumors (both benign, for example, hematoma, and malignant, for example, lymphoma), they can rupture with bleeding into the peritoneal cavity (with fatal blood loss). Rupture of splenic tumors can occur with the most minor trauma (including during strong straining during bowel movements, during intense physical activity), either immediately or delayed. For an intact spleen to rupture, the injury must be significant, often combined with injury to other organs. To prevent this disease, it is necessary to conduct a preventive ultrasound of the abdominal cavity of dogs and cats.

FOREIGN BODY IN THE PHARYNX IN DOGS AND CATS.

A variety of foreign bodies (pieces of toys, bones, splinters, broken glass, sewing needle) may end up in the throat of a dog or cat (usually puppies and kittens) while playing with various objects or hastily eating. The animal will lie with its mouth open; breathing will become difficult, coughing will occur with the development of suffocation. If there is a large foreign body in the throat, then instant death of the pet is possible.

To prevent the disease you should:

Before leaving for work, close all doors to the rooms, leaving the kitchen and corridor for the animal to move around; put away shoes;

Buy toys made specifically for dogs and cats that cannot be chewed into small pieces or swallowed whole (the most reliable are those made from molded rubber or edible toys).

HEAT STROKE IN DOGS AND CATS

Heatstroke is a condition that occurs as a result of prolonged overheating of the body (often in dogs in a car on a hot day). Overheating is especially dangerous for dogs of short-faced (brachycephalic) breeds - bulldogs, boxers, pugs, Pekingese, as well as representatives of long-haired breeds. Animals suffering from heart or lung disease are at risk. Dogs' breathing and heart rate increase, their body temperature rises, and a coma develops. To prevent heat stroke, never leave your dog in a parked car in hot weather; Provide the animal with access to a cool room and plenty of water on a hot day.

ELECTRICAL INJURY IN DOGS AND CATS.

Electrical injury – electric shock. Death from electric shock most often occurs in puppies and kittens when they chew the wire of an electrical appliance (TV, refrigerator, etc.) that is plugged into the network. Electric current passing through the body can lead to cardiac arrest.

Cats are more resistant to electric shock. The death of an animal is also possible if it comes into contact with a bare or broken electrical wire. To reduce the risk of electrical injury, do not leave a teething puppy in a room where there are live wires.

In conclusion, it must be recalled that a responsible pet owner must know in advance exactly which veterinary clinic (at any time of the day or night) he will immediately take his pet in the event of a sharp deterioration in health, without wasting time looking for “who to turn to” for diagnostic and therapeutic measures.