BARN DOGS n Canine deworming facts n Necessary vaccines n Heartworm risk - VOLUME 61 - Equus Magazine
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VOLUME 61
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BARN DOGS
n Canine deworming facts
n Necessary vaccines
n Heartworm risk
1 E q U U S 3 6 6 M A R C H 2 0 0 8
2 E Q U U S E X T R A B a r n D o g
5
By Heather
Smith Thomas
dogs & facts
about
deworming Routine fecal examinations and
regular heartworm preventatives are
the primary steps of controlling
internal parasites in your dog.
Here are some basic facts
A L A M Y. C O M
you may not know.
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4 E Q U U S 4
E6X9
T R A B a r n D o g
3 E Q U U S E X T R A B a r n D o g
1. Barn dogs are A barn dog may be exposed whipworms, tapeworms and heart-
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worms. Although these worms may
at a fairly high to more intestinal parasites
belong to the same genus as those that
than the average suburban
risk for acquiring dog—especially
affect horses, each species of parasite
parasites. if he often encounters
tends to thrive in only one species of
host. In other words, says Starkey, “Most
Unlike many urban and suburban
“smelly things,” of these parasites are not transmitted to
pets, a barn dog gets to run around in
open fields, press his nose into a wide
including dead animals dogs from horses or other farm animals
range of smelly things and, possibly, so- or the droppings of other the dogs might be hanging out with.”
cialize with all the other dogs who visit dogs or wild canines. • Hookworms. Four species of hook-
worms may infect dogs in the United
the stables. The downside of the barn
part of the country you live in---the hot, States. “The dog hookworm is very simi-
life is that your dog may also be exposed
humid Gulf Coast states versus the dry lar to the small strongyle of the horse,”
to more intestinal parasites than the
Western deserts, for example says Craig. “With the hookworm,
average suburban dog---especially if the
---as well as how much time he spends however, transmission is a little differ-
“smelly things” he often encounters in-
outdoors, which increases his exposure ent. The larvae of the dog hookworm,
clude dead animals or the droppings of
to ticks, mosquitoes and other disease- instead of being picked up by grazing,
other dogs or wild canines.
carrying creatures. penetrates the dog’s skin. If the dog lies
“The transmission risk is mainly
from other dogs or wild canines 2. Your dog and in a grassy, shaded area where there is
moisture, this is where the hookworm
like coyotes or wolves,” says parasi-
horse share similar larvae might be.”
tologist Lindsay Starkey, DVM, PhD, of
Oklahoma State University. “Parasites internal parasites. The hookworm larvae migrate
do sometimes cross over from wildlife, The major canine helminths (worms) through the dog’s body and ultimately
include hookworms, roundworms, reach the intestine, where they can
so if you live in an area with wildlife,
cause bloody diarrhea and vomiting.
your dogs may be at a higher risk.”
“The interesting thing about the hook-
The opportunity to scavenge also in-
worm is that it may stop along the way,
creases a dog’s risk of picking up intes-
in the tissues,” says Craig. “In older
tinal worms and other parasites. “There
dogs that have some level of resistance
will be differences in the parasites of
to worms, the hookworms don’t go right
dogs that are eating nothing but good-
into the intestines. They just sit in the
quality commercial dog food, versus
tissues, waiting. If something happens
those eating leftovers, garbage or dead
to remove all the adult hookworms in
animals they find in their environment,”
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the intestine, such as deworming the
says Thomas Craig, DVM, PhD, of Texas
dog, then some of these dormant young
A&M University.
ones will wake up and go into the intes-
Other risk factors for your dog’s expo-
tine to replace them.”
sure to internal parasites include what
4 E Q U U S E X T R A B a r n D o g
• Roundworms. “There are actually
two roundworms that affect dogs, but
3. Heartworm heartworm preventive products also
treat tapeworms now.”
the most common is called Toxocara,” preventatives Even if heartworm isn’t typically a
says Craig. “In many ways it is like also control other concern in your area, it may still be a
the ascarid that affects foals. We tend
to see this infection most often in
internal parasites. good idea to treat your dog. “Heartworm
prevention is a great thing for any dog,
Many of the same chemicals used
puppies. In this case, however, puppies anywhere in the country, not only for
to control parasites in horses are also
become infected by larvae that were preventing heartworm infection but
used to treat dogs. “These drugs include
migrating in the mother and crossed also for all the other parasites that the
pyrantel, fenbendazole, praziquan-
the placenta into the pups before they product treats,” says Starkey.
tel, ivermectin and moxidectin,” says
were born. The eggs are very much like
Starkey. “These same drugs
the eggs of the horse ascarid, in that
have been formulated into
they are very hardy and can sit around
dog products for treating
in the environment for a long time,
similar parasites.”
waiting for a chance to infect a dog.”
In most dogs, the primary
Puppies with roundworms tend to have
focus of parasite control is
a characteristic round “potbelly” and
to prevent heartworms, and
may have intermittent diarrhea, vomit-
a number of those products
ing and constipation.
also contain agents that work
WIKIPEDIA
• Whipworms. These worms are
against other parasites as
picked up orally---the eggs can remain
well. “The majority
viable for long periods on hard surfaces
of heartworm products on the market
in dirt or concrete kennels that house
today are labeled for treating hook-
large numbers of dogs. The parasites
worms and roundworms, and some
infect the dogs’ cecum. Mild infections
of the products treat for whipworms,
cause no symptoms, but large numbers
as well,” Starkey says. “A couple of
of these worms may cause bloody diar-
rhea or anemia that may lead to death.
• Tapeworms. Several species of Many of the same
tapeworms can infect dogs. Most are chemicals used to
consumed orally, as horses do, but control parasites in
with an extra step: The eggs are shed horses are also used
by an infected dog, then ingested by an to treat dogs.
herbivorous prey species, where the
larvae encysts in the muscle, until it is
ultimately consumed by a predator or
scavenger. One canine tapeworm spe-
cies travels by fleas, which consume the
eggs; when the dog bites at the itchy
spot, he swallows the fleas along with
the eggs. “Tapeworms are very common,
but most dog owners don’t realize their
dogs have tapeworms because they are
difficult to diagnose at the veterinary
clinic and typically do not cause overt
clinical illness,” Starkey says.
5 E Q U U S E X T R A B a r n D o g
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8 E Q U U S E X T R A B a r n D o g
4. Heartworm is other areas, just waiting for the chance
to grow worms,” says Craig. “They got
spreading beyond the chance when infected dogs moved
its previously into that neighborhood, and now
recognized range. heartworms are everywhere. After hur-
ricanes in New Orleans, for instance,
Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is people suddenly started seeing heart-
one of the most serious health threats worms in places like California and
for dogs. This parasitic roundworm is Washington State that had never seen it
spread by mosquitoes, which pick up before. If one dog is infected, the other
microfilariae from the blood of infected dogs will soon be infected.”
dogs, and after a short period of matura- Another factor that is spreading
tion within the mosquito, pass them heartworm is the increased range of
on to another susceptible host. Once wild canines, such as coyotes, who are “Sensitivity has to do with ability of
established in a new host, the larvae steadily moving back into areas from the drug to cross the blood-brain bar-
take about six months to mature into which they had once been extermi- rier,” says Craig. “Ivermectin and its
adult worms, which can reach one foot nated. “I read a recent scientific papercousins all work on the nervous system
long and live in pulmonary vessels near that indicated that more than half the of the worms or arthropods. The reason
the heart. coyotes examined were positive for these drugs don’t cause any damage in
Signs of infection include a persis- heartworms, and the older they got, most mammals is that it doesn’t cross
tent mild cough, exercise intolerance, the more likely to be infected,” says the blood-brain barrier and is kept away
decreased appetite and weight loss. Craig. “This is the same with dogs. from the brain. If the genetics of the
Dogs with a heavy parasite burden Not all dogs with heartworms die of dog are such that the ivermectin is able
can develop heart failure and damage this disease, and not all infected to cross the blood-brain barrier, then we
to other internal organs. Heartworm dogs have clinical disease. But enough see problems.”
preventatives are formulated to kill dogs that are infected have problems The MDR1 genetic mutation is most
any larvae the dog is exposed to before with heartworms to make it worthwhile common in Collies (about 70 percent
they molt into adulthood. One cause for to have them on a preventative worm are affected) but also appears (at
concern, though, is that in recent years control program.” rates from 5 to 30 percent) in related
heartworm has been spreading and herding breeds, including Australian
becoming established well beyond its 5. Collies and Shepherds, German Shepherds and
historic range. many other Shetland Sheepdogs as well as mixed
“Twenty or 30 years ago the only
herding breeds are breeds. Tests for the MDR1 mutation
region we considered risky for heart-
worms was the Southeast. It was a big
unusually sensitive are available from the Washington
State University Veterinary Clinical
problem along the Gulf Coast,” to ivermectin. Pharmacology Lab.
says Craig. “But today heartworm con- Ivermectin is generally a safe, ef- However, finding that your dog
trol is important for nearly all dogs, all fective dewormer for dogs and is com- carries MDR1 does not mean that you
over the United States.” monly used in low doses as a need to skip the heartworm preventa-
A number of factors have contributed heartworm preventative and in higher tive. “The dog heartworm prevention
to the spread of heartworm. For one, doses to treat conditions such as drug that is ivermectin-based is a very
a warming climate has increased the mange. Some dogs, however, carry a low concentration and has been proven
range of mosquito populations. Also, genetic mutation (MDR1) that makes safe for all dogs, even the susceptible
says Craig, “Storms may carry infected them more susceptible to toxicity from breeds,” says Starkey. But do avoid
mosquitoes hundreds of miles.” higher canine doses of this common letting any dog, of any breed, ingest
Dogs are also moving around the drug. Signs are neural dysfunctions, dropped or unattended dewormers for-
EDWIN MEGARGEE
country more, both with their owners including incoordination, blindness, mulated for horses. “It’s safest to never
and through long-range adoptions. tremors, excessive salivation and coma. use any large animal products in dogs,”
“Mosquitoes were already present in A serious overdose can be fatal. she adds. “Use the dog product.”
7 E Q U U S E X T R A B a r n D o g
9 E Q U U S E X T R A B a r n D o g
The
vaccines
barn dogs
need
To keep your best barn buddy in
good health, start with these four
immunizations, then consider other
conditions and diseases that pose a risk.
A
great barn dog is typically an Association (AAHA). The only veteri-
independent, self-sufficient nary association devoted to companion
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sort of fellow. He sees every animals, AAHA has developed a set of
trail ride as an adventure and accreditation standards that are used
is usually able to keep himself out of
trouble in a busy barn environment.
by more than 3,200 veterinary clinics,
encompassing more than 50,000 indi-
RABIES
The most common route of rabies
That said, he still needs some help vidual veterinary professionals.
transmission to dogs is through the bite of
from you to stay safe and healthy. As part of their mission, AAHA pe-
a wild animal that is harboring the virus.
Routine veterinary care is just as im- riodically reviews and revises its list of
Once in the body, the rabies virus travels
portant for your barn dog as it is for your recommended vaccines for dogs. The
horse. And vaccinations are a key part latest update to these guidelines was
through the central nervous system to
of a preventive care program. done in 2011 and included some signifi- the brain. Signs of rabies, which may not
One widely relied-upon source of cant changes, particularly concerning appear for days or weeks, can be vague,
canine vaccination recommendations vaccination intervals. Here’s a quick ranging from restlessness to lethargy
is the American look at the “core” vaccines the AAHA to vomiting. As the disease progresses,
Animal recommends every dog have. the dog enters either a “paralytic stage,”
Hospital characterized by muscle impairment, or a
“furious stage” characterized by drooling,
viciousness and convulsions. Rabies is
100 percent fatal.
Recommendations: Because
rabies can be passed to people, how often
a dog is vaccinated is subject to state
and local laws. Puppies are typically vac-
cinated via a single dose no earlier than
12 weeks of age. Mature dogs are also
initially vaccinated with a single dose.
After this initial vaccination, dogs are given
rabies boosters every year or every three
years, depending on the formulation.
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ADMEQUINE.COMCANINE DISTEMPER
(CDV)
Depending Distemper is a contagious, potentially
on your fatal viral disease. It targets a dog’s
geographic respiratory, gastrointestinal and central
location and your nervous system. Early signs of CDV are
dog’s lifestyle, your variable but can include high fever, nasal
veterinarian may discharge, vomiting and diarrhea. Many
recommend vaccinations dogs develop vision problems as their optic
against other diseases, nerves become inflamed. If a dog’s nervous
system becomes infected, he may develop
including parainfluenza,
seizures or paralysis. There is no cure for
bordetella,
distemper; with intense supportive care only
leptospirosis 50 percent of adult dogs and 20 percent of
and Lyme puppies survive.
disease. Recommendations: Vaccinate
puppies against distemper starting at 6
weeks with injections every three to four
weeks up to 14 or 16 weeks of age. Give
a booster shot no later than one year after CANINE ADENOVIRUS
the initial series, and then revaccinate with Canine adenovirus is responsible for two
FOTOLIA.COM
single doses every three years thereafter. distinct illnesses in dogs: Type 1 causes in-
Dogs over 16 weeks of age can be vacci- fectious canine hepatitis. Dogs typically pick
up this virus through contact with another
nated with a single dose, followed by revac-
dog’s urine. As the virus spreads through the
cination every three years thereafter.
bloodstream and destroys cells throughout
CANINE PARVOVIRUS the body, the dog’s liver becomes stressed
as it attempts to clear the resulting cellular
T
Although it didn’t appear in domestic
he 2011 AAHA guidelines also debris. Signs of canine hepatitis include
dogs until the mid-1970s, parvovirus quickly
note that immunity from the vomiting, high fever and jaundice. It is usu-
established itself as a widespread problem
distemper and parvovirus vac- ally not fatal but it can be if the dog’s liver is
in nearly every environment. Not every
cines lasts at least five years and severely damaged. Canine adenovirus Type
immunity from the adenovirus vaccine exposed dog becomes ill, but if a dog’s 2 causes respiratory illness and is one of the
lasts at least seven years. This means immune system is unable to combat the agents associated with “kennel cough.” This
that a healthy dog who had a strong virus, it spreads to the gastrointestinal tract, form of the virus, often spread by infected,
immune response to the vaccine might where it destroys structures critical to the coughing dogs in enclosed areas, causes a
not require revaccination within the absorption of nutrients. The result is severe fever, nasal discharge and a characteristic
recommended guidelines. Consult diarrhea. Parvovirus isn’t often fatal, but it dry, hacking cough. Treatment is supportive
with your veterinarian about the ben- can cause potentially deadly dehydration or care and rest. Most dogs recover quickly,
efits of using a titer test, a simple blood septic shock. but the virus can also lead to pneumonia.
test that measures a dog’s antibody Recommendations: Ideally, pup- Recommendations: Vaccinate
levels, when determining your dog’s pies receive their first “parvo” vaccination puppies against adenovirus starting at 6
immunization schedule. at 6 weeks and have subsequent injections weeks and then again every three or four
Also, keep in mind that these are every three to four weeks up until 14 or 16 weeks until they are 14 or 16 weeks of age.
only the recommended core vaccines. weeks of age. Give a booster within one year A booster is needed no longer than one year
Depending on your geographic location after the initial series and then every three
of that series and again every three years
and your dog’s lifestyle, your veterinar-
thereafter. Mature dogs can be initially vac- years thereafter. Adult dogs can be vacci-
ian may recommend other vaccinations,
cinated with a single dose and then again nated with a single injection and again every
including parainfluenza, bordetella,
every three years. three years.
leptospirosis and Lyme disease.
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