Common Diseases

Grass Tetany

metabolic disorder caused by low magnesium in blood

also called “grass staggers”, “wheat pasture poisoning”, and “hypomagnesemia”

affects cattle and sheep

Symptoms: uncoordinated gait, convulsions, coma, death

Treatments: add magnesium oxide powder onto feed or pasture, magnesium lick blocks/concentrates/pellets, vet can administer an intravenous calcium and magnesium solution

Prevention: avoid grazing animals on immature grass, provide magnesium supplements

Bloat

Symptoms: abdominal distention on left side, loss of appetite, respiratory distress, difficulty walking/moving

Treatments: keep animal on feet, moving; drench with mineral oil or poloxalene, put stomach tube down throat to relieve pressure from gas

Prevention: feed dry roughage with a mix of grasses, keep animals from eating excess amounts of lush green grass, especially alfalfa

Colic

caused by wide range of conditions affecting digestive tract, like; including sudden changes in feed, predominantly concentrate diet, cribbing, lack of water, presence of bloodworms, etc.

general term for abdominal pain

affects horses

Symptoms: distended abdomen, rolling/kicking, excruciating pain, sweating, constipation, can result in a twisted intestine, loss of appetite, restlessness, pawing at the ground, looking at stomach, gurgling sounds from stomach, increased breathing rate, stretching as if to urinate, lying down, elevated pulse rate, dull or depressed demeanor, lethargy

Treatments: walk horse, administer banamine, take to vet, give sedatives, laxatives, pain meds, administer surgery

Prevention: feed small rations, feed good quality roughage, provide clean water, monitor eating habits, control internal parasites

Enterotoxaemia (overeating disease)

caused by toxins produced by naturally occurring intestinal bacteria (clostridium types C & D)

usually occurs when an animal consumes excessive amounts of high energy feed or milk

affects sheep and goats

Symptoms: sudden death, diarrhea, neurologic signs, circling, head pressing, incoordination, convulsions

Treatments: administer antitoxins, oral antibiotics, feed hay

Prevention: slowly introduce concentrates, carefully regulate energy intake, give a vaccine against Clostridium perfringens types C & D to pregnant and young animals to approx. 4 weeks of age

Lactic Acidosis

caused by sudden shift from a forage-based to high concentrate diet

results from low rumen pH due to increase of propionic acid production

also known as “carbohydrate engorgement”

Symptoms: abdominal distention or bloat, dehydration, diarrhea, sore hooves, liver abscesses, decreased milk production

Treatments: gradually add more roughage to diet, add feed additives to help raise rumen pH, give oral antacids, give oral fluids

Prevention: maintain a roughage diet of 10% or more, utilize ionophores as feed additives

Milk Fever

metabolic disorder occurring when animal has low blood calcium levels during lactation

also known as “hypoglycemia”

affects cattle, sheep, goats

Symptoms: muscle tremors, wobbly, downer cow, inability to stand, low body temperature, coma, unconsciousness

Treatments: inject a solution of calcium borogluconate subcutaneously or intravenously, provide combined mineral solution

Prevention: provide vitamin D 5-7 days before parturition, keep animals on low calcium diet while not lactating, provide high doses of calcium one day before and after giving birth

White muscle disease

result of a selenium and or vitamin E deficiency

generalized as nutritional muscular dystrophy

affects calves, foals, and young rapidly growing lambs/kids (from dams with selenium deficient)

affects the cardiac and skeletal systems

Cardiac Symptoms: sudden death, respiratory distress

Skeletal Symptoms: muscular weakness, inability to stand, muscle tremors

Treatments: injections of selenium, oral drenches of selenium/vitamin E

Prevention: supplement diet of susceptible animals with selenium and vitamin E

Hardware Disease

occurs when a sharp object, like a nail or piece of wire, pierces the stomach wall and gains access to the heart

also known as “gastritis” and “traumatic reticulitis”

affects cattle

Symptoms: poor appetite, depression, indigestion, signs of pain when defecating, bloat, fluid around the heart and abnormal heart sounds

Treatments: elevate forelimbs to stop forward movement of nail or wire from the reticulum, antibiotics, surgery

Prevention: administer a magnet into the reticulum, keep foreign metallic objects together and away from animal to reduce chances of penetration, keep feed bunks, pastures, and lots free of hazardous objects

Zoonotic Influenza

Symptoms: cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, and reduced appetite

Salmonellosis

infection caused by Salmonella bacteria

Symptoms: fever, nausea, anorexia followed by vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea

West Nile virus

flavivirus spread primarily through the bites of infected mosquitos that have fed on infected birds

Symptoms: weakness, stumbling, trembling, head tremors, inability to fly/walk, and a lack of awareness that allows them to be easily approached and handled

Prevention: horses get vaccinations

Rabies

receive through the transmission of the rabies virus via saliva of infected mammal, most commonly through a bite, scratch, or contact with mucous membranes

Symptoms: fearfulness, restlessness, increased or decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, a slight fever, enlargement of the pupils, hypersensitivity to light and sound, excessive salivation

Prevention: routine vaccination and limit exposure to wildlife

Canine Brucellosis

contagious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Brucella Canis

Symptoms: infected male dogs may have abnormally sized testicles (swollen or shrunken), infertility, anorexia, weight loss, pain, lameness, incoordination, swollen lymph nodes, muscle weakness

Treatment: surgical sterilization, long-term antibiotics, lifelong monitoring

Prevention: routine pre-breeding screening, strict quarantine of new arrivals, and robust biosecurity practices

Lyme Disease

bacterial infection caused by Borrelia Burgdorfen and is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks.

affects dogs and horses

Symptoms: joint pain, fever, lameness, swollen lymph nodes, joint swelling, fatigue, loss of appetite

Treatments: 30-day course of antibiotics

Prevention: tick preventatives, daily tick checks, lyme vaccination

Canine Liver Disease

condition where liver loses its ability to filter toxins, process nutrients, and manage blood clotting

Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, increase in thirst, increased urination, loss of appetite, weight loss, behavioral changes, irritability, lethargy, depression

Treatment: therapeutic diets, antioxidant supplements, prescription drugs

Prevention: avoid toxins, proper vaccines, balanced nutrition

Canine Lymphoma

most commonly develop nonpainful, generalized lymphadenopathy

Symptoms: lethargy, weight loss, constitutional decline can occur with more advanced disease

Treatments: chemotherapy

Prevention: limit toxic exposure, manage weight, schedule regular vet checks

Canine Kidney Disease

associated with aging, considered to be the wearing out of the kidney tissue

Canine Arthritis

painful joint disease where the smooth cartilage protecting the bones breaks down, causing inflammation, stiffness, and bone rubbing

Symptoms: lameness, being less active, less interest in playing/hiking, walks

Treatment: pain relief meds, weight control

Prevention: weight control, low-impact exercise, joint supplements

Canine Heart Disease

condition where dogs heart cannot pump blood well

Symptoms: trouble breathing when lying down, often sit or stand long periods of time

Treatments: Pimobendan (strengthen heart contractions), diuretics like furosemide (clear fluid buildup), ACE inhibitors (lower blood pressure)

Prevention: regular vet check ups, year round heartworm meds, healthy lifestyle

Canine Oral Infections

painful bacterial or fungal overgrowths in dogs mouth, caused by plaque and tartar build up, fractured teeth, and underlying immune or systemic disease

Symptoms: chronic pain, gum erosion, loss of bone and teeth

Treatments: vet care, dental cleanings under anesthesia, targeted antimicrobial meds like clindamycin or amoxicillin-clavulanate

Prevention: daily tooth brushing, vet cleanings, dental chews or diets

Canine Hypothyroidism

common hormonal disease where a dogs thyroid glands don’t make enough thyroid hormones to control body’s metabolism

Symptoms: slowing of metabolism

Treatments: lifelong daily oral administration of a synthetic thyroid hormone called levothyroxine

Canine Otitis Externa

inflammation of dogs external ear canal

Symptoms: headshaking, odor, redness of the skin, swelling, scratching, increased discharge, scaly skin

Treatments: professional ear cleaning, targeted topical meds, anti-inflammatory drugs

Prevention: routine ear cleaning, moisture control, managing underlying allergies

Feline Diabetes

cat’s body cannot control blood sugar because the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or body doesn’t use insulin in the right way

Symptoms: weight loss despite good appetite, increased thirst and urination

Treatments: insulin therapy, oral meds, dietary changes

Prevention: maintain ideal weight, feed low carb diet, ensure regular veterinary checkups

Feline Arthritis

painful joint disease where the smooth cartilage protecting the bones breaks down, causing inflammation, stiffness, and bone rubbing

Symptoms: weight loss, loss of appetite, decreased activity level, change in attitude, decreased grooming, urinating and defecating outside the litter pan, not being able to jump as easily as before

Treatment: Solensia monthly injections, prescription pain relievers, lifestyle changes

Prevention: weight control, low-impact exercise, proper nutrition

Feline Liver Disease

cats liver is damaged and can’t clean blood, digest food, or store energy properly

Symptoms: loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach ulceration, diarrhea, fever, blood clotting problems, jaundice, abdominal swelling, excessive urination and thirst, changes in liver size, weight loss, occasionally gastrointestinal bleeding

Treatments: aggressive nutritional support, fluid therapy, targeted meds

Prevention: consistent nutrition, avoid toxic substances, manage weight

Feline heart disease

abnormality of heart structure or muscle function, caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hyperthyroidism, and taurine deficiency

Symptoms: mostly affects the heart valves, pericardium, and heart rhythm(stunted growth in kittens), poor appetite, weight loss, lethargy, increased respiratory rate and effort, sudden collapse, sudden hind leg paralysis accompanied by pain due to thromboembolism

Treatments: managing symptoms, slowing disease progression, preventing blood clots with diuretics, blood thinners, and specialized medication

Feline Kidney Disease

loss of normal kidney function over time or suddenly

Symptoms: weight loss, poor hair quality, halitosis (bad breath), and variable appetite, mouth ulcers, lethargy, depression

Treatments: special therapeutic diets, fluid therapy, supportive meds

Prevention: maximize hydration, avoid toxic substances, scheduling regular vet wellness screenings

Addison’s Disease

serious medical condition where adrenal glands fail to make enough critical hormones, mainly cortisol and aldosterone

caused by body’s immune system attacking its own adrenal glands, can also result from cancer, infections, or sudden stops in steroid meds

also known as “hypoadrenocorticism”

Symptoms: weakness, lethargy, varying degrees of dehydration

Treatments: lifelong hormone replacement therapy

Equine Coronavirus (ECoV)

spread from horse to horse by contaminated feces or oral contact to surfaces

Symptoms: fever up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, lack of appetite, depression, colic, laying down constantly, low white blood cell count, diarrhea

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)

viral disease that causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord

90% mortality rate, spread by mosquitos

Symptoms: fever. stiffness, hypersensitivity to tough, aggression, excitability, head pressing, wandering, constant chewing, diet

Prevention: routine vaccines, reduce mosquito exposure, eliminating breeding sites

Equine Rabies

fatal viral disease affecting the central nervous system, caused by a Lyssavirus

spread by saliva from an infected animal bite

Symptoms: strange behavior, lameness, neurological deficits, self-mutilation, fear, aggressiveness, depression

Prevention: annual vaccination

Campylobacteriosis

infection of the intestines

Symptoms: mucoid, watery, bile-streaked diarrhea (sometimes with blood), anorexia, vomiting, fever

Treatments: supportive care like rehydration, through specific antibiotics are used for severe illness or to reduce shedding

Prevention: proper diet, strict sanitation, clean water access, focus on avoiding raw food, isolating sick animals, maintain clean envionments

Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) infection

normal gut bacterium, however certain strains cause severe illness

Symptoms: acting tired or weak, watery diarrhea, feeling cold to the touch, vomiting

Treatments: fluid therapy, anti inflammatory meds, targeted antibiotics

Prevention: strict hygiene, clean water, proper management

Listeriosis

bacterial infection caused most commonly by Listeria monocytogenes

affects sheep, goats, cattle

Symptoms: loss of balance, circling, unusual body spasms, fever, loss of appetite, decreased activity level

Treatments: early, aggressive high-dose antibiotic therapy, supportive care, removing contaminated feed

Prevention: proper feed management, strict hygiene, isolating sick livestock

Orf (sore mouth infection, contagious ecthyma)

contagious viral skin disease caused by a parapoxvirus. spreads through direct contact with sick animals or contaminated environments, can also pass to humans

affects goats and sheep

Symptoms: blisters form on lips, muzzle, in mouth, later blisters become crusty scabs

Treatments: let virus run its course

Prevention: quarantine new animals, reduce skin injuries, use live virus vaccines

Q Fever

contagious condition caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii

also known as “coxiellosis”

affects sheep, goats, cattle

Symptoms: abortion, infertility, stillbirth, mastitis, metritis (animals that aren’t pregnant usually don’t show signs)

Prevention: vaccines, sanitary management of birthing areas, quarantine new livestock

Polio

non-infectious neurological disorder caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency or sulfur toxicity

also known as “polioencephalomalacia”

affects sheep, goats, cattle

Symptoms: wandering, circling, cortical blindness, incoordination, head pressing, recumbency, nystagmus, seizure activity

Treatments: immediate thiamine administration, supportive care, dietary adjustments

Prevention: proper diet management

Parvovirus

highly contagious viral illness caused by canine parvovirus type 2 in dogs or related strains in cats and wildlife

spreads through fecal-oral contact or contaminated environments

Symptoms: lethargy, depression, loss or lack of appetite, followed by sudden onset of high fever, vomiting, diarrhea (gastrointestinal stress)

Prevention: vaccines, strict environmental hygiene, avoid high-risk exposure areas