Dog Health Problems

What kinds of health problems do dogs have in Central Oregon?

From severe weather to wildlife to parasites, there are a lot of threats to your dog’s health. Here are the most common health problems we see in our region.

Threats from the Great Outdoors

Juniper Pollen Allergy

Many animals (and people!) who have never before shown signs of an allergy can suddenly experience allergic symptoms when Juniper trees release pollen. Dogs, and to a lesser extent cats, present with itchiness of the face, ears, front paws and/or tail head.

Mushroom Poisoning

Common lawn and garden mushrooms can cause neurological excitability or seizure-like behavior in dogs who ingest them. Treatment often involves inducing vomiting or stomach lavage and supportive care until toxic elements are cleared by the dog’s liver and kidneys. Residual damage to these organs may be a concern given the particular type of mushroom and the amount ingested.

TIP: If your dog has ingested mushrooms, induce vomiting immediately.

Frostbite/Hypothermia

Winter temperatures get low enough in Central Oregon to put dogs at risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Toes, ears, nostrils and lips can be affected by frostbite when the temperature drops into single digits, particularly if wind chill is present and drops the temperature sub-zero.

TIP: If your dog spends a significant amount of time outdoors, or you take your dog on lengthy outings, be mindful of the temperature. Provide some form of shelter that can stay dry and block the wind. Ensure that outdoor drinking water sources don’t freeze up. Dog “booties” can help protect paws.

Cheatgrass

Dogs can get cheatgrass awns stuck in their fur, in their ears, between their toes, and under their eyelids. The awns can cause mats, painful irritation, penetrating wounds, and infection. Once mats occur, the awns will not be visible until the mat is removed.

TIP: Any swelling, closure or discharge from the eyelids should be rapidly and thoroughly evaluated to avoid serious damage to the eye.

Threats from Wildlife

Predators

Coyotes and mountain lions actively seek dogs and cats as prey in Central Oregon, even in some residential areas. Small pets are particularly vulnerable, and coyotes may be bold enough to hunt during the day.

TIP: Keep your dog indoors at night, and don’t leave small dogs outside unattended. Discourage coyotes around your home by not feeding deer or other wildlife.

Salmon Poisoning

Dogs eating the raw flesh of members of the Salmonid family (trout, steelhead, salmon) or licking where fish have been cleaned can result in infection with Neorickettsia, an infectious microorganism carried by a larval stage of flatworm that resides in salmonid muscle tissue. The disease primarily affects the dog’s intestinal tract (poor appetite, vomiting, hemorrhagic diarrhea) and how sick the dog gets depends upon how much of the infectious organism they ingest. Clinical signs range from mild to fatal. Mild cases may resolve on their own and result in lifelong immunity to future disease. More severe cases require antibiotics and possibly hospitalization to provide supportive care. Dogs caught in the act of exposure can be treated with antibiotics orally to good effect, but the degree of immunity that results is questionable. The disease shows up four to 21 days after exposure, often initially with vague and non-specific clinical signs. History of potential exposure is very helpful in making diagnostic and treatment decisions. Disease is generally thought to confer lifelong immunity.

Snakes

Venomous rattlesnakes are present in certain areas of Central Oregon, particularly along streams and rivers. They tend to be timid snakes but do pose a threat to inquisitive or aggressive dogs. Most strikes from the common Pacific Rattlesnake are dry, that is without venom injection. Venom, even in small quantities, can potentially cause acute allergic reactions, tissue damage,  or infections.  Rattlesnake vaccines are available but are of questionable advisability.    

Deer Attack

Both does and bucks will aggressively attack dogs, particularly when fawns are present and during the rut (fall breeding season). These attacks can result in fractures, internal injuries and death. Deer are a common sight in town, so be prepared if you and your dog suddenly encounter one.

TIP: Don’t encourage your dog to chase deer. At dusk, when deer are usually on the move, keep your dog on a leash when you are out for a walk.

Porcupine

Dogs commonly encounter these slow creatures and are sadly rewarded for their inquisitiveness. A slap from the tail will deposit quills in the muzzle, and dogs who attack will be rewarded with a mouthful or better of the painful stickers. The quills should be removed without leaving fragments under the skin, and a thorough examination of the mouth and throat conducted to assure that none go undetected. This most often requires sedation. One would hope that such an encounter would prove educational enough to prevent future encounters, but some dogs require repeated episodes to cure them of their persistence.

Raccoons & Skunks

Some areas of Central Oregon have resident populations of raccoons and skunks which can cause problems for pets. Raccoons can be ill-tempered with dogs and inflict serious injuries including bite wounds and limb fractures. Skunks can inflict their trademark scent which makes your pet unwelcome in confined . Leaving food outside for cats or dogs is a major cause of attracting these animals and resulting conflicts. Feeding dogs and cats in a room accessible to the outdoors with a pet door has resulted in raccoons and skunks in the house.

TIP: If your pet has been sprayed by a skunk, you can use the following recipe to neutralize the musk odor:

Bathe in a mixture of 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent. Wait 5 minutes, the rinse your pet with water. Repeat if necessary. The mixture must be used immediately after it is combined; it will not work if it is stored for any length of time. Note: this mixture may bleach your pet's hair.

Internal Parasites

Heartworm

Heartworm has not established itself as a self-sustaining disease in Central Oregon, and our current climatic conditions may be prohibitive to the mosquito vector that transmits the disease. But, infected dogs from other areas have been diagnosed and treated here. Circumstantial evidence of local transmission in the La Pine/Sunriver areas points to the possibility that a dog in the wrong place at the wrong time may get infected. We advise that dogs living or spending time in these areas or other mosquito-infested areas of Central Oregon, particularly areas frequented by tourists, be treated monthly with heartworm preventive medication. Dogs traveling out of Central Oregon should also receive treatment for a minimum of two months after exposure is over. In complying with manufacturer’s recommendations, we advise heartworm testing prior to administration of the preventive medication and yearly testing of dogs who have had significant exposure.

Roundworms

No particular intestinal roundworms are unique to Central Oregon, but due to the influx of residents from diverse areas of the US, non-regional parasites are not unusual.

Giardia

Giardia is an intestinal protozoa found in nearly all streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes in Central Oregon. Gastrointestinal signs such as poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, often with mucus and blood, and occasionally fever, are typical. Diagnostic tests are used to detect the parasite, but it is so common that history and clinical signs are often enough to initiate treatment. Most dogs remain lifelong carriers and may relapse in the future. Giardia is transmissible to humans from water sources or from infected animals.

Tapeworms

Tapeworms commonly infect dogs who hunt and eat rodents,  or clean up rodent kills provided by an accommodating cat.  The other source of infection is ingestion of infected fleas.  This most often occurs when the dog travels out of Central Oregon to an area that supports a more robust flea population or a dog visiting from one of these areas provides  an infestation.

Cuterebra larvae

The larval “cattle grub” are found as a mass under the skin with a small hole at one end. Careful surgical removal is advised.

External Parasites

Fleas

Fleas are uncommon in many parts of Central Oregon due to the inhospitable dry and cold climatic conditions. They are found in rodent burrows, deer beds, and other protective micro-climates. Dogs with fleas visiting from other areas may provide a source of infestation that can become an ongoing problem if they establish themselves in a household. The important thing to remember is that fleas live in a dog’s surroundings and are on the host to feed, then jump off. This means that environmental control is key to eliminating infestation. Applying a flea repellent prior to traveling with your dog to an area where fleas are a problem is well advised.

Ticks

As with fleas, ticks are uncommon in many areas of Central Oregon and are primarily associated with wildlife hosts. Tick-borne illnesses such as Lymes Disease are not recognized as being prevalent in this area. Occasionally we see ear ticks which cause the dog a good deal of head-shaking and distress before they are removed.

Lice

The sucking louse of dogs, Linognathus sp. is prevalent in Central Oregon and is very easily spread from dog to dog. The louse is very small and appears similar to a grain of dirt on the skin. Infestation occurs over the entire body and causes the dog to be very itchy.

Infectious Diseases

Rabies

The only documented cases of Rabies in Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook Counties have been in Bats. The documented incidence is low, but with the presence of other potential wildlife reservoirs in Central Oregon, such as raccoons, skunks, coyotes, fox, routine precautions are prudent. All dogs and cats should be vaccinated and contact with wildlife avoided.

TIP: Vaccinate your dog against rabies every 3 years.

Hemorrhagic Enteritis (Suspected Clostridial)

Dogs exposed to certain areas of Central Oregon can present with fever, lethargy, poor appetite, and fresh-red blood in vomit and diarrhea. In some cases, this is associated with scavenging deer or elk carcasses, but often the source is unknown. Treatment with injectable antibiotics and aggressive supportive care are necessary as life-saving measures. This disease looks very similar clinically to Parvovirus and Salmon Poisoning.