PIXIEDUST
PAPILLONS
PIXIEDUST
PAPILLONS
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HEALTH CONCERNS for Papillons
While not technically a disease,
hypoglycemia is not uncommon in the smaller papillons and phalenes, both puppies
and adults. Because it is life threatening and yet easy to resolve, we have an
entire page on HYPOGLYCEMIA.
As a whole, Papillons are a healthy, long-lived breed. But there are several illnesses that Papillon breeders are working to eliminate. Liver shunts, PRA and PL are the most known at this time.
PL is patellar luxation, or bad rear knees. This can cause Papillons to limp and severely impairs the Papillonss quality of life. This condition may be repaired by surgery. Checking for PL should be done after Papillons have had time to mature, as PL can be easily misdiagnosed at too early an age.
PL is the most common affliction seen in American bred Papillon puppies. Many Scandinavian countries have eliminated this problem by selective breeding of Papillons.
Liver shunts are not as common, but do show up in some papillon bloodlines. This can be detected fairly early in papillon puppies, so there is no reason for this problem to continue in Papillons.
PRA is probably the most talked about, and least understood, by most. PRA is Progressive Retinal Atrophy, causing night blindness in Papillons. Because it is usually a late-onset disease, it rarely leads to total blindness in Papillons. PRA is different in every breed. The best way to detect PRA is by a check from A Veterinary Ophthalmologist. They can examine the Papillon in 2 ways, a CERF exam, that is good for one year, and an ERG, when , if done at the right age, is good for life. Age at time of exam is quite important, because there is no way to tell the difference between PRA caused by old age and PRA that is genetically transmitted. Many Papillon breeders with little knowledge of PRA claim that it is transmitted by Swedish Papillons and Phalenes. Nothing could be further from the truth! Just because these countries have the high ethics to require testing, and America does not, has made them a target for the less informed, many of whom do not bother to test any of their Papillon puppies.
There are a number of Universities in the USA currently searching for a way to DNA test for carriers of PRA, But this appears to be far into the future.
Another misconception about testing for PRA is that Cornell is the only place that has a reliable testing method. Testing done by most DACVO Vets--Diplomate American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists--are just as accurate and reliable as any done at Cornell.
Dog Show Crud
--> Please note, this is NOT a Campylobacter infection. To read more about campylobacter, please visit Campylobacter . Note from Woodhaven Labs: When my dogs were ill with this, we did a test for Campylobacter bacteria and it was negative. Dog show crud is NOT Campylobacter. There are some sites which are saying that the crud is Campy, but that information is incorrect."The Crud" is a Bacterial overgrowth in the digestive tract. It will sometimes test low positive for Parvovirus. It is NOT a new form of Parvo although symptoms are quite similar to parvo. Crud dogs do not have a high temperature, nor will they have intestinal lesions. If a normal fecal is run on feces which are not quite to the watery and bloody stage, it will show a very high bacterial content and will be negative for parvo (usually).
Any one of the normal bacteria found in the digestive tract will go into overgrowth. The mystery is what triggers it. Possibly infected urine/feces or something brought in on shoes or clothing or from a visiting dog. We know what cures it and what to do when a dog hasn't been treated quick enough. And of course we know the end results with a dog that dies of it.
Symptoms start 12-48 hrs after initial contact (usually) and may spread to other dogs rapidly.
Dogs are alert, hungry, energetic. Normal feces starts with mucus sheath, continues to get progressively softer until becomes explosive diarrhea. Vomiting may or may not accompany. Feces have a sweet/flowery aroma along with a "slaughterhouse-on-a-summer-day" smell. Feces are *usually* mustard colored then become bloody. Dogs dehydrate at an astounding rate. Dogs are also at risk of intususseption(sp).
The younger or weaker the dog, the worse it is. Some dogs may never get it, even though they may be kenneled with an affected dog. Some dogs also get over this without treatment.
The key is to treat this as fast as possible before the dogs go anorexic AND to treat ALL dogs on the premises (non-affected dogs should get ONE capsule). Treatment is 250mg Cephalexin per 25lbs of body weight. Pups may get Ceph-drops. This MUST be given orally NOT I/V - it MUST go thru the digestive tract. If the dog vomits the pill up, just give it again until it stays down. Give another dose approx 8-12 hrs later. If the dog returns to normal DO NOT medicate again.
DO NOT use an IV drip on a Crud dog. Their circulatory systems will be very depressed; *if* a vein can be found, it may not be able to support an IV. Use Lactated Ringers Solution SUB-Q and force electrolytes orally (pedialyte).
I have to stress not to continue the drug after the dogs stop the diarrhea. The important thing is to treat them ONLY until the symptoms stop. Also, sometimes affected Crud dogs are not able to handle IV support because of circulatory collapse from massive dehydration. What a quandry since IV is the fastest way to rehydrate. So giving fluids under the skin is best & ONLY give until the drug starts to work. Afterwards IV is fine. Since the drug works so quickly, this is not too much of an issue. The whole point is to keep them "going" until the drug has time to work - usually a few short hours.
IV rehydration HAS thrown Crud affected dogs into deep shock and have also found some dogs having a complete shutdown of renal system, leakage of renal and intestinal fluids into various organs, circulatory and intestinal ruptures, etc. Not sure this was directly related to being IV'd but in every instance this has occured directly after IV support was started. It is not the case when there was no IV support.
Also, DO NOT flea-dip/worm/vaccinate at this time, PLEASE!!!!!
Do NOT automatically assume Parvo when you see this. This is NOT Parvo, it is a BACTERIAL overgrowth in the digestive tract. Do NOT use Amoxycillin. Dogs should show improvement within hours of treatment using the correct drug.
If you have any questions, please e-mail me privately at k9gang@az.com with the subject CRUD. You may re-print this in it's entirety as long as the following disclaimer is included.
(Disclaimer: This information has been compiled from reports received by treating veterinarians and owners. The information written is what has worked previously. This information should be taken to any veterinarian who is treating dogs with this problem. No one that does not have veterinary training should diagnose and medicate their own dogs).