Tapeworms
Overview:
A common intestinal parasite, tapeworms do not cause harm to the dogs they infect, although minor irritation to the anal area may occur. There are two primary ways that dogs can become infected with tapeworms. Dogs can swallow a flea accidentally when they are chewing or licking themselves. If the swallowed adult flea contains infective tapeworm larvae, then the dog can become infected with the most common species of tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum. Less commonly, dogs can become infected when they eat a rabbit or rodent, which can harbor different species of the Taenia tapeworm.
Spaying, neutering, "fixing"
Overview:
Ovariohysterectomy is the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus. Known more commonly as a spay procedure, the surgery is performed on many female dogs. The indications for the procedure include preventing unwanted litters of puppies and the nuisance of repeated heat cycles; decreasing the probability of mammary or breast cancer; and in treating many reproductive tract disorders, including most commonly pyometra infection within the uterus, and uterine neoplasia. Spaying a dog before her first heat cycle decreases the chances of mammary cancer by greater than 90 percent. The surgery is more difficult when the dog is in heat or pregnant, as both of these conditions result in increased uterine size and blood supply.
Canine scabies, Sarcoptic mange
Overview:
Sarcoptic mange is one of the most uncomfortable skin diseases that a dog can contract. Highly contagious, sarcoptic mange is caused by a mite called Sarcoptes scabeie var. canis and is transmissible to humans. These mites burrow into a host animal's skin, causing scaling, yellowish crust, hair matting and loss, and severe itching.
Roundworms, Ascariasis
Overview:
Almost all puppies are born already infected with roundworms, which are the most common intestinal parasite of the dog. Toxocara canis, a species of roundworms, is capable of migrating across the infected mother dog's placenta and into the unborn puppies. Neonates also can ingest the infective form of the roundworm when nursing infected milk from their mother.
Other possible modes of roundworm infection include
Uterine infection, pus-filled uterus.
Overview:
Pyometra, a serious infection of the uterus, is a well-recognized disease of female dogs. Pyometra often results from the animal's own bacteria within the genital tract. Escherichia coli is the most common bacteria identified in pyometra. Whenever levels of the reproductive hormone progesterone rise, the uterine lining becomes susceptible to bacterial infection.