By Dr. Steve Surujbally
Continued
Factors influencing
infectious diseases
1. Age
Some diseases have a preference for the young, while others afflict more the elderly. Canine Distemper – as garnered from international statistics – seems to attack young animals in the first instance. I should hasten to add that, during the Distemper outbreak a few years ago, older adult dogs were also succumbing.
Intestinal helminth (worm) burden will cause diarrhoea in puppies much quicker than it would precipitate a problem in adult dogs. Rickets is another example of a young animal ailment. On the other hand, tumours, heart/blood circulatory problems, canine heartworm, chronic inflammatory processes, and general infectious fevers all seem to target the elderly animal more.
2. Sex
No, I don’t mean how many times an animal mates (even though if we extract semen from bulls too often, within an artificial insemination programme, they become decrepit earlier). Rather, I am referring to gender. Obviously, the anatomical difference between the genitals of the male and female and their positions (where they are situated) will promote easier infection.
The opening of the vagina of animals is usually right below the anus. The possibility of faecal contamination is therefore enhanced. On the other hand, the pendulating sheath of a bull or the dangling testicles of a dog are constantly exposed to mechanical trauma that can result in lesions which could lead to easy infection. In addition, the oestrus cycle in the female tends to exaggerate a febrile (fever) condition that might already be existing.
3. Pregnancy
When one considers the stress that a mother dog or cat has when she is pregnant with several foetuses in her womb, it is little wonder that her vitality could be compromised.
During the latter stages of pregnancy, especially if the nutritional status of the mother is not fortified, the demand of the foetuses can truly make the mother vulnerable to ailment. Pregnant cats and bitches suffer often from constipation, abdominal pains, indigestion (do you see a parallel with humans?), etc.
During pregnancy, the mother dog/cat is much more susceptible to acute (sudden onset) infectious diseases which could be fatal, or at least cause abortion. An interesting feature which has been documented is that nothing much might happen during the pregnancy itself, if the disease is chronic (lingering). However, soon after birth, the symptoms increase in severity. Of course, certain specific conditions like mineral imbalance and nervous disorders will be exacerbated by a pregnancy.
Lastly, the scientists have been able to determine that many metabolic body functions (eg excretion) are compromised during pregnancy, and therefore the accumulation of potentially toxic substances makes the animal less able to fight off disease.
4. Temperament
Well, to us veterinarians, this is clear enough. Any anti-social, vicious dog that won’t allow specific, but necessary treatment, might die, because the therapy regime cannot be administered. A dog/cat that will rip off its bandage is really denying man’s material assistance to help nature’s reparative and regenerative processes, and thus allowing the possibility of increased secondary infection.
5. Breed
Long-haired breeds truly suffer here. We live on the coast, a couple of degrees away from the equator, below sea level and with humidity being often between 90 -100 degrees. You can imagine how mites, ticks and fleas (and the diseases they transmit) can flourish under such conditions. Worse, long hair produces a micro-climate close to the skin, so the ectoparasites feel at home on the skin and tenaciously fight any attempt to dislodge them. Moreover, thick, matted hair deters one from seeing the extent of the damage that is taking place on the skin and prevents the chemical treatment from penetrating to the parasites. Long hair also restricts heat transpiration.
Breeds with short ‘snouts’ (you know those whose faces look like they have run into a brick wall), because of the anatomy of the nasal passages, have difficulty breathing especially when the place is hot and humidity levels are high. Black-haired breeds, like the Doberman, make it difficult to see a flea/lice infestation.
We will continue next week with more factors that influence disease proliferation.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
