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Australian Shepherd - Specific Wellness Program |
Dermatological Conditions
Nasal Solar Dermatitis
About the condition:
- In nasal solar dermatitis, areas of the nose may become inflamed and sometimes ulcerated. The hairless portions of the nose are usually affected first, occasionally followed by the bridge of the nose. As indicated by the name, exposure to the sun may make the problem worse.
How to detect this condition:
- To rule out other problems that may have similar symptoms, the doctor may recommend skin scrapings, bacterial and/or fungal cultures, and possibly a biopsy.
Infectious Diseases
Coccidiomycosis (Valley Fever)
About the condition:
- Valley Fever is a non-contagious disease that originates from fungal spores found in the soil in the Southwest. Signs of Valley Fever may include, but are not limited to, the following: coughing, lack of appetite or decreased appetite, lameness, diarrhea, enlarged joints, and fever.
- Australian Shepherds may be more prone to infection than other breeds.
How to detect this condition:
- A Valley Fever blood test will most likely be recommended along with x-rays to check for signs of lesions caused by the Valley Fever spores.
Ocular Conditions
Cataracts
About the condition:
- Inside the eye is a lens that focuses light on the back of the eye or the retina. Vision occurs at the retina. This is similar to a camera which has a lens to focus light on the film. If the lens becomes opaque this is called a cataract. The most common cause of cataracts is genetic inheritance.
How to detect this condition:
- An eye exam should be performed at every wellness visit to check for signs.
Renal and Urinary Conditions
Bladder Stones
About the condition:
- Bladder stones are fairly common, however the formation of stones can cause blockage of the urinary tract.
How to detect this condition:
- Urinalysis - a chemical and microscopic analysis of your pet's urine. All that is required is a urine sample.
- Ultrasound - a type of non-invasive imaging that allows any stones to be detected in the bladder or kidney.
This list is not intended to cover all possible diseases and/or conditions found in Australian Shepherds, but instead lists those that we have found to be most common at Hillside Animal Hospital. Please let us know if you have further questions regarding these or any other conditions.
Wellness Recommendations
We recommend six month wellness exams for the life of your pet since they age so much faster than humans do. Frequent visits allow us to discuss recent changes, detect potential problems, tailor diagnostic recommendations, and initiate therapy that will benefit your pet long term.
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Your Pet's Age in Years
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Australian Shepherd
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Numbers within the chart are your pet's age in human years
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Juvenile
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Adult
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Senior
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A series of wellness consultations and vaccines are required as a puppy develops. Problems can be addressed early based on a breed's disposition. Early findings may dictate the path of future wellness.
The primary wellness consultation is scheduled for routine vaccines, the first line of prevention. The second wellness consultation is meant for vaccine boosters and basic wellness blood work. Wellness blood work is essential in early detection and treatment of medical conditions. Each consultation allows us to spend time with you to discuss any changes that may have occurred as your pet ages and make recommendations accordingly. Factors such as size, sex, age, lifestyle, and breed will dictate a patient's recommendations. Radiographs may be recommended for some patients as baseline evaluations for future comparisons.
Adult wellness blood work includes a basic chemistry (8), a complete blood count, and a heartworm test. We recommend evaluating wellness blood work annually for the lifetime of the pet.
With senior patients, each wellness consultation is for routine vaccines and boosters, along with a physical examination. Changes for seniors can be subtle, so maintaining a healthy senior pet requires an owner's observations along with twice a year physical examinations to evaluate these changes. The doctors recommend annual comprehensive wellness blood work and urinalysis for all of our seniors. Doctors rely on blood and urine tests to provide important information about a pet's health to determine appropriate therapy. Radiographs may also be recommended as these changes occur to again ensure appropriate therapy.
Senior wellness blood work includes a comprehensive chemistry (25), a complete blood count, thyroid hormone level, urinalysis, and a heartworm test. Depending on medications, some prescriptions require frequent blood monitoring in addition to routine wellness.
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FAX: 480-551-1738
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