Allergies: In Australian Cattle Dogs, allergies often show up as skin conditions, itchy ears, head-shaking, scratching, or bald or raw spots, though they can also cause runny eyes and nose, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, and diarrhea. Australian Cattle Dogs can be allergic to many of the same things people can: dust, pollen, grasses, mold, flea bites, and many foods. If you think you Australian Cattle Dog has an allergy, talk to your vet about how to determine what she's allergic to and what you can do.
Anal Sac Conditions: Anal sacs are tiny organs, on either side of the lower half of the Australian Cattle Dogs anus, which produce a liquid thought to help Australian Cattle Dogs mark their territory. The ducts that lead from the sacs to the anus can become blocked or infected. If your Australian Cattle Dogs starts scooting his bottom along the ground and licking his anus, this may be the reason. Your vet can clear the ducts or show you how to squeeze the glands yourself. If your Australian Cattle Dogs is scooting its bottom on the floor most likely they are needing their anal sacs expelled. Sometimes they are able to do this themselves, but if scooting continues after a day or two you should either check the glands yourself or take your Australian Cattle Dog to a vet to be examined.
Bloat: Gastric dilatation volvulus is a very serious condition that can rapidly kill an otherwise healthy Australian Cattle Dog. The stomach inflates (usually with gas or fluids) beyond its normal size, twists around, and can press on the major arteries of the torso, disrupting blood flow, and sending the Australian Cattle Dog into shock. It can be precipitated by exercise two or three hours after a large meal or drinking large amounts of water. Signs include distended abdomen, excessive drooling, dry retching, restlessness, and depression. Signs of shock are weak pulse, rapid heart rate, pale gums, or short, rapid breathing. If you suspect bloat or shock, take your Australian Cattle Dog to the vet immediately. Large breeds and breeds with deep chests tend to be most susceptible. Feed your Australian Cattle Dog several small meals throughout the day and restrict water intake and exercise soon after eating.
Colitis: is an inflammation of the colon or lower bowel, and has many different causes, from bacterial infections to allergies. Since causes vary so do symptoms and treatments. Generally, you might see feces with mucus or blood in it, bloody diarrhea, or unproductive straining after passing feces. Severe dehydration can kill a Australian Cattle Dog quickly so immediate veterinary care is crucial.
Diabetes: When the body stops making insulin or stops reponding to it, it can no longer process sugars in the blood efficiently. The kidneys will release sugar into the Australian Cattle Dog's urine, which makes her urinate more and have to drink more. The primary symptoms of diabetes are excessive drinking and urination, sometimes accompanied by weight loss despite increased appetite, or blindness or numb limbs. Treatment is available, and early detection is crucial.
Dysplasia: usually in the hip or elbow, dysplasia is a deterioration of the joint. A loose or ill-fitting joint will cause damage and a resulting immune response within the joint. Stiff movement, pain or slowness getting up, or swollen joints are symptoms. Consult your vet about the possibility of dysplasia and what can be done to help.
Epilepsy: Australian Cattle Dogs can have seizures just like people, and the causes can be varied. There are several stages of a seizure, which in Australian Cattle Dogs are generally expressed (to varying degrees) in these ways: changes in mood or behavior, sometimes for several days before a seizure; the "aura," which signals the start of the seizure, can include nervousness, whining, trembling, salivation, excessive affection, wandering, restelessness, hiding, and general apprehension; the seizure itself, lasting a few seconds to a few minutes, in which the Australian Cattle Dog may fall to the ground, lose consciousness, gnash teeth, thrash his limbs, bark, paddle his feet, and lose control of his bladder and bowels; and the "anelean" stage, after the seizure, in which the Australian Cattle Dog may pace, become temporarily blind or deaf, and eat or drink excessively. If you suspect your Australian Cattle Dog may have had or be having a seizure, consult your vet.
Fleas and Ticks: Fleas can bother an Australian Cattle Dog dreadfully, so adequate flea prevention is essential, especially in the warmer months. Ticks can pass on diseases such as Lyme disease, so if you live in an area with ticks (most of the country now), do frequent tick checks all over your Australian Cattle Dog's body--especially for Australian Cattle Dog puppies, whose immune systems are not yet developed.
Heart Disease: There are many types of heart disease, but symptoms to watch out for include coughing, weight loss, pale mucous membranes, palpable vibrations of the chest wall, exercise intolerance, episodes of passing out, accumulation of fluids anywhere in the body, and abnormal heart sounds such as a heart murmur.
Obesity: Obesity is just as dangerous for Australian Cattle Dogs as it is for humans. Fat Australian Cattle Dogs are a higher risk in surgery, more prone to injury, as well as to metabolic disorders such as diabetes, and have more stress on their heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines, and joints. Consult your vet about a reasonable diet for your Australian Cattle Dog.
Parasites: Most canine parasites are worms (hooks, rounds, whips, tapes, and heartworms), and can be taken care of by your vet. General symptoms include lethargy, diarrhea, and small worms or shitish egg fragments in the feces, though specific parasites have different symptoms. Mites, fleas and ticks count among external parasites. Even indoor Australian Cattle Dogs can catch parasites via mosquitoes, or brief periods they spend outdoors or with other dogs.
