Canine Dysautonomia in Dogs: Rising in Midwest
If you & your fur babies live in the Midwest, Canine Dysautonomia in dogs is a potentially fatal disease you need to be aware of.
Because cases are mainly in the Midwest, many veterinarians are not fully up-to-speed with the latest data on this disease.
Educate yourself about the signs, symptoms & what to do if you think your dog has Canine Dysautonomia.
What is Canine Dysautonomia?
Canine Dysautonomia is a serious, often fatal, neurological disorder linked to bacteria found in upturned dirt. Most cases of the disease are in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky & Wyoming, but there are cases in other areas.
Dogs have an increased risk in rural areas, common in the Midwest, or if they spend more than half their life outdoors.
Even though uncommon & often fatal, early detection can increase the chance of survival. So, if you live in the Midwest (like us) be on the lookout for the below signs & symptoms.
Early Signs of Canine Dysautonomia?
You may be able to save your dog’s life with early detection & diagnosis. Canine Dysautonomia can be fatal in many circumstances, so it’s important to know what to look for.
These are the main, early symptoms.
It is also important to be aware that many of these symptoms can point to other animal disorders & ailments like GI foreign bodies. However,
- Vomiting or regurgitating food
- Dry, crusty nose
- Dilated pupils
- diarrhea
- Thick nasal discharge
- Lower tear production
- Third eyelid protrusion
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
- & others in the below graphic
Canine Dysautonomia Research
Due to the growing cases of the disease in the Midwest, The University of Wyoming is fundraising to re-launch research for Canine Dysautonomia.
The lead researcher, Dr. Schumaker, has collected hundreds of samples that are now frozen, waiting for testing. However, each test costs $1,000. So, you can donate online to help start the research project!
Dr. Schumaker believes, “This disease is on the rise – increased diagnostic laboratory testing indicates that CD is an emerging disease of dogs.”
If you’d like to help re-launch the research project, you can donate to Canine Dysautonomia research.
Jana H, a local KC metro pet lover, lost her fur baby, Willow, to this disease. Jana has since been working hard to spread awareness and education.
Early detection can be the difference in surviving Canine Dysautonomia, so please watch out for these symptoms in your animals. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below.
Be sure to join The Scoop, so you can stay up-to-date on all things pet health related!
From our furry family to yours, iPetsKC
